Best Passenger All-Terrain Tires for Cars and Crossovers

The best passenger all-terrain tires add extra tread for dirt, gravel and light snow without moving to a full light truck tire. Of the three listings here, the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail (225/65R17) suits many crossovers, the Otani SA2100 (275/55R20 XL) suits large 20-inch SUVs, and the Forceum ATZ-R (185/70R14) is for small cars.

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Each tire is listed in one specific size, so the first step is to match the size on your door-jamb placard or in your owner manual.

Best passenger all-terrain tires at a glance

Category

Product

Why it made the list

🏆 Best For Crossovers (225/65R17)

Falken Wildpeak

225/65R17 102H, a common crossover size

🚙 Large 20-Inch SUVs (275/55R20)

Otani SA2100

275/55R20 117T XL for large 20-inch wheels

🚗 Small-Car Size (185/70R14)

Forceum ATZ

185/70R14 88 for small cars; not for pickups

How to choose passenger all-terrain tires

  • Size first: the three listings are 225/65R17, 275/55R20 and 185/70R14. Only buy the one that matches your placard.
  • Load index: never go below your vehicle requirement. For reference, load index 88 carries 1,235 lb per tire, 102 carries 1,874 lb and 117 carries 3,086 lb.
  • Snow: if you need severe-snow capability, look for the 3PMSF symbol on the sidewall of the exact size you buy.
  • Trade-offs: all-terrain tread usually adds road noise and may reduce fuel economy compared with touring tires.

Otani SA2100 (275/55R20 XL)

Listed as an all-terrain tire for Jeeps, light trucks and SUVs with an aggressive tread, self-cleaning grooves and a tough rubber compound. The listing is 275/55R20 117T XL, titled as a passenger tire.

Good fit if: your SUV or truck uses 275/55R20 wheels. Watch out: XL (extra load) tires need the correct inflation pressure, so check your placard. We found little independent information on this model.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Otani SA2100

Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail (225/65R17)

Listed as the Wildpeak A/T Trail, which balances off-road capability with on-road behavior. The listing is 225/65R17 102H.

Good fit if: you drive a compact or midsize crossover on 17-inch wheels and want light off-road capability. Watch out: confirm the 3PMSF marking on the sidewall if you need snow capability.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail

Forceum ATZ-R A/T (185/70R14, small cars)

Listed as an ATZ-R all-terrain passenger car tire. The listing is 185/70R14, a small-car size, even though the original description called it a pickup and SUV tire.

Good fit if: you drive a small car on 14-inch wheels and want some extra tread for gravel roads. Not a fit for: pickups and most SUVs, which need larger sizes. The listing is for a small-car tire.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Forceum ATZ-R

Listed sizes and load index

Product Image Listed size Load index Best for
Otani SA2100 Otani SA2100 passenger all-terrain tire 275/55R20 117T XL 117 (3,086 lb) Large 20-inch SUVs
Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail, one of the best passenger all-terrain tires listed 225/65R17 102H 102 (1,874 lb) Crossovers
Forceum ATZ-R Forceum ATZ-R passenger all-terrain tire 185/70R14 88 (1,235 lb) Small cars

Before you order

Passenger all-terrain tire FAQ

Are all-terrain tires right for my vehicle?

They suit many crossovers, SUVs and light trucks if you drive on gravel, dirt or in light snow as well as pavement. Match the size, load index and speed rating to your placard before you buy.

How do all-terrain tires perform on road and off?

They usually grip better on loose surfaces thanks to deeper, self-cleaning grooves. On pavement they can feel firmer and louder than touring tires, and they do not replace dedicated winter tires on ice or deep snow.

Are passenger all-terrain tires good in snow?

Some are, but it depends on the exact tire. Look for the 3PMSF symbol on the sidewall of your size. For regular ice or deep snow, winter tires are the safer choice.

Can I put all-terrain tires on a regular car?

Often yes if the size matches your placard, but expect some added noise and possibly lower fuel economy. Never choose a size or load index below what your vehicle requires.

How should I maintain all-terrain tires?

Keep pressure at the level on your placard, rotate on schedule and check balance and alignment. After off-road trips, remove stones from the tread and inspect sidewalls for cuts or bulges.

Wrapping up

For most crossover owners, the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail in 225/65R17 is the one to compare first. If your SUV uses 275/55R20, look at the Otani SA2100, and the Forceum ATZ-R only makes sense for small cars in 185/70R14. Whichever you choose, confirm size and load index on the listing.

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About the Author

Brian Keller founded Backpack-and-Gear to make gear shopping less of a guessing game. He sets the site’s editorial standards, decides which categories get covered, and edits buying guides before they go live. His own writing leans toward packs, travel kit, and the trade-offs between budget and mid-range gear.

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