The maintenance and longevity of a vehicle have much to do with the rubber it rolls on. You’ve been checking your tires, and have noticed the tread getting lower and lower. It’s time to start shopping for new tires. If you drive a crossover, you have probably already noticed that the selection of compatible tires is overwhelming. Which ones are the best for your specific vehicle? Can you put SUV tires on a crossover?

Crossovers have a lot in common with the popular SUV. They are highly capable, often boast all-wheel or four-wheel drive options, and are larger than many other cars on the road. But are they as similar when it comes to the tires with which they achieve the best performance?

How should you choose new tires for a crossover?

Deciding on the perfect tire for your crossover means choosing a tire that fits your specific model and lifestyle. Somone in a Mercedes GLC that mostly drives on city streets is going to end up with a completely different set of tires than the driver of Jeep Cherokee that frequents mountain roads in snowy conditions.

On either end of the spectrum, the question is likely to arise. Is it ok to put SUV tires on a crossover? To answer this question let’s first go through a couple of the differences between the two vehicles.

What are some differences between crossovers and SUVs?

The body-on-frame concept of an SUV sets it apart from a crossover’s unibody design by lending it a heavier and more rugged build. The size and weight of a vehicle impact the type of tires it needs, so this basic difference can be a deciding factor for whether or not you can put SUV tires on your crossover.

SUVs are more commonly used for heavy-duty challenges like towing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that crossovers aren’t purposed for work like that, too. So it’s not exactly about the difference between the two vehicles. The choice you make for your new set of tires depends entirely upon a few distinct factors.

Should you put SUV tires on a crossover?

Due to its lighter design, the crossover can drive on a pretty extreme variety of tires from on-road car tires to truck/SUV tires. It is important to be sure that, whatever your choice may be, the tires are compatible with the recommended size and speed rating for your crossover’s specific model. Compatibility issues with your crossover’s specifications could cause hiccups with warranty claims if you damage your new tires, among the other problems that wrongly-sized or inappropriate tire choices can contribute to.

So, if you plan to use your crossover for towing a small boat or camper, certain SUV tires may be extremely beneficial. In addition, a set of all-terrain SUV tires could be a game-changer if you plan to go off-roading in your crossover.

Check your specs and know your facts. As long as they are a good fit, the options are endless when it comes to the tires on your crossover. If your crossover is on the rugged side, SUV tires are an option.