The Subaru Outback occupies a unique space — it’s a wagon that thinks it’s an SUV, with standard all-wheel drive and enough ground clearance to handle moderate trails. That dual personality means tire choice matters more than on most vehicles. Pick the wrong tire and you either sacrifice the Outback’s off-pavement capability or make it louder than it needs to be on the highway.
Subaru Outback Tire Sizes by Generation
Subaru has gradually upsized the Outback’s wheels over the years. Here’s what each generation runs:
| Generation | Years | Tire Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Gen | 2025+ | 225/65R17 (Base, Premium) · 225/60R18 (Limited, Touring, Onyx, Wilderness) |
| 6th Gen | 2020–2024 | 225/65R17 (Base, Premium) · 225/60R18 (Limited, Touring, Onyx) · 225/60R18 A/T (Wilderness) |
| 5th Gen | 2015–2019 | 225/65R17 (2.5i) · 225/60R18 (3.6R, Touring) |
| 4th Gen | 2010–2014 | 225/65R17 (all trims) · 225/60R18 (3.6R Limited) |
The Outback Wilderness is the outlier — it comes with Yokohama Geolandar A/T tires from the factory, which are genuine all-terrain tires rather than the all-season rubber on every other trim. If you have a Wilderness, keep that in mind when shopping for replacements; going back to a standard all-season tire will noticeably reduce the truck’s off-road grip.
Top 5 All-Season Tires for the Outback
The Outback’s symmetrical AWD system works best when all four tires match closely in tread depth. Subaru recommends that tire circumference variation between tires stay within 1/4 inch — replace all four at once whenever possible to protect the AWD drivetrain.
1. Michelin CrossClimate 2
The CrossClimate 2 is an all-weather tire (not just all-season) that carries the 3PMSF snowflake symbol for severe winter conditions. For Outback owners who drive through real winters but don’t want the hassle of seasonal tire swaps, this is the standout choice. It handles snow and ice far better than a standard all-season while delivering excellent dry and wet performance.
The compound stays flexible at temperatures well below freezing, and the V-shaped tread pattern aggressively channels water and slush. On dry pavement, it handles crisply enough that you won’t miss a traditional touring tire. Tread life is solid at 60,000 miles, though not quite as long as a dedicated touring tire like the Defender.
Available in: 225/65R17, 225/60R18
3PMSF rated: Yes
Warranty: 60,000 miles
Price range: $175–$210 per tire
2. Continental CrossContact LX25
Continental’s LX25 is a premium touring tire that excels in the areas Outback owners care about most: ride comfort, road noise, and wet traction. The EcoPlus Technology helps with fuel efficiency — relevant since the Outback’s AWD system already adds rolling resistance compared to FWD competitors.
The LX25 handles confidently on wet roads and provides a noticeably quieter ride than the OEM tires on most Outback trims. It doesn’t have the winter capability of the CrossClimate 2, but for Outback owners in moderate climates where snow is occasional rather than constant, the LX25 offers a better overall daily driving experience.
Available in: 225/65R17, 225/60R18
UTQG: 740 A A
Warranty: 70,000 miles
Price range: $160–$195 per tire
3. Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra
The Alenza AS Ultra targets crossover and SUV owners who want premium ride quality with genuine winter capability. It carries the 3PMSF symbol and boasts an 80,000-mile warranty — one of the longest in the crossover tire category. For high-mileage Outback owners, this means fewer tire replacements over the life of the vehicle.
The NanoPro-Tech compound also helps with fuel efficiency, which matters on the Outback’s flat-four engine. It’s a heavier tire than some competitors, so it won’t give you the lightest steering feel, but the trade-off is durability and confidence in mixed conditions.
Available in: 225/65R17, 225/60R18
3PMSF rated: Yes
Warranty: 80,000 miles
Price range: $175–$215 per tire
4. Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail
Here’s the pick for Outback owners who actually use the ground clearance. The Wildpeak A/T Trail is designed specifically for crossovers and wagons — lighter and quieter than a truck-focused all-terrain like the A/T4W, but with genuine off-road tread design. The 3PMSF rating means it handles snow competently too.
Wilderness owners replacing their OEM Yokohamas often choose the Falken as an upgrade — it provides similar off-road grip with a longer tread life and less road noise. The trade-off versus a touring tire is about 1-2 MPG and a slightly more noticeable tread hum above 60 mph.
Available in: 225/65R17, 225/60R18
3PMSF rated: Yes
Warranty: 65,000 miles
Price range: $150–$185 per tire
5. Kumho Crugen HP71
The budget pick. Kumho’s Crugen HP71 delivers surprisingly good performance for its price — comfortable ride, decent wet traction, and lower road noise than you’d expect in this price range. For Outback owners who need four tires now and can’t justify $800+ for premium rubber, the Kumho gets the job done respectably.
Tread life won’t match the Bridgestone or Continental, but at roughly 60% of the price, the cost-per-mile is comparable. It doesn’t carry a winter rating, so it’s best suited for moderate climates.
Available in: 225/65R17, 225/60R18
UTQG: 540 A A
Warranty: 65,000 miles
Price range: $115–$145 per tire
Subaru AWD and Tire Matching: Why It Matters
Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system is more sensitive to tire mismatch than most AWD setups. The center differential constantly distributes torque between front and rear axles, and it relies on all four tires having nearly identical rolling circumference. When tires differ in size (even from uneven wear), the AWD system works harder to compensate, which can damage the center differential over time.
Subaru’s official recommendation: tire circumference must not vary more than 1/4 inch between any two tires on the vehicle. In practice, this means replacing all four tires at once, buying the exact same brand/model/size for all four positions, and rotating every 5,000-7,500 miles. Some tire shops offer “tire shaving” to match a new replacement tire to the remaining three, but this only works if the existing tires have at least 7/32″ of tread remaining.
Winter Tire Options
Despite having AWD, the Outback benefits enormously from dedicated winter tires. AWD helps you accelerate in snow, but it doesn’t help you stop or turn — that’s entirely down to tire grip. The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 (225/65R17) and Michelin X-Ice Snow are the top choices, with the Michelin lasting longer across multiple seasons and the Bridgestone providing slightly better ice grip in its first two seasons.
Many Outback owners keep a dedicated set of 17-inch steel wheels with winter tires mounted, which makes seasonal swaps quick and protects the alloy wheels from road salt damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tires come stock on the Subaru Outback?
Most Outback trims come with Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport or Yokohama Avid GT all-season tires. The Wilderness trim gets Yokohama Geolandar A/T all-terrain tires. Size is either 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 depending on trim level.
Can I mix tire brands on my Outback?
Subaru strongly advises against it. The symmetrical AWD system requires all four tires to have matching circumference within 1/4 inch. Mixing brands, even in the same size, risks enough variation to stress the center differential. Always run four matching tires.
Should I get all-terrain tires for my Outback?
Only if you regularly drive on unpaved roads. The Outback has 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.5 on Wilderness), which handles light trails on all-season tires. True all-terrain tires like the Falken A/T Trail make sense for Wilderness owners or anyone who frequently drives on gravel, dirt, or snowy mountain roads. For primarily paved driving, an all-weather tire like the Michelin CrossClimate 2 gives you winter capability without the noise penalty.
How many miles do Outback tires last?
OEM tires typically last 35,000-45,000 miles. Aftermarket touring tires like the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra (80,000-mile warranty) or Continental LX25 (70,000-mile warranty) significantly outlast OEM rubber. Regular rotation every 5,000 miles is essential for even wear with the AWD system.
