I have a 2019 Highlander with about 40,000 miles, and the Michelin tires are already worn out. We don’t drive much, so I’m not sure if it’s worth getting high-mileage tires since age seems to wear them out more than the miles we drive. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!
The best tire depends on your driving conditions and what you need from them. I use a soft compound tire when it’s cold and switch to all-season tires in warmer weather for better gas mileage and low road noise. Right now, I’m using Blizzaks because it’s -2 where I live.
If you’re not dealing with snow or off-road conditions, just go with a good all-season tire. If you see occasional light snow, look for all-season tires with the snowflake symbol for extra grip. If you don’t need anything fancy, a solid all-season tire will do just fine.
@Evans
We mostly drive on regular roads and don’t need anything special. What brands would you recommend? Also, how do I decide on mileage?
What model Highlander do you have, and what size are your tires? Tire size is on the side of the tire or a sticker inside the driver’s door.
Also, check the speed rating on your current tires, which is likely a ‘V’. Even if you don’t drive fast, the speed rating affects how well the tire handles heat and quality.
Does it snow where you live, or do you drive where it does? If so, you might want a three-peak snow tire. Otherwise, a regular all-season tire should work. Just avoid the cheap ones—they can compromise safety.
Top brands include Michelin, Pirelli, and Continental. For reliable reviews, check Tire Rack or Consumer Reports.
Let us know your specific model and driving conditions so we can narrow it down.
@Brianna
I have the 19 XLE model. I live in Texas, so it rarely snows, but it does rain a lot. My tire size is 245/60R18, and I currently have Michelins.
DEONTE said:
@Brianna
I have the 19 XLE model. I live in Texas, so it rarely snows, but it does rain a lot. My tire size is 245/60R18, and I currently have Michelins.
Thanks for sharing that. Since you live in Texas and don’t deal with snow, an all-season tire that performs well in rain would be a good choice. Michelin CrossClimate 2s are excellent in wet conditions, but they might be overkill for Texas.
Another option is the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive or Michelin Defender 2. Both have good performance and durability. Just make sure to stick with the same size and speed rating as your current tires (probably ‘V’). And don’t forget to get an alignment done after replacing the tires!
DEONTE said:
@Brianna
I have the 19 XLE model. I live in Texas, so it rarely snows, but it does rain a lot. My tire size is 245/60R18, and I currently have Michelins.
I’m in Texas too and recommend sticking with Michelins. I’ve had great results with their Defender 2s—they handle rain really well and have solid durability. Plus, their construction helps if you ever have a slow leak or low pressure. Definitely worth the investment for safety and performance.
@Brianna
Great breakdown, thanks for the detailed explanation!
Check out discounttire.com or tirerack.com for reviews and recommendations. I also have a 2019 Highlander and just got Michelin X-Tour A/S 2 tires from Costco. Those might be more than you need, but they’ve been excellent so far. For lighter driving, you might not need such a high-mileage option.
I have a 2018 Highlander that doesn’t get driven much, and I’ve been really happy with Vredestein tires. They’re cheaper than Michelins but still very quiet and smooth. Got mine from Tire Rack and had them installed locally. Highly recommend.
I’m running Michelin CrossClimate 2s on my Highlander, and they’ve been the best tires I’ve ever had. They’re especially good in rain and snow, and they’re quieter than the Defenders I had before. Highly recommended, even though Discount Tire initially tried to talk me out of them.
@GaryRoberts
Totally agree! CrossClimate 2s are a big step up from Defenders. They might not be necessary for Texas since there’s not much snow, but they’re still hard to beat in overall performance.
40,000 miles is actually pretty decent for a vehicle as heavy as the Highlander, not bad at all.
I have a 2019 XLE and put Michelin Defender tires on mine at 29,000 miles. I’ve added 39,000 miles since then, and they still have plenty of tread left. Most of my driving is a 50-mile round-trip commute.
Do you deal with snow where you live?
Five years is a good lifespan for a set of tires.
Thanks for all the input, everyone. I really appreciate it!
I’ve had great results with Sumitomo tires on our 2015 Highlander. They’ve been durable and reliable.
Cleo said:
I’ve had great results with Sumitomo tires on our 2015 Highlander. They’ve been durable and reliable.
Which model did you get?
Cleo said:
I’ve had great results with Sumitomo tires on our 2015 Highlander. They’ve been durable and reliable.
Which model did you get?
I’m using the HTR all-season model. They’ve been a great fit for our XLE.