Did you know that 18% of Honda owners also own a pickup truck? Honda did, which is why it came up with the Ridgeline in 2005. The idea behind this mid-size pickup truck was to convince those Honda owners who already own pickups to turn their garages into Honda-only parking spots.
At the same time, Honda didn’t want to do what rivals like Toyota and Chevy were already doing with their pickup trucks. Instead, it wanted to come up with a model that could give its users the cargo bed of a smaller truck (practicality) as well as the riding comfort of an SUV (comfort).
Sure, nobody can deny that Ridgeline lacks the off-road capability you can get from its more aggressive competitors. But once behind the wheel, it doesn’t let you guess you’re driving a light truck. This makes this light truck an excellent choice for the concrete jungle that is our cities.
Now that you’re aware of all this, the onus is on you to select and install tires that could enhance everything that makes this pickup truck worth having. This is why we’re going to provide you with detailed reviews of the 11 best tires for Honda Ridgeline on the market.
#1. Firestone Destination LE3 – Best Tire Overall
The Firestone Destination LE3 is its manufacturer’s flagship replacement tire for medium and light trucks. This tire is an upgraded version of its popular predecessor, the Destination LE 2, which is the OE tire for the 2022 Honda Ridgeline. Here’s why you might want to make the switch.
Compared with its predecessor, the LE3 offers higher mileage on the highway. This tire’s soft tread compound enables it to grip the road better, both in dry and wet conditions. Also, while the LE2 was backed for 40,000 miles, the LE3 comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty.
An asymmetrical spike pattern gives the LE3 the precise steering and handling people usually associate with performance tires. What’s more, a 3D tread feature has been included in this model’s tread pattern. This is done to help it maintain traction even when the tread is worn out.
Full-depth 3D sipes enable this model to plow through light snow and ice, while the Hydro-Grip technology lowers the danger of aquaplaning on wet roads. As a result, you won’t have to worry about slipping or skidding when driving with the Destination LE3 in wet conditions.
All of this is not to say that the Destination LE3 doesn’t have any flaws. This tire’s performance will take a hit the moment you exit the highway. Still, that shouldn’t bother the vast majority of Ridgeline owners, most of whom will be using this light truck for inter-city traveling.
Pros
- Backed with a generous 70,000-mile warranty
- Short braking distances in wet conditions
- Produces zero noise at higher speeds
Cons
- Not the best for off-roading
#2. Michelin Defender LTX M/S – Best Runner Up
Before 2017, the G1 Ridgeline rolled off the factory floor with Michelin LTX M/S. Unfortunately, that tire was taken off the market that year, replaced by the Defender LTX M/S. Many Ridgeline owners protested this decision back then. But, as it turns out, it was the correct one.
The Defender LTX comes with a symmetric tread pattern. One that provides consistent road grip for enhanced fuel economy and higher mileage. The tread pattern also soaks up road vibrations and smoothens out road bumps, ensuring a comfortable drive.
MaxTouch Construction helps this tire wear evenly, enabling it to outlast the 70,000-mile treadwear warranty Michelin backs it with. Moreover, 3D sipes and independent tread blocks increase this model’s traction in wet conditions, making the LTX M/S a year-round performer.
An M+S rating makes this tire a reliable performer in mild wintry conditions. But you’d do well not to tempt your luck on hard-packed snow with this model. Aside from that, its availability in a large number of sizes helps this model cover all Ridgeline trims.
The only reason this model isn’t our top pick for Honda Ridgeline is that it doesn’t come cheap. In fact, its prohibitive asking price might prove to be a deal-breaker for most people.
Pros
- Available in a large number of sizes
- Backed with an excellent 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Excellent levels of grip in dry and wet conditions
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
#3. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady – Best All-Season
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady checks many boxes. This tire isn’t as pricey as the Defender LTX M/S yet delivers the same reliable year-round performance. Also, this model’s treadwear warranty is much bigger than other tires in the same price bracket.
Goodyear’s Evolving Traction Grooves make the tire even more useful. These grooves are designed to replace the tire’s built-in grooves once the latter wear out. As a result, this tire won’t face any loss of traction even when its tread depth hits dangerous limits.
A Three Peak Snowflake Mountain (3PMSF) emblem helps this tire stay stable in mild wintry conditions. In addition, the 3D TredLock technology locks the tread blocks at higher speeds for greater stability, while the WeatherReactive Technology enhances wet traction.
Goodyear’s dual aqua channel grooves channel water away from the contact patch to make this tire incredibly resistant to hydroplaning. The manufacturer’s ComfortFlex Technology, meanwhile, minimizes road noise for a comfort-inducing driving experience.
Unfortunately, the WeatherReady’s treadwear warranty disappoints. As you have already seen, rival models from Michelin and even Firestone are backed for 70,000 miles, making this model’s 60,000-mile treadwear warranty look bang average.
Pros
- Comes with the 3PMSF emblem
- Supreme dry and wet performance
- Delivers exciting high-speed handling
Cons
- Treadwear warranty could have been better
#4. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus – Best for Ridgeline Black Edition
The Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus shows why touring tires are the ideal option for the average Honda Ridgeline driver. This model comes with an excellent 80,000-mile warranty, giving you 5 to 6 years of road life to recoup your investment in this model.
A symmetric tread pattern ensures comfortable driving. This tread pattern has become standard on touring tires due to its ability to soak up vibrations. Aside from that, it deflects road noise to help things stay quiet in the cabin, letting you enjoy the drive in silence.
Parallel grooves were something we didn’t expect to see in this model. Mainly because touring tires come with circumferential grooves these days. Luckily, as it turns out, these channels perform an equally commendable job of evacuating water from the tread area.
This model’s knurled shoulder blocks ensure it stays stable at higher speeds. In addition, a continuous center frame absorbs all the pressure you might put on this tire, resisting premature deformation.
That said, there are a few areas we expected this tire to do better. The near-total absence of sipes on its tread area means this model isn’t reliable on snow, light or heavy. As a result, it’s suggested to leave this tire at home when there is snow outside.
Pros
- 80,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Quiet and vibration-free driving experience
- Negligible risk of hydroplaning
Cons
- Isn’t reliable in snow
#5. Continental TerrainContact A/T– Best All-Terrain Tires
Honda Ridgeline isn’t the type of vehicle you can count on for extreme off-roading. The same goes for TerrainContact A/T. This all-terrain tire strikes the perfect balance between off-road traction and on-road comfort, making it the ideal off-roading companion for the Ridgeline.
An open-tread design featuring stable tread blocks gives this tire all the stability you might ask for when driving on pebble-strewn surfaces. And together with Continental’s TractionPlus Technology, it won’t let this model lose its grip on slippery/dicey terrains.
This tire’s multiple traction grooves contain as many biting edges to dig into mud and slush. A puncture-resistant sidewall means you can go rock-crawling with this tire. And a relatively soft tread compound means that the TerrainContact A/T would be equally reliable on snow.
Tread Wear Indicators (TWIs) are also on offer. These are narrow rubber bars etched on the road-facing side of the tire. At first, you won’t be able to see them. In fact, they’d only become visible once the tread depth has hit dangerous limits. This will be a sign that the tire needs replacement.
Bear in mind, though, that this tire doesn’t care much for fuel economy. So your Ridgeline’s mileage will take a noticeable hit if you go around driving the TerrainContact A/T.
Pros
- Backed with an excellent 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Comes with treadwear indicators
- Reliable on gravel, mud and rocks
Cons
- Isn’t the most fuel-efficient
#6. Toyo Open Country A/T III
Another great all-terrain option for your Ridgeline is the Toyo Open Country A/T III. This is a tire that blends on and off-road performance nicely, making it a solid option if you want all-around performance.
For off-road performance, the all-season rubber compound of the Open Country A/T III is designed with a pattern capable of delivering performance in off-road conditions. In addition to that, the cut and chip resistance material will help the tier survive in non-paved conditions.
There is another design feature of the Open Country A/T III that helps with off-road performance. The staggered shoulder lugs work to improve traction in these conditions by utilizing the biting edges around the blocks. They’re also designed to eject stones, keeping the grooves clean and the performance consistent.
Toyo designed the Open Country A/T III with a void that’s evenly distributed, aimed at offering several improvements. Among the most notable ones are the enhancements in on and off-road performance and the rigid blocks that aid handling.
The tread pattern features larger lateral grooves, which work with the 3D sipes to improve performance in multiple areas. These mostly include traction on damp surfaces and snow-covered roads.
Pros
- Dry and wet performance is pretty good
- Superb off-roader considering its category
- Up to 65,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- The price isn’t as competitive as some of its rivals
#7. Kumho Crugen HP 71 – Best Budget Tires
If you could excuse the Kumho Crugen HP 71 for its lackluster performance on snow and ice, there won’t be any other area where this tire would give you reason for complain.
A close inspection of this model’s tread design will give you all the evidence you need to believe in this tire’s wet weather credentials. Circumferential grooves, aggressive shoulder blocks, deep sipes – all design elements associated with a sure-footed wet performance are there.
One center rib and 4 ribs on the shoulder area make this model stable at speed. The ribs also transmit all the feedback they get from the road to the steering, ensuring enhanced steering responsiveness. And they are equally quick to respond to any steering inputs.
Sure, its driving experience isn’t as plush or noise-free as you may get from premium touring tires. But for a budget tire, the HP 71 fares well in the comfort department. Especially when paired alongside the cushier suspension of your Honda Ridgeline.
A 65,000 mile treadwear warranty and availability in 40+ sizes give you two more reasons to look the other way when this tire’s poor snow performance is the topic of the conversation.
Pros
- Offers excellent value for the money
- Backed with an extensive 65,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Demonstrates decent stability at higher speeds
Cons
- Competitors fare better on snow and ice
#8. Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S– Best Budget All-Terrain Tires
The Geolandar A/T-S belies the myth that high-quality, all-terrain tires aren’t available on a cheap. This model costs a pittance when compared with premium A/T tires. Yet, as with every mid-range model worth its salt, you cannot guess its asking true price from its performance.
A silica tread compound has been molded into a symmetrical tread design to make this tire an absolute powerhouse on the off-roads. At the same time, the combination enhances this model’s on-road manners, shielding passengers inside the cabin from vibrations on the highway.
The staggering of center blocks around its tread enables this tire to offer decent dry traction and handling for the price. Aside from that, rounded edge intermediate blocks make it stable at high speeds. That is something you won’t see us associating too often with AT tires.
Four circumferential grooves keep the risk of hydroplaning to a minimum, evacuating water particles quickly and effectively from the tread area. This helps keep the contact patch dry, allowing the dual interlocking sipes effectively grip dry and wet road surfaces.
Pros
- Some models come with a 50,000-mile tread guarantee
- Exceptional ride comfort for a budget all-terrain tire
- Good steering response and feedback
Cons
- Poor performance on tight corners
#9. Hankook DynaPro HT - Best Cheap Tire
The Hankook DynaPro HT ticks many boxes for the average Ridgeline driver. This model isn’t as pricey as some of the others you saw above. At the same time, it boasts excellent road manners and comes with a superb 70,000-mile warranty (Euro- & P-Metric tires).
Nothing about this model screams cheap. The tread compound is as durable and flexible as in tires costing twice as much. Plus, Hankook’s decision to mold the compound into a symmetric tread design means decent road comfort and low road noise are in the offing.
Steering is also responsive and reliable, thanks to the stiff center rub. Zig-zap sipes on the tread area help boost this tire’s wet traction, but they aren’t deep or aggressive enough to help this model plow through snow and ice. As such, this tire should be kept away from snow.
On the flip side, its sidewalls feel soft and thus are unable to inject power into cornering. Still, when you compare this model’s plus points with its shortcomings while keeping its low price in perspective, it will get clear to you that the DynaPro HT is a decent option.
Pros
- Some models are backed up to 70,000 miles
- Multiple design elements to resist hydroplaning
- Incredibly sharp and crisp steering response
Cons
Sidewalls are soft for a touring tire
#10. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 – Best Winter Tire
The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is one of the best winter tires for Honda Ridgeline. Special tread compound, aggressive and deep biting edges, excellent protection against hydroplaning – this model has everything to battle inclement and harsh wintry conditions.
Start with the tread compound. A special rubber compound has been used in this model’s construction that doesn’t stiffen up when experiencing sub-zero temperatures. You can thus count on the DM V-2 to carry you safely from point A to point B on snow-laden roads.
Next comes the aggressive and deep biting edges. Their aggressiveness allows the sipes to dig into snow and keep the tire rolling, regardless of how much snow is there on the road. However, they are not alone in helping this tire navigate inclement weather.
The sipes are helped by Bridgestone’s MultiCell Technology. This technology ensures that, while water is evacuated from the tread area, some of the trapped snow isn’t let out. This is done because snow-on-snow contact generates the friction needed for gripping the road.
Finally, to offer adequate protection against aquaplaning, circumferential grooves come to the fore. These narrow channels give water particles inside the tread an easy way out of it. In doing so, the grooves make the DM-V2 one of the most dependable tires in wet weather.
Pros
- Has superb braking power
- Offers great hydroplaning resistance
- Provides excellent traction on snow and ice
Cons
- MultiCell structure covers only the first 55% of tread depth
#11. Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse AT
If you want a premium all-terrain tire, look no further than a model from Goodyear. The Wrangler Workhorse AT is an excellent option, offering a nice balance between performance on paved surfaces and off-road.
Similar to most of its rivals, the Wrangler Workhorse AT is an all-season tire, meaning that it’s designed using Goodyear’s all-season compound. This enables the tire to perform well in colder temperatures. In addition to that, the compound is also cut and chip-resistant, meaning that it can withstand torture in off-road conditions.
The rubber compound is molded into a tread pattern, designed to offer performance in multiple conditions. There is some aggressiveness to it, meaning that it will do a pretty good job in off-roading scenarios. As a bonus, the tire will handle snow-covered roads solidly well.
Among the many features the Wrangler Workhorse AT offers is the ability to deliver performance in snowy conditions. To achieve this, the Wrangler Workhorse AT is designed to come with the 3PMSF rating, meaning that the performance in winter conditions is slightly better than an M+S-rated tire.
Even though we’re talking about a tire designed to take a beating in off-road conditions, the warranty isn’t too bad and may even compare with some touring models. To put that into perspective, the Wrangler Workhorse AT comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is pretty good for this kind of tire.
Pros
- Plenty of off-road performance in lighter conditions
- Pretty good comfort levels
- Dry performance is excellent
Cons
- The noise levels aren’t the lowest in this category
Best Tires for Honda Ridgeline
Touring Tires
The average Honda Ridgeline driver will find plenty to like about touring tires. These models strike an optimal balance between road manners, fuel economy and price. As such, they will keep you content on road rides as well as when you’re at the refilling station.
Durability is another area where touring tires excel. As you may have noticed, some of the touring tires discussed above are backed for as many as 85,000 miles, with the majority’s treadwear warranty ranging between the 60,000 to 70,000 mark. No matter how you slice them, these are excellent numbers.
Such excellent warranties mean that the touring tires discussed above won’t require replacement for 5,6 years, even if you use them on a daily basis.
Highway Tires
Many people think that highway tires are touring tires in everything but name. Sure, highway tires borrow many properties from their touring counterparts. For instance, these models are as quiet and comfortable and consume as little fuel as touring tires.
However, there are two key differences between highway and touring tires, both of which deserve the attention of the average Ridgeline driver. Highway tires are slightly heavier than touring tires and come with bigger load ratings. As such, they are better for towing and hauling.
All-Terrain Tires
All-terrain tires have what it take to handle off-roading excursions. These models come with stiff sidewalls, flexible tread compounds and sturdy internal construction to carry you from point A to point B through mud, slush, gravel, and, in some cases, rocks.
On the flip side, most all-terrain tires you see on the market are deafeningly loud, especially on the highway. Their fuel economy is also pitiful, forcing you to make frequent trips to the refiling station. For both these reasons, A/T tires may not suit the average Ridgeline driver.
Conclusion
Picking the best tires for Honda Ridgeline isn’t easy. You have to balance the things this mid-size pickup truck could do with your driving style and the conditions you’ll drive in. Only then you’d be able to select tires that could enhance this light truck’s drivability.
2 Comments
So …2014 Touring Ridgeline
..what would be the best tires?
Where is Nokian? The Nokias Outpost A/T tire is an outstanding all terrain tire. Very quiet and very capable to run all year long. I saw no reduction in mpg, but amazed at how quiet these tires were and how well they performed in snow ant at below zero temps. Kevlar completely wraps around this tire to protect tread & sidewall. They do not come cheap, but you get what you pay for.