Best Tires for 2015–2026 Subaru Outback (2026)
Six tires we'd recommend, across all-season, winter, and all-terrain, matched to Outback trims.
Curb weight: 3,641–3,821 lb (1,652–1,733 kg) depending on trim
Drivetrain: Standard AWD (Subaru Symmetrical AWD) on every trim
Production: 6th generation, 2019–present
Subaru Outback Tire Sizes
The size you need depends on trim and wheel diameter. Confirm the placard on your driver's-side door jamb before ordering. Aftermarket wheels can change what's mounted.
A note on Subaru's AWD system
Symmetrical AWD is sensitive to tread depth mismatches between tires. Keep all four within about 1% of overall diameter, and replace all four together — mismatched tread depths can strain the center differential over time.
Recommended Tires
Ranked from our lowest-rated pick up to our top overall choice, with the trade-offs written into the text.
Best budget pick — General AltiMAX RT43 Note : 7.8/10
Not every Outback needs a premium tire. This one consistently punches above its price point for tread life and ride comfort, making it a sensible choice for an older Outback or a daily commuter where cost matters more than ultimate performance. You give up some wet-weather and snow grip compared with the Michelin options above, and the warranty is shorter, but for dry-climate or light-use driving it's a fair trade for the savings.
Best for the Wilderness trim — Falken WildPeak A/T Trail Note : 8.5/10
Falken designed this one specifically for crossovers, which matters, since a truck-oriented all-terrain tire is usually overkill and hurts the Outback's on-road manners. It matches the Wilderness trim's raised ride height and light off-road intent, giving more sidewall and tread bite on gravel or forest roads without sacrificing too much comfort on the drive there. If you never leave pavement, it's more tire than you need.
Best dedicated winter — Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Note : 8.7/10
For true snow-belt driving, regular ice, packed snow, sustained sub-freezing temperatures, a dedicated winter tire still outperforms any all-season option, and this is one of the most consistently well-reviewed studless winters for crossovers. The trade-off is the usual one: you'll want a second set of wheels for easy seasonal swaps, and it wears faster once temperatures climb, so it's not meant to run year-round.
Best quiet all-season — Michelin Primacy Tour A/S Note : 8.8/10
Targets the same buyer as the TrueContact Tour 54, comfort and quiet over grip, but leans even further into refinement, and is frequently cited as one of the smoothest, quietest all-season options for midsize crossovers. A strong pick if the Outback is primarily a family highway cruiser and light-snow traction matters less than cabin noise on long drives; it isn't snowflake-rated, and it carries premium pricing to match.
Best highway comfort — Continental TrueContact Tour 54 Note : 8.9/10
Built for drivers whose Outback miles are mostly highway commuting: a quiet, composed ride and long, even tread wear, ahead of ultimate all-weather grip. It isn't snowflake-rated, so it won't match the CrossClimate2 in slush, but on dry and wet pavement it's excellent, and it comes with a long tread-life warranty attached.
Best overall — Michelin CrossClimate2 Note : 9.6/10
Michelin's grand touring all-season tire, and one of the rare all-season options to carry the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, meaning it's certified for severe snow service without giving up comfort on dry pavement. For most Outback owners outside the harshest snow-belt climates, it's the tire that lets you stop thinking about the seasons, and it's available in both the 17" and 18" Outback sizes — priced above budget all-seasons, but consistently one of the highest-rated tires in independent testing.
Quick Comparison
| Tire | Category | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin CrossClimate2 | All-Season | Mixed climates, no seasonal swap | 9.6/10 |
| Continental TrueContact Tour 54 | Touring | Quiet highway commuting | 8.9/10 |
| Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Winter | Heavy snow / ice climates | 8.7/10 |
| Falken WildPeak A/T Trail | All-Terrain | Wilderness trim, gravel / light trail | 8.5/10 |
| Michelin Primacy Tour A/S | Touring | Maximum quiet and comfort | 8.8/10 |
| General AltiMAX RT43 | All-Season | Budget-conscious daily driving | 7.8/10 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tires does a Subaru Outback take?
Most 2.5i Base and Premium trims use 225/65R17, while Limited, Touring, and Wilderness trims typically use 225/60R18. Always confirm your exact size on the driver's door jamb sticker, since aftermarket wheels can change this.
Do I need to replace all four tires at once?
For Outback models with Subaru's Symmetrical AWD, yes — it's strongly recommended. Significant tread depth differences between tires can strain the AWD system's center differential over time. If only one or two tires are damaged, ask your installer about tread depth matching before replacing just a pair.
Are all-season tires good enough for winter driving?
A 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake-rated all-season tire like the Michelin CrossClimate2 handles light-to-moderate snow reasonably well. If you regularly drive on ice or packed snow, a dedicated winter tire like the Blizzak WS90 will still outperform any all-season option.
Do Wilderness trim Outbacks need special tires?
Not strictly, but the Wilderness trim's raised ride height and off-road-oriented positioning make an all-terrain tire like the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail a more natural fit if you use unpaved roads. If you stay on pavement, a standard all-season tire works fine.
How much do Subaru Outback tires cost?
Pricing varies by tire model, size, and retailer promotions, so we'd rather point you to current pricing than quote a number that goes stale — follow the links above for real-time pricing on each option.
Based on our research, the Michelin CrossClimate2 offers the best all-around balance of grip, comfort, and all-weather capability for most Outback owners.
Shop the Michelin CrossClimate2 →*Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tires and retailers we'd genuinely suggest to a friend.