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Best Tires for Subaru Legacy

Buyer guide · 3 min read

Best Tires for Subaru Legacy

Published by Rims & Tires

Compiled & checked by the site's publisher from manufacturer, NHTSA & USTMA data · Updated 2026-07-24

The Subaru Legacy is one of the few mid-size sedans sold standard with full-time AWD. Subaru drivers expect genuine all-weather capability, not just marketing language — the right tire makes that AWD system meaningful. The wrong tire neutralizes it.

Common Subaru Legacy tire sizes

7th gen Legacy (2020-current): 225/55R17 (Base, Premium), 225/50R18 (Sport, Limited, Touring XT).

6th gen Legacy (2015-2019): 225/55R17 (2.5i, Premium), 225/50R18 (3.6R, 2.5i Limited).

The 225/55R17 is the most common Legacy size.

Best tires — all trims

Michelin CrossClimate2 in 225/55R17 or 225/50R18: the best choice for Legacy owners. 3PMSF all-weather capability matches the Legacy AWD design intent. Best-in-class wet grip, long tread life.

Continental PureContact LS: excellent wet and dry performance, available across Legacy sizes, lower rolling resistance than most all-weather options.

Bridgestone WeatherPeak in 225/55R17: 3PMSF all-weather at a lower price point than Michelin. Good choice for budget-conscious Legacy owners who want the rating without premium price.

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Legacy Sport and Touring — performance all-weather

Michelin CrossClimate2 in 225/50R18 also covers Sport and Touring XT trims — the size is widely available and the compound suits the sportier tuning.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+ in 225/50R18: for Sport owners who want a performance all-season with DWS tread-depth wear indicators rather than pure all-weather rating.

Choosing Legacy tires for West Georgia driving

The whole point of the Legacy is its standard all-wheel drive, and the tire is what makes that system actually mean something. For our wet winters and rainy stretches, an all-weather tire with the 3PMSF snowflake gives you real cold-and-wet grip without the summer wear penalty of a dedicated winter tire. That's the sweet spot for most West Georgia Legacy owners.

If you drive mostly dry highway miles and want the longest life, a quality touring all-season is fine, just don't drop to a bargain tire that undercuts the AWD's traction. Your trim sets the size, so check the door-jamb sticker or the list above, and because Subaru's system is picky about matched tread depth, lean on a local shop to spec a set that keeps all four even.

Best Tires for Subaru Legacy at a glance

TireSizeBest For
Michelin CrossClimate2225/55R17 or 225/50R18the best choice for Legacy owners. 3PMSF all-weather capability matches the Legacy AWD design intent. Best-in-class wet grip, long tread life.
Continental PureContact LSNot specifiedexcellent wet and dry performance, available across Legacy sizes, lower rolling resistance than most all-weather options.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak225/55R173PMSF all-weather at a lower price point than Michelin. Good choice for budget-conscious Legacy owners who want the rating without premium price.

Frequently asked

How much do Subaru Legacy tires cost?

225/55R17: $110–165 per tire. 225/50R18: $125–180 per tire. A set of four installed (225/55R17): $440–660.

Do I need to replace all four tires on my Legacy at once?

Usually, yes. Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive is sensitive to tread-depth differences between tires, and a big mismatch can strain the center differential over time. Replace all four together when they're worn, or keep the set within about 2/32 inch of each other if you replace in pairs. If one tire gets damaged early, a shop can sometimes shave a new one to match.

What's the difference between all-season and all-weather tires for a Legacy?

A standard all-season handles dry roads and light rain and lasts a long time, but its rubber stiffens when it gets cold. An all-weather tire carries the 3PMSF snowflake, meaning it keeps grip in cold and light snow, a better match for the Legacy's all-weather mission if you want one set for the whole year. For most West Georgia drivers, the all-weather is the smarter pick.

How do I know when my Legacy needs new tires?

Do the penny test across a few grooves and watch for wear bars flush with the tread, sidewall cracks, or a new vibration at speed. On an AWD car it's also worth checking that all four are wearing evenly. If you're unsure, most shops will inspect them for free and tell you where you stand.

Where can I get Legacy tires installed near me in West Georgia?

We match you with trusted independent shops around Carrollton and the wider West Georgia area for free. Because Subaru's AWD wants matched tires, it helps to use a shop that understands that and will set you up with an even, correctly sized set instead of whatever's cheapest on the rack.

Last updated 2026-07-24. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.

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