As a pro wordsmith and car expert, I can tell you that the Subaru Crosstrek is one comfy SUV that can handle both city and off-road driving. But if you want to unleash its full potential, you gotta equip it with the right rubber.
So, what are the best tires for Subaru Crosstrek? Should you pimp it up with beefy off-road treads or stick to slick highway rubber for a smoother ride? Fear not, my friends, for I’ve put my gearhead skills to the test and picked out the ultimate tire options for you!
In this article, I’ve rustled up the best rubber for your Crosstrek, taking into account factors like off-road prowess, handling, and durability. So buckle up and let’s take your Crosstrek to the next level of awesomeness!
The Best Tires For Subaru Crosstrek Reviews
I’ve spent many years researching and testing many different tire models. And here are the names that best fit the Subaru Crosstrek.
Touring All-Season
Michelin Defender 2
Best for Overall
The Michelin Defender 2 is a tire with balanced performance in various conditions, from dry to light snow.
I can not complain about the driving feeling that the Michelin Defender 2 brings.
On dry highways, the steering is quite responsive and sharp. The ride is very stable, even the best in the segment.
In particular, the product has the best performance on slippery roads. Wide grooves direct water away from the tire surface, while side grooves provide traction throughout the ride. With Michelin Defender 2, driving a Subaru Crosstrek in heavy rain or deep puddles is no longer so dangerous.
Not a dedicated winter tire, but its grip on light snow is also quite impressive. The tire’s traction also remains quite good on slippery roads like snow.
I am delighted with the quality of the trip that the representative from Michelin brings. The all-season compound does an excellent job of providing a quiet ride.
During long-distance driving on imperfect roads, the tires absorb vibration quite well, ensuring the most comfortable driving experience.
The manufacturer provides the product with a tire tread warranty of up to 80,000 miles. Defender 2 can last longer than that.
Overall, the Michelin Defender 2 meets all the expectations of SUV owners: good performance in various conditions, comfort, and durability.
However, this tire model needs to improve its performance when cornering to become perfect. In the following versions, the manufacturer will bring an all-season product with an impressive cornering performance at high speed.
Pros
- Enduring.
- Good drainage.
- Quiet and smooth ride.
- Good grip on light snow.
- Responsive steering system.
Cons
- Performance at high speed is not excellent.
Continental TrueContact Tour
Best for Tread Life
I’ve always favored all-season touring on SUVs with car-like behavior like the Subaru Crosstrek. This tire has good grip, comfort, and fantastic durability. And Continental TrueContact Tour is no exception.
I have been with this tire model for over five months, with more than 3,000 miles. Surprisingly, after considerable use, the tire still showed no wear.
In addition, the manufacturer also strives to improve the tire compound and equip the latest technology. All of the above creations of Continental have yielded entirely satisfactory results.
On dry roads, the Continental TrueContact Tour feels very good behind the wheel. The cornering grip is not as good as I expected. As long as I don’t exceed the speed limit, the tire still provides a safe, reliable ride.
Compared to traveling on dry runways, I prefer driving in heavy rain with TrueContact Tour.
On slippery roads, Continental tires have excellent grip and stability. I was also delighted with the tire’s balance and reliably short braking distance.
Not many touring tires offer excellent slippery highway performance like the TrueContact.
The above performance continues to be maintained when driving in ice and snow conditions. The TrueContact Tour’s vertical grip and braking distance are much better than I expected for an all-season tire.
Of course, I do not recommend using All Season Continental tires as a substitute for specialized winter tires. The product’s previous advantages are no longer maintained in ice and slope conditions.
Like all touring tires, the ride quality of the TrueContact Tour did not disappoint.
Even with the strongest collisions, the vibration transmitted to the side of the vehicle is always minimal.
When traveling on the highway, the tire roar is drowned out by wind and engine noise. On rough roads, the tires were quiet for me to focus on enjoying the ride.
Durability, smoothness, and good handling performance on various surfaces are why I always favor the Continental TrueContact Tour.
Although some disadvantages exist, such as braking distance and low cornering grip, this representative from Continental is still quite commendable.
Pros
- Quiet.
- Stable on slippery roads.
- Durable tread compound.
- Feels good behind the wheel.
- Longitudinal traction on snow is quite good.
Cons
- Dry handling is a bit poor compared to the competition.
All Weather tires
Michelin CrossClimate 2
Best All-Weather Tires for Comfort
I’ve loved the CrossClimate+, a comfortable and refined tire for everyday driving.
So when I learned that CrossClimate 2 has a similar design to the CrossClimate+ version, I had high expectations for the ride quality of the product.
And in fact, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 did not disappoint me. Michelin’s PIANO noise reduction tuning works well. When driving at high speeds, the CrossClimate 2’s quietness surpasses all the all-weather tires I’ve used.
I also enjoyed the way Michelin CrossClimate 2 glides over the roughest of surfaces. The ride is always smooth, and the vibration transmitted to the cabin is minimal.
The Michelin Crossclimate 2 is more than just impressive ride quality. It also conquered me with its performance in road conditions, including light snow.
In the dry roads tests, Michelin representatives always win pretty high scores. Its stopping distance and grip remind me of summer travel tires.
In more challenging driving conditions, such as heavy rain or deep puddles on the road, CrossClimate 2 also continued to surprise me.
It is a good anti-water product with great acceleration and plank. Overall, this tire model has a pretty impressive overall wet performance.
Belonging to the all-weather class, the winter performance of the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is quite good.
This model has excellent acceleration and braking on light snow. In particular, it handles pretty stably when cornering, without turning or jamming the tires.
The experiences offered by the Michelin CrossClimate 2 fully meet the industry’s severe snow service requirements.
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is much better than its predecessor and is the best tire in its class. My only complaint about this product is that the warranty mileage is only 60,000 miles which is quite a bit lower than the competition.
Pros
- Good grip.
- Quiet and smooth.
- Good overall wet performance.
- Impressive stopping distance on dry roads.
- Acceleration and braking are good on light snow.
Cons
- Lower tread warranty than the competition.
Vredestein Quatrac Pro
Best for Braking Performance
I have been with Vredestein Quatrac Pro during the rainy season. Its processing performance has saved me many times from dangerous accidents during testing.
The wet track performance of this model is best demonstrated in the braking distance. Compared to competitors in its class, like the Crossclimate 2, which I mentioned above, the Vredestein’s braking distance is up to 12.8 feet shorter.
This Michelin version has been an excellent product on slippery roads. But the Vredestein Quatrac Pro is the most reliable tire in its class with its short stopping distances and excellent wet handling.
Quatrac Pro’s ability to handle dry sugar is equally impressive. The tires are stable with good acceleration and responsive handling to meet my daily driving needs well.
Theoretically, tires that handle well on dry roads will not be available on snow. But Quatrac Pro is an exception. Its traction and acceleration are excellent, fully deserving of the 3-peak rating.
The processing performance of the Vredestein Quatrac Pro did not let me down. However, the quality of its ride made me not too satisfied.
If you usually use quiet touring tires, when switching to Quatrac Pro, you will probably be disturbed by loud noises at high speeds.
Pros
- Stable traction on snow.
- Short braking distance.
- Good acceleration.
- Impressive overall performance.
Cons
- High-speed noise
All Terrain tires
Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail
Best all terrain tires for Subaru Crosstrek
Suppose you want the most out of the Subaru Crosstrek’s offroad power. In that case, the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail will be worth considering. Regardless of the terrain conditions, it performs pretty impressively.
I test-drive the Wildpeak A/T Trail on rough roads and steep mountains. Its aggressive spikes and design easily remove small obstructions, making it as challenging to overcome harsh pavement in the air as before.
Its grip is solid and anti-slip on complex sandy and muddy roads. Thanks to that, I did not have unpleasant or unsafe experiences driving off-road with Falken.
The product operates stably on dry roads. Although the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail is a bit heavy to drive on the highway, its grip and steering are still quite reliable.
On wet and slippery roads, the tire’s performance is more stable. I love the streamlined lines on the tire surface. Thanks to the clever design, during my journey on slippery roads, I experienced almost no hydrolysis.
I also greatly appreciate this tire model’s ability to move on the snow. Falken doesn’t ski in the snow, which is not often seen in other models in his class.
Despite its stability and high grip, Wildpeak A/T Trail is still an all-terrain tire. And the heavy weight can get you stuck in a thick snow layer. Therefore, I do not recommend using this model in 3 inches of snow.
Pros
- Limit hydrolysis.
- Do not ski on light snow.
- Meet basic daily driving needs.
- Firm grip on loose terrain.
- Tire tread eliminates small obstructions.
Cons
- Not ideal for operating on heavy snow.
Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
Best Cheap All-Terrain Tires
Yokohama orients Geolandar A/T G015 to be a tremendous all-terrain tire at an affordable price. The manufacturer has accomplished quite well the set target.
Whether driving daily or off-road, this version of Yokohama satisfies me.
I was pretty impressed with the tire’s traction on dry roads in daily driving. Even if only holding the rear axle, the wheels barely reduce grip significantly.
I also appreciate the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015’s cornering handling. Of course, it doesn’t offer the same absolute performance as a dedicated highway tire. But the product’s delivery is already outstanding for daily driving requirements.
Yokohama’s wet performance is also commendable. It easily removes water from the surface and provides excellent longitudinal traction. Its wet stopping distance is also quite reliable, enough to travel in heavy rain.
I also test-drove Yokohama on light snow. And the results are pretty impressive: It corners well with short stopping distances and stable traction.
The Geolandar A/T G015 has done well in its day-to-day driving role. This product still meets my needs for light off-road driving in the remaining position.
Yokohama’s grip and cut resistance are at their maximum on dirt and gravel surfaces. My ride has always been steady and smooth in corners.
However, the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 will no longer be a reliable choice on more extreme terrain such as large rocks or deep mud. I used to get stuck in deep mud because this tire lacked traction.
Therefore, a Yokohama representative will not be the most reliable choice if you are a lover of adventurous trips.
Pros
- Good corner handling.
- Stable traction on snow.
- Meet your daily driving needs.
- Good longitudinal traction on slippery roads.
- Meet the needs of light off-road driving.
Cons
- Not suitable for moving through deep mud or large rocks.
Highway All-Season
Continental TerrainContact H/T
Best Highway All-Season tires for Wet/Rain
I had the opportunity to test drive the Continental TerrainContact H/T on dry, wet, and light snow. I was incredibly impressed with the tire’s handling on wet roads.
Continental tires always possess useful features for wet performance. And Terraincontact H/T is no exception.
This tire model has a flexible compound that provides good traction when traveling slippery roads. In addition, it also has many drainage channels to maintain a connection with the road surface and increase the driving feel.
With all of the above, the Terraincontact H/T has become the best-wet performance tire in its category. In addition to the wet performance, I was impressed with the product’s handling of dry runways.
Speeding on the highway with the Continental TerrainContact H/T is quick and easy. The tire’s grip is still quite good when traveling at high speed.
On snowy roads, unfortunately, the above advantages are not maintained. It only works stably on a thin layer of snow. On thicker snow, this product without 3PMSF is not a safe choice.
However, my poor grip on heavy snow is not its major drawback. Anyway, Terraincontact H/T has done quite well as an all-season tire model.
Its real downside lies in its high price. Continental tires are not the first choice for tight budgets compared to most products in its class.
Pros
- Good driving feel.
- Good waterproof.
- Flexible tire compound.
- Accelerate quickly on the highway.
- Maintain traction at high speeds.
Cons
- High price.
Firestone Destination LE3
Best Highway All-Season Tires for Budget
If the Continental Terraincontact H/T price makes you wonder, then look to Firestone Destination LE3. This Italian representative has a more reasonable price but still meets my expectations for an all-season highway tire.
On dry roads, it provides an excellent driving experience. The Destination LE3 never suddenly lost traction during a long testing period. Even when I drove at the speed limit, the tires quickly corrected errors, ensuring a safe ride.
I appreciate the tire’s wet performance. When moving through deep puddles or accelerating in heavy rain, the Destination LE3 maintains reliable traction.
During the initial test, I did not expect much traction in the snow of the product. I worry that this unique ribbed style won’t provide excellent snow traction.
Actually, I was wrong. The Firestone Destination LE3’s longitudinal traction is more impressive than any other all-season highway tire. The braking distance of the tire is also relatively short, enough for me to drive confidently on light snow.
In addition to overall performance, Firestone is focused on improving ride quality. And all efforts of the manufacturer have been successful.
Because even when traveling on the highway at high speed or through rough terrain, tire noise does not bother me.
The experiences that Firestone Destination LE3 brings far exceeded all my expectations. The only downside is that there is no indicator available in LT size. Therefore, if you want to add a trailer to your vehicle, the Destination Le3 will not meet the need.
Pros
- Reasonable price.
- Excellent ride quality.
- Maintain traction on wet roads.
- Continuous traction on dry roads.
- Impressive vertical traction on snow.
Cons
- Does not provide LT index size
Winter tires
Continental VikingContact 7
Best snow tires for Subaru Crosstrek
If you live in an area with severe winters, all the suggestions above are not safe enough to travel on snow. In winter, you should equip your Subaru Crosstrek Continental VikingContact 7.
VikingContact 7 features a special canola oil compound, 3D striped tread pattern, and snow grip Grip Edges. All of the above equipment has made for excellent performance on harsh terrain.
The product’s longitudinal traction leads the way in the category of snow. The braking distance is also relatively short, always giving me a sense of security when driving in winter.
In particular, I am very impressed with the cornering experience with Continental VikingContact 7. The product handles quite confidently, maintains traction, and handles the most difficult turns excellently.
The VikingContact 7 scored exceptionally well in the acceleration time tests and braking distance on ice. Not many options in the same class can beat this German version.
In addition to driving in harsh winters, I also used the VikingContact 7 on wet terrain. The experience that the product brings makes me quite satisfied. Tires have ample traction and reliable skid resistance.
Unfortunately, the wet braking distance of VikingContact 7 is a bit longer than some competitors in the same class. Even so, driving on wet streets is still a safe choice.
The real downside of this tire model is that the ride quality is not so good. Continental VikingContact 7 has poor shock absorption, is less comfortable, and is noisy. Continental should learn from some of its rivals to overcome this annoying drawback.
Pros
- Reliable anti-slip.
- Good longitudinal traction.
- Excellent handling of bends.
- Great traction on wet pavement.
- Reliable braking distance on ice.
Cons
- Noisy and lots of vibrations.
Things to consider when choosing best Subaru Crosstrek tires
If you are having trouble choosing the best Subaru Crosstrek tires, check out some suggestions below.
Touring tires
Touring tires are perfect if you spend most of your time driving the Subaru Crosstrek in urban situations.
With a set of touring tires, you’ll be satisfied with basic handling. Besides, travel tires are a good choice for the budget and have an impressive warranty distance.
Grand touring tires
Grand touring tires combine the advantages of a conventional touring tire and a high-performance tire. Therefore, this tire will be suitable for car owners who want both durability and high comfort.
High-Performance tires
High-performance tires will delight driving enthusiasts. The characteristics of this type of tire are good steering response and excellent high-speed handling.
However, this type of tire is not too durable. Manufacturers also often do not provide long-term warranties for high-performance tires.
FAQs
If questions related to replacement tires for Subaru Crosstrek make it difficult for you to choose, please refer to some information below.
How much are Subaru Crosstrek tires?
The price of a Subaru Crosstrek will range from $150 – $350.
What can the tire pressure of a Subaru Crosstrek be?
The manufacturer recommends the tire pressure of 32 to 36 psi.
What size tires are on a Subaru Crosstrek?
Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i and Premium versions have tire sizes of P225/60R17. Meanwhile, the 2.0i Limited and Hybrid versions will use 225/55R18 tires.
How long should tires last on a Subaru Crosstrek?
The average mileage of Subaru Crosstrek tires is 60,000 miles. If you drive about 15,000 miles a year on average, the tire will last about four years.
Do I need to replace all 4 tires on a Subaru?
You must change four tires simultaneously to allow the AWD to operate at optimal performance.
Conclusion
If using a Subaru Crosstrek as a car for daily travel, I will favor Michelin Defender 2. This smooth and quiet tire is sure to provide a great ride.
Meanwhile, I will choose Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail if I want to drive off-road. Pebbles or mud are not an issue with this all-terrain tire.
Hopefully, you have chosen the best tires for Subaru Crosstrek through the article. Thank you for taking the time to read this!