The Honda Pilot is one of the most popular mid-size crossover SUVs on the market. People seem to love the interior and cargo room, good driving dynamics, comfort, and safety credentials. Moreover, the car looks nice from the outside as well.
However, to truly enjoy your Pilot, you will need a proper set of tires. The OEM tires that Honda uses often don’t last very long, and you’ll need to replace them in two-to-three years. The thing is, when the time comes, you’ll have a myriad of options to choose from. Now, having a choice is always a good thing, sure. However, it can also make things harder for buyers, especially when purchasing online.
And, it’s not only manufacturers and models that you need to choose from. You can attach various types of tires on the Honda Pilot. When it comes to the climate, you can choose between summer, all-season, and winter tires, which you probably already know. However, you might be unaware that tires also differ in how they perform on the road. For the Pilot, you have the choice of touring, highway, and high-performance tires.
But what does all that mean? And, crucially, how to find the best tires for your needs? Well, you first need to know your requirements. Things like how you drive, do you tow with your vehicle or not, and what’s the climate like in your area. Then, you can start combing through the features of various types of tires to find the perfect one.
Contents
- Different Types of Honda Pilot Tires
- Top 10 Best Tires for Honda Pilot Available of 2020
- 1. Continental CrossContact LX25
- 2. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
- 3. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II
- 4. Cooper Discoverer SRX
- 5. Michelin Premier LTX
- 6. Michelin Defender LTX M/S
- 7. General Grabber HTS60
- 8. Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2
- 9. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
- 10. Continental CrossContact UHP
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
Different Types of Honda Pilot Tires
Let’s start with crossover/SUV touring tires. These products are specifically designed for driving un urban environments and on the highway. You can expect a safe and carefree driving experience on dry and wet pavement, and an ultra-comfortable and quiet ride. Furthermore, touring tires have outstanding treadlife and come with the longest treadwear warranties. Nonetheless, they aren’t the best choice for performance driving, and they can’t tow very large trailers.
If you want the latter, you’ll need highway tires, which come in larger load ratings. Specifically, highway tires are a better option for towing heavier trailers, but also for hauling heavy cargo onboard. They also perform very well on the highway, as their name suggests, and offer a comfortable and quiet ride. That said, touring tires will be more responsive in the corners and even more comfortable.
For Honda Pilot owners that want the best responsiveness in the corners, the best option are high-performance tires, or also called Street/Sport tires. As their name suggests, these provide much higher grip and stability in the corners. They are also much more responsive and communicate with the driver better. However, these tires don’t last nearly as long as highway and touring tires.
When it comes to the climate, an all-season tread compound is the safest option. Tires with all-season rubber perform excellently in warm and cold weather, including dry and wet conditions. Some all-season tires also perform well over light snow. However, these tires aren’t the best choice for very harsh wintry conditions. You can have an all-season tread compound on the highway, touring, and Street/Sport tires.
Honda Pilot owners that live in areas with a lot of snow and ice in the winter should choose winter tires. These have a softer and more pliable rubber, which helps with traction on snow and ice. Winter tires completely transform the driving experience in the winter and make it much safer. That said, these don’t work at all in warmer conditions.
Conversely, summer tires are by far the best option for hot weather. They provide the highest level of grip and traction, both over dry and wet surfaces. However, summer tires won’t work on snow and ice at all. Also, they don’t last very long, especially in terms of treadlife. For that reason, only Street/Sport tires are offered with a summer tread compound in North America.
To help each Honda Pilot owner find the best tires, I included all-season touring and highway tires, winter tires, and Street/Sport summer tires in the list below. Please only choose Honda Pilot tires that suit your needs, or you won’t be satisfied with the purchase.
Also, each product is available in Honda Pilot tire sizes through the most popular online retailers. If you want to help our website, you can purchase tires through our affiliate links. It will help us produce even better articles in the future!
Top 10 Best Tires for Honda Pilot Available of 2020
1. Continental CrossContact LX25
Best Touring All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot
Right now, the Continental CrossContact LX25 is by far the most accomplished crossover/SUV touring tire on the market. Apart from the thumping noise when it hits a pothole, you can’t find many issues with Continental’s new product.
Like most tires from the German manufacturer, the CrossContact LX25 excels in rainy conditions. Handling on wet pavement feels surefooted and controllable, without any hint of understeer. The stopping distances are very short as well, and the hydroplaning resistance is excellent.
Furthermore, the tire performs excellently on dry roads. There are ample traction and grip in the corners, and high-speed stability is excellent. The tire might lack responsiveness and steering feel, but that’s the case with most touring tires.
Unlike many competitors, though, the light-snow traction is excellent, with good handling and braking. Also, the CrossContact LX25 is supremely quiet on the highway, and very comfortable on uneven roads. The tire even has a very long treadlife and comes with an excellent 70,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Pros
Cons
2. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
Best Touring All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot
The Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is one of the most popular tires among crossover and SUV owners. The reason? Well, it lasts forever. The treadlife on this tire is exceptionally long, and Bridgestone provides a best-in-class 80,000-mile treadwear warranty.
It’s not all about durability, though. Bridgestone’s touring tire might not be very responsive, but it still has excellent cornering grip and acceleration traction. Moreover, the tire feels stable on the highway and provides the driver with short stopping distances.
The Dueler continues to impress in the rain. Traction remains to be very good, handling is predictable and safe, and the stopping distances are among the shortest in the category. There is even ample light-snow traction on offer, something that you can’t say about most all-season tires.
Ultimately, the Dueler Alenza Plus rides extremely well over bumps and remains quiet on the highway. At this moment, it is one of the most comfortable Honda Pilot tires.
Pros
Cons
3. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II
Best Touring All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot
Like with most Pirelli tires, the Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II feels very good behind the steering wheel. The tire is very responsive to inputs and communicates well with the driver.
Fortunately, the tire continues to impress in other areas. The handling feels very safe – there is no hint of understeer or unexpected loss of traction. Simply put, the tire feels fluid through the corners, with excellent grip and traction. The braking distances are also short, and the high-speed stability is excellent.
Traction in wet conditions is excellent as well. Again, the Scorpion Verde performs excellently in the corners, without too much understeer. The braking distances are also reasonably short, and the hydroplaning resistance is very good. That’s despite the fact that the tire features low-rolling-resistance technology for improved fuel economy.
Light-snow traction is good as well, but not as exceptional as on other tires on this list. Also, the ride quality is good enough, and there is not much noise on the highway.
Pirelli provides a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty on the tire. That’s good, but not on the level of the best premium touring tires.
Pros
Cons
4. Cooper Discoverer SRX
Best Touring All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot
The Discoverer SRX is an excellent option for drivers that want to save cash for the next tire purchase. Despite the lower price point, Cooper’s latest touring tire comfortably competes with the best premium tires right now.
In terms of safety, the Discoverer SRX scores with very high points. It corners with authority and without any hint of understeer. Moreover, the grip levels are pretty high, and the braking distances are very short.
The tire continues to impress in rainy conditions, where it provides the driver with good traction, predictable handling, and strong braking. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent as well.
In terms of durability, the Discoverer SRX positively surprises, especially given the price. The tread compound is sturdy enough for driving on rough terrain, while the treadlife is excellent.
Cooper also provides a 75,000-mile treadwear warranty on T-Speed rated models and 70,000-miles on H-Speed rated models, which is excellent given the price.
Pros
Cons
5. Michelin Premier LTX
Best Touring All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot
In terms of driving enjoyment, the Premier LTX is by far the best Honda Pilot tire out there. You can immediately feel how enjoyable this tire is – the responsiveness is the best in the category. On top of that, you can expect premium levels of cornering grip, unlike any other touring all-season tire. The handling is simply a notch above the rest.
Furthermore, the Premier LTX impresses in rainy conditions. The traction levels are outstanding, which translates into safe and predictable cornering and very short braking distances. Also, the hydroplaning resistance is exceptional, even when the tread is worn-down, thanks to EverGrip Technology. The Premier LTX works pretty well in the winter, too. There is usable traction over light snow, and the handling feels surefooted.
Like most Michelin tires, the Premier LTX is very quiet, even at higher speeds. The ride quality is also plush, even when you hit a pothole. That said, Michelin only provides a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is below-average for the price.
Pros
Cons
6. Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Best Highway All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot
The Defender LTX M/S doesn’t possess the same driving dynamics of its brother, the Premier LTX. However, being a highway all-season tire, it has other qualities. For instance, it can tow larger trailers, and it has a tougher and more durable compound. You can even attack dirt and gravel without worrying about damaging the tire.
Moreover, it handles on-road duties with aplomb. Actually, it’s the best highway tire on the road right now. Traction and grip are excellent, and the tire feels surefooted in the corners. Furthermore, the Defender LTX drives outstandingly well in rainy conditions. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent, and there is ample traction for safe cornering and braking.
The Defender LTX isn’t as impressive over light snow, but it still beats most of the competition. Besides, despite the added toughness, the tire is still very comfortable over bumps, and quiet on the highway.
The best thing about it, though, is the durability. The treadlife is excellent, and Michelin provides an outstanding (for a highway tire) 70,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Pros
Cons
7. General Grabber HTS60
Best Highway All-Season Tires for Honda Pilot
General Grabber HTS60 is an excellent highway all-season tire for Honda Pilot owners with a tighter budget. Overall, General’s tire might not compare favorably to the Defender LTX, but for the price, it is exceptional.
On the road, the HTS60 feels responsive enough and provides excellent stability, even with a large trailer attached. Also, the cornering grip is very good, and there is ample traction for acceleration. The braking distances aren’t very long as well. A bonus point for the fact that the tough construction lets you use this tire on dirt and gravel.
In wet conditions, the lighter-duty versions perform outstandingly well. Traction is excellent, the handling is predictable and safe, and the braking distances are short. That said, light-snow traction isn’t on the level of the Defender LTX.
Fortunately, the Grabber HTS60 comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty. That’s excellent when you take the price into consideration.
Pros
Cons
8. Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2
Best Winter Tires for Honda Pilot
The Latitude X-Ice Xi2 is by far the best Honda Pilot winter tire. Why? Well, firstly, because it comes with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty. No other manufacturer offers treadwear warranties on winter tires, which is a big plus for the Michelin.
Then, the snow and ice traction this tire provides is simply outstanding. You won’t get stuck with this tire, regardless of the snow is packed or unpacked. Your Honda Pilot will also stop in time and turn into corners with authority.
Moreover, the Latitude X-ice Xi2 handles ice as good as a tire without studs can. It accelerates swiftly, brakes very well, and turns into corners with a surprising amount of bite. On top of everything else, the tire works in the rain and provides the driver with responsive handling on dry surfaces.
The only disadvantage of the tire is the price, which is the highest in the category.
Pros
Cons
9. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
Best Winter Tires for Honda Pilot
The Blizzak DM-V2 closely matches the Latitude X-ice Xi2 in terms of performance on every surface. However, Bridgestone still doesn’t provide any treadwear warranty on its winter tires, although it asks for a lot of cash. I hope they rectify that in the future. That said, the treadlife of the tire is still excellent – owners are very satisfied.
You also won’t be disappointed with the level of traction in the winter. The Blizzak DM-V2 provides outstanding traction on snow-covered roads. It also handles well in the corners and provides very short braking distances. Thanks to the NanoPro Tech Multicell compound, the tire bites into ice as well. Again, traction on ice is excellent, handling feels safe, and the stopping distances are short.
On top of everything else, the Blizzak DM-V2 also feels responsive on dry roads. The wet traction is also among the best in the category.
Pros
Cons
10. Continental CrossContact UHP
Best High-Performance Tires for Honda Pilot
If you want to transform your Honda Pilot into a corner carver, there is no better option than the Continental CrossContact UHP. For performance driving, there is no other tire on this list that can even come close to the Continental. With this tire, you’re getting the best possible cornering grip you can on the Honda Pilot.
And, you can immediately feel that the tire works well for performance driving. Behind the wheel, it feels razor-sharp with its responsiveness and directness. It also bites into the corners with determination and keeps providing you with an outstanding grip. The braking distances are also outstandingly short, and the highway stability is outstanding.
The CrossContact UHP continues to impress on wet roads. Even in heavy rain, the tire feels glued to the road, a testament to the sticky tread compound. The hydroplaning resistance is also outstanding, and the braking distances very short.
Despite the focus on performance, the ride quality is plush, even over larger potholes. That said, Continental doesn’t provide any treadwear warranty, but few manufacturers do on their Street/Sport summer tires.
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- When should I replace my Honda Pilot tires?
It depends on the tires. For instance, touring tires should last from 50,000 to 70,000-miles in terms of treadlife. However, even if you don’t cover many miles, it’s best to replace them each 4-5 years, since the rubber becomes hard and loses grip. Other tires last even less.
- How often should I rotate my Honda Pilot tires?
It is generally accepted that you should rotate your tires on a 6,000-8,000 miles interval. You can ask your mechanic to do that for you at each oil change since it matches the rotation interval.
- Do I need winter tires on my Honda Pilot AWD?
The all-wheel-drive system can enhance traction for acceleration and cornering. However, it won’t help with braking. Also, it can’t replace a proper set of winter tires. For example, a front-wheel-drive vehicle with winter tires will have better traction on snow than an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all-season tires. So, the answer to the question is – yes, you’ll need winter tires in the winter.
Conclusion
I sincerely hope that this article helped you find suitable tires for your Honda Pilot. The list above contains tires that perform safely across a variety of conditions, and also last for a very long time. Even if you didn’t find a favorite, make sure that you purchase tires from reputable and well-known manufacturers. That way, your Honda Pilot will behave safely on the road, which is not only important for you, but also for your family, and other traffic participants!