Finding the right set of tires for your SUV or crossover is crucial for maintaining confident control and a smooth ride. The 225/65R17 size is a popular choice for many modern vehicles, balancing comfort, handling, and all-weather capability. With so many options on the market, selecting the perfect tire for your driving needs can feel overwhelming.
This roundup focuses on reliable handling across various conditions, from daily highway commutes to occasional light off-road adventures. We have compiled a list of nine standout tires, each offering a unique blend of stability, traction, and durability to help you make an informed decision for your vehicle.
Our Top Picks for 225/65R17 Tires
- SURETRAC COMFORTRIDE 225/65R17 Tires SL BSW 102H
- Armstrong Tru-Trac AT All-Terrain Off Road Tire 225/65R17
- Prinx HiCITY HH2 All Season 225/65R17 102H Passenger Tire
- CROSSMAX SUV CHTS-1 102H 600AB 60K+ROAD HAZARD
- Forceum Penta All-Season Truck/SUV Performance Radial Tires
- MICHELIN Defender LTX M/S All Season Radial Car Tire
- Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Street Radial Tire
- TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T III – 265/70R17 115T BW
- Continental CrossContact LX25 EcoPlus SUV/Truck Tire
SURETRAC COMFORTRIDE 225/65R17 Tires SL BSW 102H
The SURETRAC COMFORTRIDE is engineered as a Standard Touring All-Season tire, making it a solid choice for drivers who primarily navigate paved roads. It is built to handle a variety of on-road conditions, providing a balanced performance for everyday driving. With a 10/32-inch tread depth and a UTQG rating of 520 AB, it promises a good balance of longevity and consistent performance.
This tire offers reliable handling and stability, supported by its H-speed rating. The all-season tread design aims to deliver a comfortable and quiet ride, which is ideal for long commutes and family trips. Its construction focuses on providing a dependable grip in both dry and wet conditions.
Armstrong Tru-Trac AT All-Terrain Off Road Tire
For those who need a tire that can handle more than just the pavement, the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT is a capable all-terrain option. It is designed to provide reliable traction and stability on both dry and wet roads, making it a versatile choice for various weather conditions. The optimized tread design ensures confident handling whether you’re on the highway or a dirt path.
Despite its rugged capabilities, this tire doesn’t compromise on comfort. It features noise-reducing tread technology and a unique shoulder bar to deliver a car-like ride with reduced road noise. The all-season tread compound and continuous open channels enhance wet-weather grip, contributing to its reliable handling character.
Prinx HiCITY HH2 All Season Passenger Tire
The Prinx HiCITY HH2 is designed for the urban driver seeking stability and a quiet ride. Its continuous rib design is a key feature that helps ensure straight-line stability and can contribute to reducing irregular wear over the tire’s life. This focus on even wear helps maintain consistent handling performance.
This tire also performs well in challenging conditions. The unique pattern design includes siping to enhance wet and snow traction, improving braking performance when the roads are slick. Furthermore, Prinx employs Pattern Noise Simulation technology to actively reduce road noise, resulting in a quieter cabin experience.
CROSSMAX SUV CHTS-1 102H 600AB 60K+ROAD HAZARD
The CROSSMAX SUV CHTS-1 stands out with its notable 60,000-mile treadwear warranty and included road hazard protection, offering added value and peace of mind. This all-season radial tire is built to suit the specific needs of SUV drivers, focusing on durability and long-term performance. Its robust construction is designed to handle the demands of heavier vehicles.
With a high UTQG rating of 600 AB, this tire is engineered for extended tread life. The all-season tread compound is formulated to provide reliable handling and traction throughout the year. It is a practical choice for drivers looking for a tire that combines longevity with consistent all-weather capability.
Forceum Penta All-Season Truck/SUV Performance Radial Tires
The Forceum Penta is marketed as a performance radial tire for trucks and SUVs, offering an XL load range for increased carrying capacity. This makes it a suitable option for vehicles that are frequently loaded or used for towing. Its 4-ply construction and 400 AA UTQG rating suggest a focus on durability and robust performance.
As a touring-focused all-season tire, it aims to deliver a balanced driving experience with an emphasis on handling and stability. The tread pattern is designed to provide reliable grip in various conditions, supporting confident maneuvering and braking. It is a solid contender for drivers needing a tire that can handle heavier loads without sacrificing on-road manners.
MICHELIN Defender LTX M/S All Season Radial Car Tire
The MICHELIN Defender LTX M/S is a highly regarded tire known for its exceptional longevity and all-season competence. Its MICHELIN EverTread Compound is engineered to provide up to 10% more mileage in severe conditions compared to its predecessor. This tire is built for light trucks, SUVs, and crossovers that see a mix of city and highway driving.
Handling and safety are key strengths, with a tread design that offers outstanding grip for shorter braking distances on wet roads. The tire also effectively resists hydroplaning and provides better traction on snow compared to many competitors. This combination of durability, wet weather performance, and winter traction makes it a top-tier choice for reliable year-round handling.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Street Radial Tire
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is designed to be a truly all-weather tire, providing reliable handling in a wide range of conditions, including rain, snow, and dry roads. Its tread compound remains flexible in cold weather, which helps maintain grip when temperatures drop. This makes it a strong option for drivers in regions with variable seasonal weather.
The tire’s asymmetric tread pattern is engineered to enhance stability and cornering, contributing to confident handling. It also features biting edges integrated into the tread blocks to improve traction in light snow and on wet surfaces. The Assurance WeatherReady aims to deliver peace of mind and consistent performance no matter what the forecast brings.
TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T III
The TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T III is a premium all-terrain tire built for drivers who demand serious off-road capability without giving up on-road comfort. Its aggressive tread design provides formidable traction in mud, dirt, and rocky terrain. Despite its rugged appearance, it is engineered to offer a smooth and quiet ride on the highway.
This tire features a durable construction that resists chipping and tearing, which is essential for handling rough trails. The tread pattern also includes features to enhance wet-weather traction and help evacuate water, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. For SUV and truck owners who frequently venture off the beaten path but also need reliable daily driving manners, the OPEN COUNTRY A/T III is a compelling choice.
Continental CrossContact LX25 EcoPlus SUV/Truck Tire
The Continental CrossContact LX25 EcoPlus is engineered for drivers who prioritize fuel efficiency and long tread life without compromising on comfort or handling. Its EcoPlus technology is designed to lower rolling resistance, which can contribute to better fuel economy. This makes it an excellent choice for daily drivers and long-distance travel.
Handling is a key focus, with a symmetric tread pattern that provides stable and predictable cornering. The tire also offers confident traction in wet and dry conditions, and it performs reliably in light snow. Continental’s emphasis on a quiet and comfortable ride, combined with its durability, makes the CrossContact LX25 a well-rounded option for modern SUVs and trucks.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best 9 65R17 Tires for Reliable Handling
When I’m looking for new tires, especially for a size like 265/65R17 that’s common on SUVs and trucks, handling is a top priority for me. It’s not just about cornering on a winding road; it’s about how the tire responds in an emergency swerve, feels during a highway lane change, and maintains stability in wet conditions. The right set can make a heavy vehicle feel nimble and secure. Here’s what I focus on to find the best 9 65R17 tires for reliable handling.
First, I always check the tire’s category and tread pattern. An All-Terrain (A/T) tire is a popular choice for its balance, but some are more road-biased than others. For the best on-road handling, I look for A/T tires with a less aggressive, more continuous tread pattern on the outer shoulders. This gives a larger contact patch when I’m turning, which directly improves cornering grip. A dedicated Highway Terrain (H/T) tire will almost always provide superior handling to an A/T tire because its design is completely focused on paved surface performance, with stiffer sidewalls and a tighter tread block arrangement.
The next thing I examine is the tread compound. A tire can have a great pattern, but if the rubber is too hard, it won’t grip the road well. Manufacturers use silica-based compounds in many touring and performance tires to improve flexibility and traction, especially in cooler and wet conditions. I read reviews to see how the tires perform in the rain, as hydroplaning resistance is a critical part of handling safety. Look for prominent circumferential grooves and angled lateral grooves that efficiently channel water away from the tire’s footprint.
I also pay close attention to the speed rating, which is more than just a top speed indicator. A higher speed rating (like V or W) often means the tire has been engineered with reinforced construction, stiffer sidewalls, and better heat resistance. These characteristics contribute directly to sharper steering response and stability at higher speeds, which is exactly what I want for confident handling. Don’t just default to the standard “T” rating if your vehicle is capable of more; matching or exceeding the OEM specification is a good practice.
Finally, I never underestimate the importance of tire pressure and alignment. The best tire in the world won’t handle well if it’s underinflated or if the wheels are out of alignment. I make sure to check my tire pressure at least once a month and get an alignment with any new tire installation. This ensures the tire wears evenly and makes full, consistent contact with the road, allowing its handling features to work as intended. Getting this right is the final step in achieving that reliable, confident feel behind the wheel.
FAQ
What is the main difference between an All-Terrain and a Highway Terrain tire for handling?
For handling on pavement, the difference is significant. A Highway Terrain (H/T) tire is designed specifically for on-road use. It has a softer, more flexible rubber compound and a tread pattern with smaller, tighter blocks. This creates a larger and more stable contact patch with the road, which gives you better cornering grip, sharper steering response, and a quieter ride. An All-Terrain (A/T) tire has larger, more aggressive tread blocks with deeper grooves for off-road traction. This design can make the tread feel a bit squirmier on pavement, leading to slightly less precise handling and more road noise. If your primary concern is finding the best 9 65R17 tires for reliable handling on streets and highways, an H/T tire is generally the superior choice.
How often should I rotate my 265/65R17 tires to maintain good handling?
I make it a habit to rotate my tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Consistent rotation is crucial for maintaining even tread wear. On many SUVs and trucks, the front and rear tires wear at different rates due to steering and weight distribution. Uneven wear can create high and low spots on the tread, which leads to vibrations, a loss of grip, and a general degradation in handling precision and stability. Keeping the wear even across all four tires ensures that each one makes consistent contact with the road, preserving the handling characteristics you paid for.
Can I mix different tire brands or models on my vehicle?
I strongly advise against mixing different tire brands or models on the same vehicle, especially on all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems. Different tires have different construction methods, rubber compounds, and tread patterns. This means they will react differently to steering inputs, braking, and road surfaces. Mixing them can lead to unpredictable handling, pulling to one side, and even damage to the drivetrain as the wheels try to spin at slightly different speeds. For the safest and most reliable handling, always replace tires in complete sets of four, or at the very least, ensure the two tires on the same axle are identical.
Does tire pressure really affect handling that much?
Absolutely, yes. Tire pressure has a direct and immediate impact on how your vehicle handles. When I run my tires underinflated, the sidewalls flex too much. This makes the steering feel sloppy and unresponsive, increases stopping distances, and can cause the vehicle to feel unstable in corners. Overinflation is just as bad; it reduces the size of the contact patch, making the ride harsh and causing the tire to skip over bumps instead of absorbing them, which reduces traction. I always keep my tires inflated to the pressure recommended on the driver’s side door jamb for optimal handling, safety, and tire wear.
What should I look for in a tire review when researching handling performance?
When I read tire reviews, I skip past the general comments and look for specific phrases related to handling. I pay attention to comments about “steering response” – does the tire react quickly when you turn the wheel? I look for notes on “cornering stability” – does the vehicle feel planted and secure in a turn, or does it feel like it’s leaning and slipping? Reviews that mention “wet road grip” and “hydroplaning resistance” are also very important, as handling is useless if you lose control in the rain. Finally, I see if multiple reviewers mention “road noise” because a constant hum can be a sign of a tread pattern that isn’t optimized for smooth pavement handling.