If you’re looking to equip your Ford Explorer with all-season tires that confidently handle city commutes, highway cruising and occasional weather swings, you’re in the right place. This guide shines a spotlight on five of the best all-season tires tailored for the Explorer’s SUV role: combining strong wet and dry grip, quiet comfort and solid durability. After weighing performance, value and real-driver feedback, our top recommendation is the Goodyear Assurance Finesse All-Season Tire — it strikes an excellent balance of long-life tread, dependable all-season performance and overall versatility for the Explorer.
Best 5 Tire for Ford Explorer
01. Goodyear Assurance Finesse All-Season Tire
The Goodyear Assurance Finesse All-Season Tire was made for those who just want peace of mind through every season without overthinking it. Built by one of the most trusted tire brands, this model strikes a balance between comfort and endurance. Its symmetrical tread design and all-season rubber compound give consistent traction on wet, dry, or lightly snowy roads. The quiet rolling feel makes it fit nicely for sedans and crossovers that do lots of city and highway miles. Whether mounted on a Toyota RAV4, Ford Explorer, or Honda CR-V, this tire blends longevity with a soft road feel that drivers can actually sense on longer drives.
✅ Pros:
- Reliable grip and handling across different weather conditions.
- Low road noise and smoother ride on highways.
- Durable tread compound offering extended mileage.
- Suitable for a wide range of vehicles including SUVs and passenger cars.
❌ Cons:
- Not ideal for extreme snow or icy road conditions.
- Slightly higher price compared to budget all-season tires.
The Goodyear Assurance Finesse All-Season Tire 225/65R17 also performs well in wet braking, thanks to its deep lateral grooves that channel water efficiently. It’s part of Goodyear’s ongoing effort to make dependable tires for daily commuters—tires that don’t need constant attention yet deliver steady traction. For those seeking a reliable all-season tire that won’t compromise ride comfort or safety, this one makes a strong case to stay on your shortlist.
02. MICHELIN CrossClimate2, All-Season Car Tire
The MICHELIN CrossClimate2 All-Season Tire stands out as one of the most balanced options for drivers who deal with unpredictable weather. Designed for sedans, crossovers, and compact SUVs, it’s built with Michelin’s Thermal Adaptive tread compound, which keeps grip steady whether roads are soaked, frozen, or scorching hot. The directional tread pattern helps it cut through slush or rainwater effectively, giving reliable braking distance even on slippery asphalt. Many drivers favor it for its quiet ride and long tread life—two things that usually don’t go hand in hand in all-season tires.
✅ Pros:
- Excellent traction on dry, wet, and light snow surfaces.
- Shorter braking distance than most competitors in its segment.
- Low road noise and strong treadwear durability.
- Backed by Michelin’s high-quality construction and warranty support.
❌ Cons:
- On the pricier side compared to similar all-season tires.
- Slightly firmer ride over rough or uneven pavement.
Whether fitted on a Toyota RAV4, Honda Accord, or Ford Explorer, the MICHELIN CrossClimate2 delivers steady all-season performance and strong fuel efficiency—making it one of the most dependable choices for everyday driving comfort and long-haul reliability.
03. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 All-Season Radial Car Tire
The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 All-Season Radial Car Tire is built for those who don’t like switching tires every time the weather changes. It’s one of those performance-oriented all-season tires that handles dry corners like a summer tire but still grips well when the road gets cold and damp. Drivers with sporty sedans, coupes, or high-end crossovers tend to swear by it. The tread design isn’t just for looks—it channels water effectively, and you can feel the firmness in the steering response even during sudden lane changes.
✅ Pros:
- Exceptional grip on wet and dry roads—rare balance for an all-season tire.
- Long tread life and even wear pattern with Michelin’s silica-infused compound.
- Quiet, comfortable ride even on rough highways.
- Strong traction control for high-speed stability.
❌ Cons:
- Price is higher than average in its segment.
- Slightly firmer feel compared to touring tires on bumpy roads.
If you care about performance without compromising year-round versatility, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 stands out among premium all-season tires—ideal for Ford Mustang, BMW 3 Series, and Toyota Camry XSE owners seeking both control and comfort.
04. Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3 All Season Tire
The Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3 is one of those tires that quietly earns respect for how well it handles across changing weather. It’s crafted for SUVs, crossovers, and trucks—vehicles like the Toyota RAV4, Ford Explorer, or Honda CR-V that face mixed road conditions year-round. Its asymmetric tread design grips the pavement tightly in both dry and wet situations, and it’s engineered for comfort with less road noise. The rubber compound feels steady on long drives, holding up through heat and cold without that mushy feeling that cheaper tires sometimes get.
✅ Pros:
- Reliable traction on wet, dry, and light snow conditions.
- Excellent tread life and even wear pattern.
- Quiet ride quality for highway driving.
- Enhanced stability for larger vehicles like SUVs and crossovers.
❌ Cons:
- Slightly pricier than other all-season tires.
- Not designed for heavy snow or off-road use.
If you’re after an all-season tire that blends comfort, grip, and mileage longevity, the Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3 sits right near the top. It’s made for drivers who don’t want to switch tires every few months yet still expect control during sudden rain or mild winter slush.
05. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Highway Terrain SUV Tire
The Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Highway Terrain SUV Tire is built for drivers who spend most of their time on pavement but still want solid control in changing weather. It’s one of those tires that sits quietly under the SUV, doing its job without drama—smooth ride, confident grip, and reliable wet traction. Designed with silica-enhanced tread compounds and variable tread blocks, it reduces road noise while maintaining strong highway stability. Whether it’s a Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, or Chevy Traverse, this tire keeps long drives steady and comfortable.
✅ Pros:
- Excellent highway comfort and quiet performance
- Reliable all-season traction for SUVs and crossovers
- Long tread life and strong cornering stability
- Performs well on wet and dry surfaces
❌ Cons:
- Not suited for deep snow or rough off-road terrain
- Slightly higher price compared to mid-range competitors
Drivers seeking all-season SUV tires with refined handling and reduced noise will find the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza an excellent match—especially if the goal is year-round reliability and comfort without sacrificing grip.
How to Choose The Best All Season Tire for Ford Explorer
There’s something oddly personal about tires. You don’t think about them much, until you do. And then, suddenly, it feels like every squeak and every little shudder under your Ford Explorer is trying to say something. The truth is, finding the best all season tire for a Ford Explorer isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. It’s more like picking shoes — they all look fine until you actually walk in them for a few months and realize you made a mistake.
Understanding What “All Season” Really Means
The term sounds comforting, doesn’t it? Like you can just bolt them on and forget about weather forever. But no, that’s not exactly how it goes. All season tires are kind of a compromise — not too soft, not too stiff, good enough for both summer heat and winter drizzle. They’re engineered to handle dry pavement, light snow, and wet highways without you feeling like you’re skating on a rink.
For a Ford Explorer, which is a bit of a heavy beast (some trims weigh over 4,400 lbs), that balance matters a lot. The tire compound needs to stay flexible enough in cold temperatures, while still offering grip on hot asphalt. The tread pattern often has larger circumferential grooves to push water out and prevent hydroplaning. It’s these subtle details — siping density, rubber formulation, shoulder block stiffness — that separate the okay tires from the really good ones.
Tire Size and Load Rating
Now, here’s where most people mess up. They focus only on brand or price and forget that Ford designed the Explorer’s suspension around specific tire ratings. Go too cheap, and you’ll feel every pothole like it’s a personal attack. Choose a performance tire with low sidewalls, and suddenly your family SUV feels more like a go-kart with back pain.
The factory tire size for most modern Explorers is around 255/65R18 or 255/55R20, depending on trim level. The load index should be at least 109, meaning each tire can carry roughly 2,271 lbs safely. That matters when you’ve got five people, luggage, maybe a dog, and a trailer full of weekend regret hitched behind.
A quick data point: in testing done by Tire Rack, higher load index tires on heavier SUVs showed up to 15% shorter stopping distances compared to lighter-rated tires in emergency braking on wet surfaces. That’s not marketing fluff — that’s life and death math.
Tread Design
Tread design is this weird thing most people overlook because it just looks like art. But every groove, every edge, and every siping cut on a tire has a job. Some patterns reduce noise; others channel water; a few just make your Explorer look tougher in the driveway.
For example, asymmetric tread patterns (which most high-end all season tires use) give better control during cornering and maintain contact patch stability. Meanwhile, directional patterns handle rain and snow better but wear faster if you don’t rotate them right. If you’ve ever heard that low humming noise while driving around 60 mph, that’s often uneven tread wear — a classic case of “I forgot to rotate my tires.”
Ride Comfort vs. Performance
You can’t have it both ways, not really. Softer rubber feels nice and cushioned, but it wears quicker. Harder compounds last long but thud over cracks like a stubborn mule. It’s all trade-offs.
If your Explorer spends more time on highways and suburban streets, go for tires that prioritize comfort and noise reduction. Michelin’s and Continental’s all season lines are good examples here — again, not pushing brands, just saying they tend to balance road feel with quietness really well.
But if you’re the adventurous type who occasionally forgets that “off-road mode” isn’t just for decoration, something like a hybrid all season with mild off-road traction might be worth it. Think slightly deeper tread blocks and reinforced sidewalls — good insurance for gravel roads and surprise detours.
Climate and Driving Habits
All season doesn’t mean all climate. It means moderate climates. If you’re in Michigan or Maine, those “M+S” (Mud and Snow) markings won’t save you from sliding down an icy hill. On the flip side, if you’re in Texas or Arizona, you’ll want something that resists heat degradation.
Ford Explorers tend to eat through tires faster in hotter regions due to their weight and torque distribution. Heat cycles cause tread hardening, which affects grip over time. So if you live where summers are long, look for tires rated for higher temperature resistance — often labeled with “UTQG” treadwear ratings above 600 and temperature grade “A.”
Real-World Stuff Nobody Talks About
Tires age even when parked. Rubber oxidizes, micro-cracks form, and the performance drops quietly. Most experts suggest replacing tires every 6 years, regardless of tread depth. Your Explorer’s safety systems like ABS and traction control depend on consistent tire grip. A worn or mismatched set can confuse the system, making it less responsive during emergencies.
Another thing — tire pressure. It changes roughly 1 psi for every 10°F change in temperature. So, if your garage reads 35 psi on a warm day, it might be down to 30 psi on a cold morning. Low pressure increases rolling resistance, reduces fuel economy, and makes steering feel sloppy.
So, What Makes the Best All Season Tire for a Ford Explorer?
The one that fits your real driving life. Not the one with the flashiest tread, or the one your neighbor swears by. The best tire is one that suits your road, your load, and your weather.
If you drive mainly highways and want smoothness, go for a touring all season tire. If you want a mix of control and durability, a crossover/SUV-specific all season is better. And if you’re occasionally adventurous, an all-terrain hybrid will handle light mud and gravel without whining about it.
Data from Consumer Reports and independent road testing shows the difference in braking distance between premium and mid-range all season tires can be up to 22 feet at 60 mph. That’s about the length of your Explorer and then some. Worth thinking about.
Final Thought That Isn’t Really a Conclusion
Choosing tires isn’t glamorous. No one compliments your tread pattern. But the right set can make your Ford Explorer feel quieter, safer, and somehow… more yours. It’s weirdly satisfying, like getting new shoes that fit right after years of blisters.
If you ask ten people, you’ll get ten opinions. Some swear by Michelin, others by Goodyear, a few claim Pirelli is the only name that matters. But it’s not about brand loyalty; it’s about understanding what your Explorer demands. The road talks — sometimes in whispers, sometimes in rumbles. You just gotta listen.
