Some SUVs impress you with their bold design and stylish looks. Others try to win you over with their smooth and carefree ride. The Acura RDX does both, backing its sharp exterior with a ride that is so comfortable it can put your fellow passengers to sleep.
Sure, the RDX doesn’t provide as much cargo area and headspace as the MDX, its bigger and pricier sibling. But it more than makes up for these shortcomings with a better fuel economy and a ground clearance that will enable you to ride it right next to a shoreline.
All in all, this three-row SUV has everything to meet or even exceed your expectations, provided you pair it with a set of tires that can reinforce its strong points (comfortable ride quality, nimble handling on busy roads) while downplaying its flaws (bland acceleration).
Honda, whose luxury arm Acura is, might want you to believe that the RDX’s OEM tires can do all that. But we do not buy that claim. That you’re here reading this tells us that you don’t either. So, without wasting more time, let’s look at the 10 best tires for Acura RDX.
#1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S – Best All-Season
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is our top all-season tire pick for Acura RDX. It will prove to be an excellent choice for RDX owners who use this SUV for everyday driving, justifying its selection with a long treadlife, excellent road manners, and reliable wet performance.
An EverTread compound enables the RDX to deliver excellent all-season performance. It provides the firmness any tire needs to grip the road reliably in the summer. At the same time, the tread compound has the flexibility to perform reliably on wet roads.
Michelin has molded the tread compound into a symmetric road pattern. The result? An incredibly comfortable driving experience on the highway. The tread pattern also offers an excellent dry and wet grip for fewer vibrations and enhanced fuel economy.
A 70,000-mile warranty might look unbeatable on paper, but its MaxTouch Construction may end up helping the Defender LTX M/S last longer. It makes the contact patch rounder every time the rubber meets the road, ensuring even tread wear for long road life.
Bear in mind, though, that the Defender LTX doesn’t come cheap. If you are eager to enjoy the above features of this tire, be ready to spend a small fortune.
Pros
- Comes in a large number of sizes
- Backed with an excellent 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Offers excellent grip and traction on dry and wet roads
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
#2. General Grabber HTS 60 – Best Mid-Range All-Season
The General Grabber HTS 60 deserves your attention if the Defender LTX M/S’s prohibitive asking price forced you to look for other options. This mid-range all-season tire offers all features you expect from a premium model in this class at a relatively affordable price.
Its cut- and chip-resistant tread compound helps this tire in more ways than one. The compound’s toughness means you can rely on it not to let sharp objects through to minimize the risk of punctures. This, in turn, makes the HTS 60 ready for light off-road duty.
Two unique design elements are the force behind this model’s plush ride quality. They include specially designed sound barrier ribs (which absorb most road vibrations) and Comfort Balance Technology (which deflects road noise for a quieter driving experience).
Wide circumferential grooves help with water evacuation to enhance its traction on wet roads while keeping hydroplaning at bay. Plus, its continuous center rib and notched shoulders make the HTS 60’s ride quality more responsive than the above LTX M/S’s.
One of the things we don’t like about this tire is that some of its sizes only come with a 50,000-mile warranty (others are backed for 65,000 miles). So, at least in theory, the 50K mile warranty may shed 1, 2 years off of this tire’s life vis-à-vis our top pick.
Pros
- Confident dry handling
- Excellent ride quality
- Superb high-speed stability
Cons
- Relatively small treadwear warranty
#3. Hankook DynaPro HP2 – Best All-Season High Performance
Hankook tires are renowned for four qualities: affordable asking price, superb road manners, excellent high-speed stability, and long treadlife. Guess what? The DynaPro HP2 possesses all these talents, making this tire a must-have for close-fisted RDX owners.
Like any other tire worth its rubber, the HP2 performs better than its predecessor. This all-season tire offers a much more comfortable ride on the highway than the HP. Plus, the new grooves in its tread area have made it a better performer in wet conditions.
This tire has a center rib that you won’t find in the previous version. Its shoulder blocks also look as if they have been reshaped. Thanks to these two upgrades, the HP2 performs much more confidently during high-speed driving than its precursor and competitor.
Added siping in each tread block gives this tire more biting edges than the HP ever had. The benefit of this is better performance in light wintry conditions and reduced braking distances on wet roads. Another advantage is low rolling resistance for extra fuel economy.
Throw its 65,000-mile treadwear warranty into the mix, and it would seem that this tire is faultless. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. For a tire that features an all-season tread compound, the HP2 is loud, especially when you push it to its limits on the highway.
Pros
- Best-in-class treadwear warranty
- Above-average handling on dry surfaces
- Wears evenly for a long treadlife
Cons
- Could be quieter
#4. Michelin Premier LTX– Best Touring All Season
Three qualities of the Premier LTX make it an excellent pick for RDX drivers who use this SUV for everyday driving. They include a reliable dry and wet performance, extended treadlife for a tire in this class, and fuel economy that would bring a smile to your face.
Start with the dry and wet performance. A sunflower and silica oil tread compound has given this tire the right mix of firmness and flexibility for reliable performance year-round. Both materials also help the Premier LTX stay quiet and vibration-free at high speed.
Next comes the treadlife. Unlike most tires you see on the market, the Premier LTX doesn’t just come with a single set of grooves. Instead, it has got two grooves, the second of which only reveal themselves when the first set has worn out, thus offering extended treadlife.
Lightweight construction is to credit for this tire’s low rolling resistance and, by extension, high fuel economy. Provided you drive with a gentle foot and don’t push this tire to its limits too much, the Premier LTX may enable your RDX to surpass its EPA fuel economy ratings.
Want us to finish this tire’s review by highlighting one of its flaws? Well, this model doesn’t have any shortcomings that we could point to as a deal breaker. Still, if you’re insistent, we could point to its astronomical asking price as something that might put you off.
Pros
- Offers long-lasting dry and wet traction
- Might improve your Tahoe’s fuel economy
- Ensures a refined driving experience
Cons
- Pricey
#5. Goodyear Assurance MaxLife – Best Mid-Range Touring Tire
The Goodyear Assurance MaxLife is different from your standard touring tire. This model comes with a bigger treadwear warranty (85,000 miles) than most touring tires on the market. As such, you won’t have to start setting aside money for its replacement anytime soon.
Another factor that distinguishes the MaxLife from its rival touring tires is that its contact patch gets bigger every time the rubber hits the tarmac. This offers two benefits: better grip for excellent road manners and low rolling resistance for superb fuel economy.
A symmetric tread design is across touring tires, which is a good thing. Otherwise, rival models from Michelin, Continental, and Goodyear won’t have it. As it turns out, this tread pattern can soak up road vibrations like no other, ensuring a comfortable ride.
Its wet performance might surprise you in a good way. Four circumferential grooves (channels circling the tire) quickly and effectively evacuate water from the tread area. Their action not only resists hydroplaning. It also keeps the contact patch dry for enhanced wet traction.
On top of everything else, this model offers an exceptional cornering grip for a touring tire. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about its steering response and feedback, which are lackluster, even for a tire in this class. Plus, it’s slow to respond to steering inputs.
Pros
- Backed with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Puts up incredible resistance to hydroplaning
- Performs exceptionally in dry and wet conditions
Cons
- Slow to respond to steering inputs
#6. Firestone Destination LE3 – Best Highway All-Season
The Firestone Destination LE3 shows what is possible when tire manufacturers listen to constructive criticism from their customers. This tire replaces the LE2, which was almost universally reviled for its poor performance in three key areas. On all those counts, the LE3 delivers.
The first of those areas is fuel economy. Unlike the LE2, whose fuel economy was average for tires in this class, the LE3’s low rolling resistance enables it to put a lid on its gas consumption. This means that you can count on this tire not to deliver punishments at the pump.
A lackluster 40,000-mile treadwear warranty also made the LE2 the subject of criticism from all and sundry. Thankfully, Firestone didn’t make that mistake with the LE3, as evident by this tire’s excellent 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, par for models in this category.
Then comes light wintry performance, an area where the LE2 struggled. But where the LE3 shines, thanks to the addition of sipes, circumferential grooves, and HydroGrip Technology. These three design elements are why you can count on this tire to keep you safe on light snow and ice.
Bear in mind, though, that Firestone is serious when it says that the LE3 is a highway tire. Even minor road imperfections on uneven surfaces can unsettle this model’s otherwise excellent ride quality.
Pros
- Comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Boasts short braking distances in wet conditions
- Produces little noise, even at high speed
Cons
- Minor road imperfections can unsettle ride quality
#7. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus – Best Fuel Efficient
If like most people you’re worried about rising fuel prices, the Pirelli Scorpion Verde might be a source of great relief to your bank account. This all-season tire consumes up to 3.9% less fuel in the city and 3.5% on mixed routes, thus enhancing your RDX’s mileage.
Two features have made these fuel savings possible. They include a computer-optimized pitch sequence (which is also responsible for deflecting road noise) and a symmetric tread pattern (which absorbs road vibrations for a comfortable driving experience).
The combination of high fuel economy and plush ride quality is made even better with the addition of excellent wet performance. Plus, thanks to its specially optimized rubber-to-void ratio, the Verde All Season Plus promotes even tread wear for an extended tread life.
All these features are capped by a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, an impressive number though not one that can compete with that of premium manufacturers. Moreover, this model comes in all the RDX tire sizes, so you can install it on all of this SUV’s trims.
Yet there are areas where this tire could do better. For instance, while its light snow traction is good, this model is next to useless on ice.
Pros
- Offers enhanced fuel economy
- Provides a noise-free and comfortable ride
- Great handling and traction across all terrains
Cons
- Poor ice traction
#8. Nitto NT 421Q – Best High Performance
Enhanced steering response and feedback? Check. Exceptional cornering grip and performance? Yup. Superior high-speed stability and grip? Absolutely. All these qualities have made the Nitto NT 421Q one of the best high-performance tires for the Acura RDX.
An excellent all-season performance complements all the above qualities. This is due to the asymmetric tread design that doesn’t let road contact break regardless of weather conditions, thereby making the NT 421Q as reliable on dry roads as in wet conditions.
Multiple outer shoulder blocks on each tire improve this model’s high-speed stability. Their extended contact patch also increases this tire’s road grip while cornering. As such, you can confidently press the accelerator whether you’re driving in a straight line or taking a turn.
Compared with its fellow high-performance tires, the NT 421Q’s braking distances are small, thanks to the 3D interlocking sipe design, which comes together as you apply brakes. The joining of the sipes expands the rubber, helping this model grip the road even better.
What is more, Nitto has equipped the 421Q with almost unheard-of warranties (60,000 or 70,000) for a high-performance tire. Plus, the maintenance indicators on the tread let you check how much treadlife is still remaining and whether the wheels are perfectly aligned.
Pros
- Excellent treadwear warranty for a high-performance tire
- Offers exceptional cornering grip and performance
- Enhanced steering response and road feedback
Cons
- Average comfort levels
#9. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus – Best Ultra High Performance
Multiple features enable the Pirelli P Zero to help your RDX’s sporty side come front and center. The first is a stickier rubber compound that doesn’t even let high-speed driving break the road contact for exceptional straight-line tracking and steering feedback.
Then come the nanocomposites, which work shoulder-to-shoulder with this model’s asymmetric tread pattern to enhance its cornering performance. In case you’re wondering, the composites are doing the same job with the P Zero as shoulder blocks do with other UHP tires.
But there’s one key difference between the composites and shoulder blocks: the composites won’t wear down after a few years. That is because they are placed inside the tread compound, so you would get the same exceptional cornering performance on the first day as you would on the 1000th.
With this tire, you won’t have to take your foot off the accelerator on wet roads. The trio of “S” sipes, circumferential grooves, and parallel channels ensure quick water evacuation, thereby making sure that you can confidently do high-speed driving in damp conditions.
Unfortunately, like every other UHP tire on the market, the P Zero wears quickly. That is especially when you are pushing it to its limits every day. So, if you intend to buy this tire, do so with the knowledge that its replacement date might not be that far away.
Pros
- Excellent grip on wet and dry surfaces
- Produces low noise for a high-performance tire
- Exceptional, long-lasting cornering performance
Cons
Average treadlife
#10. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Best Winter Tires
You could get more affordable winter tire options for the RDX (like the Yokohama IceGuard G075), but if you want maximum performance on snow and ice, the Blizzak WS90s are hard to beat.
A super flexible tread compound forms the backbone of these tires’ excellent snow performance, not stiffening up even when the temperatures drop to sub-zero levels. Its pliability is the reason why the WS90s can safely carry you from point A to point B on hard-packed snow.
The MultiCell structure traps snow within the treads to induce snow-on-snow contact, which provides better road grip and traction than rubber-on-snow. The above tread compound and MultiCell structure are the main reasons why the WS90 comes with a 3PMSF symbol.
Though not related to their winter performance, the tread wear indicators will help you by showing when the tread depth is about to hit dangerous levels, thus helping you avoid dangerous and otherwise unpredictable loss of traction.
Pros
- 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol
- Offer excellent traction on hard-packed snow
- Come with dedicated winter wear bars
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
Best Tires for Acura RDX
All-Season Tires
All-season tires complement everything that has made the RDX one of Acura’s best-selling vehicles. These models will enhance this SUV’s already plush ride quality with their excellent road manners, with their low rolling resistance helping the RDX surpass its EPA estimated fuel economy.
Another reason why most RDX drivers prefer all-season tires is durability. As you can see above, every premium A/S tire is backed with a 50,000-mile+ warranty. So, if you don’t abuse them with rough driving, these tires may last you as many as 5 to 6 years.
High-Performance Tires
High-performance tires will improve your RDX’s overall traction and handling. They will also enhance its high-speed stability and straight-line tracking. Plus, if you can afford ultra-high-performance or max-performance tires, a notable improvement in cornering performance will follow.
Keep in mind that high-performance tires are mostly of two types. Provided you opt for an all-season HP tire, it will come in handy year-round. With summer tires, you can navigate warm seasons. Still, both will wear faster than all-season tires. So you may need to replace them much sooner.
Winter Tires
Winter SUV tires are your best bet if you want to prepare for snowy and icy conditions. Like the above HP models, winter tires come in two versions: studdable and studless. We think that studless tires are a better pick because they can be used on all public roads.
In contrast, some countries require that you get permission before using studded tires on public roads. However, if you live in an area that receives more than its fair share of snow, studdable tires might be your best bet for going about on your RDX.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand of tires comes on Acura RDX?
The brand of tires that come on Acura RDX depends on the trim and model year. For instance, the 2022 Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec Advance comes with factory-installed Goodyear Eagle RS-A 255/45R-20 tires. Other trims or other model years might sport different OEM tires.
What size tires go on an Acura RDX?
The 235/55R18 and/or 235/60R18 size tires will fit the Acura RDX 2WD and AWD models.
How often should Acura RDX tires be rotated?
Rotating your Acura RDX tires every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is recommended. The RDX’s engine puts more pressure on some tires and their treads than on others. So rotating tires will help the entire set wear evenly.
When should Acura RDX tires be replaced?
If you use your Acura RDX for everyday driving, its tires may require replacement every three or four years. However, if you have another vehicle that you use for daily driving or you don’t drive as often as some other people, your RDX’s tires may go longer.
Conclusion
When selecting tires for your Acura MDX, make sure to pick those models that can complement this vehicle’s qualities as well as your driving style and road conditions. Only then you’d be able to successfully pick the best tires for this SUV.
