Any better tire option (in same price range) for a 2019 Highlander Hybrid AWD-i

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Jul 7, 2021
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Size: 245/60R18

Was thinking of going with: Kumho Crugen HT51

Climate: middle of Wyoming.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations / feedback.
 
Based on TireRack's review below from Aug-2021, Kumho Crugen HP71 is in my top 3 for my next set for our '16 Highlander AWD.

What We Liked: It's nice on the road, steering feels good when hustled.
What We'd Improve: We'd like a small bump in wet traction and less tread noise.
Conclusion: A nicely-balanced option.

For $40 less per set of 4, there is the General Grabber HTS 60 with this review from Oct-2015.

What We Liked: Good wet traction and stable handling during abrupt maneuvers plus good snow traction
What We’d Improve: Soften the ride just a little
Conclusion: A solid performer that delivers good grip in wet and snowy conditions

Neither are low rolling resistance tires if that matters to you.
 
Size: 245/60R18

Was thinking of going with: Kumho Crugen HT51

Climate: middle of Wyoming.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations / feedback.
Michelin CrossClimate2
Bridgestone WeatherPeak

For all year round use in WY, that would be only acceptable to me.
Mybe try General 365.

As for Kumho, they are IMO third tier tire brand. The last time I had it, Ecsta Platinum LX; praying worked better than brakes in wet. By 14k, 3 out of 4 were out of balance.
 
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I'd stay away from Kumho, sometime around the 2000s my brother used to own a shop and was getting mounted tire/wheel combo packages from DTD and reselling them to his customers but the ones that were Kumho Ectsa were defective and overtime developed a buldge in the sidewall. I believe in the end they made it right but it really put him in a predicament because he had to deal with both the customer and them. I'd have to ask if they ended up just replacing the one tire or the whole set because I know even if one tire was defective I'd want them all replaced.

Me personally I'd get something that has a namebrand attatched to it especially as of late the market has been flooded with imported tires that have issues. I rue the day that DT purchased TR.
 
I'd stay away from Kumho, sometime around the 2000s my brother used to own a shop and was getting mounted tire/wheel combo packages from DTD and reselling them to his customers but the ones that were Kumho Ectsa were defective and overtime developed a buldge in the sidewall. I believe in the end they made it right but it really put him in a predicament because he had to deal with both the customer and them. I'd have to ask if they ended up just replacing the one tire or the whole set because I know even if one tire was defective I'd want them all replaced.

Me personally I'd get something that has a namebrand attatched to it especially as of late the market has been flooded with imported tires that have issues. I rue the day that DT purchased TR.
They are not bad tires.You are talking about a certain batch of tires I presume? They have over 8,000 employees and several manufacturing facilities. Some in the U.S. Have also been OEM tires on Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, and even Mercedes-among others.

There has been in the past fiasco's with both Goodyear and Firestone in the past. Should we not buy those? You are citing an example from 25 years ago-I mean really....
 
Size: 245/60R18

Was thinking of going with: Kumho Crugen HT51

Climate: middle of Wyoming.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations / feedback.
The Crugen HT51 is Kumho's blatant clone of Michelin's Defender 2 all-season tire at 3/4's the price. I have them on a Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger and Honda Element because they have excellent on-pavement traction, wet or dry. In addition, the tire is very quiet and comfortable (i.e., soft riding) as a daily commuter. The only characteristic that is below the Michelin Defender 2's is the handling is a bit less responsive due to softer sidewalls.

Although the Crugen HT51 is rated as 3PMSF, for your climate in Wyoming, you might want to consider a slightly more aggressive tread found in an all-weather tire like the Michelin Cross-Climate 2's. While it snowed a bit the past 2 days here, we seldom get much more than a couple of inches in Virginia.
 
The Crugen HT51 is Kumho's blatant clone of Michelin's Defender 2 all-season tire at 3/4's the price. I have them on a Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger and Honda Element because they have excellent on-pavement traction, wet or dry. In addition, the tire is very quiet and comfortable (i.e., soft riding) as a daily commuter. The only characteristic that is below the Michelin Defender 2's is the handling is a bit less responsive due to softer sidewalls.

Although the Crugen HT51 is rated as 3PMSF, for your climate in Wyoming, you might want to consider a slightly more aggressive tread found in an all-weather tire like the Michelin Cross-Climate 2's. While it snowed a bit the past 2 days here, we seldom get much more than a couple of inches in Virginia.
The difference is much bigger:
1. Michelin will be lighter tire. Generally they are lightest of all tires in same size.
2. Michelin keeps initial performance longest of all tires. Generally, key performance aspect of top tier brands is retention of performance (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, some GY).
 
The difference is much bigger:
1. Michelin will be lighter tire. Generally they are lightest of all tires in same size.
2. Michelin keeps initial performance longest of all tires. Generally, key performance aspect of top tier brands is retention of performance (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, some GY).
According to the Tire Rack/Discount Tire websites, the following weights are shown for the OP's 245/60-R18 size (both SL rated):

Michelin Defender 2: 32.39 lbs.

Kumho Crugen HT51: 32.00 lbs.

Virtually identical for all intents and purposes.
 
They are not bad tires.You are talking about a certain batch of tires I presume? They have over 8,000 employees and several manufacturing facilities. Some in the U.S. Have also been OEM tires on Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, and even Mercedes-among others.

There has been in the past fiasco's with both Goodyear and Firestone in the past. Should we not buy those? You are citing an example from 25 years ago-I mean really....
To each their own but the whole deal with Firestone was mostly Ford was recommending a lower tire pressure to help keep the vehicles from rolling over, Firestone designed their tires to run at a certain pressure and they were deviating from that. But practically all tire manufacturers have had issues over the years even ones domestically produced. For the most part OEM tires are not really the best, they typically bid that out and go with the lowest option, the car makers just want to get you through the warranty period.
 
To each their own but the whole deal with Firestone was mostly Ford was recommending a lower tire pressure to help keep the vehicles from rolling over, Firestone designed their tires to run at a certain pressure and they were deviating from that. But practically all tire manufacturers have had issues over the years even ones domestically produced. For the most part OEM tires are not really the best, they typically bid that out and go with the lowest option, the car makers just want to get you through the warranty period.
Bottom line-to say you are going to have problems with anything based on a 20 year old observation is nonsensical.
 
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