New Truck and SUV Tire Buying Guide for 2020
The newest and hottest rubber for 2020
Tori TellemWriter
New Truck and SUV Tire Buying Guide for 2020
The newest and hottest rubber for 2020
Tori TellemWriter
What's there to say about tires? They're still round, it seems. End of story? Actually, there's a lot to say about tires, since manufacturers are thinking up new concepts and inventing new technology every year to make on-highway driving smoother and off-road driving nearly point and shoot—and damage-free. Tires are being engineered to withstand the rigors presented by various terrain and obstacles, and then have the capability to tow without flinching. What you'll find here are brand-new tires, as well as a couple familiar faces with an expanded lineup or improvements. The pricing listed is approximate, typically for the smallest tire size available, and is the cost of a single tire at time of print.
1.
TechBreaking down the name of the tire says it all: maximum traction extreme off-road tire. The aggressive tread design is for on- and off-road use. There's a three-ply sidewall and two-step tread block design that's got stability, braking performance, and even treadwear in its DNA.
NeatThose alternating scalloped shoulder lugs will get after it—"it" being mud, rocks, dirt, and trenches.
CostStarts at $189.99
Info procompusa.com
2.
TechIt's a 12-ply-rated light-truck tire that's prime for handling heavy-duty towing and payloads. Stability, durability, increased load capacity—while remaining comfortable for everyday driving.
NeatAll-steel body-ply construction.
CostStarts at $193.99
3.
TechIt's a hybrid design—the mesh is mud-terrain and all-terrain, thereby giving both a smooth ride and nailing traction. The tread is big and deep for off-road performance and wear. Having high-tensile body ply cord reduces ride harshness and weight.
NeatSilica-reinforced compound means cut and chip resistance. Bonus: better wet traction.
CostStarts around $140
Infodickcepek.com
4.
TechFirst, you've got the fact that it's an ultra-premium, extreme mud-terrain tire, with an asymmetric tread pattern for less noise and better handling and PowerPly XD three-ply sidewall construction. Then, you've got the next-gen Sidebiters to perform off-road.
NeatMud scoops. They give a concave surface for mud traction and to prevent mud from hanging on.
CostStarts around $300
5.
TechIt's just science—as in, this has a "scientific traction tire design" that focuses on force, flexibility, flotation, and more. The patented MountainGrip three-ply sidewall means an aggressive and attractive design, not to mention the tire is the traction trifecta: mud, deep snow, and rockcrawling.
NeatIt's race-ready for King of the Hammers? Oh, yeah.
CostStarts around $150
Infotireget.com
6.
TechWhat you'll notice right away is the aggressive styling, but that's not just pomp. You're getting off-road traction from those big ol' blocks. The shoulder design improves lateral grip and impact resistance, and that groove pattern has grip and high wear resistance.
NeatDouble-layer, high-strength belt steel wire for performance and a special airtight formula for tire tightness.
CostStarts at $295
Infofueloffroad.com
7.
TechMEGA—as in, mega-sized lugs (for customizing), mega-deep tread, and mega-sticky race compound. The eight-ply-rated tire also has a wide flotation point/contact patch. And you can tune the rubber for your driving needs or a specific course.
NeatThe company also offers a bunch of daily driver radials, not just these serious competition tires.
CostStarts at $520
Infointercotire.com
8.
TechThis brand-new, extreme off-road tire has a "terrain strike tread design," so expect an aggressive, high-void tread pattern. The sidewall utilizes an integrated linking system, marrying the shoulder and sidewalk block for rigidity and traction.
Neat"Wraparound tread" and "sidewall protection shields. "
CostStarts at $138.95
Infohankooktire.com
9.
TechThis rough-terrain tire that maintains comfort on the street has 12-ply construction, making it durable, too. Then there's its F-rating for higher carrying capacity.
NeatNot only is there an R/T variety, but also M/T and A/T (and H/T).
CostStarts around $160
Infodelintetires.com
10.
TechThe HiLo tread design is super unique, and there's deep siping, too. So, you get a mud tire with extreme-terrain traction off the road, and just as noteworthy, handling and a quiet ride on the road. Thank the scalloped tread blocks for keeping that mud away but keeping the traction-readiness nearby.
NeatAggressive, camouflage sidewall design.
CostStarts around $140
Infoherculestire.com
11.
TechAny and all terrain? No problem for this new all-season tire, which has the siping and groove design to give both traction and a comfortable ride.
NeatMeets severe snow tire requirements, so it's got the official snowflake symbol.
CostStarts at $97
Info eldoradotire.com
12.
TechThe name clues you in on this tire's skillset. The all-terrain rubber has zigzag grooves, varying-angle sipes, and a continuous center block for tackling terrain while maintaining a comfortable ride.
NeatDid we mention grip on those other terrains, too: ice, rain, and mud?
CostStarts at $97
Infodeltatire.com
13.
TechAll-surface traction, the ability to use optional metal studs, and loads of sizing options make this new tire line a solid contender if you're shopping for rubber for your pickup or SUV.
NeatThat tread design has 3D micro sipes.
CostStarts at $97
14.
Tech"Harsh off-road terrain" would be this three-ply tire's middle name if tires had middle names. Ground clearance, high-void tread design, impact protection, and more are on tap. There's a 40-inch size, too.
NeatStaggered, off-center tread blocks for traction—but also for on-road performance.
CostStarts at $159.99
15.
TechThis tire locked onto CUVs—an untapped market for all-terrain tires. So, it's about on-road comfort coupled with off-road traction and all-weather performance,that severe snow rating.
NeatYou're likely well versed in this growing tire line's M/T and AT3W (there's also now an H/T02).
CostStarts around $100
Infofalkentire.com
16.
TechTraction, durable construction, and aggressive styling that isn't just about "style" but actual aggressive grip. However, on-road comfort didn't get lost in the shuffle. There are also some new 38-inch diameters.
NeatThis tire borrowed the M/T's sand, rock, and trail capabilities and the A/T II's hush factor.
CostStarts around $202
Infotoyotires.com
17.
TechThe tire has a grabby "Trail Grip" sidewall, and the tread uses "Mud Slingers"—deep, wide trenches. Ridges called "Stone Barriers" spit out lodged stones and protect from sharp rocks.
NeatThose large blocks? Called "Earth Digger," and they have alternating mud scoops.
CostStarts around $200
Info coopertire.com
18.
Tech:A severe snow rating and performance in all conditions? That's here as well as on- and off-road stability, comfort, handling, and stone ejectors.
NeatThat trapezoidal claw design on the shoulder edge and those zigzag grooves.
CostStarts around $159
Infogosailun.com
19.
Tech:Dual sidewall design means dealer's choice for appearance, and there's a new HD2 compound for long tread life. It also sports Geo-Shield for durability and puncture resistance, and big ol' shoulder blocks for off-road grip.
Neat:SEMA named it a best new product for 2020.
Cost:Starts around $175
Info:yokohamatire.com
20.
Tech:This mud-terrain tire that also tackles rocks has reversible (three-ply) sidewalls for a custom look (called "beast" and "machine"), big lugs for traction and grab action, and a rim protector bar on sizes 20 inches and up.
Neat:Those block positions are actually patented technology to reduce tire noises when you make the leap from mud to street.
Cost:MSRP is $205
Info: nexentireusa.com
21.
Tech:Need an extreme tire? Check it: "mud-phobic" bars on the shoulder, "terrain-attack" tread pattern, "linear flex zone" for enveloping stuff at low pressure, and "traction-armor" sidewall coupled with a notched shoulder design.
Neat:Krawl-TEK is a compound for even more rock traction.
Cost:Starts at $171.99
Info:bfgoodrichtires.com
