The 10 Best Tires for the Ford Bronco

#1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

I’m kicking off this list with a premium model from Michelin. The Defender LTX M/S is one of those tires that may not be the most affordable, but it is the best in terms of performance.

In dry conditions, the performance is excellent, and you’ll get a lot more than what you’d need in your Bronco. The tire has high levels of traction, enabling you to accelerate without any slip. Even if there is, it will be minimal in very aggressive scenarios. Around a corner, the grip levels are superb, and the tire remains planted with no issues. The handling is decent for a highway tire. You’ll get decent responsiveness and not a lot of flex in the sidewall. With that said, the feedback isn’t the most pronounced.

The wet performance of the Defender LTX M/S is among the best in the premium class. You’ll have plenty of grip and traction on damp roads, meaning you’re getting a safe experience. Speaking of safety, the tire’s braking distances are among the best. The handling characteristics continue in the wet, as the tire remains manageable even when you start pushing it. With this tire, you’re also looking at excellent stability in heavy rain, thanks to its ability to evacuate water.

Most people get an all-season tire for its ability to deliver performance in lighter conditions, and the Defender LTX M/S doesn’t disappoint. Driving on shallow unpacked snow won’t be an issue as long as you’re aware of its limitations. The tire will deliver solid traction and feel planted. You’ll notice a bit more slip on packed snow, but that’s not a massive problem. With an M+S rating, you should be aware the tire won’t do so well in harsher conditions, especially in very cold temperatures.

You’d get a highway tire for its refinement, which the Defender LTX M/S does exceptionally well. The noise levels are on the lower end, making it one of the quietest tires in its class. It’s almost inaudible around town, and there is a faint hum on the highway. The comfort levels are also an aspect where you won’t be disappointed. It can smooth out the smaller imperfections and easily dampen the large holes. You also notice that there are almost no vibrations transferred into the cabin.

For the warranty, Michelin does pretty well. The Defender LTX M/S comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the same levels as some of its premium rivals. With that said, there are some with slightly longer ones.

#2. Continental TerrainContact H/T

A direct competitor of the Michelin model in the highway all-season segment is the TerrainContact H/T. Like the previous tire, it may not be the most affordable option, but you can be sure it will be among the best.

Driving on dry roads is an experience where you won’t feel like the tire is lacking. The TerrainContact H/T delivers some of the highest levels of grip and traction in these conditions, which is why it’s on top with the Michelin model. There aren’t too many situations where you’d be aggressive with a Bronco, but the tire won’t struggle with that. It will start to understeer if you go into a corner at higher speeds, but most people won’t experience that. In terms of handling, it’s fine for everyday driving. It’s not the most communicative tire, but it has some solid responsiveness.

We praise Continental for making excellent wet performers, and this one is no exception. The traction levels of the TerrainContact H/T are phenomenal, enabling the tire to eliminate slip entirely. It will let go if you floor it, but most people wouldn’t drive it that hard. It’s the same story in the corners. There’s more than enough grip for everyday driving, leaving plenty of headroom if you want to push it. The tread pattern does an excellent job evacuating water, so you can expect excellent aquaplaning resistance.

Most all-season tires aren’t superior in winter, but the TerrainContact H/T doesn’t do a poor job. You’ll get solid levels of traction on unpacked snow, and the sipes will do their job on packed one. If you’re driving in deeper snow, you’ll notice it struggling a bit more, but it won’t be unusable. Naturally, in the harshest scenarios, you’ll find that it won’t do so well, at which point you’ll need to start considering a proper winter tire.

The refinement levels are as good as you expect from a premium tire. Continental made the TerrainContact H/T as comfortable as possible, enabling it to soften up holes and smooth out the smaller imperfections. The best part is that it doesn’t feel bouncy and easily eliminates the vibrations. Regarding the noise levels, the tire is very quiet around town. On the highway, you will hear it, but only if you look for it. Otherwise, the other noises drown it out.

Finally, we have the warranty which is on the same level as the previous tire. The TerrainContact H/T comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty for the P models and 60,000 for the LT ones.

#3. Kumho Crugen HT51

It may surprise some, but some mid-range models can perform pretty well without costing as much. The model I have in mind is the Kumho Crugen HT51, which is an excellent option if you’re looking for a good price-per-performance ratio.

In dry conditions, the Crugen HT51 is a tire that will provide you with all you need and a bit more. You’ll get high levels of traction to eliminate slips, and the grip will be more than enough to get you around a corner with no drama. Considering that the limits are higher than this, you can push it, but you shouldn’t expect the same levels as with the previous two tires. Enthusiasts won’t be thrilled, while most drivers will be pleased. The handling is acceptable, thanks to the decent responsiveness you’ll get. With that said, the feedback isn’t there, and the tire feels vague.

The positive experience continues in wet conditions, where the Crugen HT51 offers performance covering most people’s needs. If you’re driving on a damp road, the traction levels will keep the wheel spin to a minimum, or you won’t experience any, depending on how heavy your right foot is. The grip levels will be more than up for driving around a corner without promoting understeer. You’ll also get short braking distances which I’d rank as pretty high in the mid-range segment. Also, Kumho did wonders with the tread pattern, and the tire offers superb aquaplaning resistance.

Things aren’t perfect in every situation, and with the Crugen HT51, the downside is in winter performance, despite the 3PMSF rating. The tire isn’t terrible, and you can get decent levels of grip and traction in lighter conditions, especially if the snow is unpacked. You can drive it on a packed one, but you’ll need to be a bit more careful with the inputs. It’s usable if you don’t rely on it in harsher conditions.

Despite the mid-range price tag, the Crugen HT51 is a tire that feels like a premium one when looking at the refinement. The comfort levels are among this segment’s best, meaning you’ll get a plush ride. You also won’t have to worry about potholes because the tire will soften them and minimize the vibrations. The noise levels are also very low, especially when driving around town. They increase a bit at higher speeds or rougher roads, but nothing too terrible.

Another area the Crugen HT51 gets right is the warranty. The tire comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty for the P models and 45,000 for the LT ones, which is more or less on the same level as some of the premium models.

#4. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Moving away from the highway models, we come to the all-terrain options, and the first one is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. In my opinion, this is one of the best tires you can get that will give you a balance between road and off-road performance.

On dry paved roads, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a tire that will satisfy your needs with its performance. It delivers some of the highest levels of grip and traction in this class, meaning you won’t notice it struggling. To be fair, it’s not a dedicated road tire, so getting too aggressive isn’t the best thing you can do. The tire also has some of the shortest braking distances in the all-terrain segment, making it a safe option. Like most of its rivals, the handling isn’t marvelous. Most people will consider it fine, but you should keep in mind that it’s not the most responsive tire you can find.

Similar to dry conditions, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 excels in wet if you’re aware of its limitations. On damp roads, the traction and grip levels will be more than enough to give you a stable and plated driving experience. You can get it to slip if you get too aggressive, which most people wouldn’t do anyway. In heavier rain, the tire does a phenomenal job evacuating water, meaning you’ll get excellent aquaplaning resistance.

Moving on to winter performance, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 again shows that it’s a very strong contender. The tire comes with a 3PMSF rating, which will be more useful than an M+S-rated one. It offers plenty of traction in lighter conditions, regardless if you’re driving on packed or unpacked snow. Driving in a deeper patch isn’t the same, but the tire will still remain a good performer. With this, you can also rely on the short braking distances to keep you safe.

Off-roading is what the tire is all about, so it won’t disappoint in this regard. The All-Terrain T/A KO2 has no issues on hard-packed surfaces, offering excellent traction and short braking distances. Part of an off-road experience is driving in mud, something that this tire does well. There is a point where the mud will be deep enough for it, but in most casual conditions, it won’t struggle at all. Rock-crawling is the most extreme off-roading situation, and this tire will deliver some performance. There are some limitations, and the most I’d be comfortable with it is going over some small to medium rocks.

The biggest drawback of the All-Terrain T/A KO2 is the refinement, which most drivers will be fine with. Comfort levels aren’t like highway tires, but they’re acceptable. It can soften the larger bumps and partially smooth out the road imperfections. The noise levels are decent, and the tire will be acceptably quiet around town. On the highway, the roar is there, but it’s muted enough to prevent headaches on longer journeys.

Another weaker point of the All-Terrain T/A KO2 is the warranty. The tire comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty which isn’t the best in the premium segment. There are even some mid-range models offering something similar.

#5. Toyo Open Country A/T III

There are multiple options in the mid-range segment of the all-terrain models, but the one for your Bronco is the Open Country A/T III. Even though it’s not as competitive in price, the performance is excellent.

On dry roads, the Open Country A/T III is a tire that will deliver the performance that most drivers will be satisfied with. The tire’s traction levels are high, and you won’t experience slip even if you get a bit aggressive. It’s a similar story in the corners, where the grip levels will keep the tire planted. It’s not a UHP tire, so remember that the performance is limited. The braking distances are one area where the tire does very well and competes with the premium models. In terms of handling, it’s acceptably responsive, which is what most people would expect from an all-terrain tire.

Wet conditions aren’t a problem, and the Open Country A/T III will continue to deliver the performance you need. For everyday driving, the grip and traction levels will be more than enough for your needs on damp surfaces. If you drive normally, the tire will have no issues with accelerating or going around a corner. Naturally, getting aggressive with the inputs will result in a slip. This comes in a package offering short braking distances, meaning your safety won’t be compromised. Considering the tread void, the tire’s ability to evacuate water is excellent, making it stable even in harsh rain.

As part of the all-season package of the Open Country A/T III, you’re also getting solid winter performance. The tire’s traction levels are high enough to offer more than usable performance in lighter conditions. You can drive it on packed and unpacked snow with minimal difference. Despite not being a winter tire, it will be acceptable in deeper snow, but I’d recommend avoiding those scenarios if possible. The braking distances are slightly longer than the best-in-class models but are within the safe range.

All-terrain tires are solid off-road performers, and I can say the same about the Open Country A/T III. The tire’s traction levels on gravel or dirt roads are excellent. It will remain planted unless you start driving it like you stole it. In scenarios like mud, the tire will continue to deliver dependable performance. For the most part, the tire will have no issues if the mud is shallow enough. At a certain point, it will be deep enough for the tire to start struggling, but that’s not something that most casual off-roaders will experience. In the harshest conditions, the tire will be fine but far from the best option. You can take it rock-crawling if you don’t expect wonders from it.

Most people don’t expect much from an all-terrain tire, but the Open Country A/T III isn’t all that impressive. The ride quality is a bit on the firm side, especially with larger potholes. There is a jolt, resulting in a bit more vibration than you’d get with the premium models. The noise levels are also acceptable, but the tire is slightly noisier than its rivals. This becomes even more evident when you drive on the highway.

Regarding warranty, the Open Country A/T III has an advantage over the previous model. The tire comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is impressive even in the premium segment.

#6. Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar

Going back to the premium segment, we have another tire that we praise as being one of the best in off-roading conditions. The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is Goodyear’s answer to the BFGoodrich model, so you get a tire without too many compromises.

A dry road is something that the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar won’t struggle with. You will get excellent traction levels which will eliminate slip when accelerating. In the corners, the grip will be more than enough for the tire to hold the line without causing understeer. Naturally, the performance levels aren’t the highest in the industry, so you can push it past its limits if you’re too aggressive. The highway stability is excellent, and you won’t notice any twitching at those speeds. It also offers short braking distances, so safety isn’t compromised. The handling will be good enough for most people but don’t expect too much sharpness from this tire.

The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar delivers excellent results even when driven on wet roads. Damp surfaces aren’t an issue, thanks to the traction, which prevents the tire from slipping. It’s not the same as on a dry road, so it doesn’t take much to upset it. With that said, it’s an all-terrain tire and among the best in these conditions. The tire also offers some of the shortest braking distances in this class. Stability when driving in deep water patches is also superb, meaning the tire evacuates the water adequately.

There is a slight difference in the winter department from one model to another. The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is generally a usable tire in lighter conditions. It deals with unpacked snow excellently, and even though it will struggle a bit on packed one, it remains good enough. That said, the LT models have a 3PMSF rating, meaning they’ll perform better than the P-metric ones. It’s not a massive difference, but you’ll notice it in slightly harsher conditions.

As a premium all-terrain option, the off-road performance of the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is excellent. The tire has no traction issues on hard-lacked surfaces, giving you a stable and planted feel. There is a point where it will start to let go, but it takes a lot to find yourself in that situation. Driving in mud is another aspect of the tire that you can rely on. Even though it’s not a mud-terrain model, the performance in these conditions is excellent. You won’t have any traction issues unless you drive in deep mud. This tire shouldn’t be your first choice in the most extreme off-roading scenario, like rock-crawling. It’s acceptable in lighter conditions, but nothing to get excited about.

Looking at the refinement, the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar won’t be the best, despite it being a premium option. The comfort levels aren’t too bad, and the tire does a solid job of delivering a soft-ish ride. It absorbs the bumps decently, and most people will be fine with that. The bigger issue is the noise levels. They are noticeably higher than some of its rivals. I wouldn’t classify it as terrible, but this segment has quieter tires.

When it comes to warranty, the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is pretty good when compared to its rivals. The tire comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, near the top in the all-terrain segment.

#7. Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

Considering that the Bronco is an off-road capable vehicle, let’s look at a few off-road options, starting with a model from Yokohama. The Geolandar M/T G003 is a new tire built from the ground up, so we’re looking at noticeable differences when compared to its predecessor.

In dry conditions, the Geolandar M/T G003 is a tire that will deliver the right amount of performance. It’s good enough for daily driving scenarios, which is what most people would expect from a mud-terrain tire. The grip and traction levels are solid and are among the best in this class. You also have short braking distances, so the tire isn’t lacking. Remember that the performance is limited compared to other types of tires, so don’t push it hard. The one area the tire lacks the most is handling. Even when compared with other mud-terrain tires, the responsiveness isn’t the best.

It’s a similar story on wet roads. The performance will be good enough on damp roads to keep you safe. There’s enough traction to eliminate slip and a solid amount of grip to go around a corner. The levels aren’t terribly low, so you can push things a bit, but not much. Similar to the dry performance, the safety aspect is excellent thanks to the short braking distances. The high-void tread pattern of this tire is responsible for evacuating water efficiently, delivering excellent aquaplaning resistance.

Winter performance is something that the Geolandar M/T G003 can do with ease, but not all the time. Unpacked snow is an area where this tire won’t disappoint. Even in deeper snow, the tire will have no problem delivering the needed traction. Packed snow plagues this tire, as the traction levels are lower and the braking distances are slightly longer. It remains usable, but it’s worth mentioning that it’s not as good as a dedicated winter tire.

If you’re looking at the Geolandar M/T G003, you probably need excellent off-road performance, something this tire can deliver. Starting with something light like dirt roads, the tire is among the best on the market. It has no traction issues, even if you get a bit carried away, and it will show a very controllable nature. The self-cleaning tread pattern does wonders for removing debris, meaning you can rely on consistent mud performance. Even in deeper situations, it takes a lot to get stuck with this tire in the mud. The overall design and internal construction mean you can air it down and use it for rock-crawling. It will go over almost anything as long as the Bronco can handle it.

As a mud-terrain tire, I have to admit that the refinement of the Geolandar M/T G003 is pretty good. The tire’s comfort levels are pretty solid, and it will soften the ride when going over bumps without feeling bouncy. Noise is also on the lower end, as the tire’s roar isn’t overly pronounced. Naturally, it’s not as quiet as a touring tire, but I believe it does pretty well in this segment.

#8. BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

There aren’t too many tires that have impressed me with their off-road performance, like the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3. Even though it’s not the most affordable option, it’s a tire that will cover your paved and non-paved adventures nicely.

On a dry road, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is a solid performer. There is enough grip and traction for daily driving scenarios, which, combined with the short braking distances, make it an option that most people will be happy with. It handles well enough and won’t be a handful, even if you decide to push it a bit. There is some headroom here, but like the previous one, it’s not too high.

Wet performance is more or less a similar story. The Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is a tire that will satisfy your needs if you don’t expect miracles. On damp roads, the traction is decent enough to prevent the tire from slipping. The grip levels are also good enough to avoid massive understeer in normal driving scenarios. As for the aquaplaning resistance, I wouldn’t classify it as the absolute best in this class, but it’s near the top.

Tires like the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 are made to be usable in the winter, and this one delivers on that front partially. The traction levels on unpacked snow are excellent, even when driving on a deeper one. It will struggle a bit if the temperature is extremely cold, but it will be drivable. The area where it doesn’t do so well is packed snow. It’s acceptable enough, but some of its rivals do better.

The area where the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 impressed me the most is the off-road performance. It does a very good job of delivering traction on hard-packed surfaces, so you won’t notice it struggling unless you push it very aggressively. Things remain positive in mud, which I believe is where the tire shines. Regardless of the depth, the tire will dig in until it finds traction and will get you out of most situations. Finally, we have rock-crawling, something this tire tackles with ease. The internal construction will handle dropping the pressure and will go over most rocks without breaking a sweat.

In the refinement department, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is good enough but not the best. There is a noticeable roar, especially at highway speeds, which is to be expected. You can find a few quieter tires, but not by much. The comfort levels are decent to a point where you won’t deal with a bouncy ride. It may feel a bit harsh, something you can mitigate by dropping the pressure a bit.

#9. General Grabber X3

If the previous tire is out of your budget, you may look at something from the mid-range segment. The model in mind is the General Grabber X3 which may not be the best mud-terrain tire, but it’s affordable enough to live with.

The dry performance of the Grabber X3 is good enough to be considered a solid option for daily driving scenarios. It will offer decent levels of grip and traction, keeping you safe if you don’t get too aggressive. The braking distances aren’t as short as some of the premium models but come very close. My only complaint about this tire is the handling. Most people don’t expect super responsive handling from a mud-terrain tire, which I agree with. This one seems to feel slightly slower than some of its rivals.

Wet roads are something that the Grabber X3 will handle without too much drama. Naturally, the levels of grip and traction won’t be on the same level as a dedicated road tire, but in this application, I’d call them solid. When accelerating, the tire won’t slip too much and will feel stable and plated. The tread pattern is designed to evacuate water efficiently, delivering excellent aquaplaning resistance even at highway speeds. You get all of this from a tire with relatively short braking distances, especially compared to some of the other mid-range models.

There is a pattern with mud-terrain tires and snow performance, and the Grabber X3 is no different. The tire does a very good job when the snow is unpacked. Even when driving in deeper snow, the tire won’t struggle too much for traction, which is a pretty good thing. With that said, it’s not as good with packed snow. It seems to struggle more and cannot deliver decent traction levels to call it excellent. I’d call the tire usable in these conditions, but only if you have to.

Despite the mid-range badge, the Grabber X3 feels like a premium tire when you take it off-roading. The traction on gravel or dirt roads is excellent, and even if you’re more enthusiastically inclined with your inputs, the tire won’t struggle too much. It’s the same when you’re driving in mud. In shallow patches, the tire will drive hassle-free to a point where you may not even notice that. Deeper mud is also something the tire will handle, and even though it can slip occasionally, the performance is excellent. Things remain positive in rock-crawling scenarios. The tire’s internal construction will handle getting aired down, and the tread pattern will easily claw over rocks.

As a mud-terrain tire, the refinement of the Grabber X3 isn’t poor as some of its mid-range rivals. Unlike some of the other tires I mentioned, this one delivers solid comfort levels. It can absorb some of the bumps and soften the ride quite nicely. The noise levels are also surprisingly low for a mud-terrain tire. There is a slight hum around town, which turns into a roar on the highway. As bad as that seems, there are far louder tires, even in the premium segment.

#10. Cooper Discoverer STT Pro

Lastly, we have another mid-range model, priced similarly to the previous one. The Cooper Discoverer STT Pro is a tire that combines the price and performance nicely, so as long as you don’t need the absolute best, this one will suffice.

If you’re driving normally, the Discoverer STT Pro will have no issues delivering the required performance for a safe driving experience. In daily driving scenarios, the grip and traction levels are pretty good for a mid-range tire, and the tire will feel planted unless you start to reach its limits, at which point it will become twitchy. The braking distances are quite short, putting the tire near the top of the mid-range segment. Similar to some of the previous mud-terrain tires, the handling isn’t marvelous. Most people would be fine, but I would have liked to see the tire being a bit more responsive to inputs.

The usable performance continues in the wet department. You will get decent traction levels from the Discoverer STT Pro that will prevent massive slip when accelerating. Going around a corner at average speeds won’t be an issue, thanks to the grip levels. You shouldn’t do aggressive driving with this tire, as it’s not designed for that. The levels aren’t very high, so you should be mindful of that. One area where the tire delivers premium-like performance is the aquaplaning resistance. Thanks to the tread pattern, the tire remains stable at higher speeds in heavy rain conditions.

In winter, the Discoverer STT Pro performs similarly to the other mud-terrain tires I mentioned. Slush or unpacked snow won’t be a problem, as the tire will offer solid traction levels. Packed snow is the biggest problem, and the tire may slip a bit more than it should. To be fair, most tires in this category have the same issue. This also means that the braking distances will vary a bit depending on the snow you’re driving on. Despite that, I’d consider them short and safe.

The Discoverer STT Pro is one of those tires that will offer as much as it can in off-road conditions without too many issues. On hard-packed surfaces, the tire’s traction levels are near the top, so you can get a bit aggressive and still have a safe experience. As good as the tire is in that condition, it delivers the best performance on mud. The tire can offer high levels of traction in shallow and deep mud, and thanks to the self-cleaning technology, it can keep the performance as consistent as possible. Cooper’s shoulder design can claw over any rock, and the internal construction will handle getting deflated for a larger surface area.

In terms of refinement, the Discoverer STT Pro isn’t the best, but it’s also not the worst. The comfort levels are solid, and the tire will absorb some of the smaller bumps and road imperfections. With the larger ones, the jolt is unavoidable, but it’s not terrible. The noise levels are also good enough but fall behind the best. Similar to the previous tire, there’s a hum around town which increases as you get on the highway. It’s not too loud, but you will notice it.