The 8 Best Tires for the Nissan Frontier

#1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S – Best Overall

The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is one of the best tires for Nissan Frontier.

This all-season tire boasts impeccable road manners, consumes less fuel per mile than rivals, and can withstand road imperfections without breaking apart. A 70,000-mile guarantee means it can last up to five years for the average American driver.

Its cut- and chip-resistant tread compound makes it an ideal option for bumpy roads. The compound hardens up the rubber against the entry of sharp objects such as stones. In doing so, it lowers the risk of punctures and enhances this model’s road life.

This tire may also improve your Frontier’s fuel economy. The reason for that is its low rolling resistance (or the power your engine needs to supply to keep this model rolling). Additionally, it offers superb grip on slippery surfaces and is thus reliable in the rain.

Bear in mind, though, that this tire doesn’t come cheap. In fact, of all the models you see in this review, the Defender LTX M/S is one of the priciest.

#2. General Grabber HTS 60 – Best Runner Up

Put off by the high asking price of our top pick? In that case, the General Grabber HTS 60 deserves your attention. Barring one shortcoming (discussed below), this model has most of the qualities you’re getting from the Defender LTX M/S. That too at a much lower price.

For example, this all-season tire also comes with a cut- and chip-resistant tread compound. One which not only makes it a reliable performer on bad roads. But which has also given its rubber the toughness any tire needs to conquer mild off-road terrains, such as gravel.

A combination of sound barrier ribs and Comfort Balance Technology helps this tire almost match the Defender LTX M/S’s road manners. Both these features work together to dissipate road noise and absorb vibrations before either can reach the cabin.

As with our top pick, the Grabber HTS 60 is reliable in the rain. The credit for this goes to the wide circumferential grooves within its treads. These channels ensure quick yet effective water evacuation. And in doing so, they lower the risk of aquaplaning.

Yet there are areas where this model disappoints. Take, for instance, the 50,000-mile warranty which its H- and R-speed-rated models come with. This guarantee is at least 10,000 miles smaller than what you get on premium all-season tires.

#1. Nitto NT 421Q – Best Overall

The Nitto NT421Q has everything to be the top pick for enthusiast Frontier drivers.

How can I be so confident? Because I have seen what this model’s asymmetric tread pattern is capable of. Besides improving the tire’s grip and traction in dry and wet conditions, it also improves steering feedback. You’d thus be able to get a better feel of the road.

Amazing high-speed stability is another thing this tire offers. And its cornering grip isn’t far behind, giving you the confidence to attack bends at maximum speed. Plus, thanks to a 3D interlocking sipe design, this model’s braking distances are among the shortest in the class.

To further sweeten the deal, Nitto backs this model with category-leading warranties. Think of 60,000 or 70,000 miles (depending on tire size). Which are surprisingly good, considering that many all-season high-performance tires come with no guarantee whatsoever.

Unfortunately, all of the above isn’t to say that this model is foolproof. For one, it is only available in a limited number of sizes, so better check size availability before making an order. Secondly, it costs a lot, though that is something you can say about all A/S HP tires.

#2. Falken Ziex ST/Z-05 – Best Runner Up

The Ziex ST/Z-05 isn’t your average high-performance all-season tire.

Similar to its fellow Falken tires, this model doesn’t cost a lot. This makes it an outlier among models in the HP all-season category, most of which do not come cheap. As such, the Ziex ST/Z-05 is an ideal option for budget-minded Frontier drivers.

Secondly, this model comes with an M+S emblem, another rarity for a performance-oriented tire. This symbol indicates that this tire will do well in mild-to-moderate wintry conditions. Again, that is something you cannot say about most performance tires.

Thirdly, its 50,000-mile warranty puts it a level or two above its fellow performance tires, most of which come with no guarantee whatsoever. Additionally, thanks to staggered shoulder lug grooves (deep channels on the shoulder part of the tread), it’s very quiet.

However, this tire doesn’t ride soft. That is especially the case when you compare its ride quality with the Nitto NT 421Q. Unlike our top pick in this category, this model’s ride may get busy when riding at high speeds or over bumpy surfaces.

#1. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 – Best Overall

The BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 ticks multiple boxes for the average driver.

A double-thick tread compound makes its rubber almost impenetrable to rocks, stones, and other sharp objects normally seen off the road. Plus, with twin steel belts reinforcing its interior, the risk of premature deformation is almost nonexistent with this tire.

Next comes the super-aggressive tread pattern, which enhances this model’s traction for extreme levels of grip on dry, wet, and snow-covered roads. In fact, the tread pattern is one of the major reasons why it is one of the best all-terrain tires for snow.   

Think we’re exaggerating its snow-driving credentials? Here’s something to prove you wrong: the KO2 carries the 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol, an indication that it has met or exceeded industry standards for severe snow performance.

As if the above features weren’t enough to win you over, BFG backs this model with a 50,000-mile warranty, one of the highest of any tire in this category. As long as you can tolerate an average fuel economy, there isn’t much wrong with this tire.

#2. Cooper Discoverer AT3 – Best Runner Up

Searching for the best all-terrain tires for highway use? The Cooper Discoverer AT3 has you sorted.

Sturdy internal construction helps this tire eat up road disturbances without showing any signs of wear and tear. As such, you can expect a vibration-free ride on bumpy surfaces.

Three design elements – zigzag sipes, Saw Tooth Technology, and silica tread compound – have enhanced this model’s traction and grip. They have done that by equipping its tread area with more biting edges than you can count. A sure-footed grip on uneven surfaces is thus guaranteed.

Apart from doing their respective jobs, the three design elements also make this model a reliable performer on dirt, gravel, sand, and mud. However, despite the high levels of grip and traction, this model isn’t a fuel guzzler, especially when compared with rivals.

A final point you may want to note: The Discoverer AT3 comes in three versions, including AT3 LT, AT3 4S, and AT3 XLT. Only the first two models come in sizes compatible with Frontier’s wheel size, meaning you might want to exclude the AT3 XLT from your wish list.

#1. BFG Mud-Terrain T/A KM 3 – Best Overall

The BFG Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 provides excellent traction on loose surfaces without compromising safety or performance.

Its aggressive tread pattern helps this tire dig into loose surfaces such as mud, sand, and gravel to provide effective traction. The tread pattern also features deeper voids, boosting this tire’s self-cleaning capabilities. So the risk of slippage is slim.

A tough rubber compound and reinforced sidewalls make this tire highly resistant to damage from objects commonly seen off-road. The KM3 also comes with large spike blocks to dig into mud and slush. In addition, mud-phonic bars help with mud evacuation.

The M+S symbol on its tread means more good news. While not as reliable as the 3PMSF emblem (which is awarded by EU authorities, whereas the M+S symbol is self-awarded by tire companies), this symbol indicates that the tire will perform well in light snow.

#2. Firestone Destination M/T2 – Best Runner Up

At the time of its release, Firestone claimed that the Destination M/T2 is the ‘ultimate tire for adventure seekers looking to get the most performance out of their truck’.

Truer words have rarely been spoken. The Destination M/T2 is an off-road beast with several features backing this statement. Regardless of whether you’re going through mud, crawling rocks, or navigating sand, this tire will rarely, if ever, come to a halt.

Befitting a premium mud-terrain tire, the Destination M/T2 can effortlessly ease its way into the mud, even when it’s knee-deep. It also does an excellent job of cleaning itself. That means that its traction will remain intact once you return to the paved road.  

Equally importantly, its tread area features mud and stone ejectors. The latter is as important as the former, as quick stone ejection minimizes the risk of stone drilling, thereby minimizing the risk of cuts, chips, and punctures from within the tread.

However, there is one area where the BFG Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is a clear winner. Our top pick in this category performs much better on dry roads than the Destination M/T2. This makes it a better choice for those looking for an all-around M/T tire.