SUV Tires

If you're looking for new SUV tires, there are a number of things to consider to ensure the safety and quality of your new tires – as well as a smooth and enjoyable drive. As there’s a huge variety of sport utility vehicle models available, it’s important to select the right tires to suit your specific SUV. This article will explore the things you need to consider before buying tires and why your specific category of SUV requires certain specifications.

• Categorizing your car will make things easier when you need to narrow down the type of SUV tires available.
• Is your SUV electric, hybrid or a traditional combustion engine? How powerful is your SUV? And how large and heavy is it?
• Will you use it in the city or suburban areas? Are you constantly facing tough conditions like gravel, mud, snow, and steep inclines? Do you often tow heavy loads? These considerations dictate what the tires need to be capable of.
• Lastly, is your SUV an AWD (all-wheel drive), 4WD (four-wheel drive/4X4/four-by-four) or 2WD (two-wheel drive)? If you’re unsure of the differences, read more about SUVs and four -wheel drive here 
• You can also learn if it's possible to take your SUV off-road and what tires are required here. 

At Continental, we’ll help you find the perfect tire to suit your SUV. Some key things you’ll want your tires to be capable of – depending on the road surface – are the following: 

How to choose on-road tires:

• reliable braking performance in all weather conditions;
  
  
• high level of protection against aquaplaning;
  
  
• excellent grip and braking performance;
  
  
• substantial road noise reduction for a smooth ride when on-road driving
  
  
• high mileage
   

How to choose off-road tires:

• good level of robustness, so they can withstand the shock of rocks and other off-road hazards;

• long-lasting quality, so your tire tread can maintain optimum grip to get you further on your off-road adventures;
  

• ability to drive safely on a variety of different surfaces including tarmac roads;
  

• enhanced snow and wet traction for better driving safety. Most off-road tires have m+s or 3pms to distinguish this.

Depending on where you live and the type of SUV you have, the conditions will make different demands on your tires. Below are some situations you might relate to and Continental tire suggestions.

If you live in an area where the winters are especially demanding, you may need 4WD to tackle snow, ice, mud, and steep inclines. If you can relate to this, you likely need winter tires that have an aggressive tread pattern, for grip on loose terrain – particularly wet snow and mud. These kinds of tires are also more durable as they have tougher sidewalls to absorb the impact of rocks and damage from other off-road hazards.

If your living and driving conditions reflect or are similar to this, here are some Continental winter tires to consider for your SUV:

If you drive your crossover on tarmac roads but often switch to irregular terrains for weekends away on country gravel roads, you will benefit from an all-terrain tire with an interlocking tread design. It provides the durability to conquer dirt, gravel, and grass, but also offers a quieter, comfortable ride on paved roads.

Here are some Continental summer and all-season tires to consider for your crossover or SUV:

• CrossContact™ RX: designed for crossovers and SUVs, this tire offers significant road noise reduction for a smooth and quiet ride every day, best of all, it has enhanced wet traction for better driving safety – especially for those longer trips away.

• ContiCrossContact™ LX 2: engineered for SUVs and crossovers, this tire provides outstanding traction for light off-road use and it also has great handling properties and excellent wet braking.

An electric or hybrid SUV has lower emissions, maintenance costs and engine noise. However, there is almost an additional 30% increase in the weight of electric cars due to the battery they require. This weight places a lot of strain on the tires of electric vehicles. We’ve adapted our products to fit the specific needs of alternatively powered vehicles.