The fuel efficiency of a tire is a quality that has been grabbing attention of stake-holders for some time now. Manufacturers are in the race for coming up with the most economical tire in terms of fuel mileage. This makes a lot of sense, especially in today’s economy, where fuel prices are rising dramatically. And if you drive a bulky vehicle like an SUV, you definitely want to save fuel wherever you can. However, apart from the obvious monetary benefit, fuel-efficient tires also excel in terms of eco-friendliness. They use less energy and thus, are highly beneficial for the ecosystem.
The 5 Best SUV Tires for Fuel Economy:
If you’re planning to switch your SUV to fuel-efficient tires, worry no more! Here is a list of the best options available:
- Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max Radial – P235/65R17 103H (Editor’s choice)
- Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus All-Season Highway Tire 225/65R17 102 H
- Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II Performance Radial Tire-225/65R17 102H
- Michelin LTX M/S All Season Radial Tire 275/55R20 113T
- Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max Radial – 225/65R17 102H
1. Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max Radial – P235/65R17 103H (Editor’s choice)
All-season performance, durability and fuel efficiency combined…
This 17-inch tire by Goodyear is one of our leading choices. It is designed to provide excellent performance in all seasons, while keeping the gas expenditure to a minimum.
This tire is built using specialized tread compound, which keeps the rolling resistance low. This means that the friction between tire and surface is optimized in a manner that results in lesser fuel being wasted during the ride. This property is coupled with a myriad of features that ensure that the grip of the tire remains uncompromised in all seasons. In short, it is a win-win situation. The tread design is elegant and symmetrical, ensuring sufficient traction in different conditions. This accounts for a smooth and comfortable ride, making the driver exert minimal effort even when driving the bulkiest SUVs. Its aqua channels provide ample wet traction by channeling the water away from the tread, so that any chances of slipping are avoided. This is true for light snow and mud as well. Thus, you can ride your vehicle with complete peace of mind, both in terms of safety and fuel expenditure.
Nonetheless, some shakiness might be felt at very high speeds, so care has to be taken to monitor the speed of your SUV so that the grip and stability is not compromised.
Pros:
- Saves fuel
- All-season friendly
- Smooth and comfortable ride
- Sufficient traction
Cons:
- Not suited to high speeds
2. Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus All-Season Highway Tire 225/65R17 102 H
Fuel efficient and environment-friendly construction…
This 17-inch tire by Bridgestone can grab attention from miles away, thanks to its sleek and aesthetic construction. But wait, that is not the only impressive quality of this tire. It is constructed specifically to conserve fuel, thus maximizing your SUV’s gas mileage. So if you are looking for a tire that not only saves your fuel but also transforms the appearance of your SUV, this is your best bet.
This tire enjoys the ability to perform superbly in all seasons. Its tread compound is specialized rubber that is manufactured to prevent fuel wastage. Moreover, the tread pattern of this tire is uniform and optimized for even wearing. This not only makes the tire safe to use, but also adds effectively to its fuel efficiency. This tire features deep grooves in its tread, which maximize wet and snow traction by getting rid of excess water in the tread. This accounts for a safe ride and uncompromised grip, allowing the driver to make even the sharpest of turns confidently. To add to that, the ride is surprisingly quiet. This is true at even the highest of speeds, which is a remarkable quality for any tire. However, the diminished tread life of this tire has raised many questions. Despite the 50,000 miles treadwear warranty offered with this tire, it is known to last for a much lesser time than that, which is a big concern.
Pros:
- Fuel- efficient
- Appealing
- All-season performance
- Quiet
- Backed by warranty
Cons:
- Short tread life
3. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II Performance Radial Tire-225/65R17 102H
Fuel efficiency doesn’t have to be boring…
Are you looking for a fuel efficient tire that is also budget-friendly? Well, here is your answer. This 17-inch tire by Pirelli took the industry by storm due to its marvelous performance and excellent gas mileage, in addition to a surprisingly low cost. Definitely a go-to!
This Pirelli tire has a reinforced tread that has been improvised over many years, resulting in the latest highly efficient compound that saves a significant amount of fuel. Its rolling resistance is further minimized by the design of its tread, which is symmetrical and uniform. This also means that the tread wears evenly and lasts long, in addition to being safe. The fuel conservation remains the same in even the most challenging conditions, such as snow. This is a rare quality, making this tire stand out. It also excels in its performance, thanks to the circumferential grooves and specialized tread blocks. The traction of this tire is maintained equally well in dry, wet and rocky conditions. Moreover, the ride is noticeably smooth and comfortable, and cherry on top is the minimal noise production. This remains true even in challenging conditions as well as high speeds.
However, this many great qualities come with a side effect, that is, this tire is not always available and you might have to keep a vigilant eye if you want to buy it.
Pros:
- Minimal fuel expenditure
- Superb traction
- All-season performance
- Inexpensive
- Long tread life
Cons:
- Not always available
4. Michelin LTX M/S All Season Radial Tire 275/55R20 113T
Michelin’s build quality and reliability combined with extreme fuel efficiency…
Michelin is known for its top quality tires that are highly user-friendly. These qualities, when combined with fuel efficiency, make an irresistible combination, which is present in this tire. This 20-inch tire can be a game changer for your SUV. It is manufactured using premium quality rubber compound that has all the essential features required to conserve fuel. It ensures that the rolling resistance of the tire is kept to a minimum in all seasons. Furthermore, the symmetrical tread pattern and optimized construction allows for uniform wearing. This greatly amplifies the fuel-saving ability of this tire, in addition to promising a long tread life. The user-friendly construction also guarantees a pleasant ride, providing great control to the driver. Thus, the drive is seamless even when taking sharp turns or driving around difficult corners. The braking capability of this tire is also tremendous, even on wet roads. It has the ability to channel water, snow, mud as well as rocks away from the tread, making sure that the traction remains unparalleled.
This tire can easily resist damage, which is a great plus. To top it off, it is backed by a 70,000 miles treadwear warranty. Nonetheless, all these amazing features land this tire high up on the price list.
Pros:
- Saves fuel
- Elegant
- Superb all-season traction
- Easy handling
- Comes with warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
5. Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max Radial – 225/65R17 102H
Low purchasing AND running cost…
This 17-inch tire by Goodyear is another great option for your SUV. In addition to providing a satisfactory all- season performance, it also maximizes fuel mileage. Moreover, it comes at a reasonable price.
The tread compound used for the construction of this tire is picked specifically for its ability to utilize minimum energy as it rolls. This means that the overall amount of fuel consumed over time is significantly reduced. This ability is further enhanced by the even wearing of its tread, which prevents excessive wastage of energy. The tread of this tire is manufactured to provide easy handling and control to the driver, regardless of the conditions. The tire greatly lives up to the manufacturers claims, as it allows the driver to undertake a variety of driving conditions, while ensuring uncompromised grip. It has specialized grooves to get rid of excess water and snow, so that the vehicle can maneuver easily without having to adjust the speed. In addition, the tread also has dry zones for providing equally impressive traction on dry pavements. Overall, this tire is a great fuel-efficient option for your SUV. However, its installation might be tricky.
Pros:
- Excellent fuel mileage
- Inexpensive
- Uncompromised grip
- All-season performance
- Easy handling
Cons:
- Tricky installation
How to pick the most fuel-efficient tire for your SUV?
A wide range of fuel-efficient tires are available in the market today for your SUV. However, to make the wisest choice, there are a few key features that must be taken into account before making the purchase.
1. Tread Compound:
The tread compound of a tire is a major determinant of its energy expenditure. To ensure fuel economy, it is advisable to pick tires with a hard rubber compound. Silica reinforcement is a plus.
2. Tread Design:
The tread design of a tire determines the amount of friction that is present when driving it. Tires with a shallow tread design produce less heat and thus, conserve fuel.
3. Tire Size:
Picking a tire which fits perfectly to your vehicle is very crucial for its adequate functioning. Improper fitting can mean uneven wearing, resulting in wastage of energy. Also, smaller tires are generally more fuel efficient due to lesser rolling resistance.
4. Quality and technology:
The quality of materials and the construction technology make a huge difference in the way your tire wears. Top quality materials and innovative designs lead to uniform wearing, which translates to better gas mileage.
For pickup trucks, head out to our article: Best Truck Tires For Fuel Economy
