The Ford Explorer is a heavy three row SUV that asks a lot from its tires. It carries family loads, tows on weekends, and still needs to feel planted on the highway. The right all season tire keeps the ride quiet, holds the road in rain, and bites just enough in light winter weather without forcing you into a dedicated snow setup. The wrong one wears fast, roars on the freeway, and floats in the wet.
We focused on tires that fit common Explorer sizes from the 18 inch to 21 inch wheels found across recent model years, including the popular 255/65R18, 255/55R20, and 275/45R21 fitments. Our picks balance grip, tread life, ride comfort, and real world value so you can match a set to how you actually drive, whether that is daily commuting, long road trips, or year round mixed conditions.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Best Overall All season touring, available in 255/65R18, 255/55R20, T-speed rated, strong tread warranty |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Continental CrossContact LX25 Best Wet Grip Touring all season for crossovers and SUVs, EcoPlus compound, available in 255/55R20 and 255/65R18 |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus Most Comfortable Highway all season for SUVs, available in 255/65R18 and 255/55R20, long mileage warranty |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Best Light Winter Traction All weather with 3PMSF rating, available in 255/65R18 and 255/55R20, evolving traction grooves |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 Best Handling All season SUV touring, available in 255/55R20 and 275/45R21, 3PMSF on select sizes |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Cooper Discoverer SRX Best Value All season SUV and light truck, available in 255/65R18 and 255/55R20, long mileage warranty |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Yokohama Geolandar CV G058 Best for Quiet Comfort Crossover and SUV touring all season, available in 255/65R18 and 255/55R20, fuel efficient design |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S2: Best Overall
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 is the tire we would put on our own Explorer. It is engineered for heavy SUVs and half ton trucks, so the Explorer’s curb weight and occasional towing duty do not faze it. The EverTread compound resists chunking and uneven wear, and the MaxTouch design keeps the contact patch consistent as the tread ages. The result is a set that often outlasts the others on this list while staying quiet and stable on long drives.
The honest weakness is winter. This is a four season touring tire, not a snow specialist. It handles cold pavement, rain, and a dusting of snow with ease, but if you live where deep snow and ice are routine, you will still want a dedicated winter set on a spare rim. For everyone else, the Defender LTX M/S2 is the most complete, most worry free choice for an Explorer.
- MaxTouch Construction spreads load to even out wear across the tread
- EverTread compound built to hold up under heavy SUV and light truck loads
- Confident wet braking with biting edges for light snow
Pros: Excellent long tread life that fits the Explorer's weight; Quiet and composed on the highway; Reliable wet grip and short stops
Cons: Light snow traction is good but not a true winter tire; Premium tier, you pay for the durability
2. Continental CrossContact LX25: Best Wet Grip
The Continental CrossContact LX25 is purpose built for crossovers and midsize SUVs like the Explorer, and it shines when the road turns wet. The EcoPlus compound and deep grooves clear water quickly, giving you short, confident stops in heavy rain where a lot of cheaper tires start to float. It is also one of the quieter options here, which matters on the long highway miles an Explorer tends to rack up.
Where it gives a little ground is outright tread longevity and cold weather grip. It wears well, but the Michelin Defender tends to go further on a heavy vehicle, and light snow traction is merely adequate rather than impressive. If your priority is rain safety and a refined ride over absolute mileage, the LX25 is a smart pick.
- EcoPlus technology blends tread life, wet grip, and low rolling resistance
- Symmetric tread pattern designed for quiet, even wear
- Strong hydroplaning resistance from wide circumferential grooves
Pros: Outstanding wet and rainy road braking; Comfortable, hushed ride on the freeway; Helps fuel economy on a thirsty SUV
Cons: Light snow performance trails the Michelin; Tread life is good but not class leading
3. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus: Most Comfortable
If your main complaint with the Explorer is road harshness, the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is built to fix it. Bridgestone tuned the casing and tread for ride comfort, and it soaks up expansion joints and rough pavement better than most tires in this group. It stays quiet too, so cabin noise on long trips drops noticeably. For a family hauler that lives on the highway, that comfort is a real upgrade.
The trade off is that this tire prioritizes touring comfort over sharp dynamic edges. Wet braking is good but not the best here, and there is no pretense of snow capability beyond light, occasional flurries. Drivers who want the calmest, quietest set and plan to swap to winters when needed will love it.
- Optimized casing shape for a plush, planted ride
- Long wearing compound aimed at high mileage warranties
- Wide footprint for stable handling under load
Pros: Very smooth, cushioned ride quality; Quiet at highway speed; Long tread warranty for the category
Cons: Wet grip is solid but behind the Continental; Not focused on snow or off pavement use
4. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady: Best Light Winter Traction
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady bridges the gap between a normal all season and a true winter tire. It carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, so it meets the severe snow standard that most tires on this list do not. For an Explorer owner in a region with real but not extreme winters, this can mean skipping a second set of tires entirely. The cold weather compound and snowflake siping deliver grip when the temperature drops.
That all weather focus comes at a small cost in tread life and ride polish. It will not match the Michelin or Bridgestone for total mileage, and the ride is a touch firmer than a pure touring tire. But if you want one set that handles rain, cold, and snow honestly, the WeatherReady is the most capable all rounder here.
- Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rated for severe snow service
- Evolving Traction Grooves widen as the tire wears for lasting grip
- Soybean oil compound stays pliable in cold temperatures
Pros: Genuine snow and cold weather capability for an all season; Confident wet performance; Good year round versatility
Cons: Tread life is shorter than the touring leaders; Slightly less refined ride than the Bridgestone
5. Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3: Best Handling
The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 is for the Explorer driver who actually enjoys driving. It is the most responsive tire here, with quick steering and a planted, on center feel that makes a tall SUV feel more buttoned down in corners and on ramps. Wet grip is excellent, and several sizes carry the snowflake rating for added cold weather security. It also looks the part on the larger 20 and 21 inch wheels common on sportier Explorer trims.
The handling focus does firm up the ride slightly, so it is not as cushioned as the Bridgestone over broken pavement. The tread warranty also sits below the mileage champs, which is the usual price of a grippier compound. If you value steering feel and confidence over a magic carpet ride, this Pirelli is the most rewarding choice.
- Engineered for responsive steering and a confident on center feel
- Wide grooves for strong wet and slush evacuation
- Select sizes carry the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating
Pros: Sharp, sporty handling for a heavy SUV; Strong wet braking and grip; Stylish fit for larger 20 and 21 inch wheels
Cons: Firmer ride than dedicated comfort tires; Tread warranty trails the touring leaders
6. Cooper Discoverer SRX: Best Value
The Cooper Discoverer SRX proves you do not need a flagship badge to get a capable Explorer tire. It pairs a long mileage warranty with noise reduction grooves and load stable construction, so it stays quiet and composed under a loaded SUV. For an owner who wants dependable, well rounded performance without reaching for the top shelf brands, the SRX delivers a lot of tire for the value.
It does sit a step behind the premium picks in outright wet braking and cold weather bite. The grip is safe and predictable, just not as sharp as the Continental or Pirelli when conditions get nasty. As a sensible, high mileage daily tire for a family Explorer, though, it is hard to argue with the value here.
- StabilEdge technology for steady handling under SUV loads
- Whisper Grooves tuned to cut road noise
- Long mileage warranty for the value tier
Pros: Strong all around performance for the value; Quiet ride thanks to noise tuned grooves; Generous tread warranty
Cons: Wet grip is good but not at the premium level; Light snow traction is basic
7. Yokohama Geolandar CV G058: Best for Quiet Comfort
The Yokohama Geolandar CV G058 is built for crossovers and SUVs that spend their lives on pavement, which describes the way most Explorers actually get used. It is one of the quieter, smoother options here, and the fuel efficient compound is a welcome touch on a vehicle that is not light on gas. Wet traction is solid, and the even wear design helps the tread age gracefully over a daily commute.
This is a touring tire through and through, so it is not the one to pick if you face regular snow or want maximum mileage. Cold weather grip is fine for light conditions only, and the tread life sits behind the Michelin and Bridgestone. For a comfortable, efficient, no drama daily set on a road going Explorer, it earns its place.
- Optimized contact patch for even wear and low noise
- Fuel efficient compound to ease an SUV's thirst
- Designed specifically for crossover and SUV fitments
Pros: Quiet, smooth highway manners; Good wet traction for the tier; Helps fuel economy
Cons: Snow traction is limited to light conditions; Tread life trails the mileage leaders
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tires does a Ford Explorer use?
It depends on your model year and trim. Recent Explorers commonly run 255/65R18 on base wheels, 255/55R20 on mid and upper trims, and 275/45R21 on sportier or ST trims. Always check the sticker inside your driver door jamb or the sidewall of your current tires for the exact size, load index, and speed rating before ordering. Matching the factory specs keeps your speedometer accurate and your ride height correct.
Are all season tires good enough for winter on an Explorer?
For mild winters with occasional light snow, a quality all season tire is usually enough, especially on a four wheel drive Explorer. If you regularly face deep snow, ice, or sustained freezing temperatures, look for a tire with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating like the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady, or run a dedicated set of winter tires. All season grip drops as temperatures fall below freezing, so the snowflake rating matters in cold climates.
How long should all season tires last on a Ford Explorer?
A good set of touring all season tires typically lasts well within the mileage warranty if you rotate them every 5,000 to 7,500 miles and keep them properly inflated. Because the Explorer is a heavy SUV, load rated touring tires like the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 tend to wear more evenly and go further than budget options. Aggressive driving, towing, and skipped rotations all shorten tread life noticeably.
Do I need to replace all four tires at once?
On a four wheel drive or all wheel drive Explorer, replacing all four at once is strongly recommended. Mismatched tread depths can cause the driveline to fight itself and lead to expensive wear over time. If you must replace only two, put the new tires on the rear axle and have a shop confirm the tread depth difference is within the small tolerance your system allows. When in doubt, replace the full set.
What tire pressure should I run on a Ford Explorer?
Use the pressure listed on the placard inside your driver door jamb, not the maximum number printed on the tire sidewall. Most Explorers call for somewhere around the low to mid 30s in psi, but your exact figure may differ by trim and tire size. Check pressures when the tires are cold, and add a little if you are carrying a full load or towing. Correct pressure protects tread life, fuel economy, and wet grip.
Our Verdict
For most Ford Explorer owners, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 is the best all season tire you can buy. It handles the SUV’s weight, lasts a long time, stays quiet, and stops confidently in the rain, making it the safest all around pick. Our runner up is the Continental CrossContact LX25, which delivers the best wet grip here along with a refined, hushed ride. If real winters are part of your year, step over to the snowflake rated Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady instead.
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