We evaluated every option to find the best all-season tires for Subaru Forester owners looking for the perfect mix of all-weather performance and value.
The Forester is one of the most capable and versatile SUVs on the market, but many customers have complained that the stock tires that Subaru included don’t have great grip in every condition and don’t last particularly long.
That feedback makes sense considering Subaru fitted the budget tire lines from Bridgestone, Yokohama, or Falken on Foresters to save some costs.
Therefore, we looked for upgrades that would provide superior handling, an enhanced ride quality, and better longevity compared to the original tires.
It surprised us that the majority of our choices actually cost less than some of the recommended tires from Subaru as well, proving that price does not always equate to performance in the SUV tire market.
We also made sure to cross-reference our picks with real-world reviews and comments from actual Forester owners and on forums like SubaruForester.org and the Forester subreddit.
So, let’s take a look at the best all-season tires for the Subaru Forester.
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Best All-Season Tires for Subaru Forester – Methodology
First, we identified all the different wheel and tire sizes across all the different generations of Foresters stretching back to when they were first launched in 1998.
We painstakingly reviewed every model year and trim combination to determine all the correct tire sizes.
That includes the older X, XS, XT, and Limited lines found in the 2nd and 3rd generation Foresters as well as the current Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, and Touring lineup of present-day Foresters.
In case you are curious, here are all the different tire sizes for each model year of the Forester:
| Model Year | Wheel Sizes | Tire Sizes |
| 1st Generation: 1998-2002 | 15 Inches 16 Inches | 205/70-15215/60-16 |
| 2nd Generation: 2003-2008 | 16 Inches 17 Inches | 215/60-16215/55-17 |
| 3rd Generation: 2009-2013 | 16 Inches 17 Inches | 215/65-16225/55-17 |
| 4th Generation: 2014-2018 | 17 Inches 18 Inches | 225/60-17225/55-18 |
| 5th Generation: 2019-Present | 17 Inches 18 Inches | 225/60-17225/55-18 |
Next, we needed to develop an objective system to rate each of the all-season tires on the market. Therefore, we created a scoring system based on five main criteria that we believe a well-rounded tire should possess:
- Performance Level – ability to handle in all weather conditions and provide superior traction, cornering, and steering feedback
- Ride Quality – comfort and road noise, especially on highways and unpaved roads
- Durability – long-lasting tread life along with treadwear rating and warranty provided
- Value – cost versus quality compared to the rest of the market
- Real-World Feedback – actual comments from Forester owners who have tried the tires
We also compared every online tire seller and found that Tire Rack consistently offers the best prices & free shipping (even directly to your installer). They also include:
• FREE 2 year Road Hazard Protection with no-cost roadside assistance
• Tire Replacement Benefit to reimburse you 100% of the price of a damaged tire up to $599 per tire
• Flat Tire Repair Coverage up to $40 per tire
• Mobile Tire Installation Service that can come to your house
• Fast shipping usually in 1 to 2 business days
We’ve never seen a more generous benefits package from any other retailer, so we added a link to Tire Rack for each tire below.
The 4 Best All-Season Tires for Subaru Forester
1. Michelin CrossClimate2
Fits:
- 1998 to 2002: 16 Inches, 215/60-16
- 2003 to 2013: 16 Inches, 215/65-16
- 2003 to 2013: 17 Inches, 215/55-17
- 2014 to Present: 17 Inches, 225/60-17
- 2014 to Present: 18 Inches, 225/55-18
These Michelins are one of the most well-rounded all-season tires that we have ever evaluated. They were ranked as the #1 tire out of 60 “Grand Touring All-Season Tires” in Tire Rack’s latest customer survey, earning the highest score for dry, wet, and snow traction over 11 million miles of data.
Yet, they offer an extremely luxurious ride as well as a long tread life, scoring an 8.9 and 9.1 in those categories, respectively.
Michelin includes a robust 6 Year / 60,000 Mile treadwear warranty, which also reflects how long they believe these tires can last.
2. Vredestein Quatrac Pro – Top Budget Pick
Fits:
- 2003 to 2013: 17 Inches, 215/55-17
- 2014 to Present: 17 Inches, 225/60-17
- 2014 to Present: 18 Inches, 225/55-18
This value brand from Europe has started to make a name for itself as they have consistently produced class-leading tires at a very affordable price.
The fact that they are usually priced about 10-20% lower than many competitors makes them one of the best bangs-for-your-buck.
But, don’t just take our word for it. In Tire Rack’s latest survey, they placed an impressive 8th out of 60 “Grand Touring All-Season” tires, outranking top brands like Firestone and Bridgestone.
They even won 1st place in Tire Rack’s own comparison test.
They scored a 9.0 or above for their dry and wet handling and were among the class leaders in overall comfort and longevity.
Vredestein also provides an 8 Year / 50,000 Mile treadwear warranty, which is one of the longest warranties you will find among all-season tires for the Subaru Forester.
3. Continental TrueContact Tour
Fits:
- 1998 to 2002: 16 Inches, 215/60-16
- 2003 to 2013: 16 Inches, 215/65-16
- 2003 to 2013: 17 Inches, 215/55-17
- 2014 to Present: 17 Inches, 225/60-17
Continental’s TrueContact Tour tires are an excellent choice for Forester owners who want a trustworthy tire that is fit for every season, delivers supreme comfort, and can last really long.
Customers agree, as these tires earned 1st place out of 16 “Standard Touring All-Season Tires” in the Tire Rack survey.
It was the only tire that earned a score of 8.0 or above in every single category, which is quite impressive given that those scores were sustained over 8.1 million miles of data.
They led their class in ride quality and were rated as one of the most durable tires as well. There were even owner reports of the tire lasting for over 80,000+ miles.
Continental backs these tires with a generous 6 Year / 80,000 Mile treadwear warranty, which is one of the highest mileage warranties out there.
4. Yokohama Geolandar CV G058
Fits:
- 2003 to 2013: 16 Inches, 215/65-16
- 2003 to 2013: 17 Inches, 215/55-17
- 2014 to Present: 17 Inches, 225/60-17
- 2014 to Present: 18 Inches, 225/55-18
Yokohama developed these all-season touring tires specifically for SUV owners living in the diverse North American climate.
They were ranked 5th out of 49 “Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season Tires” and also won Tire Rack’s comparison test, which is quite impressive given their very aggressive pricing.
But, don’t let their value price fool you, as they put up class-leading scores for their dry and wet handling as well as their overall comfort.
They even led their category in treadwear rating, which makes them one of the best all-weather tires for Subaru Forester owners based on a cost per mile basis.
Yokohama also provides a 5 Year / 65,000 Mile treadwear warranty for your peace of mind.
Best All-Season Tires for Subaru Forester – Summary
We believe that this list truly highlights all of the top choices for all-season tires for your Forester. They all offer excellent performance in every condition, especially some light snow in the winter, and provide a cushy, yet stable ride that many customers find superior to their original tires.
Of course, they also offer a long tread life and represent some of the best overall values on the market.