Need to know what the best tires for Minivans in 2022 are? We tested the most popular tires and found the best tire for minivans to be the Michelin Defender LTX M/S.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is the winner because of its all round fantastic performance in all weathers and for continuing to surprise us with how long they last, surpassing their warranty by some distance.
In this review we will test and reviewed the best tires from many different brands and models. We’ll be discussing everything from price to performance, so that you can make an informed decision about which set of tires is right for you.
Stay tuned – these are our top 10 picks of the best tires for minivans!
Michelin Defender LTX M/S – Best Overall
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S are all-season tires designed specifically for SUV’s.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S came out on top as the best tires for minivans because of its all round great performance with little compromise in any of our main areas of testing.
- 115,000 KM treadwear warranty
- Specifically designed for SUV's and large vehicles
- Excellent dry grip for towing heavy loads
- Very good performance on ice and snow
- Excellent tire responsiveness
- Small decrease in fuel economy
- Not the quietest tires in its class
- The very best but not the cheapest
- Dry Performance – 9/10
- Wet Performance – 9/10
- Snow / Ice Performance – 9/10
- Tire longevity – 10/10
- Tire noise – 8/10
- Comfort – 8/10
- Price – High
- Best for – Overall
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S came out on top as the best tires for minivans 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 minivan or SUV.
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.
Continental TrueContact Tour
Continental TrueContact Tour
The Continental TrueContact Tour is an all season tire specifically designed for CUV’s and minivans.
With an emphasis on smoothness and a quiet ride, the Continental TrueContact Tour are perfect for people looking to do a lot of miles in their vehicles.
- 80,000 KM treadwear warranty
- Best tire for wide variety of terrains
- Even and long lasting tread
- Short stopping distances in testing
- Very predictable tire when changing surfaces
- Some tires are better specifically for only dry or wet conditions
- Priced higher than competitors
- Louder than other tires
- Dry Performance – 8/10
- Wet Performance – 10/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 9/10
- Tire longevity – 9/10
- Tire noise – 8/10
- Comfort – 9/10
- Price – Mid/High
- Best for – Long Trips
The Continental TrueContact Tour came in a very close second in our test for the best tires for minivans. With an emphasis on smoothness and a quiet ride, these tires are perfect for people looking to do a lot of miles in their vehicles.
The Continental TrueContact Tour is an all season tire specifically designed for CUV’s and minivans and offers a 27% increase in tread life over its predecessor.
Continental offers these tires with up to a 80,000KM limited mileage warranty which is very good for its class. We found the tread life should last this amount under normal driving conditions.
The Continental TrueContact Tour also returns one of the best miles per gallon of all the tires that we tested.
We found this tire to perform exceptionally well in wet weather conditions and the braking performance was a particular stand out point, especially in the wet conditions.
We found that the performance in snow and ice to be good, however we have heard mixed reviews about its performance when towing heavy loads. The dry performance is good however not a standout point.
These tires also come with performance indicators for all driving terrains, to help tell you when the tire needs replacing. The price of these tires make them very good value and we would be very happy to have a set of these tires on our minivan.
Michelin Defender T+H
Michelin Defender T+H
Michelin continues its reputation as one of the best and longest wearing tires with its Michelin Defender T+H.
The Michelin Defender T+H tire was one of the most responsive tires in our testing and shows off its superior handling and grip for minivans in dry conditions.
- Specifically designed for SUV's and large vehicles
- 80,000 KM treadwear warranty
- Longest wearing tires we tested in its class
- Superior handling and braking in dry conditions
- Very quiet and comfortable for their long tread life
- Not as good as competition on snow and ice
- Wet braking distance longer than competition
- On the pricey side
- Dry Performance – 9/10
- Wet Performance – 8/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 8/10
- Tire longevity – 10/10
- Tire noise – 9/10
- Comfort – 9/10
- Price – High
- Best for – Daily use
Michelin continues its reputation as one of the best and longest wearing tires with its Michelin Defender T+H. These all season tires are designed for SUV crossovers and minivans, and their standout feature is their comfortable ride and how quiet they are.
The Michelin Defender T+H tire was one of the most responsive tires in our testing and shows off its superior handling and grip in dry conditions. It was not quite as good in wet conditions but still provided more than enough feedback and felt safe on the road.
These tires showed good capability on the snow and ice, however there were other tires that performed better in this list in these conditions.
We also found that unlike the other Michelin tires we tested, these tires showed an improvement in fuel economy.
These tires come with an impressive 80,000 miles tread wear warranty and are among the best tires for tread wear life currently available on the market.
Michelin tires continue to show why their products are worth purchasing, and we think for your minivan or SUV, these tires would suit drivers looking for reliable all year round tires for daily driving.
Michelin CrossClimate 2
Michelin CrossClimate 2
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is a tire that excels in performing well in challenging conditions.
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is a tire focuses on being an all season tire with a long lasting tread life, and on having the best performance in wet and snowy conditions.
- Best tire for minivans on a wide variety of terrains
- 80,000 KM treadwear warranty
- Even and long lasting treadwear
- Shortest stopping distances in testing
- Most predictable tire when changing surfaces
- There are better tires for specifically for dry or wet conditions
- Price is higher than competitors
- Not the quietest tires tested
- Dry Performance – 9/10
- Wet Performance – 9/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 10/10
- Tire longevity – 9/10
- Tire noise – 9/10
- Comfort – 8/10
- Price – High
- Best for – Dealing with harsh driving conditions
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is a tire that excels in performing well in challenging conditions. It focuses on being an all season tire with a long lasting tread life, and on having the best performance in wet and snowy conditions.
This tire showed excellent grip and handling dry conditions, but in snowy and icy conditions is where this tire stands out from the rest.
The V-formation tread pattern of the Michelin CrossClimate 2 means this tire excels at helping the tire perform in wet conditions, as it can evacuate water at a faster rate than other tires. This also helps it perform as efficiently as possible on roads with snow and slush.
It boasts some of the shortest stopping distances in all our tests and showed the least change in behaviour between the dry and wet testing.
As we expected with Michelin, the design means that tread life and tire wear is excellent. The tire distributes force evenly across the tire for a smooth and more even wear.
The tires are quiet enough to not be noticeable, but scored averagely compared to the other tires tested.
These tires provide some of the best performance available in an all season tire for minivans and SUVs, but this means that they are not the cheapest. However, if you live in conditions that change rapidly between winter and summer months, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires are the best choice for you.
Bridgestone DriveGuard
Bridgestone DriveGuard SUV
The Bridgestone DriveGuard is an all season run flat tire which is designed to keep you moving for at least 50 miles should you have a puncture.
The Bridgestone Driveguard performs very well in dry conditions, giving you a feeling of confidence in it. The grip and traction means it can hold up to the very best all season tires available.
- Excellent tire responsiveness in wet conditions
- 80,000 KM treadwear warranty
- Run flat tire
- Good fuel consumption
- Very good dry performance
- Tire performance decreases with age and lower tread
- Noisier tire due to run flat feature
- Not as comfortable as competition
- Dry Performance – 9/10
- Wet Performance – 9/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 9/10
- Tire longevity – 7/10
- Tire noise – 7/10
- Comfort – 6/10
- Price – Mid
- Best for – Runflat tires
Bridgestone has released the Bridgestone DriveGuard. This is an all season run flat tire which is designed to keep you moving for at least 50 miles should you have a puncture.
This can be especially handy if you take longer journeys through quiet areas. This tire offers peace of mind knowing you won’t be stranded and will be able to make it to a shop for a replacement.
Because of their run flat feature, these tires are noisier than normal tires and the extra sidewall reinforcement in this tire gives the tire a harder ride.
The tire performs very well in dry conditions, giving you a feeling of confidence in it. The grip and traction of the Bridgestone DriveGuard can hold up to the very best all season tires available.
The tire also provides a good score for fuel consumption and produces consistently good results in wet road conditions.
The materials in this tire have been designed to offer a long lasting tire, and we have found that the tire is capable of reaching its advertised 100,000km tread wear warranty.
Customers have however reported that these tires do begin to lose their performance and their grip towards the end of their life. This can lead the car to begin understeering and you may find yourself changing to a new set of tires sooner to fix the problem.
Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack are all season tires designed to offer the best possible traction and handling.
The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack are designed to offer the best possible traction and handling. In dry conditions we found that they were one of the best performing tires.
- Best for drivers of long distances and Electric cars
- 80,000 miles treadwear warranty
- Very good performance in dry conditions
- Some of the shortest braking distances in its class
- Comfortable over a range of surfaces
- Not the quietest tires despite the name
- Tire longevity doesn't always reach the advertised amount
- Firmer ride
- Dry Performance – 9/10
- Wet Performance – 8/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 7/10
- Tire longevity – 6/10
- Tire noise – 7/10
- Comfort – 7/10
- Price – Mid
- Best for – Touring
The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack is the replacement for the very popular Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus. These all season tires are designed to offer the best possible traction and handling. In dry conditions we found that they were one of the best performing tires.
This performance didn’t quite carry over into the wet conditions, but they still offered plenty of feedback and the braking distance was shorter than its rivals.
The main issue we have seen with these tires is that they regularly don’t meet their advertised tread life of 80,000 miles. We have seen some tires last as little as 25,000 before needing to be replaced.
Also despite being called the QuietTrack, these weren’t the quietest tires that we tested, and we found others who found this to be the case as well. They did provide adequate comfort over changing road surfaces and over rough terrain.
These tires are not the most expensive which makes them worth considering. We would recommend keeping an eye on the tire pressures and to drive smoothly to ensure that they wear at an even rate, so that you don’t find yourself needing to change them prematurely.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
The latest Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is the industry leading passenger vehicle tire excels that in the snow and ice.
The latest Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 design features biting edges which act like studs and help the tire grip in the snow, a feature which is unique to these tires.
- Perfect for owners who live in cold climates
- Specific winter tire with excellent dry grip
- Tire design gives excellent grip in the snow
- Very good performance in the wet
- Range of good deals available
- Louder than its predecessor
- Not the most comfortable tire over rough surfaces
- Poor fuel economy
- Dry Performance – 7/10
- Wet Performance – 9/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 10/10
- Tire longevity – 8/10
- Tire noise – 7/10
- Comfort – 7/10
- Price – Mid
- Best for – Winter
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 minivan or SUV in the snow, the WS90 is the best currently on the market.
Yokohama Avid Ascend
Yokohama Avid Ascend
The Avid Ascend is Yokohamas flagship all season touring tire for minivans and SUV’s.
The Yokohama Avid Ascend features a mildly asymmetric design and a large contact patch with the road which helps give it one of the best all round performance of an all season tires that we tested for large vehicles.
- For hassle free all year round motoring for minivans
- Large contact patch gives very good vehicle control
- Very good dry braking and cornering performance
- Excellent all round all season tire
- Performance in ice and snow is not very good
- Not a very quiet tire
- Dry Performance – 9/10
- Wet Performance – 8/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 6/10
- Tire longevity – 8/10
- Tire noise – 7/10
- Comfort – 8/10
- Price – Mid
- Best for – Dry Performance
The Avid Ascend is Yokohamas flagship all season touring tire for minivans and SUV’s. It has been designed with a focus on dry performance, traction in the wet and on vehicle stability.
The Yokohama Avid Ascend features a mildly asymmetric design and a large contact patch with the road which helps give it one of the best all round performance of an all season tires that we tested for large vehicles.
It is this large contact patch which unfortunately gives this tire less performance in snow and ice. This is due to it being unable to evacuate the snow from under the tire and grip in these conditions.
It does feature a large amount of cross groves to help it evacuate water. It also is designed with a more stiff internal structure which helps give the tire a more precise and immediate reaction from driving inputs.
This does mean however that it is not the quietest tire and this does worsen the more a tire is worn down.
Overall, this is a very good overall tire in all areas, and is ideal as a slightly more affordable tire with all the characteristics of a high performance tire.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is one of the most popular tires in the Goodyear range.
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is designed to tackle any weather condition and gives you peace of mind knowing it is at home no matter the conditions.
- Versatile all round tire on all terrains
- Stand out performance on snow and ice
- Sporty tire with excellent traction and cornering ability
- Asymmetric patterns offers excellent grip in wet conditions
- Slight decrease in fuel economy
- Louder than other comparable tires
- Dry Performance – 8/10
- Wet Performance – 9/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 9/10
- Tire longevity – 8/10
- Tire noise – 8/10
- Comfort – 8/10
- Price – Mid
- Best for – All weather traction
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is one of the most popular tires in the Goodyear range. It is designed to tackle any weather condition and gives you peace of mind knowing it is at home no matter the conditions.
This all season tire is an alternative to any of the best tires on the market, with very few compromises. The asymmetric tread pattern helps expel water and keep the maximum amount of tire in contact with the road.
The tire performs as well as any other all season tire in dry weather conditions and offers great grip and cornering ability. It is comparable to a summer tire with its high levels of responsiveness and is one of the more sporty all season tires that we tested.
The stand out point is the tires ability when tackling wet and snowy conditions. The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady continues to provide excellent grip and traction which inspires confidence in these challenging conditions.
To trade off for this level of performance is that these tires are not the quietest and also not the most fuel efficient. If you are looking to do many motorway miles in these, you will notice a small increase in fuel consumption, or shorter range in an electric vehicle.
These tires should be a serious consideration when picking new tires for your minivan or truck. They are competitively priced for their performance and there are also plenty of cash incentives available for these tires, making them even more affordable.
Toyo Celsius CUV
Toyo Celsius CUV
The Toyo Celsius CUV is an all season tire designed specifically for minivans and crossover vehicles with winter performance at the forefront of its design.
Toyo Celsius CUV offers all season performance alongside winter-weather safety. This all-weather tire excels in ice and snow compared to a typical all-season tire with longer tread life than other winter tires.
- Best tire for owners driving on a wide variety of terrains
- 80,000 KM treadwear warranty
- Even and long lasting tread
- Short stopping distances in testing
- Very predictable tire when changing surfaces
- Some tires are better specifically for only dry or wet conditions
- Priced higher than competitors
- Louder than other tires
- Dry Performance – 8/10
- Wet Performance – 8/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 8/10
- Tire longevity – 7/10
- Tire noise – 8/10
- Comfort – 8/10
- Price – Mid
- Best for – Snowy conditions
The Toyo Celsius CUV is a tire designed specifically for minivans and crossover vehicles. 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 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.
Falken Sincera SN250 A/S
Falken Sincera SN250 A/S
The Falken Sincera SN250 A/S is an all season touring tire designed for large vehicles. It comes as the cheapest tire on this list of best tires for minivans and larger vehicles.
These tires are designed for maximum ride comfort and to be quiet on the highway at higher speeds. It tops the list as the best performing tires in these categories.
- Best tire for owners driving on a wide variety of terrains
- 80,000 KM treadwear warranty
- Even and long lasting tread
- Short stopping distances in testing
- Very predictable tire when changing surfaces
- Some tires are better specifically for only dry or wet conditions
- Priced higher than competitors
- Louder than other tires
- Dry Performance – 7/10
- Wet Performance – 7/10
- Snow and Ice Performance – 7/10
- Tire longevity – 7/10
- Tire noise – 9/10
- Comfort – 9/10
- Price – Mid
- Best for – Comfort and Ride quality
The Falken Sincera SN250 A/S is an all season touring tire designed for large vehicles. It comes as the cheapest tire on this list of best tires for minivans and larger vehicles.
These tires are designed for maximum ride comfort and to be quiet on the highway at higher speeds. It tops the list as the best performing tires in these categories.
It however compromises performance to achieve these results. While these may not be the best performing tires amongst the other tires in this list, it is still a good choice for a mid tier tire that will outperform similar tires at this price point.
This tire comes with a large contact patch thanks to its design and provides good braking performance, but at a cost to fuel efficiency.
The Falken Sincera SN250 A/S also ranked well for its long lasting tread life and durability.
We would recommend these tires for a more modest budget, and if you do not predict that you will come across challenging conditions such as snow and ice.
Guide to buying tire for minivans
There are a number of important factors to consider when picking the best tire to suit your needs. When picking a tire for a larger vehicle or minivan, there are a few factors which become more important to consider. Understanding these will help you pick the right tire for your needs.
Dry Performance
When looking at new tires, the dry performance is one of the most important factors to look at. This is because a tire will mainly be used on dry tarmac and there is a correlation between a tire with a good dry performance and a better tire overall.
Good performance in the dry includes shorter braking distances, more immediate feedback and turning of the vehicle with no understeer or oversteer, and tires that won’t lose traction with the road surface.
Wet Performance
A tire’s wet performance indicates how well a tire performs on a wet surface. This is important to consider when choosing a tire as wet surfaces decrease the amount of traction available to the vehicle.
This impacts braking, turning and acceleration of your vehicle, making it more difficult to control a vehicle in these conditions. Tires with good wet performance increase the control of the vehicle and make the vehicle safer to drive in these conditions.
Snow and Ice Performance
If you live in an area that is prone to snow and icy conditions, it is recommended to pick a tire that will be safe to use in these conditions. Snow and ice can make driving extremely dangerous if not equipped with the correct tires.
Tires are the only contact between the road and the vehicle and are the single biggest factor in whether a car is safe to drive or not in these conditions. Tires not suited for snow are likely to offer very little grip and the vehicle is likely to slide on inclines.
Tire longevity
When picking a tire, it is recommended to look at the expected life span of the tire. Premium tires are often available with limited mileage warranties, meaning that if the tire does not reach the advertised mileage, you will be eligible for a rebate against the cost of replacing that tire.
In general terms, tires that offer higher levels of performance are often made of softer compounds to achieve these high levels of grip. This also means that these tires don’t often last as long as harder wearing tires.
Harder wearing tires won’t offer the same levels of grip and performance as softer tires however. It is important to consider what is more important for your specific needs when picking a new tire.
Tire noise
Tire noise is a factor that is often forgotten about. Each tire will emit a certain amount of noise when driving along the road. This tire noise is usually more noticeable at higher speeds.
You can check the advertised noise rating of each tire and if you know that you will be doing a lot of highway driving, you may want to pick a quieter tire for a more comfortable ride.
Comfort
Each manufacturer will make tires slightly differently, and this will impact how comfortable each tire is. Tires for heavier vehicles will have a larger sidewall which will likely have more reinforcement to deal with the heavier weight. This impacts how comfortable a tire is over rough surfaces and when going over bumps.
Softer tires are more likely to offer a more comfortable ride, but are also likely to be less responsive. Whereas harder tires will be more responsive but offer a less comfortable ride. It is important to consider how important each factor is when choosing a new tire for your vehicle.
Price
Tires all come at a different range of prices. Most tires fall into 3 categories, Premium, Mid tier, or Economy. The price of a tire depends on the performance of each tire. The higher the performance, the higher the price of the tire.
The other factor which determines price is the size of the tire. Wider and larger tires cost more due to their size and the amount of material in the tire. This means owners of large or high performance vehicles will usually need to pay more for new tires.
We would always recommend spending a little extra money to ensure that you have the best tire possible for your vehicle. This will make driving safer by giving you more control of the vehicle.
Fuel Economy
Tires affect the fuel economy of your vehicle as each tire has a different level of rolling resistance. Larger tires are heavier and this increases the fuel consumption of your vehicle as more energy is required to move them.
Premium tires are more likely to return a better fuel economy than cheaper tires as they are made with higher quality materials which reduce rolling resistance.
Our Verdict
Choosing the best tire for your needs is important to ensure the best possible performance of your vehicle.
We think that the Michelin Defender LTX M/S is the best all round tire available today when looking for a tire for minivans.
Minivans and SUV’s serve an important role in the lives of many people. These tires will help yours perform its best and transport you safely for many miles to come.
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!
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