The 7 Best Tires for the Infiniti QX80

#1. General Grabber HTS 60 – Best Overall

What makes the Grabber HTS 60 one of the best tires for the Infiniti QX80?

Start with this model’s cut- and chip-resistant tread compound. The compound’s toughness minimizes the risk of sharp objects penetrating this tire’s rubber. This, in turn, lowers the risk of punctures and blowouts, regardless of driving conditions.

Then comes the refined ride quality this tire offers. Thanks to the sound barrier ribs (which absorb road vibrations) and Comfort Balance Technology (which doesn’t let road noise get to the cabin), the HTS 60 successfully offers a plush driving experience.

This model is also incredibly reliable in the rain, thanks to wide grooves that don’t let water particles say inside the tread for long. At the same time, it is responsive enough to allow for quick lane changes, making itself a must-have for enthusiast drivers.

However, all of this isn’t to say that the HTS 60 is faultless. The 50,000-mile warranty on the H- and R speed-rated tires is lackluster, especially compared to its premium rivals.

#2. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

The Michelin Defender LTX M/S ticks several boxes for Infiniti QX80 drivers.

A replacement for the uber-popular Premier LTX M/S, this model offers improved tread life (70,000 miles vs. 60,000 miles), better wet traction rating (A vs. B) and a bigger size range (71 sizes vs. 46 sizes). As such, you can easily find the right size for your QX80.

It isn’t just its predecessor that this tire outperforms on the highway. Thanks to its cut- and chip-resistant tread compound and small cuts in its tread blocks, this model offers enhanced puncture resistance and wet traction than its modern-day rivals, too.

A wider-than-usual contact match makes it one of the most reliable tires on bumpy roads. Plus, its 70,000-mile treadwear warranty guarantees at least 5 years of road use for the average American driver. One who reportedly drives up to 15,000 miles a year.

Despite all these qualities, this model’s astronomical asking price would still force most users to look away in search of more pocket-friendly options.

#3. Kumho Crugen HT51 – Best Budget-Friendly

The Crugen HT51 is a must-have for QX80 owners looking for quality budget tires.

An all-season tread compound enables this model to stay useful year-round, while a symmetric tread design ensures driving comfort at all speeds. The tread pattern also helps this model smooth out minor road imperfections for a quality driving experience.

Despite having a lower snow and ice traction rating (B vs. A) than our top two picks, the HT 51 performs reliably in wintry conditions. How can we be so sure? The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) symbol on its tread leaves us with no other choice.

Treadwear warranty is another area where this tire belies its low asking price. Like the Defender LTX M/S, this model is backed to last 70,000 miles. Which, when you compare both tires’ prices, makes the HT 51 look like a steal.

Yet there are areas where corners have been cut. For instance, the HT51 offers nervous handling in harsh rainy conditions, forcing you to slow down to avoid slippage.     

#4. Michelin CrossClimate 2 – Best Touring All-Season

The CrossClimate 2 shows why Michelin is famous for making some of the best tires for SUVs.

This premium all-season tire offers the levels of dry grip you feel cannot be beaten, yet it goes ahead and matches them with equally outstanding wet traction. As such, whether you are driving on dry or wet roads, short braking distances will be all but guaranteed.

Another thing QX80 owners prioritize besides superior dry and wet performance is high ride comfort. Which is precisely what the CrossClimate 2 offers. This model will work alongside the QX80’s soft suspension to offer a plush driving experience.

Moreover, as its 3PMS and M+S (Mud and Snow) ratings indicate, the CrossClimate 2 can also perform reliably in harsh weather conditions. This sets this tire apart from your average all-season touring tire, which can only perform when the roads are dry.

Bear in mind, though, that this model’s asking price will hit you hard in the pocket. Yet that is something you’d have to bear if you want class-leading ride quality.

#5. Nitto NT 421Q – Best High-Performance All-Season

The Nitto NT 421Q will enhance the driving dynamics of your QX80.

Its asymmetric tread pattern will make this SUV a little less floaty on winding roads while also taking the QX80’s braking power up to the task of hard driving. The tread pattern’s unique design will make all of this possible, while also creating a better road contact for enhanced stability.

The NT 421Q can be surprisingly stable at high speeds thanks to outer shoulder blocks. These blocks also enhance this model’s cornering grip, letting you attack bends at speed.

This tire’s wet braking distances may catch you by surprise. A 3D interlocking sipe design (this model’s biting edges come together when you apply brakes) ensures that the 421Q doesn’t take too long to come to a complete half after you apply brakes.

Best of all, the 421Q comes with a 60,000 or 70,000-mile treadwear warranty (depending on tire size). If you’re yet to decide whether sport-oriented tires would work well with your QX80, the mileage guarantee should be enough to help make up your mind.  

#6. Continental TerrainContact A/T – Best All-Terrain Tire

The TerrainContact A/T shows why more and more drivers are now turning to all-terrain tires for highway driving.

Similar to other premium all-terrain tires, this model has an open tread design, stable tread blocks, and multiple aggressive biting edges. All these design elements make it a reliable performer on pebble-strewn tracks, dirt roads, and frozen terrains.

Another thing that goes in this tire’s favor is that it’s rated M+S (Mud and Snow). This rating indicates that it can handle slippery surfaces pretty well. And together with the open tread blocks, it should portend reliable performance on mud-laden surfaces.

A 6-year/60,000-mile treadwear warranty further sweetens the deal. As does the tough sidewall, which helps lower the risk of punctures and blowouts, albeit at the cost of a relatively rough ride.  

#7. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 – Best Winter Tire

The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 can safely carry you through a snowstorm.

Part of the credit for that goes to its super-flexible tread compound. One which doesn’t get hard even when temperatures drop below zero (which is when most tires become stiff and thus useless). As such, you can count on this tire to perform reliably in extreme winter.

Unlike your average winter tire, this model doesn’t just rely on biting edges for winter traction. It also makes use of what Bridgestone calls MultiCell structure – a design element that traps snow within the tread for enhanced friction on snow-covered roads.

Still have doubts about this model’s winter-driving credentials? Seeing the 3PMS symbol on its tread should blow them away. The 3PMS rating is only awarded to tires that have met the rater’s strict criteria for superior performance in snowy and icy conditions.

Unfortunately, though, this model isn’t without its flaws. The most notable of which is that it doesn’t offer a treadwear warranty. So, you’d be on your own if something untoward happened to this tire.