Top 10 Best Tires for GMC Terrain

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The GMC Terrain matches its assertive body shape with a spacious and welcoming interior. It also offers easy-to-use features, a fuel economy that is higher than rivals, and a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Best Tires for GMC Terrain

Yet there are areas where it could do better. All the above qualities cannot mask the fact that the GMC Terrain offers a bouncy ride than its competitors. Its sluggish acceleration, which makes it difficult to make quick passes on the highway, also frustrates drivers.

Want to hear some good news? A set of high-quality, premium tires can help you minimize the above issues. In addition to making this SUV’s ride quiet and vibration-free, the best tires for GMC Terrain can also make this SUV perkier on the highway and city.

Need proof? Then you must check out the below models. All the tires recommended below offer low rolling resistance and excellent road manners. These features help them do what GMC should have done long ago – making the Terrain’s drive much livelier.

#1. Michelin Premier LTX – Best Overall

Michelin Premier LTX

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The Michelin Premier LTX offers everything most GMC Terrain drivers could ask for. This tire matches its stylish looks with excellent road manners, enhanced fuel economy, and superb dry/wet traction. A long tread life and even longer treadwear warranty further sweeten the deal.

A sunflower oil and silica tread compound has provided this tire’s rubber with the perfect balance of firmness and flexibility. This, in turn, has ensured that the Premier LTX is as reliable on dry roads as it is on wet conditions. It has also increased this tire’s utility on light snow and ice.

EverGrip Technology helps this tire provide consistent traction year after year. It replaces the built-in traction grooves with new ones once the former wears out. This means that even when with minimal tread depth, this tire will continue to provide excellent traction.

A combination of lightweight construction and low rolling resistance helps this tire make your Terrain less sluggish on the highway. It will also give a helping hand to this SUV’s fuel economy. Plus, Michelin backs this model with an above-average 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Most people will look at the above qualities and decide that this tire is worth the amount written on its price tag. Others, however, might want something more pocket-friendly. If you belong to the second camp, check out the next model on our list.

Pros

  • Comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
  • Offers long-lasting traction
  • Provides a quiet and comfortable driving experience

Cons

  • Doesn’t come cheap

#2. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus – Best Budget Tire

scorpion verde all season plus

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The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus proves that sometimes in life you get more than what you paid for. This all-season touring tire rivals the road manners, tread life, and fuel economy of its much pricey competitors while coming at a relatively affordable price.

One of the things most people like about these tires is that they are incredibly comfortable. The credit for this to the sound-absorbing device placed between the treads (which absorbs road noise) and the symmetric tread pattern (which takes care of vibrations).

Wet traction is another area where these tires belie their mid-range asking price. Thanks to four circumferential grooves and multiple lateral channels, these tires experience quick and effective water evacuation. So you won’t have to worry about hydroplaning.

These tires might also enhance your Terrain’s fuel mileage. Tests conducted by Pirelli show that they consume up to 3.4% less fuel than rivals on mixed routes. Extrapolate this figure to this tire’s road life, and you’re looking at fuel savings in the thousands of dollars.

Despite all these qualities, the Verde All Season Plus aren’t our top tire pick for GMC Terrain. That is because these tires’ wet traction is marginally lower than that of the Premier LTX.

Pros

  • Offer excellent fuel economy
  • Decent treadwear warranty (65,000 miles)
  • Have excellent road manners

Cons

  • Wet handling could be better

#3. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus – Best All-Season

Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport

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The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is one of the best all-weather tires on the market. That means that this tire is as useful in warm, dry, and wet conditions as all-season tires. It performs much better in the rain, slush, and snowy roads.

The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the tread area is why we’re so confident about this tire’s ability to tackle snow and ice. This emblem only comes on tires that can safely carry you from point A to point B in light wintry conditions.

Goodyear’s ‘Evolving Traction Grooves’ help this tire offer long-lasting traction. These ‘hidden’ grooves are designed to replace their original counterparts once the latter wear out. As a result, you’d get the same consistent traction year after year.

This model’s aquaplaning resistance is also amazing, thanks to the dual-aqua channel grooves that evacuate water particles before they can invite skidding and slipping. A 60,000-mile treadlife guarantee and a 2/32” treadwear warranty are also on offer.

All of this is not to say that this model is faultless. Many users have complained that this tire produces a low but audible noise at high speeds, which gets louder as the tread depth decreases.

Pros

  • 80,000-mile treadwear warranty
  • Offers a comfortable driving experience
  • Reliable year-round traction

Cons

  • Useless on snow and ice

#4. Nitto NT 421Q – Best High-Performance All-Season

nitto nt421q

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The Nitto NT 421Q has all the qualities to be the brand ambassador of high-performance all-season tires. This model matches its excellent dry handling with superb wet and light snow traction. Plus, its steering responsiveness and cornering performance are also above-par.

An asymmetric tread pattern ensures consistent road grip regardless of road conditions, helping this tire perform at its best in dry, wet and light wintry conditions. Aside from that, the tread pattern sends feedback to the steering, giving you a feel of the road.

The NT 421Q is also incredibly stable at higher speeds, thanks to the outer shoulder blocks that also improve its cornering grip. This model also boasts short braking distances, mainly due to the 3D interlocking sipes that come together when you apply brakes.

Regardless of how you look at it, the 60,000- or 75,000-mile treadwear warranty (depending on tire size) is above-average for a high-performance all-season tire. That is because most models in this category have lower treadwear guarantees or none.

All of this is not to say that this model is faultless. User reviews indicate that this model’s noise levels can get pretty loud as its tread wears down. Plus, as you may expect from an HP all-season tire, the 421Q isn’t for driving in heavy snow or ice.

Pros

  • Offers superb cornering performance
  • Amazing steering response and feedback
  • Reliable dry and wet traction

Cons

  • Doesn’t come cheap

#5. Yokohama Parada Spec X – Best Budget High-Performance All-Season

Yokohama Parada Spec X

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The Yokohama Parada Spec X is another reliable HP all-season tire for your GMC Terrain. This model offers as much dry grip and wet traction as the above Nitto NT 421Q. Its road manners are equally great, though the absence of a treadwear warranty may prove to be a deal-breaker.

Its aggressive tread pattern helps this tire deliver enhanced dry grip, cornering performance, and high-speed stability. The tread pattern’s design also ensures quick evacuation of accumulated water particles, helping the circumferential grooves keep hydroplaning at bay.

Yokohama’s exclusive Variable Pitch technology keeps road noise bearable. It does that by deflecting disturbances before they can reach the cabin and disturb ride quality. Plus, a sturdy internal construction helps this tire with vibration absorption.

An ultra-stiff sidewall may divide opinions, though. While some people will undoubtedly appreciate the feedback it will deliver to the steering. Others might blame the sidewall for making the ride firm, especially compared to our top high-performance all-season pick.

Lastly, like every high-performance tire worth its asking price, the Parada Spec X features a rim protector to shield your wheels from curb damage.

Pros

  • Excellent dry and wet traction
  • Superb cornering performance
  • Amazing steering response and feedback

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty

#6. Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport – Best Summer High Performance

Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport

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The Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport is currently one of the best summer performance tires for SUVs, crossovers, and light trucks. This model offers all the features you expect from premium HP tires as well as some others you don’t usually get to see.

A high-silica tread compound not only helps this model with dry performance but has also slashed its weight and, by extension, rolling resistance. Silica has also improved this model’s grip and handling, letting you enjoy a sure-footed driving experience at high speeds.

Together with the UNI-T Technology and symmetric tread pattern, the tread compound has also enhanced this model’s wet traction. The trio also helps this model offer a relatively quiet (for a summer high-performance tire) driving experience on the highway.

Excellent cornering performance is guaranteed by the two continuous center ribs running from the top to the bottom of this tire. These ribs put extra pressure on the contact patch every time you take a turn, increasing its size for added grip and traction.

You might want to note that the H/P Sport comes in two versions. The run-flat version might look more stylish but needs the power the GMC terrain simply doesn’t have. As such, the standard version might be a better fit for you.

Pros

  • Backed by a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty
  • Offers superb cornering performance
  • Amazing dry and wet traction

Cons

  • May wear quickly

#7. Continental CrossContact UHP – Best Summer High Performance

Continental CrossContact UHP

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The Continental CrossContact UHP is another worthy summer high-performance tire for your GMC Terrain. This model has all the qualities you expect from tires in this category. That, too, with a workmanship and materials warranty spanning six years.

An advanced formula silica tread compound has been molded into an asymmetric tread pattern for bigger fuel savings as well as enhanced dry grip. Silica’s flexibility has also seeped into the rubber, making this tire a reliable performer in mildly wet conditions.

Speaking of wet conditions, four circumferential grooves and multiple lateral grooves will keep water out of the tread area even when it’s everywhere on the road. In doing so, the grooves will keep the contact patch dry, enhancing this model’s wet traction.

This tire also comes with multiple outer tread blocks and a center rib. Both these design elements help make the CrossContact UHP ultra-stable at high speeds. The center rib, meanwhile, transmits road feedback to the steering to give you a better feel of the road.

With all due respect to the above features, there is one area where the CrossContact UHP disappoints. This model is notorious for wearing too quickly if you accelerate it too hard. As such, if you intend to push it to its limits, replacement time might come soon.

Pros

  • Supreme handling at high speeds
  • Exceptional steering response and feedback
  • Has a built-in rim flange protector

Cons

  • Tread life isn’t the best

#8. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady – Best All-Weather

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

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The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady gives many reasons why drivers who have always opted for all-season tires are now switching to their all-weather counterparts. This model has almost all the features you get from A/S tires as well as qualities they don’t have.

While this model is as useful in dry and wet conditions as its all-season counterparts, its performance in the rain, slush, and snow is much better. Need proof? The fact that this model comes with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol should be enough.

We’re giving so much importance to the 3PMSF emblem because it only comes on tires that can perform at their best in harsh weather. This symbol is so respected in the industry that it distinguishes the best winter tires (like the one below) from the also-rans.

Another difference between this tire and its all-season competitors you saw above is that the WeatherReady offers consistent traction throughout its life. This model features ‘hidden’ grooves that help it deliver a sure-footed driving experience year after year.

Unfortunately, there is one key area where this model disappoints. While the above A/S tires are almost quiet at any driving speed, this model produces a low (but audible) hum at high speeds.

Pros

  • Comes with the 3PMSF emblem
  • Offers excellent traction on snow and ice
  • Backed by an amazing 60,000-mile warranty

Cons

  • Mild road noise at higher speeds

#9. Cooper Discoverer A/T3 – Best All-Terrain

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

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Models like the Discoverer A/T3 are why many people now use all-terrain tires instead of highway tires on long road trips. This tire combines the high-speed stability and performance of H/T tires with the off-road traction and grip you expect from A/T models.

The credit for this tire’s excellent road handling goes to its five-ribbed design, which has also made this model incredibly stylish. A unique siping structure helps this tire stay stable at high speeds, while stabilizing tread blocks enhance road grip.

Right behind the tread blocks are thick grooves that form this tire’s water evacuation system. The grooves, in turn, are neighbored by aggressive shoulders, which help the A/T3 offer added traction on surfaces as difficult as dirt, sand, slush, and mud.

To be a reliable performer in mud and sand, self-cleaning voids are a must. Guess what? The Discoverer A/T3 has the voids needed to evacuate stones, rocks, and thick mud from within the tread channels and help it retain original traction on difficult terrains.

To further sweeten the deal, Cooper backs the A/T3 with the class-high 55,000-mile tread guarantee.

Pros

  • Outstanding grip on dry, wet and snowy roads
  • Surprisingly comfortable for an all-terrain tire
  • Has an effective self-cleaning mechanism

Cons

  • Pricey

#10. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Best Winter Tire

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

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The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 has all the attributes to be your top winter tire pick for GMC Terrain. A super-flexible tread compound, MultiCell structure, asymmetric tread pattern and 3PMSF symbol all contribute to its excellent winter performance.

Its silica-based tread compound remains flexible in temperatures where other tires become rigid, giving this model the sort of flexibility needed to plow through snow and ice.

The MultiCell structure traps snow within the treads before using the resulting enhanced friction for added traction. That is because snow-on-snow contact gives better traction than rubber-on-snow.

Next comes the asymmetric tread pattern, which locks this tire’s sipes as soon as you apply brakes. The coming together of the sipes help them give a united front against snow and ice, helping this model boost short braking distances with minimal skidding and slipping.

Still have doubts about this tire’s ability to tackle harsh wintry conditions? The fact that it comes with the 3PMSF symbol should be enough to alleviate your concerns.

Pros

  • Dependable on snow and ice
  • Excellent control and handling on snow and ice
  • Comes with the 3PMSF symbol

Cons

  • No mileage warranty

Best Tires for GMC Terrain

All-Season Tires

Super-extended tread life warranties? Check. Excellent performance in dry and wet conditions? Absolutely. Road manners that could put your fellow passengers to sleep? Absolutely. All these qualities make all-season tires the first pick of most GMC terrain drivers.

Another thing that goes in these tires’ favor is that they are more affordable than other types of tires, such as performance, all-terrain, and winter. This, together with their long tread lives, makes them a more economical option in the short- and long-term.  

Performance Tires

Performance tires deserve your attention if you like pushing this SUV to its limits. Their lightweight construction, low rolling resistance, and asymmetric tread design will help these tires make the most of whatever power the Terrain’s notoriously dull engine would send their way.

That said, not everything is great about these tires. Sure, they offer excellent dry handling, high-speed stability, and cornering performance. But these models also wear pretty quickly, which might prove to be a deal-breaker if you are looking for tires that can keep on going for years.

All-Terrain Tires

In contrast to their ancestors from the previous decades, today’s premium all-terrain models offer the kind of road manners that might make you mistake them for highway tires. For this reason, A/T tires deserve your attention if you do highway driving as well as light off-roading.

Bear in mind, though, that all-terrain tires aren’t the best for extreme off-roading. Neither do these tires have the flexible tread compounds needed for harsh winter conditions.

All-Weather Tires

The term ‘all-weather’ refers to models that perform similarly to standard all-season tires in dry, wet, and light wintry conditions, but which excel in heavy snow and slush.

For this reason, if you live in an area where it rains pretty much every day, all-weather tires might be a better pick than standard A/S models. However, if the weather is moderate in your area, the difference between the two models’ performance won’t be huge.

Winter Tires

Winter tires come in two versions: studless and studded/studdable. Studless tires might be the best option for the majority because they offer the required levels of traction on thick snow and ice. That, too, without requiring you to insert metal studs in their treads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What brand of tires comes on a GMC Terrain?

The brand of tires that may come on a GMC terrain depends on model year, delivery location, and trim.

How long should tires last on GMC Terrain?

Driver reviews indicate that GMC Terrain tires last up to 50,000 miles. Depending on your driving style, road conditions, and weather, this number may be lower or higher.

Conclusion

To get the most out of your GMC terrain, it’s recommended to pair the SUV with premium tires. Only high-quality models will enhance this vehicle’s qualities and play down its flaws to help you enjoy the time you spend behind this SUV’s wheel.

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