10 Best Tires For Subaru Outback (Best Winter Tires for Subaru Outback)

Last updated on July 12th, 2023 at 09:42 am

When it comes to carrying cargo, station wagons are still the best practical vehicles to have. Although many buyers today also want them to have off-road capabilities, and that’s where these types of vehicles fail to deliver. However, the Subaru Outback is not one of them. This car comes with both features of a crossover/station wagon body, and an excellent symmetrical AWD system from the manufacturer.

Indeed, the Subaru Outback model dominated terrains worldwide even before the conception of SUVs and crossovers. This is why choosing the best AT tires for the Subaru Outback is always tricky. The reason is that there are lots of available options on the market.

When you’re searching for the best all-terrain tires for your Subaru Outback, and you’re asking which option is, you’ll get different answers from different people. This is because people have different priorities, and yours may differ. 

I may be more interested in fuel economy, and long tread life. At the same time, you may be interested in performance on or off the road, and another may be interested in affordability. 

But whatever your needs may be, I’ve covered you in today’s article.

I’ll show you the 11 best AT tires for Subaru outback that would fit very well on your vehicle. However, you can still select based on tire performance characteristics, best value tires, tires with the longest tread life, and much more. But first, where can you buy all-terrain tires for Subaru outback in the US?

Are AT Tires For Subaru Outback Good Tires

The truth is that Subaru outback all-terrain tires aren’t as good as street tires for those who drive daily. Sometimes you might have road noise and observe quicker tread wear. 

All-terrain tires are still reliable and offer great road traction. They are worth it if you regularly drive in various road conditions. Mud tires with more aggressive tread will be worse for daily driving. But if you like going to the mountains during the winter, then you can get seasonal winter tires instead.

Note that all-terrain tires are ideal for drivers in search of flexibility. This is because they have more off-road ability than a standard all-season tire. But they are less dexterity on mud or rough surfaces than mud-terrain tires for Subaru outback. 

What Is The Quietest Tire For Subaru Outback?

The quietest tire for Subaru Outback while on the road right now is the Michelin CrossClimate SUV. It is designed to focus solely on being the best on wet traction. The tire has open shoulders and wide lateral grooves that allow it to evacuate water in a direct path. This is the reason why its hydroplaning resistance is among the highest. 

It has tread blocks in a bevel shape, providing more grip for damper surfaces. This tire can go very fast due to its internal construction, as it comes with 2 steel breakers and 1 polyester carcass layer. 

Michelin CrossClimate SUV has accurate steering performance, which has remained the same due to the directional tread pattern. The only downside is its price, as the mileage warranty needs longer than other affordable tires. 

8 AT Best Tires For Subaru Outback (best winter tires for subaru outback)

Are you in search of the best all-terrain tires for your Subaru outback? Here are the 8 best AT tires you need to purchase for the Subaru outback.

#1. Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Touring Tire- Best Steering Response

When you need a tire that’s good in steering response, then the Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Touring Tire is the best option for you. This tire stands out from others in its Race Wrap Construction Technology. This is the same technology that NASCAR tires use, providing better handling and steering response stability.

This brand also incorporated full-depth active sipes in their Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Touring Tire to provide a better biting edge. 

The biting edge makes it strong in ice, snow, and rain. It also has better tire durability because of the 2 steel belts built inside and polyamide reinforcement.  

It doesn’t make noise when carrying a heavy load like other profession-grade tires. If you’re the kind that likes comfortable rides, then you should keep this in mind when buying tires.

Pros

• It has an amazingly responsive steering
• It provides good traction for all-season driving
• It is very durable

Cons

Minimum buyers guarantee

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it. 

#2. Continental Extreme Contact All-Season Tire- Best Versatility

One good thing you would love about the Continental Extreme Contact All-Season tire is its versatility. This is because it features +Silane additives in the tread compound, which makes the tire grip quite well in wet conditions.

Another thing that was added to the tire is the Continental’s Chamfered Edges, which allows it to have maximum tread contact on dry roads. It also has traction grooves beneath the tread grooves to enhance this tire’s traction in snowy conditions.

Continental Extreme Contact All-Season Tire cornering capability is nothing to scoff at, and this is because of the asymmetrical tread pattern it has. All these features work together with the notched center rib to improve the steering response excellently. Remember that even though this tire has a good cornering capability in most scenarios, it can still slip in specific conditions. The condition it can slip is in icy roads because of its softer sidewalls.

Pros

• It provides a Quiet and comfortable ride
• It is very versatile
• It has an above-average tread life
• It comes with good tread life warranty
• Very affordable

Cons

• It has softer sidewalls which can lead to some cornering problems.

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

#3. Continental CrossContact LX25

Here’s another excellent tire from a continental brand specifically produced for crossovers like the Subaru Outback. It aims to provide safe year-round traction, excellent tread life, and luxurious comfort. If you’re concerned about tread life, then this tire outrightly beats the Michelin CrossClimate 2, and this tire brand even comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty.

CrossContact LX25 can be used for the Subaru outback, as it was particularly designed to be good in wet conditions. This is where it handles cornering with ease due to its high levels of lateral grip. This tire can also perform well at the limit, because of its balancing nature. Its braking distances are comparable to the best in the category.

Additionally, the CrossContact LX25 tire provides good dry traction and grip, which is very good for Subaru vehicles. Like other Continental tires, this one is very good in the snow, as it provides the best subjective feel in the category. This means that it’s very easy for you to drive fast. It also has good acceleration, and the braking distances are among the shortest in the category.

Pros

• It has an outstanding performance in rainy conditions
• Excellent on-road manners on dry pavement
• It comes with longer treadlife
• It comes with excellent light snow traction and handling
• The operation is so quiet

Cons

• It has a steep price. 
• Sometimes it can be uncomfortable over broken surfaces.

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

#4. Michelin CrossClimate 2

If you’re searching for a good tire for your Subaru Outback, then note that most people who bought the Michelin CrossClimate 2 did so because it provides a reliable year-round due to the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. This means there’s no better tire for your Subaru Outback than the CrossClimate 2. 

This Michelin all-terrain tire can truly transcend how you drive as it provides outstanding performance in all conditions. This tire almost feels like magic sometimes, and this is exactly how good this tire is.

Michelin CrossClimate 2 offers better lateral grip than its competitors; its acceleration is very easy when cornering and easy to handle at the limit. Additionally, it has a stopping distance that’s among the shortest its the category.

It also has better traction in rainy conditions, and its braking is great, which has improved much over the CrossClimate+. However, its small downside shouldn’t detract from the fact that Michelin CrossClimate 2 is worthy of your Subaru Outback!

Pros

• The tire is very good at braking on snow-covered roads
• It has excellent handling and braking on dry roads
• The tire is one of the best all-terrain tires in the rain
• It has excellent balanced handling on snow with high traction and grip
• It is very quiet at highway speeds

Cons

• Very expensive for some
• It has a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty that’s sub-par for the price.

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

#5. Michelin Defender LTX A/T2

Here’s another tire good for your Subaru Outback, specifically durable, due to its MaxTouch Construction. It has a design that improves its durability and stability as it evenly disperses the stresses of acceleration, cornering, and braking. And because of this, you’ll get long tread life and lower rolling resistance.

It comes with 4 big circumferential grooves, which improve the tire’s grip in both wet and snow conditions by a significant amount. Its grip can loosen easily using the help of the full-depth sipes, which allows for a much quieter and smoother ride.

Even though it is serviceable during a light snow day, Defender LTX A/T2 cannot be used in heavy snow situations. 

Pros

• It comes in lots of available sizes
• The tire is quiet as well as comfortable
• Great tread compound
• It has a balanced treadwear
• It has a longer tread life

Cons

• This tire isn’t good with heavy snow
• The price is also too high.

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

#6. Vredestein Quatrac 5 All-Season Radial Tire.

If you’re looking for the best touring all-terrain tires for your Subaru Outback, the Vredestein Quatrac is one tire that has a Severe Snow rating (3PMSF symbol). This tire has been tested for higher traction on light snow. Unlike other rival tires, it offers excellent performance in the other side as well. This makes it one of the most accomplished tires for people who use Subaru Outback.

One good thing is that this tire performs excellently well in rainy conditions, which makes it one of the best premium all-terrain tires. This tire has better hydroplaning resistance, accelerates without fuss, and offers short stopping distances. Additionally, it has a well-balanced handling, which means your Outback will be easier to control at the limit.

However, the tire’s dry traction and grip levels aren’t as impressive as it should be, but still, it is one of the best in its category. Though the performance this tire offers on dry tarmac will suffice. One advantage this tire has is the excellent light-snow traction it provides. This is due to the numerous zig-zag sipes, which makes acceleration and stopping on snow better than most all-terrain tires. It can perform well in the corners, with good balancing behavior.

Irrespective of the aggressive tread pattern, this tire is also very quiet, and the brand made it comfortable over bumps. However, its downside is the 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which makes it one of the lowest in its category.

Pros

• It provides good lateral grip and braking on dry tarmac
• It has great overall performance in the rain
• The tire is very comfortable over bumps
• It has very good traction and handling on light snow
• Very quiet

Cons

• It has one of the lowest tread life in the industry and only a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

#7.Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail

Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail is one of the best all-terrain tires for the Subaru Outback. It is a little more aggressive than the Geolandar A/T G015, which means it will work better in the wild. But on average, the off-road traction will be higher, and the tire might also be very durable in those conditions. 

The manufacturer offers buyers a superior 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is good for the money and category. This tire will impress you on the road as it has very responsive and linear steering, good highway stability, and high levels of grip and traction. It also has rain traction, that’s very impressive, especially the wet handling. 

One of the downsides is that this tire is slightly worse on light snow than its rival from Yokohama, which is both in terms of traction and handling behavior. But when it comes to comfort, this tire is very quiet when you consider its category, and the ride is very smooth. 

Pros

• Excellent for off-roading
• It has a good performance on dry tarmac
• It has good rain traction, braking, and handling
• The tire is very quiet for an all-terrain tire
• Has a longer treadwear warranty

Cons

• It can be loud on impacts
• It has an average light-snow traction 

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

3 Best Tires For Subaru Outback 2020

Many outback owners get confused about the best tires to use for their Subaru outback 2020 model, and if you’re among them, here are the 3 best tires for the Subaru outback 2020 model to buy.

#8. Bfgoodrich Radial T/A All Season Car Tire

Here’s one perfect tire brand good for the Subaru outback 2020 as it comes with tread rubber with a generous silica composition. 

The silica is especially adhesive in wet situations, making it a good option as one of the best for wet traction.

One good thing about this tire is its tread pattern. 

It also has many little curved sipes, which can quickly wick away most of the water from its contact patch. Another thing you would love is the curving edges in the tire center, which improves its water dispensing level.

One downside it has is that it isn’t very effective on the ice. Make sure you don’t use it in this situation to prevent slippering.

Pros

• It has a well-suppressed road noise
• It has sufficient dry handling
• It provides a short braking distance
• Very comfortable ride

Cons

• It isn’t very effective with ice.

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

#9. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Snow Tires

This is a factory tire that is specifically designed to combat cold climates. It comes with a special hydrophilic coating that helps in removing the water between icy roads and the tread. 

The tire also comes with microscopic bite particles that help to improve its traction to a new level.

One good thing you should note about this decent tire model is its contact area, which is between it and the road. The amount of block edges have increased by 15% due to the EdgePerformance Technology Package. This feature is ideal for snowy conditions since it helps keep the tire on the track.

But the downside of this tire is that the tread wear comes with no warranty. It is also too firm when passing through uneven bumps.

Pros

• The snow traction and braking is exceptional
• It has an acceptable dry road handling
• It has good traction on ice

Cons

• Doesn’t offer a treadwear warranty
• Very firm over uneven roads or bumps

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

#10. Hankook Dynapro AT2

If you want a fantastic tire that would allow you to get out and explore, then Hankook Dynapro AT2 is what you need. But note that it comes with a price to match its quality. You may want to get a little off-road, but you may also want some savings to buy other things. But I recommend buying the Hankook Dynapro AT2 as our best budget solution.

Though it may not have the level of off-road grip as its rivals, it is still vastly superior to stock rubber. The tire is a solid on-road performer but a bit louder than its rivals. But when it comes to warranty, it has a 60,000-mile tread life guarantee, which isn’t anything to complain about.

Pro

• It has a 60,000-mile tread life guarantee
• It is a solid on-road performer
• Best budget solution

Con

• Limited off-road grip

Look up the current price of this tire in this store to purchase it.

What Size Tires Are On A Subaru Outback?

To know the tire size for your Subaru Outback is easy, but you should know that it comes with two different wheel sizes. However, most modern Subaru Outback is designed with either 225/60R18 tires or 225/65R17 tires. 

The 2.5i and 2.5i Premium trim levels come with 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels that use 225/65 R17 size tires. 

At the same time, the other Outback trim levels come with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels which will go with 225/60 R18 tires.

What Tires Come Standard On Subaru Outback?

Mostly, Subaru outback vehicles come with 225/60R18 tires or 225/65R17 tires. However, it depends on their wheel sizes, as they come with two different wheel sizes. 

How Much Does A Subaru Tire Cost?

All Subaru vehicle models require tires with a uniform diameter and tread pattern if they operate at peak performance. 

The brand recommends changing all four tires at once. But if the remaining three tires are relatively new, you can buy one with the same brand, model, and size. How much would it cost?

Note that the cost of the Subaru tire may vary greatly depending on the type of tire and size you want to buy. But the average cost is between $100 and $300 per tire. But if you want high-performance tires, you may be spending more per tire. Sometimes you may get high-performance tires for over $500. 

What Tires Come On A Subaru Outback

When it comes to Subaru Outback tires, you’ll find that most come with either 225/60R18 tires or 225/65R17 tires, and sometimes even 225/60R16 tires. But note that the 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited is equipped with a 225/60R18 tire. 

What Tires Does Subaru Use

As we all know, tires are a vital part of any car, especially your Subaru. So whenever you want to replace them, ensure to think about your safety and that of others. In case you don’t know, you require a different set of tires when driving on dirt trails than when you strictly drive long highway miles. 

Remember that you need one type of tire in extremely hot temperatures, while wintry weather demands you to have another. It would be best to find a tire that’s good on cost and offers better tread-wear, good performance, and fuel economy. Below are the best tires you can use for different Subaru vehicle models.

For Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is one of the most competent crossover SUVs on the market. This is due to its rugged capabilities, as it allows you to have activities such as camping and leaving the pavement behind. So if you’re searching for a vehicle that can handle dirt roads just as well as pavement, you need to get a good tire for this ride. Here are 2 tires you should buy for your outback.

#1. GEOLANDAR A/T G015 All-Terrain Tires 

It would be best if you had a rugged tire that would deliver; this is what GEOLANDAR A/T G015 offers. It is the perfect all-terrain, all-weather tire you would find, and it performs well on both on- and off-road, and deliver a comfortable ride. It comes with a multi-pitch tread variation pattern which offers excellent off-road traction as it maintains a quiet ride on pavement. 

#2. Michelin Premier A/S

If you’re the kind that spends most of your time on the pavement, Michelin Premier A/S all-season tire would be the perfect choice for your Outback. It was made to offer supreme comfort and quiet performance on the road and delivers excellent traction in the rain and snow. 

For Subaru Forester

Another popular SUV for those who stay around colder climates with lots of snow and ice is the Subaru Forester. But finding a suitable tire will depend on how the car handles those wintry conditions. Here are 2 ideal tires for Subaru Forester.

#1. Cooper Discoverer Enduramax

Here’s Discoverer Eduramax, a brand from Cooper Tires. It is equally stout on rough city streets and gravel roads. It is also good on snow, slush, and ice in winter. The manufacturer used Armor Belt technology on the internal steel belts to make the tire durable and a unique tread pattern to make it ultra-quiet on the pavement. 

#2. Cooper Evolution Tour

You need to stick with Cooper Tires for your Subaru Forester vehicle, especially the Evolution Tour, which is suitable if you primarily drive on pavement. It is a touring tire that’s quiet and performs well in all seasons. 

For Subaru WRX

The Subaru WRX is one of the Subaru vehicles models that features a track-tuned suspension, quick ratio steering, symmetrical all-wheel drive, and vehicle dynamics control that comes with active torque vectoring. There’s a need to use tires that can meet the demands of the WRX’s performance. Here are 2 ideal tires for Subaru WRX.

#1. Yokohama Geolandar GO55 

Here’s Yokohama Geolandar GO55, which happens to be a mid-priced best tire meant for your Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited and Touring trim levels. It is a dependable tire that provides all-year-round handling and traction for small SUVs and crossovers.

#2. Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport 

Another great tire from Bridgestone is an affordable tire choice for SUVs and light truck drivers. This brand has a long history when it comes to solid ratings and reviews in the tire industry. It is a three-season tire for traction and proper handling in wet and dry conditions. 

For Subaru Ascent

This Subaru model features a symmetrical AWD system and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This means you can take your Ascent to new heights on and off the road. But you require tries to keep it up. Here are 2 ideal tires for Subaru Ascent.

#1. CrossContact LX25

CrossContact LX25 can be used for Subaru as it was particularly designed to be good in wet conditions. This is where it handles cornering with ease due to its high levels of lateral grip. It provides good dry traction and grip, which is very good for Subaru vehicles. 

Like other Continental tires, this one is very good in the snow, as it provides the best subjective feel in the category. This means that it’s very easy for you to drive fast. It also has good acceleration, and the braking distances are among the shortest in the category.

#2. Continental Extreme Contact All-Season Tire

One good thing you would love about the Continental Extreme Contact All-Season tire is in its versatility. This is because it features +Silane additives in the tread compound, which is what makes the tire to grip quite well in wet conditions.

For Subaru Impreza Sedan

Like all Subaru vehicles, the Impreza has a powerful BOXER engine and a symmetrical AWD system. It would be best if you had tires that would deliver better performance to match. Here are 2 tires I recommend.

#1. Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive 

Regarding popularity, Goodyear is one of the trusted names in the tire industry. Their Assurance ComfortDrive tire is among this list of best mid-priced tire options for the Subaru Impreza Sedan. This is a tire that features excellent grip in both wet, dry, and lightly snowy conditions. It has a unique tread pattern and technology that gives it excellent stability and control while providing a smooth, quiet ride.

#2. Vredestein Quatrac

If you’re looking for the best touring all-terrain tires for your Subaru Impreza Sedan, the Vredestein Quatrac Pro is one tire that has a Severe Snow rating (3PMSF symbol). This tire has been tested for higher traction on light snow. Unlike other rival tires, it also offers excellent performance on the other side. This makes it one of the most accomplished tires for people who uses the Subaru Impreza Sedan.

For Subaru Crosstrek

Driving Subaru Crosstrek can be fun, as it is a sporty vehicle that suits a variety of lifestyles. However, it requires tires to take on the adventures. Here are 2 tires recommended for it.

#1. Yokohama GEOLANDAR 191F

GEOLANDAR 191F all-season tire from Yokohama happens to deliver another great performer. The tire provides excellent traction in wet or dry conditions and an efficient, smooth, and quiet ride. There’s guaranteed long wear and all-season versatility for this tire.

#2. Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T G015

Another wonderful tire that’s good for both the Outback and the Crosstrek models of Subaru. The Yokohama GEOLANDAR A/T G015 happens to be an excellent tire. It comes with enduro compound material proven to be durable and perform well. It also features an aggressive tread pattern that gives you superior traction in the snow, dirt, and rain.
 

How Often To Rotate Tires On Subaru Outback

It is very important that you know when to rotate your Subaru outback tires as a part of the regular maintenance schedule. But as for how often to rotate it, automobile manufacturers such as Subaru, recommend you to rotate the tire every 7,500 miles or every 7.5 months, whichever comes first. Doing this will help to prevent uneven tire wear, making them last longer.

However, tire rotation for Subaru Outback averagely costs between $35 and $44. While labor costs will depend on the garage, but would be estimated between $50 and $150. This doesn’t include taxes and fees; it also depends on your specific model, year, and location. 

FAQ:

What Tires Are Best For Subaru Outback

Many Outback vehicle models come with 18-inch wheels, meaning the Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport would be best. At the same time, the Yokohama Geolandar GO55 would be a great mid-priced, long-life option. 

Can I Put All Terrain Tires On My Subaru Outback

Yes, you can. This is because all-terrain tires are very common for Subaru drivers. This is because these tires combine the ability to handle moderate off-road conditions.

What Tires Come Stock Subaru Outback?

Your Subaru Outback vehicle model comes with 225/60R18 100H tires on its upper-end models. Indeed, you can replace the original tire with your choice tire, but ensure they are of the same size with the original.

What Are The Biggest Tires You Can Put On A Subaru Outback?

If you want to fit in your spare tire compartment on your outback, the biggest tire that will fit is 235/65-17 or 255/60-17. However, a 29.1″ maximum diameter would fit in the spare tire very well. 

Can I Just Replace 2 Tires On My Subaru?

Subaru’s vehicles are AWD systems requiring their tires to have a uniform diameter and tread pattern if you want them to operate at peak performance. Therefore, it is recommended to change all four tires at once. 

How Long Will Subaru Outback 3.6 R Last?

Your Outback vehicle model is a durable, reliable vehicle that can last between 250,000 to 300,000 miles, especially when you maintain it properly. But calculating it based on an annual mileage of 15,000 miles a year means it will last 16 – 20 years before it will need expensive repairs.

Do Subaru Need Special Tires?

It’s okay to change your entire factory-fitted tires with what you want. This means that you can choose to replace them with something else. But it would be best if you changed to the exact tire size. However, some Subaru models were built with specific tires.

Conclusion

As you can see, the best tires for your Subaru Outback perform better in all-terrain driving. This won’t hurt if the tires are also tough enough for mild off-road trails. The tires listed above are top-rated for the Subaru Outback on the market. I have made it easier for you to choose the right tires for your outback that fit your budget.

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