The Subaru Outback is one of the most tire-sensitive vehicles to service — the AWD system is particularly strict about tread depth matching across all four tires. Subaru recommends replacing all four tires at once. Here is what to buy and why.
Common Subaru Outback tire sizes
6th gen Outback (2020-current): 225/60R18 (Base, Premium, Sport), 225/55R18 (Limited, Touring), 235/65R17 (Wilderness).
5th gen Outback (2015-2019): 225/60R18 (2.5i), 245/45R20 (3.6R Limited and Touring).
The Outback Wilderness uses 235/65R17 on a raised suspension — a more capable size that invites A/T tire upgrades.
Best all-season tires — standard Outback
Michelin CrossClimate2: the top recommendation for Outback owners who want the best wet, dry, and light snow performance in one tire. Available in 225/60R18 and 225/55R18. The 3PMSF rating gives confidence for the light winter conditions the Outback often sees in West Georgia's occasional cold snaps.
Continental CrossContact LX25: strong wet performance and fuel efficiency — the Outback community frequently recommends this as an OEM Bridgestone replacement with improved wet grip.
Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack: the quietest option for Outback owners who prioritize cabin comfort. Strong wet performance.
Best tires — Outback Wilderness
The Outback Wilderness comes on 235/65R17 with Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 tires from the factory — a capable, Subaru-approved A/T choice.
Falken Wildpeak AT3W in 235/65R17: the most popular Wilderness upgrade. Better off-road traction and improved snow capability (3PMSF) compared to the OEM Yokohama, with only slight additional highway noise.
BF Goodrich KO2 in 235/65R17: maximum A/T capability for Wilderness owners doing serious trail and overland use.
Subaru AWD matching requirements
Subaru's symmetrical AWD requires all four tires to be within 1/4-inch (about 2/32") of tread depth across the set. Installing one or two new tires with significantly more tread depth than the remaining tires can cause the AWD system to work incorrectly and accelerate center differential wear.
Options when one tire needs replacement: (1) Replace all four — often the right call if the existing tires are over half-worn. (2) Tire shaving service — a shop shaves down the new tire to match existing tread depth, allowing a single-tire replacement without AWD stress. Cost: $50–75 for the shaving service.
Ask the tire shop before buying if a single replacement is necessary on an Outback. A good shop will measure all four tires before recommending the right approach.
Frequently asked
Do I really have to replace all 4 tires on my Subaru Outback?
Subaru strongly recommends it — and for good reason. The AWD system is sensitive to tread depth differences. In practice, if your existing tires are less than 2/32" different from a new tire, you may be okay with a single replacement. The tire shaving option ($50–75 per tire) is the practical middle ground when replacing all four is not financially viable.
What tires come on the Subaru Outback from the factory?
It varies by year and trim. Bridgestone Ecopia and Yokohama AVID GT are common OEM tires on standard Outbacks. The Outback Wilderness uses Yokohama Geolandar A/T. The Michelin CrossClimate2 and Continental CrossContact LX25 are the most popular upgrades over these OEM options.
How much do Subaru Outback tires cost?
Common sizes (225/60R18, 235/65R17) in quality all-season tires run $120–170 per tire. A set of four installed: $480–700. The Outback Wilderness in A/T tires runs $150–220 per tire.
Can I put all-terrain tires on a non-Wilderness Outback?
Yes — A/T tires are available in standard Outback sizes (225/60R18, 225/55R18). Many Outback owners make this swap for improved capability on gravel roads and light trails. The trade-off is more highway noise and slightly reduced fuel economy.
Keep reading
Last updated 2026-06-27. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.