Best Tires for the Ford Maverick

The Ford Maverick pickup is Ford’s biggest hit in a long time. Introduced as a 2021 model year truck, the Maverick is still relatively unchanged heading into its fourth model year. Ford kept the wheel and tire options for the Maverick pretty simple. There are just two size wheels. The first is an 18-inch wheel fitted to certain Lariat models. The second wheel is a 17-inch fitted to a wide range of trims and is also included as part of certain packages.

Car Talk's Top Tire Picks for the Ford Maverick

• Best Overall Tire: Falken ZIEX CT60 A/S »

• Best All-Season Touring Tire: Michelin CrossClimate2 »

• Best 4-Season Tire For Light Off-Roading: Falken WildPeak A/T Trail »

• Best 4-Season All-Terrain Tire: Falken WildPeak A/T3W and Toyo Open Country A/T III »

• Best Tire For Fuel Economy: Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max »

• Best Dedicated Winter Tire: Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 »

Onto these two wheels, Ford fitted two primary tire sizes, with an optional third tire on select trims with certain option packages. Here are the tire sizes Ford selected:

• 225/65R17
• 225/60R18
• 235/65R17

The first step in buying replacement tires for your Maverick is to determine which tire size you presently have. The size can be found on the sidewall of your tire. Once you know the size you have, you can select a replacement tire by purchasing the same tire your truck came with (OEM tire). Or you can choose a tire that will change some of the characteristics of the truck’s ride and handling. Many tires also offer longer treadwear or better traction in certain situations than the OEM tire Ford went with.

In our listings below, we have selected tires that score highly on owner reviews, tires that we have tested ourselves, and, in some cases, a tire that is new to the market and worthy of consideration. Not all tire models are available in all sizes, so in some of the categories, we have made more than one selection. As always, whenever you buy tires, ask your retailer to verify the size is right for your vehicle.

Best Tires for the Ford Maverick

Falken Ziex CT60 A/S - Best overall budget tire for on-road use

If you are not an off-road driver, the Falken Ziex CT60 A/S is a grand touring tire that has been designed specifically for utility vehicles. This tire offers a smooth and quiet ride, and in our testing, the CT60 A/S all-season tire proved to be excellent in every category short of severe winter weather. This tire is roughly 30% less expensive than some popular tires that offer the same qualities.

• Smooth, quiet ride
• 65K treadwear warranty
• All-season
• Designed specifically for utility vehicles

See prices on Falken Ziex CT60 A/S from Discount Tire, Amazon and SimpleTire.

Falken WildPeak A/T Trail - Best 4-season tire for occasional light off-roading

If you bought a Maverick pickup from Ford instead of a crossover or car, we suspect you may want to go beyond the end of the pavement occasionally. However, you may not be an extreme mud-whomper planning to do extractions of stuck Tacomas on a regular basis. If you occasionally enjoy exploring places past the pavement’s end, check out the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail tire. This tire has the foundation of an all-season touring tire, but Falken beefed up the sidewall and tread. This hybrid tire is outstanding on dirt roads, overlanding trails, and public space access roads. This tire earns the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, denoting severe snow duty. We tested this tire for two years and found it provided the perfect balance for those who don't really need an all-terrain tire.

• Severe snow duty rated
• 65K treadwear warranty
• Tested and approved by Car Talk
• 4-season capability

See prices on the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail from Discount Tire, Amazon and SimpleTire.

Falken and Toyo - Best 4-season all-terrain tires for off-roading

The all-terrain tire segment is evolving at a fast pace. While you can still buy mud-oriented and extreme off-road tires, manufacturers are now producing excellent off-road capable tires that are very livable on highways and back roads. People who own vehicles such as the Maverick pickup are often very brand loyal about off-road tires, so we won't say that one is truly the best for all owners, but we do have a favorite. We also have a note to share about a change to a popular choice.

Falken WildPeak A/T3W and new 4W

The Maverick has an option for a slightly wider tire from Falken. The WildPeak A/T3W is a great choice for those who plan off-road adventures on a regular basis. This tire can be aired down, has earned the 3PMSF severe snow duty rating, features a deeply-lugged tread, and has a rugged reinforced sidewall. This tire also works great on the off-road trims of the Maverick in all on-road scenarios. We’ve tested the WildPeak A/T3W for many months in all seasons. So, why isn’t it the slam-dunk best choice for off-roading? There are two main reasons.

Shoppers can still get this tire as an upgrade on 2024 Maverick pickups, but in the aftermarket world, it is being replaced by the WildPeak A/T4W. The new tire seems to be even better, but it is more of a new design than a small update to the 3W. It is different enough that we would think twice about replacing a single 3W with a 4W if one tire was damaged. Since it is brand new, our recommendation comes with the disclosure that only future testing will prove its value to owners. Early reviews are very positive, but we make recommendations based on what we know, not what we predict. So, the WildPeak A/T4W is one of our top picks, but readers need to be aware it is a new tire with limited time in the market. Here are the features of the new A/T4W.

• Great for most off-road adventures
• 3PMSF severe snow duty rating
• Should do well on-road (3W was very good)
• 65K treadwear warranty (3W was 55K)

See prices on the Falken WildPeak A/T3W from Discount Tire, Amazon and SimpleTire.

See prices on the Falken WildPeak A/T4W from Discount Tire, Amazon and SimpleTire.

Toyo Open Country A/T III

Another choice many owners will find an easy one is the Toyo Open Country A/T III. This tire is similar to the Falken WildPeak A/T3W, and it has earned positive reviews from owners. The treadwear warranty is a solid 65K miles. The Open Country A/T III has earned the 3PMSF symbol, denoting suitability for severe snow duty. This tire is available in the 235/60R17 size that matches the largest tire size Ford fits straight from the factory.

• Positive reviews
• 65K treadwear warranty
• Severe snow duty rated

See prices on the Toyo Open Country A/T III from Discount Tire, Amazon and SimpleTire.

Michelin - Best all-season touring tires for sporty on-road driving

If your Maverick is a daily driver for you and you rarely, if ever, venture off pavement, we would suggest a touring all-season tire as the best option for your needs. In this tire segment, Michelin has earned a great reputation. There are three Michelin tires we would recommend, and each has earned very high scores on owner reviews.

Michelin Defender2

The Defender2 is a touring tire that offers a balance of a smooth, quiet ride and great handling in all weather short of a blizzard. In our testing, this tire impressed us in all conditions but did particularly well on wet, sloppy, slushy roads. The Defender2 is notable for its extended 80K mile treadwear warranty.

• Great handling
• Very good in wet weather and mixed precipitation
• Long 80K treadwear warranty
• Moderate to premium pricing

See prices on the Michelin Defender2 from Discount Tire, Amazon and TireRack.

Michelin Primacy A/S

The Primacy A/S is also a very good touring tire but comes with a shorter 55K treadwear warranty. Your choice between these two may be dictated by size and availability.

• Great handling
• Quiet and smooth
• 55K treadwear warranty
• Premium-priced

See prices on the Michelin Primacy A/S from Discount Tire, Amazon and TireRack.

Michelin CrossClimate2

If you drive primarily on pavement but need a tire that can handle moderate winter snow, we suggest the Michelin CrossClimate2. This tire offers four-season usability without any bad habits. The CrossClimate2 now sets the bar in areas that see harsh winters. Car Talk tested the CrossClimate2 for over three years. It proved remarkably good in winter and came close to being as good as a grand touring tire in milder weather. If you are looking for a more affordable choice, the all-new Falken Aklimate is getting attention with a lower price point and similar performance.

• Excellent in all weather conditions short of an ice storm
• Moderate noise levels (similar to all-season tires)
• Good overall performance
• 60K treadwear warranty

See prices on the Michelin CrossClimate2 from Discount Tire, Amazon and TireRack.

Best all-season tires for maximizing fuel economy

If you own a hybrid Ford Maverick and are looking for an all-season tire that will provide the best MPG, there are tires that fit the bill. One problem is that there are few choices in the Maverick’s tire sizes. We like the Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max. It is available in the 17-inch tire sizes the Maverick may wear. If you cannot find a dedicated low-rolling-resistance tire for your Maverick, opt for an all-season touring tire and avoid all-terrain tires, which tend to be heavier and have tread patterns optimized for other goals.

• Designed for the best possible mileage
• All-season

See prices on the Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max from Discount Tire, Amazon and SimpleTire.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 - Best dedicated winter tire without studs

Our pick for the few owners who want to own winter-specific tires they swap on and off twice per year is the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. All dedicated winter tires work well, but availability in a given size may vary. If you cannot find a Blizzak to fit your Maverick, ask your local retailer for suggestions. Our tip is to use the narrower 225 sizing since extra width is not a plus in winter.

• Long-running model with a history of value
• Likely a 3 or 4-season durability
• Widely available
• Affordable

See prices on the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 from Discount Tire, Amazon and SimpleTire.

Best dedicated tires for winter with studs

For owners who want to use studded snow tires, we suggest checking out the Cooper Evolution Winter and the General Altimax Arctic 12. Our research revealed very few options in the sizes for the Maverick. We suggest shopping in the fall to ensure availability.

Original equipment Ford Maverick tires

Ford fits tire models from Michelin, Continental, Falken, and other brands to the Maverick. These fitments change over time as suppliers earn contracts in a bidding process.

Top replacement tire brands for the Ford Maverick

There are many great tire brands available to Maverick owners. The Falken brand has gained a lot of traction as of late with its Ziex and WildPeak lines. Michelin has always been a popular tire brand for almost any vehicle. Cooper, Goodyear, and Bridgestone are also brands many tire shoppers gravitate to.

When should you replace tires?

Aside from replacement due to unrepairable punctures or sidewall damage, tires should be replaced based on three main factors. The first is treadwear. Each tire design is different, so the penny trick is not really a good way to judge if a tire is ready for replacement. We like to look at the treadwear indicators. Every tire has them. A tire tread gauge is also a handy tool. Your mechanic has one in his shirt pocket and can tell you precisely how much tread remains. Always use the lowest tread depth across the width of the tire as your guide.

Wear and tear are also reasons to replace a tire. If your tire has nicks and tears or bubbles and bulges in the sidewall, replace them. If the tires cannot be properly balanced, it is an indication of internal damage requiring replacement. If the tires have worn improperly, align the vehicle and replace the tires.

Age is the last reason. Tires can be damaged by UV rays, heat, salt, and time. Follow your tire manufacturer’s guidelines for how long a tire can be in service in low mileage conditions. After five years in service, you are on borrowed time since the tires may not have been newly manufactured when they were mounted. Your mechanic can check the date codes if you see any small cracks appearing on the sidewall or in any part of the tread area.

Why not replace with original equipment tires?

Many vehicle owners find themselves unhappy with the OEM tires that come with their vehicles, which are often chosen based on fuel economy and price. Falken’s WildPeak A/T3W is a tire upgrade package on some Maverick trims, and many owners find them to be well-suited to the Maverick.

Changing Ford Maverick tire sizes

Since the Maverick is a utility vehicle, many owners want to “upgrade” the tires to be bigger. The idea is that the bigger tires are somehow better for off-roading. For some owners, it is simply vanity. They like the look of bigger tires on a truck. To each her own.

If you have a Maverick that comes equipped with the 18” wheel and the 60-series tires, one easy way to move up in overall size is to get the 17” wheels and the tires with the slightly taller sidewall and the 235mm width. If you do so, you can be assured they will fit on your vehicle since Ford already offers that size on other trims. If you wish to go bigger than that, consult with your fellow owners on Facebook clubs to see what has worked for them. We can’t suggest changing the wheel and tire sizes since we don’t know if it is safe and if your speedometer will still be calibrated correctly. The 235/60R17 tire size is a lot of tire for the small Maverick. We know it sounds weird to have an 18-inch tire be smaller than a 17-inch, but remember, that number is the rim diameter. The added sidewall of the tire can make the 17-inch tire bigger than the 18-inch.

Many owners of trucks feel the need to add more off-road capability. One way they think this will be accomplished is to lift the vehicle's suspension a bit to add ground clearance and also help to accommodate larger tires. Ford can help here. The FX4 and Tremor packages are intended to scratch this itch. However, we know some owners will want to go larger and more extreme than even that. So Ford makes the body-on-frame Ranger model, which has more of all those things.

Owners who wish to lift their Maverick and equip it with larger tires will need to check on fitment, but the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 tire series and the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure With Kevlar tire lines are popular among off-road enthusiasts.

If you have a Maverick with the 17” tire and wheel setup and want your Bronco Sport to handle better on twisty paved roads, you could go the other way and move to the 18-inch setup with a lower profile sidewall. This may sharpen the handling a bit, particularly if you take off all-terrain tires and put on touring tires. Ford has made things very easy for owners of the Maverick to adjust wheel and tire sizes two ways to achieve different outcomes.

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