The 8 Best Tires for the Jeep Wagoneer
The Jeep Wagoneer is roomy, cozy, and powerful, but its factory tires disappoint many owners, pushing them towards superior aftermarket replacements.
One of which is the Cooper AT3 4S. Not only do they look aggressive on the stock rims, these tires also offer excellent off-road grip and traction. A 3PMSF symbol (indicative of superb snow performance) and a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty further sweeten the deal.
If you want to give this SUV’s lackluster fuel economy a nudge in the right direction, consider cashing out on Michelin’s Defender LTX MS tires. Super-quiet, highway-friendly, and excellent performers in the rain, they have all the qualities to justify their high asking price.
However, if the thought of navigating snow with anything but dedicated winter tires fills you with dread, opt for Michelin’s X-Ice Snow SUV or Bridgestone’s Blizzak DM-V2 tires. Both have everything needed to safely carry you from point A to point B on snow and ice.
#1. Cooper AT3 4S
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Many Wagoneer owners I know have two complaints about its factory tires – the stock Goodyears vibrate like crazy at higher speeds and suffer from high wear rates. Luckily for them, and you, the Cooper AT3 4S won’t force you to deal with either.
Not only are they quiet at higher speeds, a superb quality to have whether you use the Wagoneer for daily commuting or only for off-roading. These tires also come with an extended treadwear warranty (65,000 miles). So replacement won’t be due anytime soon.
Dry performance is another area where the AT3 4S are an improvement over the stock Goodyears. They have high cornering grip and know how to roll straight without needing steering corrections. Their steering response is also pretty impressive for an all-terrain tire.
You can also count on these tires to hold their own in wet and wintry conditions. A tread compound that stays flexible year-round, aggressive biting edges, and Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the tread should assure you of that.
Lastly, while they cannot compete with dedicated off-road tires (recommended below). The AT3 4S tires are more than capable of handling the occasional trip to the woods.
Pros
- Quieter than the stock Goodyears on your Wagoneer
- Severe snow rated for excellent performance in harsh winters
- Backed with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Feedback feels numb
#2. Michelin Defender LTX MS
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If money is no issue and you want to make your Wagoneer’s ride even more refined, then take a look at the Michelin Defender LTX.
Costing more than your average highway tire, this tire delivers such a quiet and vibration-free ride that could put everyone bar the driver to sleep. Even minor imperfections such as speed bumps, road cracks, and potholes cannot hurt its composure.
Another thing I like is that it offers excellent fuel mileage. As long as you don’t keep pushing it to its limits, the Defender LTX MS won’t increase the frequency of your trips to the pump.
Also, many drivers are of the view that this tire is quick to react to steering inputs. If true, this would mean the ability to execute fast lane changes without having to deal with body roll.
To further sweeten the deal, Michelin backs this tire with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, 5,000 miles higher than what you get on our top pick. However, the lack of 3PMSF symbol and any serious off-road credentials evens out things between the two.
Pros
- Delivers a refined ride
- May improve mileage
- 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Only designed for on-road use
#3. Continental CrossContact LX25
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Want to drive one of the best tires for SUVs money can buy? If so, you may want to install Continental’s CrossContact LX25 on your Wagoneer.
One of this tire’s best qualities (which popularize it among SUV owners) is its ability to minimize body roll. This is made possible by its superior road grip, which sees to it that your Wagoneer doesn’t tilt to one side, even as you enter bends.
Fuel economy is another area where this tire shines. This should interest you if don’t have money to burn, considering that the Wagoneer’s mpg is among the lowest in class.
You can also count on it to absorb road bumps like a champ. A thick foam inside its tread makes sure that any disturbances it encounters on the road are muffled out before they can enter the cabin.
This tire’s wet performance is equally exemplary, earning it class-leading braking distances. At the same time, its dry performance isn’t bad either. So expect above-average handling, quick steering response, and rapid acceleration while retaining full control over your SUV.
Pros
- Best-in-class wet performance
- High road grip minimizes body roll
- Incredibly comfortable on the highway
Cons
- Not the best option for snow driving
#4. Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3
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The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 isn’t as popular with the Wagoneer drivers as the above three tires. That’s mainly because it only came out last year, putting it at a disadvantage compared to the preceding trio which has been on the market for much longer.
The good news is that this tire makes up in performance what it lacks in fame. Decent performance on dry and wet roads is combined with reliable driving on snow. This means you won’t have to replace it regardless of the prevailing road conditions.
Road efficiency is matched by fuel economy. Per opinions shared by users, the AS Plus 3’s rolling resistance is pretty low for an all-season tire. That makes sense, considering that most (if not all) of Pirelli’s tires deliver better mileage than the competition.
Yet another quality of this tire is that it won’t require replacement for years. Need proof? A 70,000-mile treadwear warranty should be enough to convince you.
Pros
- Reliable for snow driving
- Offer superb fuel economy
- Won’t need replacement for years
Cons
- Dry handling could be better
#5. Toyo Open Country AT3
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If you opted for the upgraded off-road package when purchasing the Wagoneer, which comes with skid plates, Selec-Speed control (SSC), and an electronic locking rear with a 3.92 axle ratio, your next essential investment should be a set of all-terrain tires.
Which is where the Open Country AT3 enter the picture. These tires have everything you need to maximize the features Jeep charges extra for the off-road bundle.
Start with the super-aggressive tread pattern. This design enables the AT3 to offer extreme traction on various surfaces, including gravel, mud, and rocky terrain. In doing so, it lets you test the effectiveness of your Wagoneer’s skid plates in extreme conditions.
This tire’s high traction capability also pairs well with your Jeep’s SSC feature. How? By ensuring that the AT3 maintains its excellent grip and stability at low speeds during off-roading. This, in turn, lets the SSC system to maintain a controlled and steady speed.
Lastly, its advanced tread compound enables the AT3 to strike the perfect balance between off-road durability and on-road comfort. In doing so, it allows your Jeep to make full use of the increased torque from the 3.92 axle ratio, especially on off-roads.
Pros
- Offers superior off-road traction
- Good handling on harsh terrains
- Balances durability and off-road comfort
Cons
- Ride quality isn’t the smoothest
#6. Firestone Destination AT2
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Some all-terrain tires are only good for highway use. Others are capable of meeting your daily driving needs. A third category can also come good on snow.
The Firestone Destination AT2 does it all. Just like premium highway tires, this tire offers superb stability at speed. Whether you want to execute quick lane changes at speed or into high-speed cornering, there are very few things this tire cannot do on paved roads.
Next comes its utility for daily driving. I have driven this tire myself and can vouch for its ability to keep quiet as you put it to test around the neighborhood. Similarly, it can absorb vibrations with minimal fuss, thereby offering a comfortable driving experience.
A 3PMSF symbol on its tread underlines this tire’s impeccable snow-driving credentials. This symbol indicates that the Destination AT2 is severe weather rated, meaning you can count on it to safely carry your Jeep from point A to point B in harsh wintry conditions.
Bear in mind, though, that the Destination AT2 isn’t designed for off-roading. If you intend to hit the trails, you’d be better off with the previous option.
Pros
- Plenty of grip and traction on dry roads
- Won’t need to be replaced for daily driving
- 3PMSF rating underlines impeccable snow driving credentials
Cons
- High wear rate
#7. Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV
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The Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV has everything you may expect from premium winter tires.
Which isn’t surprising considering it is the replacement of the X-Ice XI3. This tire’s predecessor won the market over with its superb braking distances on snow, ice, as well as wet roads. Luckily, the X-Ice Snow SUV has only built on its ancestor’s qualities.
Want to know how? Due to the dedicated water channels and aggressive sipes that don’t let the contact patch stay wet for long, regardless of how much water there’s on the roads. This, in turn, enhances your vehicle’s safety and lowers the risk of accidents.
You may also appreciate that this tire comes in studded and studless versions.
Per my experience, studded tires outperform their studless counterparts on pretty much every count. Except fuel economy. Also, many counties in the US don’t allow studded tires on public roads, so be sure to check your local laws before ordering the studded version.
Availability in two versions aside, there’s one more thing that sets this tire apart from competitors – it’s backed with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty. Which is 40,000 miles higher than what you get on most winter tires, even the premium ones (like the one below).
Pros
- Comes in studded and studless versions
- Best-in-class braking distances on snow and ice
- Class-leading 40,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Asking price may blow a hole in your pocket
#8. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
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There are various reasons why you may want to install Bridgestone’s Blizzak DM-V2 – not Michelin’s X-Ice Snow SUV – on your Jeep.
Start with the fact that they fare better on wet roads. There seems to be a general consensus among drivers that they brake, turn, and accelerate much better in the rain than the X-Ice Snow SUV.
Another is that the DM-V2s are the more responsive of the two. Now, I’m not saying that your steering will become lightning-fast on these. It’s just that you’d be able to execute relatively quick lane changes while experiencing less body roll.
These tires also cost less, albeit not by design. Since they are much older than the X-Ice Snow SUV, every now and then tire dealers slash their asking price to attract buyers.
Bear in mind, though, that the DM-V2s aren’t without their drawbacks. The first of which is that they may wear much faster than the X-Ice Snow SUV. Another is that these tires are to be replaced when the weather is regularly over 40 degrees. Or else their tread will take a hit.
Pros
- Can easily get you out of deep snow
- Exceptional traction in harsh weather
- Fare much better on wet roads than Michelin’s X-Ice Snow SUV
Cons
- Wear faster than Michelin’s X-Ice Snow SUV