Searching for the best tires for Honda Civic? Three factors deserve your utmost attention as you go about shopping for them. These include the Civic model you are driving, your driving style, and the road and weather conditions you’ll be regularly driving in.
Start with the model you’re currently driving. Civic comes in three trims, including the base (LX model), small-scale luxury car (EX-L and Touring) and sporty performance models (Si and Type R). Each of the trims has a character you can enhance with the right set of tires.
Next comes your driving style. You can be a driver who prefers cruising (conservative), someone who likes speeding only when they find an empty road (moderate) or a person who keeps the pedal pressed to the metal (aggressive). Pick a set of tires that complements how you drive.
As crucial as your Civic’s trim and your driving style are the roads and weather conditions in the area where you’d end up doing most of the driving. For instance, installing a set of winter tires will make little sense if you live somewhere where the summer season lasts 9 to 10 months.
While you can always go out there and make your own choices, we’ve selected 11 highly-rated tires available in the original equipment sizes by Honda for the previous generation Civic (2016 – 2021) and the latest 11th generation Civic (2022-). Read on to select the best tires for Honda Civic.
#1. Michelin Defender T+H – Best Tire Overall
The Michelin Defender T+H is currently our top pick for all Civic models. It is an outstanding touring and highway tire that reinforces all the strengths of your Honda Civic. A high treadwear warranty and durable construction further enhance this model’s reputation.
This tire features the same tread compound that we saw with the LTX M/S. But there is one difference. While the LTX M/S comes with a symmetric tread pattern, the Defender T+H’s tread compound is molded into an asymmetric tread design. The result? Better dry and wet performance.
Michelin’s IntelliSipe Technology helps this tire shine in wet conditions. This technology features inter-locking sipes or biting edges to help the T+H grip the road better than most touring tires. These biting edges also enhance this model’s performance in (light) snowy and icy conditions.
Ride comfort is also ensured. Michelin’s Comfort Control Technology ensures that a minimal amount of vibrations transmit into the cabin as this tire rolls over bumps and other disturbances. So is the case with road noise. This tire is one of the quietest we’ve reviewed, even with windows rolled down.
An 80,000-mile warranty means that you can get at least 4 years out of this tire. Which seems fair given that this tire is anything but cheap. But while its asking price is steep, the cutting-edge features as well as the treadlife warranty on offer do more than enough to justify the price tag.
Pros
- Excellent handling and braking on dry surfaces
- Quiet and comfortable handling in most conditions
- Excellent treadwear warranty (80,000 miles)
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
#2. Michelin CrossClimate 2 – Best for new Civic Trims
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is everything that the newest Civic trims (Sport, Touring, Si) need for an enhanced performance on the highway. This tire’s wet performance is also exemplary. As is the case with its traction and performance in light wintry conditions.
The CrossClimate 2 has gained worldwide fame for its lateral grip. This tire is rightly famous for tracking in a straight line and staying glued to the road even at eye-watering speeds. No amount of hard acceleration can break this tire’s contact with wet or dry tarmac.
CrossClimate+, this model’s predecessor, did the same. But it struggled for traction in slippery conditions, an area where this tire excels. In fact, as Michelin’s own data shows, the CrossClimate 2 has the shortest braking distances of any touring tire in the rain.
Winter traction is also extraordinary, as suggested by the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake emblem (3PMSF) emblem on its tread area. The 3PMSF icon is only awarded to tires that meet the rater’s strict criteria for traction on snow- and ice-covered roads.
All of this is not to say that the CrossClimate 2 doesn’t have any faults. Michelin backs this tire with a paltry 60,000 miles warranty, a pittance for a premium tire. Also, some users complain of reduced fuel economy, so be ready for more trips to the filling station.
Pros
- Outstanding lateral grip
- Braking distances are among the shortest in the category
- Comes with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake icon
Cons
- Low treadwear warranty compared to its premium rivals
#3. Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack – Best Runner Up
The Turanza QuietTrack is an exciting addition to Bridgestone’s lineup of touring tires. This tire has decent road manners, offers a comfortable and quiet ride and is backed with an excellent warranty. And it features various improvements over its predecessor, the Turanza Serenity Plus.
Data released by Bridgestone confirms this. The Turanza QuietTrack offers 20% more traction in wet conditions and 44% enhanced traction in snow than its predecessor. These numbers aren’t ones to be taken lightly given that the Serenity Plus was an absolute beast.
Hydroplaning won’t be an issue with this tire. It features four circumferential and innumerable longitudinal grooves to ensure maximum water evacuation from the tread area. The result is maximum road contact at all times, leaving little to no likelihood of slippage.
Comfort Cruise Technology takes care of ride quality. It sees to it that the tire spreads evenly as it rolls over obstructions on the road, evenly reducing pressure to reduce vibrations you’ll feel inside the cabin. The QuietTrack Technology, meanwhile, dampens road noise.
An 80,000-mile treadwear warranty shows Bridgestone counts on this tire to last 4-5 years. However, to do so, you’ll first have to meet this tire’s steep asking price. That is something easier said than done given that the Turanza QuietTrack is a super-expensive tire.
Pros
- 80,000-mile treadlife warranty
- Excellent dry and wet performance
- Exceptional ride quality and minimal road noise
Cons
- Pricier than rivals
#4. Yokohama Avid Touring S – Best Budget
The Avid Touring S possesses everything that attracts people toward Yokohama tires. This tire offers decent dry and wet traction, above-average steering responsiveness and excellent hydroplaning resistance. That too while costing less than half of its premium rivals.
Most of you won’t be surprised to know that this tire costs less than half of the Michelin CrossClimate 2. After all, Michelin is a French-turned-American tire brand whereas Yokohama tires are manufactured in Japan, where raw materials for tires aren’t as pricey as they are in the US.
But the difference in prices doesn’t explain why the Avid Touring S comes with a higher treadwear warranty (65,000-mile) than the CrossClimate 2 (60,000 miles). If anything, you’d expect the latter to be backed for a bigger period, given that it is the pricier of the two.
Yet another area where this tire can compete with its premium rivals is hydroplaning resistance. Its Tapered Rain Channels see to it that any water gathered inside the tread area doesn’t stay there for long. So, there won’t be any surprises waiting for you in wet conditions.
Having said that, some corners have definitely been cut to keep the price low. The Avid Touring S isn’t as reliable for fast or sporty driving as its counterpart from premium tire brands. This makes it a better option for base Civic models or for anyone who prefers cruising in their car.
Pros
- Competitively priced
- High treadwear warranty (65,000 miles) for the category
- Excellent traction in dry/wet conditions
Cons
- Not ideal for fast or sporty driving
- Not usable in harsh wintry conditions
#5. Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS – Best High-Performance
Saying that you need to install high-performance tires on your Honda Civic is akin to saying that you need to take an umbrella with you in rainy weather. This sedan is well-known for its perky acceleration. So, it only makes sense to opt for a set of high-performance tires.
The Potenza RE980AS will help you make the most of the power the Civic’s 192hp engine has to offer. An all-season tread compound has been molded into an asymmetric tread pattern to pose little to no rolling resistance, making this tire an absolute beast on the highway.
High-speed stability is also top-notch, helping you retain full grip over your Civic at high speeds. As is the case with steering responsiveness, an area where this tire can compete with its summer counterparts. Traction, grip, and braking on dry surfaces are best in-class, too.
A combination of circumferential and lateral grooves help this tire pose maximum resistance to hydroplaning. The partnership does a fantastic job of evacuating water from beneath the tread area, ensuring the road contact stays intact in wet conditions.
Unlike the majority of high-performance tires, the Potenza RE980As is fairly quiet. Or as quiet as high-performance tires can be at eye-watering speeds. Still, don’t expect this tire to wear evenly, especially if you are fond or hard acceleration and sudden braking.
Pros
- Extremely short braking distances
- Has top-notch responsiveness and dry handling
- Less noisy than high-performance tires
Cons
- Wears quickly
#6. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 – Best High-Performance
The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS is an excellent high-performance tire for Honda Civic. Yet it wears too quickly and would never win any praise for ride comfort. If either of these two points disturb you, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 has your back.
This tire not only costs less than the Potenza RE980AS, thus attracting Civic drivers on a budget. It also offers a much more comfortable ride (82% vs. 83%). Though marginal on paper, the difference in ride comfort will be keenly felt at higher speeds.
Having said that, there are a few areas where the Potenza RE980 AS performs better. This tire offers an enhanced dry performance, corner stability and dry traction. Its steering response and wet traction is also on the higher side. As is the wearing rate.
All of this is expected considering the tread compounds of both tires. The Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 has a summer max performance tread compound, which is designed to last less longer than the all-season ultra-high performance compound of the Potenza RE980 AS.
In summary, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 is worth a shot if a) you want high performance on a budget and b) don’t intend to sacrifice much ride comfort. However, if it is better wet traction and long road life you’re after, the Potenza RE980AS is a no-brainer.
Pros
- Comfortable ride for a high-performance tire
- Competitively priced for a tire in this category
- Has an aggressive appearance
Cons
- Short treadlife
#7. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Best Winter Tires
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 has all the attributes to be the best winter tire for Honda Civic. This tire performs incredibly reliably over snow and ice, regardless of whether the road is covered with a thin layer of ice or whether you’re driving on layers of snow.
A stiffened tread compound joins its forces with interlocking 3D sipes and tread blocks to take this tire’s snow performance to the next level. At the same time, this partnership does wonders for this tire’s wear, helping the WS90 last multiple winters with ease.
The biting edges help the WS90 plough through layers of snow and ice before it lands on hard tarmac underneath. They, along with this winter-specific tread compound, are the major reason why the WS90 can conquer harsh wintry conditions without requiring studs.
Then comes the Multicell technology. This technology works by removing water from the tread area. At the same time, it leaves the snow unattended. That is done to help the snow and ice on the tread area come into contact with the snow and ice on the road.
The resulting snow-on-snow contact generates adequate traction to keep this tire rolling. Multiple treadwear indicators (narrow rubber bars positioned inside the tire’s circumferential grooves) will let you know in advance when the tire needs replacement.
Pros
- 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating
- Offer excellent traction on snow and ice
- Comes with tread wear indicators and winter wear bars
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty
#8.Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II – Best High-Performance Winter
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II is the brand’s 2nd generation model of this popular high-performance winter tire. This tire not only offers excellent winter traction (which you can also get from the Potenza WS90), but also high-performance in all season conditions.
Pirelli has opted for an exclusive tread compound with this tire. One that features a mixing process that makes the tire more environmentally friendly and high-tech polymers that enhance its life. A unique Temperature Dynamic Compound technology increase traction on snow.
Unlike most winter tires on the market, the Sottozero Serie II offers excellent dry pavement grip and cornering performance. That is made possible by this tire’s siping and large shoulder blocks, which helps it grip the road as well as its summer high-performance counterparts.
The same biting edges help the tire plough through snow and ice until it lands on the dry tarmac underneath. Circumferential grooves in the tread area help this tire resist hydroplaning, while also increasing its road contact in wet conditions for an enhanced traction.
Having said that, expect this tire to be noisy on dry roads at higher speeds. Also, like the Bridgestone Potenza WS 90, this tire doesn’t come with a treadlife warranty. That means you’re on your own if it wears down too quickly.
Pros
- Excellent traction in light to moderately heavy snow
- Great handling at higher speeds on dry tarmac
- Relatively long treadlife for a winter tire
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty
#9. Continental PureContact LS
The Continental PureContact LS is the successor of the uber-popular PureContact with EcoPlus Technology. This tire thus brings various improvements to the table, including an enhanced wet performance, improved ride comfort and better handling on dry roads.
Data released by Continental showcases that this model has three specific features that its predecessor lacked. The first is 10% improved wet traction and 23% improvement in wear. The improvement in wear in turn reduces rolling resistance and enhances fuel efficiency.
Another notable improvement is reduced in road noise. It is a massive improvement considering that the PureContact wasn’t loud, even at higher speeds. That Continental has managed to reduce the noise levels by 50% means that the PureContact LS should be quiet on the road.
This tire also comes with Quick View Indicators. These indicators are titled D (Dry), W (Wet), and S (Snow) on the outer tread. The higher their fading rate, the poorer the tire’s performance in dry, wet or snowy conditions. So, a glance at the indicators will tell how this tire will perform.
An Alignment Verification System (AWS) also helps this tire stand out. The AWS consists of three rectangles etched into both sides of the outer tread. If both the rectangles are aligned, it means the tires are perfectly aligned. If not, an alignment adjustment might be needed.
Pros
- Comes with an Alignment Verification System
- Has Quick View Indicators for dry, wet and snow performance
- Enhanced wet traction than its predecessor
Cons
- Not usable on icy surfaces
#10. Hankook Kinergy ST H735
The Hankook ST H735 is a standard touring tire that is capable of offering above-average traction in dry, wet and (light) wintry conditions. But it is not its primary attributes that make this tire a dependable option for drivers of Honda Civic.
A silica-based tread compound helps this model deliver dependable year-round performance. Uniform and stiff tread blocks across the entire pattern make it stable at high speeds, while more rubber on the outer shoulder block enhance grip in dry conditions.
Road noise is also kept to a minimum by the pitch of the tread. The tread’s angle also creates aggressive edges to give this tire enough bite in wet or light wintry conditions. However, since this tire is made of a standard rubber compound, it may not be usable in deep snow.
Close inspection of the tread blocks will reveal the wide grooves running between them. These are lateral grooves that channel water away from the area when the outside conditions call for it, improving its grip and traction in wet and snowy conditions.
A long-lasting 70,000-mile treadwear warranty further sweetens the deal. So does the increased biting power, made possible by the tread sipes in the block and the locking tread block. Bear in mind, though, that this is not the tire you want to bet your safety on in harsh winter.
Pros
- Delivers a dependable year-round performance
- Lateral grooves ensure excellent hydroplaning resistance
- Long-lasting 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Not for harsh wintry conditions
#11. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3
The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 is another high-performance candidate for Honda Civic. This tire is designed to be installed on coupes, sedans and sports cars. Its internal construction and external features make this model useful 365 days a year.
A combination of special Helio material, silica compounds and sunflower oil does wonders for this tire’s performance. The Helio material enhances this model’s traction in wet conditions. It also prevents the Pilot Sport A/S3 from shriveling up when the temperatures nosedives.
Cornering is another area where this tire excels. The credit for this undoubtedly goes to its Variable Contact Patch technology. This technology helps keep the tire stable even when you’re cornering at eye-watering speeds, helping you keep a surefooted control over your drive.
The technology is also behind this model’s supreme wet traction, helping the tire create a more secure grip when things tend to get slippery. But a part of the credit also goes to the four circumferential grooves lining the tread area – they are the force behind this tire’s excellent hydroplaning resistance.
On top of everything else, the Sport A/S 3 comes with a reasonable warranty, at least for an all-season high-performance tire. Michelin backs this model to remain useful for up to 45,000 miles, a decent number for an HP tire.
Pros
- Exceptionally responsive in all weather conditions
- Brilliant high-speed stability
- Usable over light snow
- Long treadwear warranty
Cons
- Noticeable tread growl at higher speeds on coarse surfaces
Best Tires for Honda Civic
Touring Tires
Touring tires are without doubt the best choice for the average Honda Civic driver. These tires offer the best of both worlds in that they will give the drive and the passengers a comfortable, reliable and most importantly safe driving experience.
Furthermore, since these tires are made in high numbers, they are probably the least expensive when compared with other tires. A set of touring and grand-touring tires cost as much as 50% less than their high-performance or max-performance counterparts.
Yet another thing that distinguishes them is durability. It isn’t uncommon to see touring tires from budget brands backed for as many as 60,000 miles, which goes all the way up to 80,000 for some premium models. So, if you cover 10,000 miles per year, these tires will remain useful for 6-8 years.
High-Performance
High-performance tires are ideal for Civic drivers who want an engaging driving experience. These tires offer a much larger contact with the road. Their rubber compound is designed to offer enhanced traction and grip, which means you can drive faster around the corners.
These tires are much more responsive than your average tire, meaning your Civic will react the moment you turn the steering wheel. So, if you own a sportier version of Civic, such as Civic Type R, then high-performance tires are worth a shot.
Bear in mind that these tires aren’t a dependable option for everyday driving. Mainly because they are extremely expensive, especially when compared with touring tires. Secondly, high-performance tires don’t last as long – the best of them are backed with a 50,000-mile warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tires come standard on Honda Civic?
Here are the standard tire sizes on 2022 Honda Civic:
- Honda Civic Sedan EX comes with 215/50R17 tires
- Honda Civic Sedan LX sports 215/55R16 tires
- Honda Civic Sedan Sport packs 235/40R18 tires
- Honda Civic Sedan Touring comes with 235/40R18 tires
Hong long do tires last on Honda Civic?
If you have a conservative driving style and drive 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year, the tires on your Honda Civic should last more than 3 years.
However, the exact time depends on the tires you’ve installed – touring tires usually last twice as long as high-performance tires.
Can I put bigger tires on my Honda Civic?
Yes. But keep in mind that putting bigger tires on your Honda Civic will increase the sedan’s fuel consumption, bring down the fuel economy.
Conclusion
Installing the right set of the Honda Civic tires won’t only improve your ride comfort. It will also bring down fuel consumption and, provided you have put on touring tires, reduce road noise. All in all, the best tires for Honda Civic will improve every aspect of your drive.
