According to a New York Times report, sport utility vehicles outsold sedans 2 to 1 in 2019, only four years after overtaking them for the first time. While the gap will only get wider in the coming years, there’s one sedan that continues to post formidable sales numbers, the Toyota Camry.
The Camry was the US’s top-selling passenger car for 20 years straight, before it was dumped to the 9th spot in 2019. Despite climbing down the rankings table, it was still the best-selling sedan in the US, given that the first eight spots were occupied by either light pickup trucks or SUVs.
The fact that Camry is thriving in a world awash in SUVs shouldn’t come as a surprise. This car offers a strong fuel economy, comfortable ride and pliant handling, and an unobstructed driver’s view. Equally importantly, its big cargo area doesn’t force you to leave anything at home.
In this article, we’ll look at the ten best tires for Toyota Camry. All the models listed below can go on all trims of this mid-size sedan. But not all of them will meet your requirements. To know which of the below model might suit you the best, check out the buying guide section at the end.
#1. Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack – Best Overall
The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack is our top tire pick for Toyota Camry. Mainly because this tire has the technologies (Comfort Cruise and QuietTrack) that have made it incredibly quiet, helping this tire help you make the most of your Camry’s plush ride.
The Comfort Cruise Technology optimizes this tire’s rubber, enabling it to absorb road vibrations and deflect road noise before either could reach the cabin. As for the QuietTrack Technology, it relies on ridges to bring down this grand-touring tire’s noise.
In addition to being the quietest tires for Toyota Camry, the QuietTrack might also be the most long-lasting. The reason we’re so confident about this is because of this model’s treadwear warranty (80,000 miles), the highest of any tire in this review.
This tire’s wet traction is also exceptional, thanks to the circumferential grooves that evacuate water quickly and effectively. The grooves’ rapid action helps keep the contact patch dry, not letting this tire and, by extension, your Camry suffer hydroplaning.
Yet, like every tire on the market, the QuietTrack isn’t faultless. This grand touring tire’s snow and ice traction are negligible, meaning you shouldn’t expect it to keep you safe in harsh wintry conditions. This model is only designed for all-season driving.
Pros
- Excellent treadwear warranty (80,000 miles)
- Quiet and comfortable handling in most conditions
- Boosts best-in-class wet traction
Cons
- Snow performance is quite limited
#2. Continental PureContact LS – Best Runner Up
The Continental PureContact LS is one of the best touring tires for the Toyota Camry. This description might make you think that this model is the best for your requirements, mainly if you use this car for everyday driving around the city or on the highway. Here’s why we agree with you.
As a successor of the uber-popular PureContact, this model features 10% enhanced wet traction and 23% improvement in wear, per data released by Continental. The improvement in wear caught our eye, given that it signifies a substantial (if not equal) improvement in fuel economy.
There’s one more improvement that deserves mention here: the PureContact LS is 50% quieter than its predecessor on the highway and the street. All these improvements mean that the PureContact LS will offer a richer driving experience than the model it replaced.
You also get Quick View Indicators with this tire. Titled D (Dry), W (Wet), and S (Snow), these rubber markings are etched on the outer tread. The greater the fading rate of these markings, the quicker the reduction in this tire’s stability will be in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
A 70,000-mile warranty might not be able to stand up with that of our top pick. But it’s still extremely good, especially compared to the backing other touring tires receive from their manufacturers. All in all, then, the PureContact LS is one of the best in its category.
Pros
- Excellent fuel economy
- Superb treadwear warranty (70,000 miles)
- Better wet traction than its predecessor
Cons
- The ride is somewhat firm
#3. Michelin Premier A/S – Best All-Season
Enhanced dry and wet traction? Check. Usable in light snow and ice? Yes. Respectable treadwear warranty? Present. Decent road manners? Absolutely. Given that it possesses all these qualities, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Michelin Premier A/S is on this list.
A sunflower oil and silica tread compound is the force behind this tire’s excellent dry and wet traction. Sunflower oil gives this model the firmness needed to thrive in summer conditions. Silica, meanwhile, lends it the flexibility required to stay stable on water-logged roads.
Speaking of wet conditions, a pair of built-in rain grooves will come in handy there, enhancing this tire’s wet traction. But the rain grooves aren’t alone. They are aided by circumferential grooves, which evacuate water quickly to save this tire from the danger of aquaplaning.
Comfort Control Technology takes care of road manners. It does that with the help of a patch of rubber placed inside the rubber area, which absorbs road vibrations and deflects road noise. Various biting edges on the tread area help it go the distance on light snow and ice.
Yet there’s one area where this model could have done better. Its 60,000-mile warranty, though respectable on paper, pales in comparison with that of our top two picks. That is surprising, given that the Premier A/S isn’t cheaper than the models discussed above.
Pros
- Offers a comfortable and quiet ride
- Provides excellent traction on wet surfaces
- Can handle mild wintry conditions with ease
Cons
- Relatively small treadwear warranty
#4. Bridgestone Potenza RE980 AS – Best High-Performance
The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS ticks several boxes for the enthusiast Camry driver. This model delivers exceptional cornering grip and steering response on the highway. Its straight-line tracking is equally great and can also hold the line over the speed limit.
An all-season tread compound has been molded into an asymmetric tread pattern. The result? Sure-footed driving experience on dry and wet roads with as little rolling resistance as possible. You can thus count on this model to make our Camry an absolute beast.
Circumferential and lateral don’t let water stay inside the tread area for long, making the RE980AS a reliable option on wet roads. Plus, a continuous center rib and outboard shoulder blocks transmit maximum feedback to ensure an engaging driving experience.
Braking distances are also incredibly short, even for an all-season high-performance tire. The credit for this goes to the interlocking 3D deep suction slots and chamfered openings. Both design elements are the reason why the RE 980AS doesn’t steer on sudden braking.
A few flaws have the potential to be deal-breakers, though. The Potenza RE 980AS has a tendency to wear unevenly, especially if you regularly push it to its limits. Secondly, this model is loud, which is surprising for us as we expected its all-season compound to do better in this respect.
Pros
- Extremely short braking distances
- Top-notch responsiveness and dry handling
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance for a high-performance tire
Cons
- Loud
#5. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus – Best Performance All-Season
How would you describe a tire that doesn’t look out of place on vehicles as diverse in their features as the Subaru Legacy and Dodge Charger? It’s a testament to the versatility of the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus that it can be a reliable companion for both family sedans and muscle cars.
An all-season tread compound (which keeps this model from wearing unevenly) and an asymmetric tread pattern (which increases its grip for extreme high-speed stability) are the two main reasons why this tire got our nod for the two above vehicles, as well as for your Toyota Camry.
Compared with its predecessor, the DWS 06 Plus comes in more sizes (100 vs. 87) and a bigger size range (16- to 22-inches vs. 16- to 20-inches). While the warranty is the same for both models (50,000 miles), one cannot complain – it’s already beyond impressive for a performance tire.
Given that it isn’t an all-season tire, comfort and noise levels are good. X-Sipe Technology increases traction on wet and mild wintry roads, something you don’t usually get from HP tires. Plus, chamfered edges help this model plow through (light) snow as well as ice.
That said, there is one specific area where this tire struggles. Continental probably missed a trick by not making its steering as responsive as one would have liked.
Pros
- 50,000-mile treadlife warranty
- Exceptional dry, wet, and light snow performance
- Available in 100 sizes
Cons
- Very noisy
#6. Michelin Energy Saver – Best Fuel Efficient
Per the EPA, the base models of the 2023 Camry do 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. No matter how you slice them, these numbers make it clear that the Camry is one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the planet. But they don’t suggest that this car’s fuel mileage cannot be improved any further.
With the Michelin Energy Saver A/S, you can expect to get even better fuel economy out of your Camry. This tire’s all-season tread compound has been molded in such a way as to reduce rolling resistance, enabling this tire to put very little pressure on your car’s engine.
Next comes Michelin’s EnergySaver Construction. The French tire manufacturer insists that this construction prevents heat from building up inside this tire. Michelin further claims that the Energy Saver A/S can provide you with fuel savings of up to 400 USD over its lifetime.
While improved fuel economy might be the main attraction of this tire, it’s far from the only one. MaxTouch Construction, for instance, guarantees even wear for a longer tread life, convincing Michelin to back this all-season tire with a 55,000-mile mileage warranty.
Bear in mind, though, that this tire’s snow and wet traction are lackluster. It’s thus recommended to keep an eye on the speedometer when driving in inclement weather.
Pros
- Offers excellent fuel economy
- Steering response is pretty good
- Backed with a decent treadwear warranty
Cons
- Not the most affordable tire on the market
#7. General Altimax RT 43 – Best Value for Money
The General Altimax RT43 ticks several boxes for the average Camry driver. It comes at an affordable price point, offers a comfortable driving experience and is backed with an above-average treadwear warranty. This means it won’t hit you in the pocket in the short-and long term.
Unlike the majority of mid-range tires, this model didn’t experience the cutting of any corners to keep the asking price low. Need proof? Then you must check out its double tread compound, which keeps vibrations at bay while delivering an adequate level of steering feedback.
An optimized pitch sequence and Sound Wave Suppression Technology combine to guarantee a quiet riding experience. Visual Alignment Indicators (VAIs) let you check your wheels’ alignment status at home, saving you the money you’d have otherwise paid to the mechanic.
Its 75,000-mile treadwear warranty further belies the myth that mid-range tires need replacement within the first 2-3 years of installation. Throw into the mix its availability in 79 sizes, and there aren’t many faults that you’d be able to find with this all-season tire.
Pros
- Available at a competitive asking price
- Backed with a 75,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Can be utilized in light snow conditions
Cons
- Premium competitors perform better in wet road conditions
#8. Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring – Best Budget Touring Tires
The Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring is one of the best tires in this category, especially if you’re on a budget. This model is as reliable for everyday driving and long commutes on the highway as any of its premium competitors. Plus, it comes with a super-extended treadwear warranty.
Cooper’s StabiliEdge Technology stabilizes this model’s contact patch for even road contact. This results in an even distribution of pressure forces your car will subject this tire to. For this reason, you can count on this tire to wear evenly and offer a comfortable driving experience.
An M+S rating is a welcome feature, one you don’t usually get with budget touring tires. This emblem indicates that the CS5 Ultra Touring can hold its own on light snow and ice. In wet conditions, its circumferential grooves will evacuate water to resist hydroplaning.
The super-extended warranty we alluded to above is 75,000 miles, albeit with a catch. While some models are undoubtedly backed for this mileage. Others (H- and V-rated versions) come with a smaller treadwear warranty of 50,000 miles. Which is below par for a touring tire.
Pros
- Comes at a pocket-friendly price
- Some models are backed for 75,000 miles
- Above-average wet- and dry handling
Cons
- Smaller treadwear warranty for V- and H-rated tires
#9. Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter – Best Studdable Winter Tires
The Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter was first released in 2012. This model was one of Goodyear’s first for harsh wintry conditions and it was its sheer success (driven by features discussed below) that convinced Goodyear to maintain a permanent presence in the winter tire market.
A directional tread pattern contains the roots of everything that makes this tire a reliable performer on ice- and snow-laden roads. These include sipes (which help this tire plow through snow and ice), three wide grooves (which help evacuate water) and the 3PMSF symbol.
The 3PMSF symbol all but guarantees that this model can safely take you from point A to point B in harsh wintry conditions. Often confused with the M+S symbol, this emblem is more trustworthy because, unlike its counterpart, it’s awarded by the EU’s tire rating authorities.
If you still have any doubts about whether you should opt for this tire, the fact that this model comes at an affordable price might turn you into a believer. Unlike many dedicated winter tires, the Ultra Grip Winter won’t blow a hole in your pocket in return for reliable snow performance.
Pros
- Competitively priced for a dedicated winter tire
- Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol
- Has a decent tread life
Cons
Might hurt your Camry’s fuel economy
#10. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Best Studless Winter Tires
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is a worthy (and pricey) alternative of the Goodyear Ultra Grip. The main thing that goes in this tire’s favor is that it doesn’t require you to install metal studs in extreme wintry conditions. A super-flexible tread compound helps this model do the trick.
EdgePerformance Technology further enhances snow performance. This technology works with the aid of the asymmetric tread pattern to widen the WS90’s contact patch every time it contacts the road. As a result, this model has no trouble gripping the tarmac.
MultiCell Technology is another ace up its sleeve. This technology enables the tire to retain snow as it expels water via the circumferential grooves. This is done because the subsequent snow-on-snow contact improves traction, enabling this model to plow through.
As with the Ultra Grip, the WS90 also comes with a 3PMSF symbol, indicating that it has met the rater’s strict criteria for extreme snow performance. Go for this tire if its asking price (which is steeper than that of the Ultra Winter Grip) doesn’t bother you.
Pros
- Offers excellent traction on snow and ice
- Comes with the 3PMSF symbol
- Doesn’t require you to insert studs for reliable performance in extreme wintry conditions
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
Best Tires for Toyota Camry
Touring Tires
Due to multiple reasons, touring tires are the best choice for the average Toyota Camry driver. These models cost less upfront than their performance and high-performance counterparts. They are also backed with a longer treadwear warranty and offer improved fuel economy.
Furthermore, just like your Camry, the best touring tires offer a comfortable and refined driving experience. An all-season tread compound and symmetric tread pattern enable these tires to absorb vibrations and deflect noise before either could reach the cabin.
The last, but certainly not the least important thing about touring tires is that they will last a long time. If you select from any of the models listed above and don’t regularly push it to the limits, you can expect to drive it for at least 50,000 miles before needing a replacement.
Performance Tires
Performance and high-performance Toyota Camry tires are an excellent option for drivers who want an engaging driving experience. That is mostly the case with those who drive Camry V6 models, which are certainly more powerful than other trims of this sedan.
That said, while high-performance tires will offer better grip in the corners and an overall more engaging driving experience, they suffer from several downsides. First of all, these models do not come cheap. In some cases, they cost twice as much as touring tires.
Secondly, they will wear much faster if you regularly push them to their limits. And finally, even the best performance tires will be louder at high speeds and less tolerant of speed bumps. Due to these shortcomings, most Camry owners don’t go for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you replace the tires on your Camry?
You should replace the tires on your Camry when the remaining tread depth is below 2/32-inch. To check out how much tread depth is remaining, place a penny into the tire’s groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing toward you. If you can see his entire head, it’s time for new tires.
How long do Camry tires last?
Assuming that you’re an average driver who drives their Camry from 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, you’d be able to get 3 to 4 years out of your Camry’s tires. However, this time period can be reduced or extended depending on your driving habits, the road you frequently drive on, and weather conditions.
Conclusion
Toyota Camry is one of the world’s best-selling cars for a reason. To take full advantage of its plush ride quality, impressive fuel economy, and agile handling, it’s imperative that you pair this sedan with a set of premium tires. Only high-quality tires will help you make the most of this car’s qualities.
