Tires for a minivan should be chosen with more than just size and rating in mind. Perhaps your minivan driving style is different than mine. Like tyres for any vehicle, the performance of minivan tyres can vary depending on the vehicle, the driver, and the conditions under which they are being used. The tyres that come with your van may not be the ideal choice for your daily driving needs.
Tires for minivans are reviewed here, starting with our top picks. Our highest tyre standards have been applied to their rankings. You’ll find explanations of our ratings and the benefits of the tyres we recommend. To find out the answer to the question, “Which tyres are ideal for my minivan?” keep reading.
1. Michelin CrossClimate 2
Due to its high industry ranking, creative design, and heat-adaptable all-season tread compound, the CrossClimate2 is our Golden Wrench winner and top pick for the best tyre for your minivan.
2. Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring
Cooper’s CS5 Ultra Touring tyre is recognized as a Golden Wrench winner due to its superior wet and dry traction, stability, and control.
3. General AltiMAX RT43
Our Silver Wrench winner is the AltiMAX RT43 from General Tires because of its lengthy tread life, stellar industry reviews, and performance in all weather conditions.
4. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
Since it provides reliable control and handling in a wide range of weather conditions, including light snow and ice, the Assurance WeatherReady is our Silver Wrench for Minivan tyres.
5. Firestone WeatherGrip
For value, tread life, and traction in most weather conditions, including light snow, the Firestone WeatherGrip is a good option.
Car Talk’s Methodology
Over 30 different factors were used to determine where each tyre on this list finally landed.
- Consumer Satisfaction: Consumer feedback regarding their experiences with specific tyre models from each of these brands was collected.
- Industry Professionals: Researchers from Car Talk polled more than 800 mechanics and industry professionals throughout the country to get their thoughts.
- Government Reporting: statistics for durability and safety.
- Tire Quality and Engineering: An individual’s choice of tyre brand was affected by the tire’s overall quality and the level of engineering or ingenuity that went into its production.
- Performance: Car Talk examined the performance of tyres from these specific brands in various weather scenarios.
The Best Tires for Your Minivan
Michelin CrossClimate 2
Michelin’s CrossClimate tyres are a grand tourer line designed to provide superior daily comfort and ultimate all-season safety. Crossclimate2 models are designed for use by larger vehicles, such as minivans and SUVs, that see use throughout the year. These tyres are categorized as all-season, meaning they perform well in any climate where winter-specific tyres aren’t required.
Michelin’s CrossClimate line has a special all-weather composition in its tread that adapts its grip to the ambient temperature. The special design of the tread, which is cross-directional, is meant to disperse water away from the center, allowing for superior traction in any weather. Tuning for noise reduction helps keep the cabin quiet while driving, improving passengers’ comfort.
- Well-rated for all-season use with excellent performance in wet and wintry conditions.
- A two-ply polyester casing and unique ridgeless cross-directional tread offer superior performance.
- Available sizes: 16” – 20” wheel ranging from 205/55 to 245/50.
Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring
The Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring tyre is made for the best possible road handling and responsiveness. These all-season grand touring tyres have a special tread pattern that joins the tread blocks to increase rubber stability while maintaining the separate tread blocks’ long-lasting wick-away and grip properties. On the shoulders, wide outboard blocks increase lateral traction.
Internally, the use of two high-strength steel belts with nylon reinforcement along with a single-ply polyester casing improves handling responsiveness and high-speed cornering. This provides the drive quality of a self-assured, athletic feel.
- Strong road feels and drive appeal.
- Long tread life thanks to uniquely durable construction design.
- Available sizes: 15” – 20” wheel ranging from 185/65 to 255/50.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
WeatherReady tyres are greener since they’re made with a rubber compound derived from soy. Goodyear’s WeatherReady GT A/S tyres feature Evolving Traction Grooves for improved traction in wet and icy situations and 3D TredLock Technology Blades on the ribs for enhanced cornering stability. Silica added to the tread rubber further enhances this.
The Goodyear WeatherReady tyres have a single-ply polyester casing and two steel belts inside them.
- Environmentally-conscious design elements.
- Good three-season and semi-all-season tires for regular use.
- Available sizes: 15” – 20” wheel ranging from 195/65 to 255/60.
General AltiMAX RT43
The best-of-the-best grand touring, all-season tyres from General for the minivan market are called AltiMAX Road Touring (RT) tyres. Long tread life and balance are priorities. These tyres are intended for use in most weather situations including mild snow because they are “three-season-plus” tyres.
A low-density compound for vibration absorption is placed on top of General’s exclusive Twin Cushion Silica Tread Compound for prolonged tread life. This General tyre, in contrast to others on our list, features a consistent, symmetrical tread pattern.
- Long tread life with high consumer ratings for such.
- Offered in sizes smaller than most competitors.
- Available sizes: 13” – 20” wheel ranging from 175/70 to 255/45.
Firestone WeatherGrip
Firestone’s most well-known grand touring all-season product, the WeatherGrip line, is designed to fit a wide variety of passenger vehicles. The WeatherGrip is a solid option because of its symmetrical tread pattern, quiet ride, and reasonable cost in relation to its tread life rating.
Firestone’s Hydro-Grip Technology, included into the WeatherGrip series’ tread compound, is a design feature that actively dissipates water, enhancing the tyres’ traction. The chamfered edge and rounded tread will help achieve this end. This is helped along by the use of snow vices and Firestone’s Snow Traction Claw technology. The interior features one layer of polyester sandwiched between two steel belts.
- Good value packaging for the expected uses.
- Good all-weather capability.
- Available sizes: 15” – 19” wheel ranging from 195/60 to 245/60.
Bridgestone DriveGuard
The only run-flat tyre on our list is the DriveGuard tyre from Bridgestone. The DriveGuard is an all-season grand touring tyre designed for drivers who want the security of a run-flat or who want to swap out original equipment run-flats. In some pressure loss situations, it can go up to 50 miles at a speed of 50 mph.
The Bridgestone DriveGuard tire’s face is composed of an asymmetric tread pattern and an all-season tread composition strengthened with silica. Twin steel belts that are internally reinforced by spirally wrapped nylon on top of rayon cording. When a tyre loses air pressure, the rayon cording functions as reinforcement for the sidewalls to sustain the vehicle.
- Good tread life expectancy and high safety expectations.
- The expensive price is offset by run-flat savings.
- Available sizes: 15” – 20” wheel ranging from 195/55 to 245/50.
What Are Minivan Tires?
Minivans typically come with or are sold with touring tyres designed for larger cars such large sedans, station wagons, and small to medium-sized sport utility vehicles. Minivans, like station wagons and midsize SUVs, require tyres that can handle their combined weight and dimensions on the road.
When To Buy Tires for Your Minivan?
For maximum convenience, tyres should be purchased when they require replacement. The lifespan of the tyres both on and off the car can be extended by purchasing and storing them, but doing so comes with a few requirements.
What is the Cost of Minivan Tires?
Our top four tyre picks for three of the most popular minivans on the U.S. market are listed below. All-in prices for a set of four tyres, mounted and balanced to the original equipment manufacturer’s specifications for the van indicated, are included.
| Van Make/Model | Michelin CrossClimate 2 | Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring | Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady | General AltiMAX RT43 |
| Chrysler Pacifica | $243 | $175 | $240 | $171 |
| Kia Sedona | $240 | $174 | $241 | $170 |
| Toyota Sienna | $243 | $174 | $240 | $170 |
When Should You Replace Your Minivan Tires?
For the greatest convenience, tyres should be bought when they need to be replaced. In order to extend the life of the tyres both on and off the car, they may also be bought and kept before use, but storage comes with a few requirements.
FAQ
What is the best tire for a minivan?
According to our research, the Michelin CrossClimate2 and Cooper CS5 Touring are the best tyres on the market..
Do tires get louder as they wear?
They can, however more often than not the underlayment and air in the tyre, rather than the tread pattern, attenuate the noise and vibration that result in greater noise levels in the cabin. Therefore, noisy tyres in a van could be an indication that the tyres or suspension system need to be repaired.
Are minivans hard on tires compared to other vehicles?
Because of their longer length and longer wheelbases, minivans can put more strain on their tyres than smaller passenger vehicles. Minivan tyres, however, are often designed to accommodate the increased weight of minivans and sport utility vehicles.
How can I get the best deal on new tires?
Numerous internet merchants, including SimpleTire, frequently discount and have fantastic bargains on tyres. To further assist you in understanding what you are purchasing, their websites also include price estimators and tyre fit recommendations.
