If you are the proud owner of a Dodge Dakota, then you know that it is a workhorse of a vehicle. With its powerful engine and sturdy frame, the Dakota can handle anything that you throw at it. But to get the most out of your truck, you need to make sure that you have the right tires on it.
We found the best tires for Dodge Dakota’s to be the Venom Power Terra Hunter X/T.
In this article, we will discuss the best tires for Dodge Dakota trucks and provide a comprehensive guide to choosing the right set for your needs.
The Best Tires for Dodge Dakota
Before you can decide on which are the best tires for your Dodge Dakota, it is important to know what size you need. The Dakota has a number of different trim variants, and there can be some differences in the tire size required on each model.
All Dodge Dakotas will come as standard with tires in one of the following sizes. From smallest to largest, 215/75R15, 245/70R16, 255/65R16, 255/55R17, 265/70R16, 265/65R17 or 265/60R18.
If you have replaced the stock wheels on your Dodge Dakota for an aftermarket set of wheels, then you will need to follow our nest step to check the size of the tires you will need.
The easiest way to double check your current tires size is to look for the tire size marking on your current tires sidewall. Alternatively, you can also find this information in your vehicle handbook or on the sticker on the inside of your driver door.
Now that you know the size that your vehicle uses, read on to find out the best tire for Dodge Dakotas ’s depending on your specific needs.
Vredestein Quatrac Pro (Best Dry Performance)
Pros
- High Performance SUV tire
- Quieter than other similar tires
- Offer a smooth ride
Cons
- Poor traction in snow
- Not the longest lasting tires
- Higher than average cost
The Vredestein Quatrac Pro is an all-season tire designed specifically for large high performance vehicles. It currently comes fitted on a number of high performance SUVs from the showroom, making it a unique tire in its class.
Being an all-season tire, the tire shines in both wet and dry conditions. They offer the driver very precise steering and exceptional grip in conditions where other tires may be compromised. The Vredestein Quatrac Pro also scored in the top bracket for shortest braking distances.
Road noise is more noticeable than other tires in its class and the tires did not grip well in snowy conditions. The steering offered very little feedback and the tires also scored poorly in the aquaplaning test.
These tires are more for the high performance sector, offering a comfortable and smooth ride for drivers looking to make the most of their performance cars in both dry and wet conditions away from the snow and ice. They are not the cheapest but fill a gap in the market as very good all round, all season tires for performance SUVs.
If you are looking to treat your Dodge Dakota with the highest performance tires, then the Vredestein Quatrac Pro is one the best tires in the dry that is currently available.
Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV (Best Tire for Economy)
Pros
- Designed for SUV
- Scored highly for fuel efficiency
- Comfortable ride and resistance to wear
- Appealing design
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Less strong performance as other tires
- Less responsiveness
The Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV is a new generation tire that has been designed to offer excellent grip and low fuel consumption. It is an all-season tire that has been designed especially for SUV‘s with a focus on the being as economical as possible.
Being a Goodyear tire, the EfficientGrip 2 SUV offers excellent grip in the dry and wet, with very good handling and braking performance. However, it does not perform quite as well in the snow and ice as some of the other tires on this list. In snowy conditions the tires do not offer a lot of grip and the steering is very light, making it difficult to control the vehicle in these conditions.
Where the Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 excels is in its fuel economy. The tires are some of the most economical on the market and offer drivers the chance to save money on fuel costs. They provide up to 20% more miles than other similar all-season tires and have been awarded an A rating for fuel economy.
The tires are also very quiet on the road and are very comfortable to drive on.
If you are looking for a tire that offers excellent grip and low fuel consumption, then the Goodyear EfficientGrip is one of the best tires currently available. However, if you live in an area where snow and ice are common, then you may be better off choosing a different tire.
Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo (Best Wet Tire)
Pros of Soft Sidewalls
- The best wet performance in its class
- Awarded EU label A-grade for wet grip
- Good performance in snow
- Hard wearing and long lasting
Cons of Soft Sidewalls
- Weaker in warmer climates
- Increased rolling resistance
The Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo is an all-season tire that has been designed to offer excellent grip and stability in both wet and dry conditions. It is a tire that has been specifically designed to be the best performing tire in all weather conditions
The Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo is a tire that has exceptional performance in the wet. It has been called the best in its class and has been awarded the A-grade for wet grip. It also manages to perform without issue in the dry as well.
The Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo also manages to remain very durable and does not compromise on tread life which makes its wet performance all the more impressive. This is because other tires use softer compounds and sacrifice tread life for improved performance in the wet.
It also offers decent grip and braking in the snow, although it is less suited when tested in warmer conditions with longer braking distances and increased rolling resistance. This means that the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo will return a lower miles for gallon than other tires on this list.
However, if you are looking for a tire that has exceptional wet grip, does not compromise on tread life and you can rely on to tackle any condition, then the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo is simply the best tire for you.
Atturo Trail Blade A/T (Best All Terrain tire)
Pros
- Most aggressive tire for off-roading
- Rim protector protects the wheel from curbing
- Offered with a 50,000 mile warranty
Cons
- Less suitable for highway driving
- Noisier than competitors
- Less comfortable
The Atturo Trail Blade A/T is one of Atturos most popular truck and SUV tire. Designed for heavy duty trucks, The Trail Blade A/T is made for maximum performance off-road. It is made with a heavy duty construction and is available in a wide range of sizes, making it accessible for all.
The Trail Blade A/T is made from a unique rubber compound with an emphasis on durability. This helps to prolong the tires life and protect the tire from any damage.
It also features a heavy-duty carcass construction which allows the tire a particularly impressive load carrying capacity. It comes with large shoulder blocks to improve handling performance, and its specially designed deep sipes improve grip on muddy, wet, and snowy surfaces.
Atturo have also paid special attention to its wet performance by incorporating wide grooves in the tread pattern, which helps to channel water out of from between the tire and the road surface to reduce the tires risk of hydroplaning.
The Atturo Trail Blade A/T is the perfect choice of tire for those who frequently venture off-road and need a tire which can handle all terrain conditions whilst also providing a smooth and comfortable ride on the road. It is one of the best all terrain tires on the market and its reasonable price tag makes it all the more appealing.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 (Best Winter Tire)
Pros
- Best winter tire on the market
- Strong wet performance
- Very good braking ability in snow and ice
Cons
- Not to be used in warm and dry conditions
- Firm ride
- Can be noisy at speed
- Poor economy
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is the latest version of the Blizzak tire, replacing the popular WS80. The WS90 was designed to be an improved WS80 tire, rather than a whole new tire.
This new Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tire excels in the snow and ice. This is thanks to its large and wide flat design, which helps to maximize the contact patch with the ground. The design also features biting edges which act like studs and help the tire grip in the snow, a feature which is unique to these tires.
The WS90 also has improved water evacuation over the WS80 which was already class leading. This helps give the tire some of the best wet performance and braking available today.
To achieve this impressive snow and wet performance, the tire is more rigid than its predecessor the WS80, which does increase the road noise of the tire slightly.
The biggest negative of this tire is its poor economy. This is to be expected however for a tire of this caliber of winter performance.
The WS90 is slightly more expensive than the WS80, which does add up to make a noticeable difference if you are buying an entire set of tires. The WS80 is still worth considering, but for the best traction for your Dodge Dakota in the snow, the WS90 is the best currently on the market.
Dextero DHT2 (Best All-Season Tire)
Pros
- Designed for light trucks, vans, and SUV’s
- Offered with a 60,000-mile warranty
- Reliable all-season tire.
Cons
- Poor performance in very cold climates
- Less sporty and responsive performance
The Dextero DHT2 is an all-season tire designed for light trucks, vans, and SUV’s and is available in a range of sizes from 15 to 20 inches.
The Dextero DHT2 has been designed primarily to be the best performing all-season tire in the dry and wet. It achieves this with a unique tread pattern which helps to channel water out of the contact patch, and also features wide grooves which help to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
The DHT2 also incorporates a number of different technologies to improve its performance. The first is an asymmetrical tread pattern which helps to reduce noise levels and improve the ride comfort of the tire. The second is a special silica compound which helps to improve the tires grip in the wet and also helps to increase its tread life.
The center of the tread also has a rib design which helps to improve handling and braking performance.
The Dextero DHT2 is also backed by a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty making it one of the most competitive all-season tires on the market.
With a focus on providing excellent traction in both wet and dry conditions as well as being able to handle light off-road use such as gravel roads this makes the Dextero DHT2 an ideal choice for people who need a reliable all-season tire.
Toyo Celsius CUV (Best Tire for comfort)
Pros
- Specifically reinforced for large vehicles and SUV’s
- Exceptional off-road and winter performance
- Great value for money
Cons
- Less responsive under sharp cornering
- Poor tread life in warm conditions
The Toyo Celsius CUV is a tire designed specifically for minivans and crossover vehicles, making it an ideal choice for your Dodge Dakota. It is based on the popular Toyo Celsius tire and adds extra reinforcement and longer tread life for the extra stress from a large vehicle.
We found the Toyo tires to be one of the most comfortable tires due to its softer sidewall, improving its ability to absorb bumps and vibrations from the road surface. This does mean the tire isn’t as responsive in the corners as some of its competitors, but the braking performance and grip still inspire confidence in harsh terrains.
Where these tires also shine is in their off-roading and ability in snow and icy conditions. We found these to be one of the most capable tires we tested in snow and ice due to its angular asymmetric design.
The tires also impressed with their dry and wet grip. This is usually a point which is compromised in tires with such superior performance on snow and ice.
If you are looking for a tire to handle various terrains and yearly weather conditions, the Toyo Celsius CUV is a very good choice of tire in the middle price range.
Firestone Destination A/T2 (Best Tire for Longevity)
Pros
- 55,000 mile treadwear warranty
- Reputable brand
- Very durable and hard wearing tire
- Quiet for an off-road tire
Cons
- Struggles in harsh off-road conditions
- Poor snow performance
- Not the cheapest
Firestone have become a household name when it comes to tires. The Destination A/T is their latest all-terrain tire and is designed for light trucks, vans, and SUV’s, making it a perfect choice for your Dodge Dakota.
The biggest selling point of the Firestone Destination A/T2 is its longevity. Firestone offer the Destination A/T2 with a 55,000 mile treadwear warranty. However, with a treadwear rating of 800, this has proven itself to be a very durable tire and it is capable of lasting you up to 150,000 miles if properly maintained.
In our testing, we found the Destination A/T2 provided excellent traction in both dry and wet conditions as well as being very capable in light off-road use. The tire is also very quiet for an all-terrain tire which is a nice bonus.
One downside of the Firestone Destination A/T is its lack of snow performance. If you live in an area with a lot of snow, we would recommend looking at another tire on this list designed for snow or all-season performance.
However if you are looking for a hard-wearing tire designed for longevity with excellent dry and wet traction, the Firestone Destination A/T is a great choice and should be one to consider.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S (Best Touring tire)
Pros
- Very capable tires with little compromises
- Long lasting tread wear
- Very high limited warranty
- Designed for SUV’s and larger vehicles
Cons
- Some fuel economy lost
- Not the quietest tire on test
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S came out on top as the best tires for Dodge Dakota’s because of its all round great performance with little compromise in any of our main areas of testing.
These are all-season tires designed specifically for SUV’s and this is indicated by the LTX indication on the tires. We would always recommend tires designed specifically for minivans and SUVs as these are sure to be suitable for your Dodge.
These tires are quiet and comfortable on all road surfaces, and we were especially impressed with its ability on snow and ice. It has excellent grip and would also be our choice of tire if you are thinking of towing heavy loads.
All-season tires usually compromise on tread life to ensure that they have good grip on all surfaces and during all weathers. However we were very impressed by the tread life of these tires and they surpassed our expectations.
Michelin offer up to 115,000KM limited warranty on these tires which is class leading for this tire.
We did notice that with this tire you do lose a small amount of fuel economy. They also didn’t score the best for road noise, but these minor points do not detract from what is an otherwise fantastic tire.
Venom Power Terra Hunter X/T (Best Budget Tire)
Pros
- 50,000 miles treadwear warranty
- Excellent dry grip and performance with large contact patch to road
- Smooth ride on tarmac surfaces
- Best bang for buck hybrid tire on the market
- Excellent handling on wet roads
- Attractive design makes the tire stand out
Cons
- Not as good off road as design may imply
- A little noisy at higher speeds
- Not as good on icy roads
The Venom Power Terra Hunter X/T tires are made by Venom Power, a Chinese company that have made a name for themselves by making quality all-season tires for SUVs and light trucks.
The Venom Power Terra Hunter X/T is the companies best selling tire and if you’re looking for a hybrid tire with a bit of a kick, then it’s going to be difficult to beat the Venom Power Terra Hunter XT on price. It’s just such good value while also being a very decent tire.
You can often find a full set of Venom Power Terra Hunter XT tires for under $800! That’s unheard of. And on top of that, all their tires come with a 50,000 mile warranty as a sweetener and as evidence that they are putting their money on the line to guarantee a good experience.
The Venom Power Terra Hunter X/T’s are a very decent all terrain tire. The aggressive tread pattern isn’t just for looks and has been meticulously and deliberately designed in a staggered way to ensure good performance on different terrains.
It also gives these tires some real power that means you can feel comfortable when towing or carrying heavy loads. The result is a great blend of power and control that ensures a decent drive on roads, even in adverse weather conditions or when towing.
The off road performance is good but not great. It’s not a true off road tire and it shows, but that’s not why you buy them. These tires are also not designed for snowy conditions. But on the whole, the performance is absolutely up to par and exceptional on roads and highways.
Conclusion
So there you have it, our top 10 choices for the best tires for Dodge Dakota, broken down based on all the different types of tires available. We’ve also given you a few extra tips on what to look for when shopping for new tires.
We hope this article was helpful in your search for your next tire purchase. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!