Last Updated: February 9, 2025
After going through over 100 hours of research, I came to the conclusion that there is no one tire that’s best for the Toyota 4Runner unless you live in a climate that doesn’t have winters. However, most of us 4Runner owners can survive with 2 sets of tires even at the climates that vary drastically.
In this article I’ve put together the findings of my research on the best tires for Toyota 4Runner. I started off with loving the Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 tires, but that love quickly changed after running into snow and slippery conditions. That one day lead into a journey filled with research consisting of manufacturer’s data, digging through forums, asking questions in Facebook groups, and finally talking to tire shops before pulling a trigger on 3 sets of tires that I currently have for the 4Runner.
Best Tires for Toyota 4Runner Winners
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Best Overall Tire for Toyota 4Runner
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Best Street Tire for Toyota 4Runner
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Best Winter Tire for Toyota 4Runner
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To not distract the readers, I decided to only put the top 3 very different tires in this reading. Through all 3 of them you will be able to find the tire that will be right for your situation. If you do a lot of street driving and do not off-road, then you don’t really need an all-terrain tire. If you live in Florida, chances are that you do not need winter tires. Long story short, I will present you only useful information and reasoning why each tire was chosen over others.
Best All-Terrain Tires for Toyota 4Runner: Falken Wildpeak AT4W
- Load Range: C1 - XL
- Load Index: 99 - 129
- Tread Depth: 13" - 19"
- Warranty: 60,000 - 65,000 miles
- Max PSI: 35 PSI - 83 PSI
- Speed Rating: H - UP TO 130 MPH - T - UP TO 118 MPH
- Tire Aspect Ratio: 10.5 - 9.5
There are many opinions on which tire is better: the Falken Wildpeak AT4W or the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires. I chose the Wildpeak tires because they were cheaper and looked more aggressive. From a performance aspect, they are nearly identical. Some say that the KO3s might be quieter when driving on the highways, but I found the AT4W tires almost as quiet as the street tires, which is very impressive for an aggressively designed all-terrain tire.
I was impressed by how well they performed in deep snow (over 1 foot) and how I never felt like my 4Runner might get stuck—similar experience when driving off-road through rough terrain or loose gravel. Compared to street tires, the Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires were head and shoulders above. However, it is very important to mention that even if these tires are severe snow-rated, they are not a winter tire. I personally know two people that have totalled their 4Runners due to slipping on icy pavement with light snow on it. That just comes to show that in winter, you need winter tires, and that neither KO3s nor Wildpeak AT4W tires can be a do-it-all tire.
What did I like the most about the Falken Wildpeak AT4W?
- Outstanding off-road performance combined with on-road comfort
- Excellent all-season capabilities with a severe winter rating
- Reinforced sidewall for added protection in rough terrains
- Competitive pricing within the all-terrain category
- Low noise levels on highways
What did I not like about Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires?
- A significant drop in gas mileage when compared to street tires
- They did not perform too well in light snow or on icy roads
What type of 4Runner owner should buy Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires?
This tire might be for you if you occasionally go off-roading and possibly find yourself on rougher terrains. Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires are not your typical All-Terrain tires that make a lot of noise and cause you to feel vibrations while driving. They can be used on regular streets and highways with no major issues. They are great on dry pavement, rough terrain, and deep snow. The only flaw I could find with their usability is that they are not the best in icy conditions. So, if you are dealing with a ton of snow or ice each year, you might want to consider getting winter tires on top of the AT4W tires for your 4Runner. That’s what I did.
Best Street Tires for Toyota 4Runner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2
- Load Range: E1 – XL
- Load Index: 111 – 129
- Tread Depth: 11″ – 14″
- Warranty: 50,000 – 70,000 miles
- Max PSI: 50 PSI – 80 PSI
- Speed Rating: H – UP TO 130 MPH – T – UP TO 118 MPH
- Tire Aspect Ratio: 12.5 – 75
Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 tires were the tires that I bought the 4Runner with from a Toyota dealer. They were brand new at the time of purchase, and I have put around 15K miles on them. While I had these tires on, they performed incredibly well and didn’t disappoint. Well, they almost didn’t disappoint. The only time I felt unsafe with them was, once again, when the roads were a bit icy, or there was some fresh snow on the ground. This is very similar to my experience with the Falken Wildpeak tires. This experience reinforces the fact that if you want to feel safe on the road when it’s icy, get a dedicated winter tire.
Otherwise, these tires were great. I had zero issues driving through heavy downpours, during which quite a few cars around me have hydroplaned. They were quiet; they helped my 4Runner constantly get around 20mpg in Colorado, which is a lot, as you already know. The main reason I got them swapped for the Wildpeak tires was that they aren’t the best when off-roading, and I did have some scares with them when going down a very steep hill with loose gravel on the road.
What did I like the most about the Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2?
- Quiet and comfortable
- Performs great on dry and wet pavement
- Performs well in snow, but wouldn’t fully trust it in heavier snow
- Does not decrease gas mileage for vehicles
- Great durability paired with just as great warranty
What did I not like about Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2?
- A bit costlier
- Not 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake rated
- Not great on icy roads
- Not great on loose gravel
What type of 4Runner owner should buy Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2?
If you are a Toyota 4Runner owner who mostly drives on paved roads and has no desire to go off-roading, then Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 tire is for you. However, if you face rougher climates with snow and/or ice, you should still get a set of dedicated winter tires, such as the ones I will cover below. Defender LTX M/S 2 tires are great for highways and driving in the rain and perform well in deeper snow. They were also the only tires that resulted in my 4Runner showing gas mileage in the 20s.
Best Winter Tires for Toyota 4Runner: Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2
- Load Range: SL – XL
- Load Index: 95 – 117
- Tread Depth: 13″ – 14″
- Warranty: Discount Tire offers their Certificate of Coverage
- Max PSI: 35 PSI – 50 PSI
- Speed Rating: R – UP TO 106 MPH – T – UP TO 118 MPH
- Tire Aspect Ratio: 40 – 75
- Features: Winter, Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake, Winter, Performance
Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 tires were the solution I found for all the slipping and sliding in the tires mentioned previously. These tires are simply incredible in snow and even on icy surfaces. I got to test them in the Rocky Mountains right after a snowstorm, and the cleaned roads were covered in compressed snow with an icy surface. To make matters worse, there were quite a few icy downhill sections of the roads. To my pleasant surprise, Blizzak stopped my 4Runner with no issues.
It is truly incredible how much of a difference there is in driving on snow with dedicated winter tires and severely snow-rated tires. Before getting the Blizzak DMV2 tires, I had already started thinking that maybe my 4Runner is not good in snow and the 4WD system is severely outdated. Those thoughts vanished quickly after mounting these tires on.
What did I like the most about the Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2?
- Exceptional grip and control on snow, ice, and slush.
- Advanced braking power on slippery surfaces.
- Durable tread design for long-term use.
- Certified severe snow performance.
- Wide range of sizes for compatibility with various vehicles.
What did I not like about Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2?
- No mileage warranty is provided.
- Not suitable for year-round use; must be stored during warmer months.
What type of 4Runner owner should buy Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2?
If you have winters where you can get a lot of snow or drive on icy roads, get yourself a set of Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2. I first became a Blizzak fan after mounting the Blizzak WS90 tires on a Volkswagen Jetta and driving through a crazy winter storm with them through the Cascade Mountains in Washington state. The DMV2 did not disappoint, and if anything, impressed me even more. The only 4Runner owners who shouldn’t consider getting themselves a set live in warm climates like Florida, Texas, or Hawaii.
What are the best tires for Toyota 4Runner: Bottom Line
Here you have it. These three tires I would definitely recommend for my fellow Toyota 4Runner owners. I have them all and have put thousands of miles on each set on various terrains. To sum things up for what type of 4Runner owners should get what, let’s quickly go over the options:
- Warm place residents without desire to off-road: Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 should be your go-to tire.
- Warm place 4Runner owners who want to go off-road: Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires would be a good pick for you.
- Not-so-warm place living 4Runner owners with no desire to go off-road: you should get either Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 tires and add a dedicated winter set of Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 tires.
- Not-so-warm place living 4runner owners who want to go off-roading: Falken Wildpeak AT4W tires with a dedicated set of Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 tires.
