Tires can make or break your driving experience with the Subaru Ascent. While the right set of tires will help this SUV shine on the highway and in the city, poor quality or cheap tires might hurt its ride quality, passing acceleration, and even fuel economy.
It is, therefore, suggested to be very careful when choosing aftermarket tires for the Ascent. Specifically, you need to purchase models that will complement your driving style, the condition of the road you regularly drive on, and the weather in your area.
Start with driving style and road conditions. All-season touring tires might suit those who mainly use this SUV for everyday driving. Highway tires can be a good option for road trips, while performance and high-performance tires are a better bet for enthusiasts.
Then comes the weather conditions. While it’s true that tires with all-season tread compounds can be used 365 days a year. Such models are nearly useless in harsh wintry conditions. Thus, if you want reliable handling on hard-packed snow, go for winter tires.
This article will rate and review the 10 best tires for Subaru Ascent. All the models you see below can be installed on most, if not all, trims of this SUV. We’ll also provide you with a detailed buying guide on Subaru Ascent tires. Read on to make an informed decision.
#1. Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza Plus – Best All-Season
The Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza Plus is one of our top tire picks for Subaru Ascent. This all-season tire offers excellent fuel efficiency, performs reliably in dry and wet conditions, and offers a smooth ride. Plus, you won’t have any complaints about its handling.
A symmetric tread pattern provides this tire with even road contact. This, in turn, enables this model to wear evenly and thus enjoy a long tread life. Better road contact also means lower road noise and vibrations, so be ready for a comfortable drive.
Multiple lateral grooves evacuate water quickly to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Their quick action also keeps the contact patch dry for enhanced wet traction. Plus, it is partially due to these grooves that this model can perform reliably in light snow.
A knurled shoulder block and continuous center frame increase cornering grip and high-speed stability. The frame will also give you a better feel for the road, resulting in enhanced steering responsiveness. Plus, an 80,000-mile treadwear is also on offer.
That said, there is one area where this model could do better. The Alenza Plus is one of the few all-season tires that we have seen that has zero biting edges. This has all but prevented this model from performing reliably in harsh wintry conditions.
Pros
- 80,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Offers reliable year-round traction
- Quiet and comfortable ride on the highway
Cons
- Not the best for snow driving
#2. Continental CrossContact LX25 – Best All-Season
Is most of your time behind the wheel spent on the highway or in city traffic? Are you looking for a tire that performs as reliably on dry roads as in wet conditions? Won’t mind if it could also enhance your Ascent’s fuel economy? If so, consider the CrossContact LX25.
Its eco-friendly tread compound has slashed this tire’s rolling resistance vis-à-vis rival all-season tires, with the resulting reduction in weight helping this model boast three key qualities. These include enhanced fuel economy, quick acceleration, and better handling.
Wet traction is another area where the LX25 shines. The credit for this goes to its quartet of circumferential grooves, which ensure quick and effective water evacuation. As such, you won’t have to watch your speed when driving in the rain.
Comfort Control Technology will enable this tire to enhance your Ascent’s ride quality. A center rib running along its entire length and independent tread blocks on the shoulder offer high-speed stability, making sure that the LX25 doesn’t wobble at breathtaking speeds.
A 70,000-mile treadwear warranty might not be as high as the one our top pick offers. But it’s still above average compared to rival all-season tires.
Pros
- Comes with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Offers excellent ride quality and handling
- Provides enhanced high-speed stability
Cons
- Not for spirited driving
#3. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady – Best All-Weather
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
- Comes with the 3PMSF emblem
- Offers excellent traction on light snow and ice
- Backed by an amazing 60,000-mile warranty
Cons
- Mild road noise at higher speeds
#4. Michelin CrossClimate 2 – Best All-Weather
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is one of the priciest all-weather tires on the market. Luckily this model justifies the amount on its price tag with excellent dry and wet performance, superb snow traction, and an above-average treadwear warranty.
A Thermal Adaptive tread compound enables this model to adapt to various weather conditions. This compound has just the right balance between flexibility and firmness to stay as useful on dry summer roads as in wet or light-wintry conditions.
Michelin has equipped this tire with V-Ramp chamfers and multiple biting edges. The chamfers give accumulated water particles an easy way out of the tread, maximizing wet traction. As for the biting edges, they give this tire the aggressiveness for snow driving.
What is more, the CrossClimate 2 is one of the few all-weather tires on the market that come with the M+S (Mud + Snow) and 3PMSF emblems. That this model has both these symbols is all the proof you’d ever need of its reliable snow performance.
Similar to the Assurance WeatherReady, this model also comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty. However, as noted above, its asking price is much steeper.
Pros
- Has 3PMSF and M+S symbols
- Boosts incredibly short braking distances
- Performs reliably on snow and ice
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
#5. Cooper Discoverer SRX – Best Summer Performance
The Cooper Discoverer SRX might not be the most famous summer performance tire on the market. But don’t take its lack of fame as a sign that this tire isn’t very good as it does. Here’s why.
A high-silica tread compound made with competition-grade resin helps this model offer superior dry traction and handling. The tread compound’s formulation has also enhanced this model’s wet traction, especially compared to other models in this class.
Its ultra-stiff sidewall means enhanced steering feedback is guaranteed. This may be good news (if you are the sort of driver who wants a better feel of what is happening down there). Or it may be bad (if you want a plush ride, in which case you’re looking at the wrong tire).
This tire’s StabiliEdge Technology forces the otherwise disparate blocks to come together during hard acceleration, aggressive cornering, and sudden braking. The result? Enhanced grip for short braking distances in situations where you will need them the most.
Once this tire starts wearing down, you’ll notice the emergence of hidden sipes. Their arrival on the tread won’t just increase this tire’s appeal – it will also lengthen its tread life. You might also be pleased to note that this tire comes with a warranty of 75,000 miles.
Pros
- Exceptional responsiveness and straight-line tracking
- Is very stable at higher speeds
- Class-leading 75,000-mile warranty
Cons
- Offers a firm ride
#6. Falken Ziex CT60 A/S – Best Street Performance
The Falken Ziex CT60 A/S is a must-have if you intend to flex your Ascent’s handling on the street. Its asymmetric tread pattern with the 3D canyon sipe gives it the year-round grip needed for superior grip and traction, regardless of weather or road conditions.
A silica-based tread compound delivers more good news. Apart from helping this tire stay glued to the road in the summer, it gives it the flexibility needed to navigate colder temperatures. As such, you won’t have anything to worry about on wet or light wintry roads.
Falken’s special 4D Nano Design technology has improved the rubber’s weather flexibility. It also minimizes heat build-up during high-speed driving. These improvements take the pressure off the Ziex CT60 A/S, helping this tire wear evenly for a long road life.
They have also lowered this model’s rolling resistance, which is the energy your Ascent needs to output to keep this model rolling. So, with your SUV’s engine burning less fuel to keep this tire in motion, an increase in fuel efficiency is all but guaranteed.
Throw its 65,000-mile treadwear warranty to the mix, and it may seem that this model is perfect at what it does. Which could have been if this model wasn’t as loud at high speed as it is.
Pros
- Ensures fuel savings
- Great handling at high speed
- Offers a relatively comfortable drive
Cons
- Loud
#7. Toyo Open Country A/T III – Best All-Terrain
Toyo’s Open Country lineup is perhaps the most famous tire series among off-roaders. Most drivers who like tackling challenging terrains are aware that they can count on an Open Country model to keep them safe in conditions where other models would just give up.
Which is precisely what the A/T III, the latest edition to the Open Country family, does. In fact, this model is much better than the ones that came before it. Compared with the A/T II, it offers better traction on damp roads, produces low road noise, and is a better performer on snow.
The upgrades received by its tread compound make this tire’s road noise much more bearable than that of its predecessor, with the addition of circumferential grooves in the tread area increasing its hydroplaning resistance for a more sure-footed driving experience in the rain.
Moreover, the implementation of 3D multi-wave sipes has enabled this model to get the 3PMSF symbol on its tread area, eliminating any doubts you may have about its winter performance. Plus, its 65,000-mile treadwear warranty gives you another reason to buy this tire.
Remember, though, that the AT/IIIs will spin when you try and accelerate quickly with rain, snow, or slush on the road. But that’s the case with most truck tires.
Pros
- Will add multiple inches of ground clearance to your ride
- Road noise is much lower than its predecessor
- Comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- May slip if you accelerate too quickly in the rain
#8. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 – Best All-Terrain
Drivers expect three things from Yokohama tires. Affordable asking prices. Long treadwear warranties. Ability to perform brilliantly in harsh weather conditions. Guess what? The Geolandar A/T G0515 offers all three. But this all-terrain tire doesn’t stop t that.
An all-season tread compound featuring high-tech polymers and orange oil makes this model a solid performer in dry and wet conditions. The presence of orange oil, in particular, positively impacts wet performance, an area where most A/T tires struggle.
Although it’s an all-season tire through and through, the G015 has multiple features you normally expect to see in mud-terrain tires. For instance, this model comes with EdgeTec Grooves that help this model easily get rid of dirt, sand, and large amounts of mud.
Yokohama’s engineers have designed this model’s biting edges so that they change their shape as the tread wears down. As you might guess, this is done to maximize traction throughout this tire’s long road life. Plus, it has multiple features to keep you safe on snow.
The A/T G015 also carries the 3PMSF emblem, indicating that it meets severe weather requirements. In fact, this model’s snow braking and handling are more than 25% higher than its predecessor. Another good news is that it comes with a 50K or 60K tread warranty.
Pros
- Offers excellent traction in harsh wintry conditions
- Self-cleaning properties help it get rid of sand, dirt, and mud
- Provides comfortable ride on the highway
Cons
- May wear out quickly
#9. Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail – Best All-Terrain
The Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail is another exciting option for off-roaders. This model’s puncture-resistant sidewall, built-in heat diffusers, and step-down etching enable it to thrive on mud, slush, gravel, and even rocky terrains (provided it’s aired down).
A dual-function sidewall resists cuts, nips, and punctures to minimize the risks of unwanted midway stops. Another function that it performs is that of a heat shield. The sidewall features little pores that dissipate heat before it can build up, thus reducing the risk of blow-ups.
Multiple squared shoulders and harder bead apex also give more strength and stability to the tire and help it offer better traction on various surfaces. The tire also features voids that help it self-clean mud and other debris to increase traction on dirty tracks.
Its 5-rib tread pattern and ultra-rigid block design will maximize steering response and overall handling when driving on the highway. The sipes around the tread area will give it biting edges for enhanced winter traction. They will also improve its wet roads’ grip.
Unfortunately, while the A/T Trail comes with a respectable 50,000-mile treadlife warranty, numerous user reports claim that its actual tread life is much shorter.
Pros
- Has a crisp and responsive steering
- Exceptional on- and off-road traction
- Minimizes heat build-up to reduce the risk of blow outs
Cons
Treadlife could be better
#10. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV – Best Winter Tires
To those people who don’t know that it literally invented the winter tire, the Hakkapeliitta 8 will prove that Nokian knows a thing or two about winter tires.
The Cryo-silane Gen 2 tread compound is one of this model’s standout features. A mixture of silica, natural rubber, and rapeseed oil, the tread compound stays flexible at temperatures where its rivals freeze, giving the Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV unrivaled winter traction.
A “saw-tooth” design traps snow within the tread to use it as a traction surface against the snow on the road. There are also numerous sipes on the back of the tread block, which come together when you apply sudden brakes, improving grip on snow and ice.
Another notable feature of this tire is the use of aramid fibers in its sidewall, which increase this model’s ability to hold up over time by helping it better withstand scrapes and cuts. All in all, then, this model is one of the best winter truck tires on the market.
Pros
- Top-of-the-line snow traction
- Burns less fuel than its previous version
- Offers extra grip when braking
Cons
- No mileage warranty
Best Tires for Subaru Ascent
All-Season Touring
All-season touring tires might be the best option for you if you use your Subaru Ascent for everyday driving. These models offer excellent road manners, meaning they are quiet and comfortable on the highway, in city traffic, and on the street.
They also offer excellent fuel economy and enhanced tread life, especially when compared to performance and all-terrain tires. Best of all, these models come with extended mileage warranties, 70,000 miles, in the case of the CrossContact LX25.
Summer Performance
Summer performance tires do what their name entails. These models offer unrivaled handling, high-speed stability, and steering feedback on dry roads. Their cornering performance is so good you won’t have any doubt about entering and attacking turns at full speed.
That said, there are a few reasons why summer performance tires aren’t the first choice of most Subaru Ascent drivers. These models compound the problem posed by their astronomical upfront price with a low tread life, meaning they have short replacement times.
All-Terrain
All-terrain tires do more than what most people give them credit for. Sure, these models have what it takes to perform reliably on dirt, gravel, and in some cases, rocky terrains. But they are also really good on the highway, making much less noise than most people expect them to make.
In fact, based on the opinion of people who use A/T tires for everyday driving, they can be as good on the highway as dedicated highway tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand of tires is on a Subaru Ascent?
It depends on your Subaru Ascent’s model year, trim, and delivery location. For instance, the 2023 Subaru Ascent comes with Falken Ziex ZE001 A/S, 245/50R-20 102H M+S tires.
How long should Subaru Ascent tires last?
Subaru Ascent tires can last 30,000 to 50,000 miles or even longer, depending on road conditions, your driving style, and tire type.
Conclusion
Although it regularly gets great ratings on its road tests, the Subaru Ascent will only perform at its best if you pair it with premium tires. It is thus suggested to avoid cheap tires when you’re looking to replace this SUV’s factory-installed radials.
