Top 10 Best Tires for Ford Focus: What are the Options?

“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”

Since its inception, the Ford Focus has established itself as one of the best compact cars on the market. Apart from the second generation in North America, which didn’t win over many buyers with the styling. Still, each Focus provides its owner with a high-quality driving experience, especially considering the low price.

And, if you ever drove a Focus before, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Ford’s compact car feels very direct and responsive behind the steering wheel, almost like a sports car. Moreover, it drives well through the corners and feels very stable on the highway. Even so, Ford managed to make it comfortable over bumps and very quiet. And, with new Ford Focus tires, you can improve the driving experience even more.

The thing is, the tire market is flooded with various tires. Not only you need to choose between a plethora of tire makers, but there are also various tire types. To be more precise, you can find touring, grand-touring, and high-performance for your Ford Focus. Lots of them.

And, I’ve seen many people decide on the wrong type of tires. Sure, purchasing high-performance summer tires might be tempting – the Focus feels sporty behind the wheel after all. However, that brings other issues, primarily a much shorter treadlife and worse comfort. Moreover, summer tires won’t work in the winter. Then again, all-season tires offer lower levels of grip and traction on dry and wet roads.

What I want to say is that there is no perfect tire. You will always make some compromises, even with a set of premium tires. That’s why it’s always good if you set your expectations right. More importantly, you might need to set your priorities when buying new Ford Focus tires.

Fortunately, you arrived just in the right place to find the best Ford Focus tires. I prepared a list of the best products in each category, making a choice much easier. More accurately, I divided the list into grand-touring, passenger, high-performance, and winter tires.

Even though the list contains various types, each tire must be completely safe to drive in the conditions it was intended. Moreover, each tire lasts for a long time, even though I sometimes might suggest that the treadwear warranty is lower. I say that compared to other tires on the list, not as an absolute fact.

But enough of the small talk. Let’s jump onto more important things and see which tires are best suited for the Ford Focus.

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

Top 10 Best Tires for Ford Focus Available in 2024

1. Continental PureContact LS

Best Grand-Touring All-Season Tires for Ford Focus

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

Continental just refreshed its grand-touring all-season offering and boy; they have a winner with the PureContact LS. Overall, this is the most accomplished tire in the category – there is almost no fault with it. More accurately, I couldn’t find one. 

The area where this tire impresses the most is surely in wet conditions. I’ve never experienced an all-season tire that feels this safe and planted when it rains. The traction is excellent, and the hydroplaning resistance is top-notch. On top of that, the braking distances on wet surfaces are very short.

The PureContact LS impresses on snowy surfaces as well. Sure, it won’t replace a proper winter tire, but it still beats most competitors with better traction and braking. Furthermore, the PureContact LS is among the best grand-touring tires on dry roads. It’s responsive enough and offers an excellent cornering grip.

And, if all those things weren’t enough to convince you, let me tell you that the tire is very quiet and comfortable as well. And that Continental provides a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Pros

  • Outstanding handling and braking in the rain
  • Excellent cornering grip on dry surfaces
  • Smooth ride over bumps
  • Quiet on the highway
  • Very good over light snow
  • Continental provides a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty

Cons

  • No real disadvantages

2. Michelin Premier A/S

Best Grand-Touring All-Season Tires for Ford Focus

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

The Premier A/S is the most appealing grand-touring all-season tire for drivers that want a more Focus-ed experience (pun intended). Sure, it won’t replace a proper high-performance tire, but as far as normal tires go, it’s the best out there. 

Michelin’s new grand-touring offering impresses from the get-go. The tire is very responsive and provides a lot of feel through the steering wheel. Moreover, the cornering grip is impressive for an all-season tread compound, and the traction is excellent as well.

The Premier A/S continues to impress in the rain. The traction is excellent, among the best in the category, while the braking distances are the shortest. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent. Oh, and it keeps getting better for the Premier A/S. Thanks to the EverTread design, the tire continues to work great over wet surfaces, even when the tread is worn down.

With that said, while the Premier A/S is also quiet and comfortable, I would’ve liked to see a longer treadwear warranty. Michelin only provides a warranty of 60,000-miles, which is much lower than the main competition. Oh, and the price is also pretty high.

Pros

  • Shortest braking distances on wet and dry surfaces of any grand-touring tire
  • Excellent cornering grip and traction on dry roads
  • Very responsive and direct steering feel
  • Smooth ride and well-suppressed road noise
  • Thanks to EverTread Technology, the tire keeps its wet traction for longer

Cons

  • The treadwear warranty is short“ish” for the price
  • Very expensive

3. Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack

Best Grand-Touring All-Season Tires for Ford Focus

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire!
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

The Turanza QuietTrack rectifies the main issue of the Premier A/S – the warranty. Bridgestone provides an 80,000-miles treadwear warranty, impressive for a grand-touring tire. The tire still costs a pretty penny, but here at least it gives back with longer treadlife. 

On the road, the Turanza QuietTrack doesn’t feel as responsive as the Premier A/S. Nonetheless, it’s a great compatriot for daily driving. The cornering grip it provides is among the best in the category, and the braking distances are very short.

Bridgestone also designed a tire that works over wet surfaces. In the rain, the Turanza QuietTrack feels planted and safe, providing the driver with ample traction. Moreover, I also found that the tire is usable in light snow, unlike most of the competition.

The best thing about the Turanza QuietTrack, though, is the comfort. This is the quietest tire in its category, especially at highway speeds. Moreover, the ride quality is exceptionally smooth, primarily thanks to ComfortCruise Technology.

Pros

  • The quietest and most comfortable grand-touring all-season tire
  • Safe and predictable handling on dry roads
  • Wet traction is among the best in the category
  • Usable in light snow
  • An outstanding 80,000-mile warranty

Cons

  • The price is among the highest in the grand-touring category

4. Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring

Best Cheap All-Season Tires

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

I know the first three tires on the list might be out of touch for some buyers. Fortunately, there is a tire that can dazzle without breaking the bank. It’s called the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring, and it’s my favorite Ford Focus budget tire. 

On the road, you’d be hard-pressed to notice the difference between the CS5 Ultra Touring and the premium competition. This tire is very responsive and communicates with the driver well. Moreover, the cornering grip is excellent for the price, and the tire feels stable on the highway.

In addition, the CS5 Ultra Touring feels very safe in rainy conditions. Traction on wet surfaces is excellent, and the braking distances are among the shortest. There is one area where the tire suffers, though, and that’s snow traction.

Still, Cooper at least managed to make this model very quiet and comfortable. And give it a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is undoubtedly impressive for the price.

Pros

  • A very responsive and direct steering
  • Good cornering grip and traction on dry surfaces
  • Excellent traction on wet surfaces
  • Strong braking on dry and wet pavement
  • Budget-friendly pricing
  • Excellent treadlife for the price

Cons

  • Snow traction could be better

5. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus

Best Grand-Touring All-Season Tires for Ford Focus

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

When it comes to pure driving joy, few companies can match the might of Pirelli. The Italian manufacturer always injects that “je ne sais quoi” in its tires, and that shows in the Cinturato P7 All Season Plus. They might want to rethink their naming strategy, though.

Still, that shouldn’t detract from the fact that this tire is among the best grand-touring all-season models around. Behind the wheel, the Pirelli feels very responsive, akin to a performance tire. The engineers managed to match that with excellent cornering grip and traction, and a positive feel during braking.

The Cinturato P7 works excellently over wet surfaces as well. It manages to resist hydroplaning resistance very well and provides the driver with usable traction for acceleration, cornering, and braking. Snow traction isn’t as impressive, though, but few all-season tires can claim excellent snow traction.

On a more positive note, the tire is very quiet and comfortable, and it comes with an excellent 70,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Pros

  • Feels like a performance tire behind the steering wheel
  • High levels of cornering grip and traction on dry surfaces
  • Feels planted and safe on wet roads
  • Excellent treadlife and long treadwear warranty
  • Quiet and comfortable

Cons

  • Snow traction is below the class best

6. Continental TrueContact Tour

Best Touring All-Season Tires for Older Ford Focus’s

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

Continental’s upgraded touring all-season tire works amazingly well across all tests, while also costing less than its premium competitors. For that reason, I think that it’s a great match for owners of older Ford Focus models.

On the road, the TrueContact Tour masks the budget pricing very well. The tire feels surefooted in the corners, giving the driver a lot of confidence. Moreover, the braking distances are among the shortest in the touring all-season category. 

The tire continues to impress in the rain. Traction on wet roads is excellent, and the braking distances are very short. Moreover, the hydroplaning resistance is outstanding, which gives the driver much confidence in the rain. Snow traction isn’t that impressive, though, but it’s still better than most.

Additionally, the TrueContact Tour is among the quietest and most comfortable Ford Focus tires. Add to that the excellent 80,000-mile treadwear warranty, and you have a win-win situation here.

Pros

  • Excellent handling and braking on dry surfaces
  • Feels very safe and planted on wet surfaces
  • Short braking distances in the rain
  • Outstanding ride quality
  • Absence of road noise
  • Budget-friendly pricing

Cons

  • Snow traction could be a bit better

7. Michelin Defender T+H

Best Touring All-Season Tires for Older Ford Focus’s

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

Touring all-season tires are a slightly lesser version of grand-touring tires. However, judging by the Defender T+H, you might never notice the difference. Michelin managed to design a pretty outstanding tire.

It all starts with the driving experience, which is the best among touring all-season tires. The Defender T+H is very responsive, and it also provides the driver with ample cornering grip and excellent dry braking.

Moreover, the Defender T+H is among the safest touring tires in wet conditions. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent, and the driver feels in control at all times. The braking distances are very short as well. Snow traction isn’t as impressive, but still among the best touring all-season tires.

On top of everything else, the Defender T+H is supremely quiet and comfortable on the road. Oh, and it comes with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty and the longest treadlife in independent tests.

Pros

  • Very responsive for a touring tire
  • Excellent handling and braking on dry roads
  • Wet traction and braking are among the best in the category
  • Smooth ride quality and almost no road noise
  • Very long treadlife and an excellent 80,000-mile treadwear warranty

Cons

  • Expensive for the category

8. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06

Best Ultra-High-Performance All-Season Tires for Ford Focus

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

The ExtremeContact DWS06 is an ultra-high-performance all-season tire that often gets mentioned in the enthusiast circle. And, there is a reason for that – it works consistently in all conditions. 

Enthusiast drivers will be happy to hear that the tire elevates the Ford Focus driving experience. The steering immediately feels more responsive and direct, and you can feel more from the road, too. Now, the ExtremeContact DWS06 also transfers more noise in the cabin than anticipated, but it’s not too bad still.

Back to positive things. Wet traction is pretty amazing – your Focus will feel like on rails. It will also stop sooner than with other tires and accelerate without an issue. Snow traction isn’t very impressive, but it’s still there, which is a good thing for a performance tire.

Continental even managed to give this tire an amazing treadlife. The company also provides a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which, again, is impressive for such a sticky tire.

Pros

  • Excellent cornering grip on dry roads
  • Outstanding traction for acceleration and short braking distances
  • Responsive and direct steering feel
  • Excellent performance in the rain
  • Long treadlife, especially for an ultra-high-performance tire
  • Excellent treadwear warranty

Cons

  • The tire is noisy on rough pavement

9. Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS

Best Ultra-High-Performance All-Season Tires for Ford Focus

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire!
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

The Potenza RE980AS rectifies the noise issue of the ExtremeContact DWS06. Thanks to the noise-optimized tread pattern, this is one of the quietest ultra-high-performance tires out there. It can be a bit harsh over bumps, though, but I guess you can’t have everything. 

As for driving, the Potenza RE980AS impresses on all levels. The tire feels very responsive behind the wheel and communicates with the driver very well. Meanwhile, the rubber is very sticky and provides the driver with excellent cornering grip, traction, and braking on dry roads.

Rain also won’t pose an issue for the Potenza RE980AS. The hydroplaning resistance is excellent, and the tire feels planted on wet surfaces. The braking distances are very short as well. Meanwhile, snow traction is pretty good for a performance tire – those zig-zag sipes really seem to work.

Finally, Bridgestone provides an excellent 50,000-mile treadwear warranty on the tire, which is among the best in the ultra-high-performance all-season category. Owners also report a very long treadlife.

Pros

  • Sublime handling on dry tarmac
  • Outstanding traction and braking over wet pavement
  • Very responsive and drivable on twisty roads
  • Very quiet for an ultra-high-performance tire
  • Outstanding treadlife for an ultra-high-performance tire

Cons

  • The ride can be harsh over uneven surfaces

10. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

Best Winter Tires for Ford Focus

Best Tires For Ford Focus

New Year Sale @Priority Tire!
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

The Blizzak WS90 is the best readily available winter tire in North America right now. The level of sophistication this tire has is out of the chart. That’s especially true in severe wintry conditions, where only studded tires can perform better.

Let’s start with the performance on snow. The Blizzak WS90 and its Multi-Cell compound with bite particles work impressively over packed and unpacked snow. You certainly won’t get stuck with these tires, spin around in the corners, or hit something because your vehicle won’t stop.

And it gets even better. Even though the Blizzak WS90 isn’t studdable, it still works amazingly well over ice. There is usable traction for acceleration, and the braking distances aren’t very long. Bridgestone even managed to inject some dry and wet traction in this tire, which is commendable.

That said, Bridgestone doesn’t provide any treadwear warranty on the tire, even though the treadlife seems to be good.

Pros

  • Exceptional traction and braking on snow
  • Best-in-class acceleration and braking on ice
  • Performs excellently in the rain as well
  • Very good treadlife for a winter tire

Cons

  • Bridgestone doesn’t provide any treadwear warranty

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • When should I replace my Ford Focus tires?

It’s generally accepted that you should replace the tires every 4-5 years. However, that depends on the type of tire. Touring and grand-touring tires are the most durable, while winter tires don’t last very long.

To be sure, you can check the tread depth of your tires using the tread wear indicators (TWI’s). These are small rubber bars that sit recessed in the tire but become flush with the surface when you don’t have any usable tread left. The minimum tread depth on all-season tires is 2/32-inch, while on winter tires, it’s 5/32-inch.

  • What’s the correct tire pressure on the Ford Focus?

The correct tire pressure on the latest Ford Focus model is 33 psi. However, it’s always best to check inside the owner’s manual or on the driver’s door sill, especially in cases when the vehicle is loaded with passengers and cargo. In those cases, the pressure should usually be lower.

  • Do OEM Ford Focus tires come with a treadwear warranty?

No, OEM tires don’t come with any treadwear warranty. That’s because this type of warranty depends on many circumstances, including how you drive and maintain your car.

  • Should I put winter tires only on the front wheels?

In my opinion, this is worse than using only all-season tires. Sure, putting winter tires will give you better traction for acceleration and help you not get stuck.

Nonetheless, your Focus will be very unpredictable during cornering. In this case, the front tires will grip well, but the rear tires will lose traction much sooner. As a result of that, your car may spin out of control.

Even having four all-season tires might be a better solution, since your Focus will behave more predictably. Therefore, if you put winter tires, make sure that you install them on the read wheels as well.

  • How often should I rotate my Ford Focus tires?

It’s best to rotate your tires every six months or at 6,000 to 8,000 miles. For convenience, you can do that at each oil change. Just make sure that you rotate the tires correctly. Start with front-to-back rotation, and continue with criss-cross patterns.

  • Will all-season tires work in the winter as well?

All-season tires are designed to work in the winter, but only in areas where the weather doesn’t get too harsh. To be more specific, you’ll be fine over light snow, but deep snow and ice should be out of the question.

Conclusion

Purchasing tires is one of the most important decisions for car owners. Tires are the single most important thing for safety, especially in wet conditions. For that reason, I mostly trust premium tires – they deliver the goods all of the time.

And, even if the price worries you, let me remind you that more expensive tires last longer. By purchasing high-quality tires, you’ll be paying less in the long run. Oh, and you will also enjoy your time behind the steering wheel much more!

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

Leave a Comment