list of tires for ford explorer

Best Tires for Ford Explorer: Buying Guide and Reviews [2023 Updated]

Top Tire Reviews is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from Amazon at no added cost to you.

Are you looking for a tire that enhances the valor of your Ford Explorer?

While everyone who owns Ford Explorer knows it is the most elaborate and well-bred mid-size SUV, most don’t know that to make it work to its fullest capabilities. They need a suitable tire and the best tire for their Ford Explorer.

With thousands of options available, picking the best tires for Ford Explorer becomes a complex task. To help you in this task, we have created a list of the Top 10 Best Tires for Ford Explorer. The list is classified into various categories for the specific needs of the drivers.

In addition to the list of  Top 10 Best Tires for Ford Explorer, we have also curated a buying guide on the best tires for Ford Explorer. The guide will help you choose the best tire for your Ford Explorer if you are a newbie.

A Buyer’s Guide: Best Tires for Ford Explorer

Touring Tires to the rescue

If you are not someone that wants an Ultra-high performance from your Ford Explorer but want your tire to be long-lasting, then touring tires are for you. Even Ford relies on touring tires for all its newly manufactured entry-level and mid-level models.

There are specific pros as to why these tires are the best tires for Ford Explorer. Firstly, they are durable and have an exceptional tread life. Secondly, the level of comfort and quietness will simply amaze you. The comfort that you won’t find in High-performance tires. Lastly, the traction and grip are unusual for everyday driving. All of this contributes to making touring tires the best tires for Ford Explorer.

Highway Tires for Heavy-duty

Mostly similar to touring tires, Highway Tires are suitable if you take your Ford Explorer for towing or hauling a lot. Highway tires will provide the same ride comfort, traction, and longevity as touring tires, but they are made for heavy-duty tasks.

While the touring tires are a better fit for newer models of Ford Explorer, the Highway tires will go perfectly with the older generations.

Street/Sport Tires for Performance

Ultimately, if you cannot compromise with your Explorer tops’ performance, then the Best tires for Ford Explorer are street/sport tires. These tires are more responsive and provide much better traction. The cornering stability and, consequently, the grip of these tires are also exceptionally better.

With all these better features comes a price to pay. In contrast with the last options, these tires are a bit expensive. Additionally, these tires have a high chance of wearing at a much faster rate.

All-Terrain Tires are for Off-Roading

If we talk about off-roading, the Best Tires for Ford Explorer are all-terrain Tires. They have excellent off-road traction. Dirt, gravel, mud, sand, unpacked snow, you name it, and these tires will perform well on that.

We highly suggest you go off-roading only if you own the older generations of Explorer.

Do not forget to consider the Climate.

The ambient temperature has a considerable role to play in the performance of your tire. For the same reason, all-season tires should be your top choice when it comes to choosing the best tire for your Ford Explorer. Go for an all-season compound if you want maximum performance from your vehicle throughout the year.

For driving in cold conditions, go for All-weather tires, which are great on light snow and ice. Similarly, go for winter tires if you reside somewhere where the temperature falls to an unusual low. Lastly, summer tires will be best for your Explorer in high temperatures.

Best Tires for Ford Explorer

1. Michelin Premier LTX

michelin premier ltx

An ideal all-season touring tire can be the best choice of tires for your Ford Explorer. Especially suited for the last two generations, Michelin Premier LTX is something you might love.

The steering response that comes with the tire will enhance the prowess of your Explorer. The hold and traction are perfect in dry and wet conditions. You will get an average grip in light snow as well.

While braking is responsive and powerful, the comfort will take away your heart. With Michelin Premier LTX, you will get one of the quietest ride experiences ever.

Full Review: Michelin Premier LTX Tire Review [2021 Updated]

Pros

  • Excellent wet and dry traction
  • More than expected performance on light snow
  • Comfortable and quiet ride
Cons
  • 60,000-mile tread warranty
  • Not so cheap

2. Continental CrossContact LX20

continental crosscontact lx20 tire

The next one is the same category as this not-so-popular touring tire by Continental for your Explorer. Exceptional dry traction and unusual hydroplaning resistance make this tire smooth on wet surfaces as well.
When you take your Ford Explorer on the road with this Continental CrossContact, you will simply fall in love with the quietness and comfort. Add to this the fuel-efficient nature because of low rolling resistance technology.

Pros

  • Great Dry traction
  • Performance in wet conditions
  • Quiet and comfortable
  • Fuel-efficient

Cons

  • Tread-life can be unsatisfactory for some
The best tire for your Ford Explorer, if you heavily use it for hauling or towing, is the one that is durable and has a good treadwear warranty.
The one from Michelin is next on our list of Best tires for Ford Explorer. Defender LTX will enhance the performance of Explorer with its ultimate dry traction.
The performance on wet attractions is also outstanding, with excellent hydroplaning resistance. The quick and responsive braking is an add-on. Not to forget the comfort it offers no matter the duration of the journey or the terrain.

Pros

  • Perfect for heavy-duty tasks
  • Unusual in dry and wet conditions
  • Quick and responsive braking

Cons

  • It comes at a cost
This tire from Cooper is a cheaper highway tire for those who do not intend to spend a lot. The lower price doesn’t mean lousy performance, though.
With usually good high-speed stability, excellent traction on wet and dry surfaces, and responsive braking, Cooper is all you need.
Not to forget that it will offer you excellent ride comfort and is not chaotic even at high speeds.

Pros

  • Quiet and comfortable
  • Long tread life
  • Exceptional grip and traction

Cons

  • Not for snow
michelin latitude x-ice xi2

While you might get average performance in winters with all the above options, for high-performance during winters, you will need a reliable tire for your Ford Explorer.

This X-ice from Michelin is next on the list of Best tires for Ford Explorer. As the name suggests, these tires offer excellent grip and traction on snow and ice. The handling is exceptional, too, with a good tread life.

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction in the winters
  • Amazing snow traction
  • 40,000-mile treadwear warranty

Cons

  • Expensive for some

6. Yokohama Parada Spec X

yokohama parada spec x

Performance tops for some users of Ford Explorer. In the same view, we bring you this high-performance street/sport tire by Yokohama.

This is one of the best tires for Ford Explorer in this category. The steering response and smooth braking mechanism ensure ride safety. The ride comfort and performance come at a super affordable price too.
Parada Spec X offers fantastic grip and traction on dry and wet surfaces. The tire doesn’t perform well on ice, though.

Pros

  • Excellent steering response
  • Best-in-class cornering stability
  • Maximum ride comfort
  • Amazing wet traction

Cons

  • Treadwear not covered
  • Not a good option for winters
bfgoodrich all-terrain t/a ko2
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
All-terrain tires are the best tires for Ford Explorer when it comes to off-roading. Off-roading is indeed very adventurous. However, not every tire will support going on for off-roading with your Explorer.
We bring you this all-terrain tire from Goodrich. With the Krawl-Tek compound, T/A KO2 delivers maximum performance on gravel, rocks, sand, and mud. The dry and wet traction and grip are above average. Braking and stability are also at par with the competitors.
With all the good things comes noise. T/A KO2 is somewhat noisy on the roads.

Pros

  • Off-road expertise
  • Sturdy and Durable
  • Excellent cornering stability
  • Above-average on-road traction

Cons

  • Not quiet

Read more: Top 10 Best All-Terrain Tires For Highway In 2021

Final Thoughts

Ford Explorer is one of the most popular mid-size SUVs and needs the best tires to enhance its performance. We have listed some of the best tires for your Explorer across various categories. You can choose the one that fits your needs and requirements. Remember that Explorer is a valorous vehicle that needs an ideal tire to enhance its valor and power.

You will find Michelin Premier LTX to be very compatible with your Explorer. The tire comes from a reputed brand and has all the critical features you need from a premium tire. However, you are free to pick any from the list.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

+ posts

Terry is an Automotive Enthusiast and the face behind TopTireReviews. He's an avid reader, mechanic and loves writing blogs about car guides. You can find him on Linkedin

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top