Trying to get a new set of tires for my wife's CX-9 touring AWD. Oddly enough, I seem to be having a heck of a time locating a decent tire in this size.
Anyone have recommendations or have experience with decent tires of this size? She currently has the OEM Yokohama G056 on them, but they leave a lot to be desired in the snow.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Edit: Any reason we couldn't go with 265/60R18s? Seems like having that extra 10mm width really offers up a LOT more manufacturers and options than the 255 width.
You have a 2019 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD and you have 225/60R18 but not 255/50R20 tires? Depending on the area you live in, unless you change to snow tires for the winter season otherwise all-season tires wouldn't give you the best performance on wintery road conditions. But in areas like Dallas, Texas, all season tires is good enough to handle most snowing weathers especially with the AWD. No need to have extra set of winter tires and wheels just for occasional winter weather conditions.
Here are specs and prices on 3 stock tires on gen-2 CX-9:
Tire | Size | UTQG | Maximum
Inflation
Pressure | Tread
Depth | Tire
Weight | Warranty | Price* |
Yokohama® Geolandar H/T G056B | P255/60R18 107H | 280 B A | 51 psi | 10/32" | 35 lbs. | 5 Years | $277.88 |
Bridgestone® Ecopia H/L 422 Plus | P255/50R20 104V | 600 A A | 51 psi | 10/32" | 34 lbs. | 5 Years | $235.99 |
Falken® Ziex CT50 A/S | P255/50R20 104V | 300 A A | 51 psi | 10.3/32" | 35 lbs. | 5 Years | $267.99 |
* Price from Tire Rack on 10/27/2021.
Here are specs and prices on most major brand 255/60R18 tires for your driving conditions (all-season or all-weather tires) based on good UTQG ratings and customer's reviews from Tire Rack for comparison:
Tire | Size | UTQG | Maximum
Inflation
Pressure | Tread
Depth | Tire
Weight | Warranty | Price* |
Continental® CrossContact LX Sport | 255/60R18 112V XL | 480 A A | 51 psi | 9/32" | 34 lbs. | 6 Years | $189.70 |
Yokohama®
Geolandar H/T G056 | 255/60R18 112V XL | 720 A A | 50 psi | 11/32" | 35 lbs. | 5 Years | $193.99 |
Pirelli® Scorpion Zero | 255/60R18 112V XL | 400 A A | 50 psi | 10/32" | 36 lbs. | Unlimited Time | $195.30 |
Pirelli® Scorpion Verde All Season | P255/60R18 112H XL | 600 A A | 50 psi | 11/32" | 38 lbs. | Unlimited Time | $202.60 |
Goodyear® Eagle Enforcer | 255/60R18 108V | 420 A A | 51 psi | 10/32" | 34 lbs. | 6 Years | $232.03 |
General® G-Max™ Justice | 255/60R18 112V XL | 440 AA A | 51 psi | 10/32" | 34 lbs. | 6 Years | $241.34 |
Goodyear® Eagle Sport All-Season | 255/60R18 108W | 560 A A | 51 psi | 10/32" | 35 lbs. | 50,000 Miles
6 Years | $245.99 |
Goodyear® Eagle Enforcer All Weather | 255/60R18 108V | 500 A A | 51 psi | ? | 34 lbs. | 6 Years | $247.52 |
Bridgestone® Alenza AS Ultra | 255/60R18 112V XL | 800 A A | 50 psi | 10/32" | 34 lbs. | 80,000 Miles
5 Years | $251.99 |
* Price from Tire Rack on 10/27/2021.
Here is the latest Tire Ratings Charts on Crossover SUV Touring All-Season 255/60R18 tires from Tire Rack:
Here is the latest Tire Ratings Charts on High Performance All-Season 255/60R18 tires from Tire Rack:
And here is the latest Tire Ratings Charts on Highway All-Season 255/60R18 tires from Tire Rack:
With limited selections on 255/60R18 tires as you noticed, IMO you can look into Yokohama® Geolandar H/T G056 255/60R18 112V XL with "720 A A" UTQG for the price of $193.99. Be aware it's a different tire from your stock Yokohama® Geolandar H/T G056B which has very poor "280 B A" UTQG.
Bridgestone® Alenza AS Ultra 255/60R18 112V XL with "800 A A" UTQG can be considered a better tire in every category including better winter / snow performance If you're willing to spend $200 more for a set.
Goodyear® Eagle Sport All-Season 255/60R18 108W with "560 A A" UTQG is another good choice for higher price. It has decent and better winter / snow performance than most other all-season tires. And the W speed rating is impressive, as the tire actually is made in Germany for autobahn driving.
Continental® CrossContact LX can be a possible choice if the price is not the most expensive one at $253.82. And its "520 A B" UTQG isn't impressive either. It's unfortunate that Continental doesn't offer newer CrossContact LX25 for the size 255/60R18 as LX25 is the favorite choice for many CX-5 owners.