The Best SUV Tyres for Every Terrain: What You Need to Know

Tuesday 30 April 2024

SUVs have been growing in popularity over recent years, and they’re now a common sight on Australian roads. A large part of why we love these iconic, eye-catching vehicles is because they sell a versatile, safe driving experience. And, for the most part, that’s a goal they deliver.

Like any vehicle, though, even top-selling SUVs like the Ford Ranger will only perform as well as their parts. Tyres, in particular, can have a huge impact on everything from the SUV driving experience to the terrains that your SUV can take on.

In this article, we consider different types of SUV tyres, and which would be best for your SUV driving experience overall.

Types of SUV Tyres

The three most common types of SUV tyres include –

All-season: All-season tyres are built to last all year long, complete with channels for dealing with snow and ice, strong grip for summer roads, dry braking, and more.

All-terrain: A/T (all-terrain) tyres offer versatile on-road/off-road capabilities for the occasionally adventurous driver thanks to larger tread spacing and durable construction.

Mud-terrain: M/T (mud-terrain) tyres are built entirely with off-roading, and even no-roading, in mind. They include deep tread patterns, self-cleaning properties, and wide tread gaps.

All-Season Tyres

All-season SUV tyres are designed with the weather in mind and are built to save drivers the hassle of seasonal tyre changes. While they might not offer specific seasonal benefits, all-season tyres do provide a great middle-ground for urban drivers expecting to tackle only mild off-road conditions. Famed for benefits including ice and snow channels and a strong grip for driving in hot conditions, popular all-season tyres include –

• Michelin’s CrossClimate Tyre: Michelin’s CrossClimate tyres provide features like EverGrip braking technology and MaxTouch even road distribution, making them one of the best all-season offerings on the market right now.
• Bridgestone’s Weather Control A005: Bridgestone Weather Control tyres use NanoPro-tech compound technology, which enables enhanced all-weather fuel efficiency, as well as optimised carcass construction and contact pressure distribution.

All-Terrain (A/T) Tyres

A/T SUV tyres are a versatile option that enables drivers to delve into both on-road and off-road capabilities. Popular A/T tyres are designed with occasional, light off-roading in mind, making them a great option for the general driver living in areas with potentially uneven road surfaces. A/T tyres worth considering include –

• BF Goodrich All Terrain TA KO2: BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres are some of the most durable SUV tyres on the market thanks to a nylon base, reinforced twin steel belts, and a cut-resistant thread. With smooth, powerful traction, and benefits including snow efficiency, they offer enhanced safety and performance in some of the most versatile driving conditions.
• Pirelli Scorpion ATR Tyres: Pirelli Scorpion A/T tyres feature a range of desirable A/T traits, including enhanced steering response, self-cleaning tread, and water-dispensing grooves. Alongside extra biting edges for better traction, these features can see you enjoying a smooth SUV driving experience both on the road and off it.

Mud-Terrain (M/T) Tyres

M/T SUV tyres are designed for off-roading. From muddy conditions to rocky terrain, M/T tyres need to be durable, complete with bulky treads and, preferably, self-cleaning properties. Whether you live off-road, or simply like the idea of an SUV that you can take into the wilderness, popular M/T tyres to consider include –

• Insa Turbo Special Track Tyres: Insa Turbo Special Track tyres can handle thick mud better than most other options thanks to their directional tread patterns, aggressive side lugs, and low price points that mean replacements aren’t the end of the world.
• Cooper Discoverer STT Pro: Cooper Discoverer tyres are famed for their rock driving capabilities, largely thanks to some great traction, an Armor-Tek sidewall design to reduce sidewall damage, and a range of loads and sizes depending on the kind of rocky terrain you’re taking on.

Choosing the Right Tyres for Your Needs

The ideal type of SUV tyre for you will depend on you as a driver and the kinds of terrain you’re likely to come across. It’s also worth considering your SUV’s drivetrain configuration, as this will have an impact on which types of tyres would work best.

Once you’ve worked out what type of driving you need your SUV tyres for (e.g. on-road vs off-road capabilities), you can further narrow down the best tyre types by considering key performance factors, such as –

• Expected tyre longevity
• On-road noise levels
• Fuel efficiency
• And more

Sort Your SUV Tyres Once and For All

Different SUV tyres offer varied benefits that, ultimately, will depend on everything from what you’re using your SUV for, to your driving style. Once you’ve chosen the right tyres, you should find that your SUV driving journey slips right into place. But, if you get this wrong, you could struggle to enjoy your SUV, and may end up with tyres that aren’t fit for your purposes.

By speaking to our tyre experts here at All Coast Tyres, you can make sure that you always pick the right SUV tyres that guarantee your driving performance and safety on the road. Start your SUV tyre journey today by simply getting in touch with our friendly team to discuss your driving preferences and desires.