The 245/45R20 is a popular fitment on sport crossovers, larger sedans, and performance SUVs, which means a lot of drivers are looking for a tire that balances confident handling with a quiet, comfortable ride. Because this is a low-profile 20-inch size, the wrong choice can leave you with a harsh ride, fast wear, or weak wet grip. We focused on tires that actually exist in 245/45R20 and that owners run on real vehicles, then sorted them by traction, tread life, noise, and all-weather confidence.
Below are seven tires we would genuinely put on our own cars in this size, ranked best first. Whether you want a grand-touring all-season for daily comfort, a max-performance summer tire for track-day grip, or an all-weather tire rated for light snow, there is a strong option here. Every pick links straight to Amazon so you can confirm fitment and availability for your exact vehicle.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Michelin CrossClimate2 Best Overall All-season grand touring, 3PMSF rated, V-shaped tread, ~60,000 mile warranty |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus Best All-Season Performance Ultra-high-performance all-season, Dry/Wet/Snow tread indicators, ~50,000 mile warranty |
9.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV Best Summer Performance Max-performance summer SUV tire, reinforced shoulders, dynamic response casing |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra Best for Comfort Premium all-season crossover/SUV touring, ~80,000 mile warranty, quiet ride focus |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II Best Touring Value Eco-focused all-season crossover touring, low rolling resistance, ~70,000 mile warranty |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Goodyear Eagle Touring Best Quiet Highway Ride Luxury all-season touring, asymmetric tread, sound-dampening design, V-rated |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Vredestein Quatrac Pro Best All-Weather All-weather UHP, 3PMSF rated, asymmetric tread, year-round traction |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Michelin CrossClimate2: Best Overall
The Michelin CrossClimate2 is the tire we recommend to most drivers running 245/45R20, and it is the rare all-season that genuinely earns its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. On wet pavement it shortens braking distances noticeably compared to ordinary touring tires, and the thermal adaptive compound keeps grip consistent when temperatures drop in fall and early winter. For a crossover or sedan that sees year-round commuting and the occasional cold snap, this is the safest single choice.
The honest weakness is that it is still an all-season, not a dedicated summer tire. If you push hard on a hot track day or carve canyon roads at the limit, a true max-performance summer tire will feel sharper at turn-in and hold higher cornering loads. The CrossClimate2 also sits at the top of the value scale, so you pay for the engineering. For everyday confidence in nearly all weather, though, it is hard to beat.
- Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for real light-snow traction
- Directional V-formation tread with thermal adaptive compound
- Long mileage warranty with strong wet braking performance
Pros: Excellent wet and light-snow grip for an all-season; Quiet, planted ride that holds up as it wears; Long, even tread life backed by Michelin warranty
Cons: Not a true summer tire for aggressive track use; Premium positioning means it carries a higher value tier
2. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus: Best All-Season Performance
The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is the enthusiast’s all-season, and in 245/45R20 it suits sport sedans and crossover owners who want summer-tire feel most of the year without swapping rubber. Steering is crisp, dry grip is strong enough for spirited backroad driving, and the wet performance is among the best in its class. The molded DWS letters in the tread are a genuinely useful touch, telling you at a glance when dry, wet, or snow capability is running low.
Where it falls short is deep cold and snow. The DWS06 Plus handles a light dusting, but it is not 3PMSF rated and stiffens up in freezing temperatures, so committed winter drivers will still want a dedicated set. Tread life is good rather than class-leading, especially if you enjoy the grip it offers. For a driver who values handling feel and rain confidence over maximum mileage, it is an outstanding pick.
- Visible DWS tread indicators show when wet and snow grip fade
- SportPlus technology balances handling and tread longevity
- Strong dry cornering with reassuring wet traction
Pros: Sharp steering response without a punishing ride; Genuinely capable in rain and very light snow; Clever wear indicators help you plan replacement
Cons: Light-snow ability fades well before a true winter tire; Tread can wear faster if driven aggressively
3. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV: Best Summer Performance
If your 245/45R20 sits under a performance crossover or sport SUV, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV delivers the kind of sharp, confident handling that the heavier all-season tires cannot match. The Dynamic Response casing makes steering feel direct and linear, and the reinforced shoulders let it hold big cornering loads without squirming. On warm, dry roads it is genuinely engaging, and its wet braking is excellent for a tire this focused on grip.
The trade-off is the obvious one for any summer tire: it must be put away when the weather turns cold. Below roughly seven degrees Celsius the compound hardens and grip drops sharply, so this is not a year-round tire in any climate that sees real winter. The ride is also firmer than a touring tire, which you feel over broken pavement. For warm-season performance, though, it is a standout in this size.
- Dynamic Response casing for precise steering on heavier SUVs
- Reinforced outer shoulder for high cornering loads
- Excellent dry and wet grip tuned for performance crossovers
Pros: Outstanding dry grip and steering precision; Strong wet braking for a summer-focused tire; Built for the weight and speed of performance SUVs
Cons: Summer compound is unsafe in near-freezing temperatures; Firmer ride than a grand-touring all-season
4. Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra: Best for Comfort
The Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra is built for owners who want their 245/45R20 crossover to feel like a luxury cruiser. Road noise is kept impressively low, the ride stays smooth over expansion joints, and the long mileage warranty makes it one of the better choices for keeping cost per mile down. Loaded with people and gear, it stays composed and quiet, which is exactly what most family SUV drivers actually want day to day.
It is tuned for comfort rather than excitement, so the steering feel is softer and less immediate than a DWS06 Plus or a Pilot Sport. Push it hard into a corner and it gives up grip earlier with more body roll telegraphed through the wheel. Light-snow traction is acceptable for the occasional flurry but not a substitute for a winter tire. As a quiet, durable, comfort-first all-season, however, it is excellent.
- Long mileage warranty among the best in this category
- Noise-reducing tread tuned for a calm cabin
- Balanced all-season traction for daily crossover use
Pros: Very quiet and smooth on the highway; Long tread-life warranty for low cost per mile; Composed, comfortable manners loaded with passengers
Cons: Less sporty steering feel than UHP rivals; Light-snow grip is modest, not winter-rated
5. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II: Best Touring Value
The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II is a smart all-rounder for 245/45R20 owners who want refinement and efficiency without paying for top-tier performance. Pirelli tuned it for the kind of European crossovers this size often appears on, so it feels quiet and planted on the highway, and the low rolling resistance compound helps fuel economy over a long ownership period. The long tread-life warranty rounds out a sensible, well-balanced package.
It does give up a little grip to the class leaders, particularly in heavy rain where the very best all-seasons brake noticeably shorter. It is also not meant for aggressive driving, so enthusiasts will find it a touch numb at the limit. For a comfort-and-efficiency-first daily driver that still covers all four seasons reasonably, it represents strong value and dependable everyday behavior.
- Low rolling resistance compound aids fuel efficiency
- Quiet, refined ride tuned for European-style crossovers
- Solid all-season traction with long-wear tread design
Pros: Good balance of comfort, efficiency, and grip; Long warranty backs strong tread durability; Refined manners suit luxury crossovers well
Cons: Wet grip trails the very top all-season tires; Not the choice for spirited or track driving
6. Goodyear Eagle Touring: Best Quiet Highway Ride
The Goodyear Eagle Touring is aimed squarely at luxury sedans and crossovers, and in 245/45R20 it delivers a hushed, refined ride that flatters a premium cabin. The asymmetric tread keeps noise low while still providing tidy dry handling, so the car feels composed at highway speeds and over long trips. For drivers who prioritize a quiet, upscale feel over outright sportiness, it hits the brief nicely.
The honest limitation is that it does not lead its class in any single metric. Tread life is respectable but several rivals here carry longer warranties, and snow traction is strictly light-duty. Wet grip is solid without being remarkable. If your top priority is a quiet, good-looking, comfortable all-season for a luxury car, it earns its place, but bargain hunters and high-mileage drivers may find better long-term value elsewhere.
- Asymmetric tread tuned for grip and low noise
- Sound-dampening features for a hushed cabin
- All-season traction aimed at premium sedans and crossovers
Pros: Very quiet, smooth highway demeanor; Confident dry handling for a touring tire; Looks and feel suit luxury vehicles
Cons: Tread life is good but not class-leading; Snow capability is limited to light conditions
7. Vredestein Quatrac Pro: Best All-Weather
The Vredestein Quatrac Pro is the pick for 245/45R20 owners in mixed climates who want one tire that genuinely handles winter without sacrificing warm-weather fun. It carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, so it is rated for severe snow service, yet it still steers with more enthusiasm than most all-weather tires. For drivers who see real snow a handful of times a year but do not want to swap to winters, it is a clever, capable solution.
Its drawbacks are availability and ultimate dry grip. Vredestein is less common on shelves than the big three brands, so confirming stock in this exact size matters. And while it handles well for an all-weather, a dedicated summer tire still feels sharper on a hot, dry road. As a true do-it-all tire that you never have to swap, though, it is among the most flexible choices in this size.
- Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated for genuine winter use
- Asymmetric tread balances dry handling and snow grip
- Performance-oriented all-weather design for sporty crossovers
Pros: True all-weather grip including real snow capability; Surprisingly sporty handling for a 3PMSF tire; One set covers the full year in mixed climates
Cons: Less common, so availability can be limited; Dry ultimate grip trails dedicated summer tires
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 245/45R20 mean on a tire?
The numbers describe the tire’s dimensions. 245 is the tread width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio meaning the sidewall height is 45 percent of that width, R means radial construction, and 20 is the wheel diameter in inches. So a 245/45R20 is a fairly wide, low-profile tire that fits a 20-inch wheel, commonly found on sport sedans and performance crossovers. Always match this size to your vehicle’s door-jamb placard or owner’s manual, and keep the load index and speed rating at or above the original spec.
Are 245/45R20 all-season tires good in snow?
It depends on the specific tire. Standard all-season tires in this size handle light snow and cold rain but are not built for serious winter conditions. If you regularly drive in snow, look for a tire carrying the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, such as the Michelin CrossClimate2 or the Vredestein Quatrac Pro, both available in 245/45R20. For heavy snow and ice, a dedicated winter tire still outperforms any all-season, but a 3PMSF all-weather tire is a strong one-set compromise for mixed climates.
How long do 245/45R20 tires last?
Tread life varies widely by tire type and driving style. Grand-touring all-seasons like the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra and Pirelli Scorpion Verde carry warranties in the 70,000 to 80,000 mile range, while ultra-high-performance and summer tires like the Pilot Sport 4 SUV typically wear faster because their softer compounds prioritize grip. Real-world mileage also depends on alignment, rotation every few thousand miles, correct inflation, and how hard you drive. Rotating on schedule and keeping pressures correct are the two biggest factors you control.
Can I put a different size tire on my 245/45R20 wheels?
It is best to stick with 245/45R20 unless you fully understand plus-sizing. Changing width or aspect ratio alters the overall diameter, which affects speedometer accuracy, ride quality, clearance, and sometimes the all-wheel-drive system. If you want to deviate, use a tire size calculator to keep the overall diameter within about 3 percent of stock, and confirm the new size clears your suspension and fenders. When in doubt, match the factory size exactly to avoid handling, safety, and warranty issues.
Do I need to replace all four 245/45R20 tires at once?
Replacing all four together is ideal, especially on all-wheel-drive vehicles where mismatched tread depths can stress the drivetrain. If only one tire is damaged and the others are nearly new, you can sometimes replace a pair on the same axle, keeping the deeper tread on the rear for stability. Mixing tire models or significantly different wear levels can upset handling and braking balance, so try to keep all four matched in brand, model, and tread depth whenever possible.
Our Verdict
For most drivers running 245/45R20, the Michelin CrossClimate2 is our top pick: it pairs grand-touring comfort and long tread life with genuine light-snow capability, making it the safest single choice for year-round driving. If you want sharper handling and the best rain confidence in an enthusiast-friendly all-season, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is our runner up and a brilliant fit for sport sedans and performance crossovers. Match your climate and driving style to the right tire above, then confirm fitment for your exact vehicle on Amazon.
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