The 8 Best Tires for the Honda Passport

#1. Michelin Defender 2 – Best Overall

The Michelin Defender 2 ticks almost all the boxes for the average Passport driver.

On dry roads, it offers impressive grip. You can thus take full advantage of the Passport’s perky acceleration without risking your SUV’s stability. Plus, while it does produce white noise, it never gets too loud to be intrusive. A quiet ride is all but guaranteed.

The Defender 2 is also a capable performer in the rain. It boasts shorter wet braking distances than many other tires in its class and ensures quick water evacuation through the treads. As such, the risk of aquaplaning and slippage is almost negligible.

What is more, this all-season tire can also safely tackle snow. The credit for this goes to the lateral and longitudinal sipes dotting its tread. These slits have given this model the biting edges needed to provide adequate traction on snow, ice, and slush.

To further sweeten the deal, Michelin backs it with a class-leading 80,000-mile treadwear warranty. Such an extensive guarantee means that the average American driver can expect to get 5 to 6 years out of this tire, thereby getting an excellent ROI.

#2. Michelin Defender LTX M/S – Best Runner Up

Although our top pick is available in a variety of sizes, some trims of the Passport might not be compatible with it. In such cases, the Defender LTX M/S could be the next best option, especially if your daily driving routine involves bumpy roads. 

Unlike our top pick, which can only deal with minor road imperfections, the Defender LTX M/S is a tire for bad, uneven surfaces. A cut- and chip-resistant tread compound enables it to lower the risk of punctures while delivering a quiet and comfortable ride.

If you consider yourself a tire enthusiast, compare this model’s contact patch with that of your current one. This small exercise will reveal that the Defender LTX M/S has a wider-than-usual contact area, translating into superb braking power and fuel economy.

A 70,000 mileage guarantee might seem smaller compared with our top pick’s. But it’s still above average than what you get on most premium all-season touring tires.

#3. Michelin CrossClimate 2 – Best Overall

Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating? Check. M+S symbol on the tread? Present. Decent treadwear warranty? Yes. All these qualities make the CrossClimate 2 one of the best all-weather tires on the market and not just for Honda Passport.

What’s the significance of the 3PMSF rating? It indicates that this tire has met or exceeded the rater’s strict criteria for harsh weather performance. Put another way, you can count on the CrossClimate 2 to safely carry you through snow-laden roads.

And what about the M+S symbol? While not as trustworthy as the 3PMSF rating (as the M+S symbol is awarded by tire manufacturers and not by an independent 3^rd party), it still indicates that this tire has what it takes to tackle slippery roads safely.

Finally, while most all-weather tires are prone to suffering uneven wear (all that added grip takes a toll on their tread life), the CrossClimate 2 is different. How can I be so sure? Because Michelin backs it to last up to 60,000 miles or up to 4 years.

#4. Nokian W4 GR – Best Runner Up

Coming from a tire manufacturer that coined the term all-weather, the Nokian WR G4 is the next best option to snow tires for harsh wintry conditions.

This all-weather tire offers outstanding snow traction, on par with our top pick for this category. Its wet braking distances are remarkably shot, too. So is its wet handling. You can thus count on this model to eliminate the risk of oversteering.

Another thing that impresses me about this tire is how good it is in the slush. Top-of-the-line aquaplaning resistance keeps its contact patch dry to keep this model from getting stuck.

And while it’s decent on ice, I’d still opt for a set of dedicated winter tires. Lastly, while its price tag is expensive for an all-weather tire, the 60,000-mile warranty on offer means you’d be getting an excellent return on investment.

#5. Continental PremiumContact 6 – Best Summer Performance

The Continental PremiumContact 6 is one of the best summer tires on the market.

Besides enhancing your Passport’s appearance with its low-profile design, this model will improve the SUV’s handling, road grip, and responsiveness. The Passport’s steering, which some people feel is already direct enough, will feel even more responsive.

Thanks to the silica in its tread compound, this tire will enhance the Passport’s road grip. You’d thus be able to enjoy enhanced high-speed stability. Another thing that makes silica endearing to tire manufacturers is that it improves the tires’ wet traction.

A trio of circumferential grooves forms this tire’s water evacuation system. They ensure quick and effective water evacuation to minimize the risk of aquaplaning. Plus, thanks to a layer of foam inside the tread, this tire won’t let much road noise enter the cabin.

Bear in mind that this model’s drive may not be as refined as the above duo, which shouldn’t be surprising, given that it’s a summer tire.

#6. Michelin Latitude Sport 3– Best Performance Street

The Latitude Sport 3 comes in two different versions: standard and run-flat.

I’d suggest opting for the regular version for your Passport as it’s much lightweight of the two and thus offers improved fuel economy. Additionally, run-flats generally offer less driving comfort than their standard counterparts and may not last as long.

With that advice out of the way, let’s focus on what makes the Latitude Sport 3 special.

The main reason why any Passport driver may want to install this tire is improved handling, though its steering feedback may also impress you. Plus, it will make this SUV’s steering uber-responsive. This should help you execute quick lane changes.

Another thing I like about this tire is that it’s as reliable on wet roads as on dry surfaces. That is something you cannot say about most performance tires. Another thing that is a rarity among tires in this class is their manufacturer backing them to last 60,000 miles.

#7. Nitto Ridge Grappler A/T

The Nitto Ridge Grappler has everything to be an excellent option for overlanders and campers.

A hybrid all-terrain/mud-terrain tire, this model delivers superior off-road traction as well as usable on-road stability and grip. This enables it to rank alongside very few all-terrain tires that are as reliable on dirt, gravel, and mud as they are on paved roads.

As noted above, the Passport is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds. What you may not know is that the Grappler A/T is available in load range E and load range F models. So, if you like pulling heavy loads with this SUV, the Grappler A/T is worth a shot.

Like any other tire with an aggressive tread pattern and pliable tread compound, the Grappler A/T provides adequate snow traction, as long as it deals with unpacked snow. On packed snow and ice, though, this tire will struggle.

Continuing the bad news, the Grappler doesn’t carry a treadwear warranty. You might say that’s expected, given its off-road credentials, but this is an expensive tire we’re talking about, and I’d have rated it even more highly if it had come with a warranty.

#8. Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2

The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is arguably the market’s leading winter tire.

A multi-cell tread compound enhances this tire’s snow traction. It does that by trapping the snow between the treads, thereby creating snow-on-snow contact for enhanced traction on snow and ice. You can thus count on this tire to safely carry you through a snowstorm.

Speaking of ice, this model won’t skid or slip on slippery surfaces, thanks to the hydrophilic coating, which keeps its contact patch free of water particles. Similarly, a large number of biting edges on the tread help this tire plow through layers of ice and snow.

The only thing I don’t like about this tire is that it doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty. That may be a deal breaker, unless you realize that rivals with a guarantee are priced higher and last as long as this model. So, even if you opt for them, things may balance out over the long term.