The 8 Best Tires for the GMC Canyon

#1. Continental TerrainContact HT

The Continental TerrainContact HT ticks several boxes for Chevy Canyon drivers who mainly use this truck for everyday driving.

First of all, this tire will enhance your Canyon’s overall ride quality. It will markedly reduce the road noise you hear inside the cabin, if not eliminate it altogether. Additionally, it will put a dampener on road vibrations, taking ride comfort to the next level.

The TerrainContact HT will also offer superb levels of grip and traction. Whether the roads are bone dry or drenched, the high levels of grip and traction will translate into short braking distances, great news for drivers who like pushing this truck to its limits.

Another thing we like about this tire is that it can be used in light snow, an impressive feat given that it doesn’t carry the 3PMSF or M+S emblem. Also, thanks to the circumferential grooves inside its tread, the risk of aquaplaning is so small as to be negligible.

To further sweeten the deal, Continental backs this tire to last 70,000 miles, which means at least 4 to 5 years of road life for the average American driver.

#2. Michelin Defender LTX MS

The Michelin Defender LTX MS is another exciting option for GMC Canyon drivers who have no intentions of testing this truck’s off-road prowess.

Befitting one of the best all-season tires for trucks, this model will improve every aspect of your Canyon’s ride. Think of drive quality, fuel consumption, road grip and traction, and rolling resistance. There isn’t a single area of your truck’s drive that this tire won’t elevate.

Need proof? Plenty of drivers second what I said above. They also point to the one thing this tire can do that many of its rivals can only dream of: outlast its treadwear warranty. If you do 99% of your driving on tarmac, the Defender LTX M/S should be on your wish list.

Sure, it’s price tag may force you to look elsewhere (this tire doesn’t come cheap). But juxtapose its asking price with the above qualities and the 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, and one could make a solid case of breaking the bank to land the Defender LTX M/S.

#3. Firestone Destination LE3

Several factors make the Destination LE3 an exciting pick for GMC Canyon drivers.

The first is its excellent wet performance. This model is as reliable in the rain as competitors costing twice as much, with braking distances among the shortest in the category. Its hydroplaning resistance is also excellent, so you don’t have to worry about slipping.

Another reason why you may want to invest in tire is fuel savings. While Firestone is yet to make any claim to this effect, previous users credit the Destination LE3 for softening the blow at the pump. You should thus go for this tire if you’re worried about rising gas prices.

The third reason why I’m recommending this tire is that it stays drivable year-round, unless your area receives more than its fair share of snow.

To further sweeten the deal, Firestone backs this model with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is 30,000 miles longer than the LE2 and on par with the above tires.  

#4. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Some all-terrain tires are good for highway driving. Others are rugged enough to offer a safe driving experience on rough terrains. Luckily for you, the BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 can do both.

A double-thick tread compound is the main reason why. Impenetrable to sharp objects such as rocks, stones and other roadside debris, it also helps the rubber absorb vibrations and deflect road noise. The result? A quiet and comfortable drive on must surfaces.

Snow performance is another area where this tire shines, as proven by the 3PMSF symbol on its tread. Awarded by EU authorities, the ‘Three Peak Mountain Snowflake’ emblem indicates that this tire has met or exceeded industry standards for severe snow performance

To make sure you have difficulty saying ‘No’ to this tire, BFG backs it with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, above-average for tires in this category. However, I’d have liked this model more if its fuel economy wasn’t average.

#5. Cooper Discoverer AT3

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 beats the BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 on many counts.

Start on the highway. While the T/A KO2 is also a decent option for long road trips, the Discoverer AT3 can tackle wet weather conditions much better. What does that mean? It means that its braking distances are much shorter and is more controllable in the rain.

Next comes treadwear warranty. As noted above, the T/A KO2’s 50,000-mile guarantee is among the highest for models in this category. Yet, it is 10,000 to 15,000 miles shorter than the warranty (60,000 – 65,000 miles) Cooper offers on the Discoverer AT3.

Another thing people who might prefer this tire over the T/A KO2 might like about it is that its four circumferential grooves are incredibly adept at channeling water out of the tread. As such, the risk of aquaplaning is next to negligible with this model.

However, all of the above isn’t to say that the Discoverer AT3 is a better tire all-around. There are areas where the T/A KO2 rolls ahead. For instance, BFG’s premier all-terrain tire offers a more comfortable ride and comes in more sizes than this tire. 

#6. Firestone Destination A/T2

The Firestone Destination A/T2 does things you don’t normally expect from all-terrain tires.

The first of which is that it performs reasonably well on dry roads. It offers plenty of traction to let your vehicle hold a straight line without any directives from the steering wheel. The braking distances are also short, with cornering grip among the top of its class.

Similar good things can be said about its wet performance. The Destination A/T2 has plenty of grip and traction to offer a safe driving experience on slippery surfaces. Plus, thanks to its oversized grooves, this tire remains incredibly stable when driving in the rain.

Snow performance is excellent as well, though that is something you could guess seeing the 3PMSF symbol on its tread. Its comfort and noise levels are good too, especially for an all-terrain tire, though I wouldn’t go so far as to call its ride as particularly quiet.

Lastly, a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty means that Firestone expects this tire to be durable, which is something I was hoping for as this tire is by no means cheap.

#7. BFG Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

The BFG Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is one of the best mud-terrain tires money can buy.

A replacement of the highly capable T/A KM2, this model outperforms its predecessor in several key areas. Think of enhanced self-cleaning capabilities (which leads to a lower risk of punctures) and better traction in the mud, sand, gravel, and other loose surfaces.

BFG’s internal tests prove the veracity of the above claims. Data released by the Michelin-owned tire brand shows that the T/A KM3 offers 5% improved traction in the mud. Not impressed? The fact that it offers a 30% higher puncture resistance should sway you.

What is more, it isn’t just its previous version that this tire outperforms. The T/A KM3 is as efficient a rock crawler as any other premium M/T tire out there. Plus, as the M+S emblem on its tread makes clear, this model can easily tackle light wintry conditions, too.

Unfortunately, though, it isn’t just the good things that this tire has borrowed from its rivals. Like most mud-terrain tires out there, the T/A KM3 is practically useless on the highway. You’d thus have to install a separate set of tires for road trips.

#8. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 has everything you may look for in a winter tire.

Think of short braking distances on snow. A snow-trapping tread design (yes, that’s exactly what the tread design deos) generates the friction to help this model quickly come to a halt once you apply brakes. In doing so, it lowers the risk of accidents.

This tire is also controllable on the ice, thanks to a hydrophilic coating that keeps the contact patch dry for a reduced risk of slippage. Small wonder, given the above features, that the DM-V2 comes with the rating (3PMSF) only awarded to the best winter tires.   

Another thing I like about this tire is that it keeps its guard up in the rain. A large number of biting edges plus a quartet of circumferential grooves ensure excellent grip on slippery surfaces. So, there’s no reason why you may want to slow down on water-logged surfaces.

Unfortunately, the absence of treadwear warranty disappoints, especially because there are competitors that come with one. If you want a snow tire that comes with a guarantee, check out Michelin’s X-Ice Snow SUV.