Best tires for Subaru Legacy: Buyer’s Guide

Best Tires for Subaru Legacy

Are you looking for the best tires for Subaru Legacy owners? There are hundreds of Subaru Legacy tires on the market today. So many that it would take days to search through them all. So how can you narrow your search and choose the right tires for your new ride? We have researched all the leading brands like Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone and Continental AG to compile a list of the best Subaru Legacy tires on the market. We will also give you some tips that you should consider when choosing Subaru Legacy tires. We hope that our list and buyer’s guide will help you find the perfect tires for your Legacy.

Best tires for Subaru Legacy

1. Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max All-Season
2. Bridgestone DriveGuard 3G RFT All-Season
3. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Street Radial
4. BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S Performance
5. GT Radial Champiro UHP AS Performance Radial Tire
6. Kumho Ecsta PA51 All-Season Radial Tire
7. DUNLOP SP SPORT 5000 All Season
8. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ All Season
9. Michelin Premier A/S All-Season Radial Tire
10. Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus Radial Tire
11. Michelin Primacy 3 Touring
12. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 Snow Winter Tire
13. Cooper Evolution Winter Studable-Winter Radial Tire
14. Firestone Winterforce 2 Snow Radial Tire
15. Nexen Winguard Sport 2 Performance Radial Tire

Tires For Subaru Legacy

How to choose the best tires for Subaru Legacy?

Most people are very interested in buying complex automotive components, but they are not so careful when buying tires. If you are one of them, here are some tested tips that you should consider when buying tires for your Subaru Legacy.

Tires 225/55R17 for Subaru Legacy

All-Season Tires

1. Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max All-Season

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Goodyear’s Assurance Fuel Max tires offer a comfortable and robust grip on wet roads all year round. As an added benefit, all tires feature a low rolling resistance tread design that reduces the tire’s energy loss while driving. This helps to improve the fuel economy of the vehicle, whether it is a car, coupe, van or crossover. The internal structure of the tire consists of two steel belts and polyester casing which improves its durability, stability and driving quality.

The all-season tread compound features unique inner and outer tread zones which help in gaining more robust design. The all-season tires also feature strong shoulder blocks that enhance their handling on dry conditions. The combination of the wet tread pattern and double Aquachannel grooves makes the rubber more water-resistant in wet weather. The tread pattern also has notched center rib and circumferential shoulder grooves which enhance the performance of the tires on snow.

Pros:

• More robust design and is supplied with shoulder blocks to improve handling in dry conditions.
• The wet tread zone and the double Aquachannel grooves make the rubber more water-resistant.

2. Bridgestone DriveGuard 3G RFT All-Season

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Without getting too involved in the technical aspects, DriveGuard allows you to continue driving for up to 50 miles at speeds of up to 50 mph even if the tire has suffered a complete loss of air pressure. The advantages are obvious: no need to change tires on a busy urban highway.

An all-season silica-reinforced tread compound is molded into asymmetrical tread design. The result is better handling and traction on dry or wet surfaces, increased cornering stability, and longer tread life.

Pros:

• Ability to continue driving even with a flat tire
• Good performance under normal driving conditions
• The ride is excellent for a tire with run-flat properties

3. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Street Radial

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Pirelli’s Cinturato P7 All Season is designed to provide competent traction and performance all year round along with comfortable driving quality.

A tread compound with lower rolling resistance and high-tech polymers provide increased traction while maximizing braking and acceleration performance. With asymmetric tread patterns and stronger outer shoulder, this tire offers enhanced cornering ability along with more responsive steering and stability. Four circumferential grooves evacuate water under the tires, increasing wet traction and reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

Pros:

• Excellent traction on dry and wet roads
• Reactive steering and good stability
• The ride is very comfortable and quiet

4. BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S Performance

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If you are always looking for the best, the BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S tire is the right choice for you. BFGoodrich says it is their best ultra-high performance all-season tire ever. And so this tire flattens the competition: faster acceleration, shorter braking (up to 15 feet shorter) and better traction in the snow than its competitors. You will also enjoy responsive handling, cornering and turning, and a smooth, comfortable ride.

Pros:

• ETEC’s Equal Tension Containment System (TM) optimizes the contact patch for enhanced high-speed traction.
• High Silica, cold weather flex compound for best wet and dry grip and all-season traction
• Dynamic Suspension System (DSS) is a reinforced inner structure which increases control while maintaining driving comfort.

5. GT Radial Champiro UHP AS Performance Radial Tire

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Champiro UHPAS is an all-season tire for vehicle owners who need ultra-high-performance or grand touring (luxury performance) tires. Champiro UHPAS offers excellent straight-line stability, cornering grip and braking on both dry and wet roads as well as handling and grip on light snow.

Overall, UHP1 is one of the better value for money summer high-performance tires available today. No, it may not be able to compete with a Michelin Super Sport, PS2, Continental DW or Bridgestone S-04 pole position in terms of performance on the road among others, but for the money, it holds up well and is a nice option for tighter budgets.

Pros:

• Excellent traction and braking on dry and wet roads
• The curve grip is excellent
• Exceptional value and performance at a very low price

6. Kumho Ecsta PA51 All-Season Radial Tire

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Ecsta PA51 is designed to combine the responsive handling and high-speed traction expected from a high-performance tire with all-season performance. Ecsta PA51 can be used in dry, wet and winter conditions, even in light snow.

The all-season tread compound of Ecsta PA51 uses high grip resins and a high stiffness compound to improve dry grip and handling. The outer shoulder and circumferential rib of the asymmetric tread pattern are reinforced to prevent deformation during aggressive maneuvers. The Variable Pitch Sequence Technology optimizes the tread design to minimize noise and increase comfort.

Pros:

• Over 50 years of experience
• With its advanced tread design and new innovative compound, Ecstasy PA51 is able to offer improved handling, enhanced traction, and extended tread life.
• Load Capacity – 1609 pounds

7. DUNLOP SP SPORT 5000 All Season

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Dunlop SP Sport 5000 is an ultra-high performance all-season tire with innovative asymmetric tread pattern design and a great balance of wet and dry performance. Large, solid interconnected tread blocks enhance dry cornering stability, grip, and stability. Independent inner tread blocks with open shoulder grooves provide powerful water evacuation and all-season grip. The double steel belts across the entire width ensure even driving and excellent contact patch. The exclusive high-performance all-season tread compound is designed for enhanced grip, control, energy absorption and tread wear across a wide range of driving conditions.

Pros:

• Large, stable, interconnected tread blocks improve cornering on dry roads
• Asymmetrical tread design for improved handling
• Max Flange Shield protects the rims from scratches and scrapes
• Reliable traction under various driving conditions for year-round performance

8. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ All Season

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If cost is not an issue, Michelin Pilot Super Sport is one of the best rain tires you can buy – just make sure the right sizes are available for your car.

Even in dry weather, you don’t have to compromise – these are some of the most grippy tires on the market, whether it rains or not.

However, like all Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires, Pilot Super Sport will not work if temperatures fall below 45 degrees, so these should only be used during the summer months if you live in a four-season climate.

Pros:

• Very high wet grip
• Good even in dry conditions, low road noise
• Does not rob the comfort

Performance Tires

1. Michelin Premier A/S All-Season Radial Tire

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Even though Michelin tires may be among the more expensive models compared to some of their competitors, it is a fact that in most cases you get what you pay for in this business. This new Premier A/S may cost a little more than a cheap tire, but you get real quality in return.

If you drive in a climate where it rains a lot, you will like this new EverGrip technology built into the tire. We believe it is a real turning point. Michelin tests have shown that even after wear, this tire still offers better braking performance than other leading brand new tires.

The riding comfort is excellent with this model and the driving noise is lower.
Overall, Michelin has a good reputation, and rightly so, and the new Premier A/S only continues to build on this. Simply put, it is a solid and reliable new all-season touring tire that is close to the best in class.

Pros:

• Solid traction and cornering stability on dry roads
• Excellent wet grip
• Very quiet and comfortable ride

2. Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus Radial Tire

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Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus is designed to be a perfect tire; built by perfectionists for perfectionists.
For one thing, it has some pretty unique features. It has Renoa silencer grooves that help reduce tread noise by capturing the sound in the tread elements.

These tires also pride themselves on offering excellent handling and comfort due to their asymmetric cavity shape. This provides excellent traction in a variety of weather conditions. The tire has a speed rating of V and can handle speeds up to 240 km/h (149mph).

In addition, these tires glide quite quietly at low and supposedly practical high speeds.

Pros:

• Very low tire noise at both low and high speeds.
• It offers excellent handling even when driving through sharp corners and turns.
• Super resistant tires.

Touring All-Season

1. Michelin Primacy 3 Touring

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Manufactured by one of the oldest and most renowned tire manufacturers, this all-season touring tire has been designed with the help of a computer to reduce road noise and vibration and increase fuel efficiency.

The unique tread compound and new tread pattern of Michelin helps in gaining solid traction on dry and wet conditions by keeping the entire tread in contact with the road. It also features automatic locking sipes for increased traction and braking power.

Pros:

• Because of its large size, the Primacy works well with light trucks and SUVs.
• Michelin uses its MaxTouch Construction technology to optimize the tire’s contact with the road and evenly distribute the forces during braking, acceleration, and cornering.

Winter Tires

1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 Snow Winter Tire

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Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 is a studless winter tire that balances the first-class grip in the harshest winter conditions, precise driving and environmentally friendly technologies to offer you optimum safety and comfort on winter roads. The snow claws between the tread blocks grip snow and ice to improve grip and stability during braking and acceleration. Intensive sipes in different directions ensure controlled and smooth driving. Bio-based Cryo Crystal 3-Grip particles are added to the tire compounds specifically to enhance grip on icy roads. The low rolling resistance helps in saving fuel costs and makes R3 an excellent choice for hybrid and electric vehicles. With the snowflake symbol, the R3 is approved for use in heavy snowfall so you can travel safely on winter roads no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

Pros:

• It adapts to all weather conditions, offers unyielding grip and makes driving controlled, precise and comfortable. Perfect choice for drivers who value first-class safety, unique driving comfort and environmentally-friendly driving.
• Maximum driving comfort in winter in all conditions
• Excellent grip and controlled handling on ice and snow

2. Cooper Evolution Winter Studable-Winter Radial Tire

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Evolution winter tires meet the stringent snow service requirements of the tire industry and are awarded the three-line snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.

The winter-oriented compound of the Evolution Winter is molded into a studdable directional pattern to aid acceleration and braking in harsh winter conditions. The wide, stiff tread blocks forming the center rib improve dry road stability and assist steering response while strong outboard shoulders provide lateral grip. Deep starting tread depths, wide circumferential grooves and open notches in the shoulders help to evacuate stagnant water and slush while the high-density multi-angled sipes create the gripping edges needed for wet, snow and ice traction.

Pros:

• Is designed to handle the heaviest snowfalls of the season
• Snow-Groove technology helps to trap snow in the tread and improves grip with snow-on-snow traction
• The Evolution Winter is designed to be quiet and powerful, giving you the safety and concentration you need in winter weather.

3. Firestone Winterforce 2 Snow Radial Tire

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This Firestone is the first tire on our list to be studdable for additional capabilities in regions where studded tires are permitted. In addition, the Firestone Winterforce 2 comes with a five-year workmanship and material warranty, which adds significant value to your car’s rubber. It features deep grooves and wide lateral notches and open shoulder slots to channel slush and stagnant water and reduces aquaplaning.

The tire uses twin steel belts and polyester carcass which Firestone says combines strength with ride quality. These are quite affordable, versatile for their stud option and have a wide range of sizes and reasonable warranty.

Pros:

• Studdable
• Decent price
• Guarantee

4. Nexen Winguard Sport 2 Performance Radial Tire

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Another great winter tire comes from Nexen, and although it is not studdable, it will still provide the first-class grip in more intense weather. The tread pattern is designed with wide grooves which help in draining water from the tire to prevent aquaplaning. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, a good winter tire means a good rain and ice tire – and this is what you get from Nexen Winguard.

The Winguard Sport 2 takes winter performance and long mileage to the next level. Its high-density multi-size increases grip when braking on icy and snowy roads while increasing durability. Snow or dry traction and cornering are enhanced by the directional tread pattern. Large wide grooves drain water effectively for aquaplaning resistance.

Pros:

• Good dry performance.
• Average braking and handling on wet roads.
• Relatively low aquaplaning resistance.
• Average braking distance on snow and good handling.
• Good noise level.
• The best wear resistance.

How to choose the best tires for Subaru Legacy?

Most people are very interested in buying complex automotive components, but they are not so careful when buying tires. If you are one of them, here are some tested tips that you should consider when buying tires for your Subaru Legacy

Pay attention to tire size

Before you start looking for tires for your Subaru Legacy, you should know the ideal tire size. Check the owner’s manual to see which tire size might fit your car.

The recommended tire sizes will look something like this: P225/60R16. These numbers and letters indicate the width, height, and diameter of your tires.

If you cannot find your Subaru Legacy User Guide, look for the sign on the door on the driver’s side indicating which tire size fits your car. A simple Internet search can also help you find the right tire size.

Know the type of tire

Now that you know the ideal tire size, you have to decide whether you want to buy all-season tires, ultra-high performance tires, all-season, and off-road tires or winter tires.

Comfort level

Just because a tire is of the desired size does not mean that it offers the desired comfort. The Subaru Legacy tire you choose should be tough enough for off-road use. The tire should also be properly inflated to ensure comfort when driving on paved or surfaced roads.

You can look at the reviews of portable tire inflators and buy the best ones to avoid problems with tire pressure. Also, make sure the tire you choose also optimizes the handling and braking performance of your Legacy.

Thorough research when buying online

If you want to buy tires online, you should order from one of the leading dealers with a good reputation. Find out about the experiences of previous customers with the online shop you want to buy from. Also, visit the websites with online reviews to find out what people say about the online shop.

If the feedback you receive gives you a good measure of confidence, you can buy tires through the online platform.

Tire manufacturer

Most tire manufacturers produce quality tires, but some do not. So make sure that the tire you want to buy is from a reputable manufacturer. Avoid unknown tire manufacturers; most of them tend to use inferior materials. You can never be wrong when you choose from our list of the best tires for Subaru Legacy. All are from the leading manufacturers.

Subaru Legacy models

1. First-generation (1989–1993) – BC, BF, BJ

Legacy Codes

• BC=89-94 Sedan
• BF=89-94 Wagon (raised roof)
• BJ=89-94 Wagon

2. Second generation (1993–1999) – BD, BG, BK

Legacy Codes

• BD=Sedan; North America 1995-1999, Japan 1993-1997
• BG=Step roof cars (high roof); North America 1995-1999, Japan 1993-1997
• BK=Standard roof car (only used in North America); North America 1995-1999

3. Third generation (1998–2004) – BE, BH, BT
4. Fourth generation (2003–2009) – BL, BP
5. Fifth-generation (2009–2014) – BM, BR
6. Sixth generation (2014–) – BN, BS
7. Seventh generation (2020–present) – BW, BT

Factory sizes of Subaru legacy tires

Here is our list of the best tires for Subaru Legacy which are suitable for all following tire sizes:

• 205/60R15
• 205/55R16
• 205/60R16
• 205/50R17
• 215/45R17
• 215/50R17
• 225/50R17
• 225/55R17
• 215/45R18
• 225/45R18
• 225/50R18

Each tire listed fits Legacy R, GT Limited, GT Spec B, I Limited, I Premium, R Limited, Sport and Special Edition models. Read more: Tires 205/60R16

Here is a close look at each of these tire types:

a) All-season Subaru outback tires

These are most popular because, as the name suggests, they can be used all year round. Subaru Legacy’s all-season tires are designed to provide modest grip and traction in both summer and winter seasons.

b) Ultra-high performance all-season tires

These tires are manufactured from the soft, grippy rubber compound and are available in H or V speed ratings. The tires offer excellent handling under various driving conditions and have innovative grooves that effectively channel the deep water. However, the rubber compound does not perform well on snowy surfaces.

c) All-season and all-terrain truck tires

Available in large sizes, these tires have an aggressive tread pattern which enhances off-road durability and traction.

d) Winter Subaru Legacy Tires

These tires are easily identified by a symbol with three peak snowflakes (3PMSF) on the sidewall of the tire. Winter tires are manufactured from a flexible rubber compound which enables exceptional performance in cold temperatures.

What does tire wear depend on?

What causes the tires to wear out too quickly? There are a number of answers, but in the following, we will list the four main reasons. They are improper air pressure, lack of rotation, incorrect wheel alignment, and worn suspension parts.

• Inappropriate air pressure

Incorrect air pressure leads to premature wear of your tires. Underinflated tires tend to show wear on the outer edges of the tread. Too much air pressure will cause wear in the center of the tread. Correct inflation pressure will help you achieve the mileage you expect from your tires.

•  Lack of tire rotation

If you do not rotate your tires in time, two of your tires may wear out faster than the other two. In a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the front end of your car is heavier than the rear end. Your front wheels are also the “drive wheels”, which means they pull the car down the road. In a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the rear tires are basically “free-rolling” tires. However, they do not wear as fast as the front tires, but since the rear tires are much lighter, they can suffer from “free-rolling wear”, i.e. they can get high and low spots (cupping) if they are not turned in time.

• Incorrect wheel alignment

Incorrect wheel alignment can be the worst offender causing premature tire wear. The term “wheel alignment” is in some ways a confusing concept. The actual alignment of your wheels is a mechanical adjustment on your vehicle that causes your wheels to be adjusted to roll smoothly on the road. A wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are parallel and perpendicular to the ground.

• Worn out suspension part

Worn suspension parts, including the front parts, as well as shock absorbers and suspension struts, can cause your tires to wear unevenly and too quickly. Loose or worn parts of the front wheel can cause your wheel alignment to fluctuate. Worn shock absorbers and suspension struts can cause your vehicle to literally “bounce” on the road. Continuous bouncing causes uneven tire wear, not to mention a rough ride.

Tire marking

• Tire width

The first number that appears in the sequence is “215”. This number is the nominal width of the tire (in millimeters) from one sidewall to the other.

• Aspect ratio

After the slash, the next number in the sequence is “65”. This number is the aspect ratio of the tire – essentially the height of the tire tread outward from the rim expressed as a percentage of the width of the tire.

• Construction

Next in our range of tire markings is a letter instead of a number. This letter indicates the type of construction used in the tire carcass, in our example “R” for radial construction. Other examples are “B” for bias-ply or “D” for diagonal construction.

• Diameter of the rim

The number “15” in our example stands for the diameter of the wheel rim in inches.

• Load capacity index

The number after the rim diameter represents the load index. In our example, “96” is a code for the maximum load a tire can carry at full inflation.

• Speed Index

As the last in our sequence, we come to the speed evaluation. Letters from A to Z stand for the speed rating. Each letter indicates the maximum speed a tire can withstand below its recommended load capacity.

What are the main tire characteristics?

• Composition

All rubber tires have a rubber and fabric composition that is molded to the size required for the various rim sizes of vehicles. In addition, chemicals are added to the rubber to improve its durability and performance. In addition, steel wires are incorporated into the tires near their inner edge to help them stay in contact with the metal rims.

• Bonding

Rubber tires with their flexible properties combine with the small irregularities in the surface of a road and provide higher friction, which helps the tires to improve road grip. This also improves handling, stability, and braking.

• Strength

Rubber is not only flexible but also very durable, especially when a tire has undergone the vulcanization process. Rubber tires are strong, maintain the air pressure required for their function and are resistant to punctures caused by objects such as sharp stones on the road.

• Wear and abrasion

Chemical processing in the manufacture of tires makes an already tough product even better. These chemicals make the tires more resistant to wear and tear. The chemicals also prevent the tires from melting from excessive heat or breaking in extreme cold. In addition, this treatment slows down the aging process of the rubber tires and makes them last longer than untreated tires.

• Steel belt

Steel belts are a common feature of many rubber tires and help to further improve handling and wear resistance; often they also improve gas mileage. In addition to steel, other materials such as rayon and glass fiber are also used in radial tires.