Top 10 Best Tires for Lexus RX350: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

The Lexus RX350 is the most popular premium Crossover/SUV in the USA thanks to the balanced combination of a supremely quiet and comfortable ride with car-like driving dynamics. It was also the first vehicle of its kind when it launched in the ‘90s. Like every other Lexus, the RX350 is also extremely reliable – they seem to never break down. However, to keep your RX in shape, you’ll need a set of high-quality tires. The best tires for Lexus RX350 should maintain the luxurious driving experience, while also providing the driver with advanced driving dynamics and long-lasting performance.

All of this sounds good on paper, but it’s not that easy to achieve in the real world. There is no single tire that will rule them all – it is impossible with today’s technology. Also, the market today is literally flooded with options, making things confusing for potential buyers. The main problem is certainly the many categories tires today are divided in. First, they differ in the temperature range they work best in. This means that not all tires are made for every place in the world. In other words, RX350 drivers in colder places will need different sets of tires than drivers in warmer places.

Even the drivers make a difference here. Some drive more leisurely and want a set of Lexus tires that will be quiet and comfortable, while others seek better performance overall. Like with the climate, there are also different sets of tires for different types of drivers. Luckily, drivers of RX350 don’t need to think about off-roading, because that would mess things even further. The Lexus RX350 is simply not an off-road vehicle, even though the AWD versions may offer better traction in slippery conditions. Keep this car on the road, please.

We created this article to help you make the right decision when buying new tires for your Lexus RX350. To do that, first, we’re going to list the 10 best tires for Lexus RX350, divided into several categories. Then, we’re going to talk about how different tires suit different types of drivers and climates, so everyone can find the best Lexus tires their needs.

The 10 Best Tires for Lexus RX350 You Can Buy

1. Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology

Best All-Season Touring Tires for Lexus RX350

The all-season Continental CrossContact LX20 is a tire that’s not very expensive yet one that offers balanced set of qualities that will suit RX350 owners. Perhaps their most important quality is a comfort. These tires are supremely quiet, even at higher highway speeds, and also very comfortable over bumps. 

Despite the focus on comfort and quietness, the CrossContact LX20 is also very responsive in the corners and stable at higher speeds. It also has very high levels of traction, grip, and braking power for a touring tire. Meanwhile, the EcoPlus Technology built into this tire will lower the fuel economy of your RX350 (great for RX450h owners, too). The CrossContact is also very good in wet conditions, especially when it comes to hydroplaning resistance, and works in light snow as well.

The Continental CrossContact LX20 comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is good, but there are some newer competitors that offer 80,000-miles right now.

2. Michelin Premier LTX

Best All-Season Touring Tires for Lexus RX350

At first sight, the more expensive Michelin Premier LTX seems like a bad option, especially when you consider the 60,000-mile treadwear warranty. However, while that is true, it is also true that the Premier LTX offers much better performance overall than any other crossover touring tire.

On the road, the Premier LTX is almost as responsive as a high-performance tire. It is also extremely stable at higher speeds and offers outstandingly high levels of traction and grip for the category. Braking is also unbeatable by any other touring tire.

The Premier LTX is the best touring tire in the rain as well, thanks to the Expanding Rain Grooves around the circumference and Emerging Grooves across the shoulders. Oh, and like the Continental, it will improve the fuel economy of your RX350.

Like every other Michelin tire, the Premier LTX is supremely quiet and comfortable.

3. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus

Best All-Season Touring Tires for Lexus RX350

There has to be a Bridgestone tire on every list of the best tires. The Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is a great example of how far the tires from this Japanese company have climbed. Right now, the Dueler is arguably the touring tire with the best ride quality and quietest rolling on the road. If comfort is what you’re after, look no further than this Bridgestone.

The Dueler also provides the driver with very good high-speed stability, outstanding traction, competent grip, and strong braking. That said, competitors from Continental and Michelin seem a tad more responsive. The Alenza Plus is very good in wet conditions, though, and even works in light snow. The Dueler also comes with an outstanding 80,000-mile treadwear warranty, one of the longest in the business.

4. Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max

Best All-Season Touring Tires for Lexus RX350

Goodyear also has a great contender in the touring category. Their eco-friendly Assurance CS Fuel Max has probably the best low-rolling resistance in the business, which means that the fuel economy of your RX350 will improve greatly.

On top of that, the Assurance CS Fuel Max is also very responsive in the corners and provides high levels of grip and traction due to the Dry Tread Zones on the inboard and outboard layers. The tire is also equipped with Wet Tread Zone, which improves traction on damp roads, while the Aquachannel Grooves limit hydroplaning in heavy rain. Light snow traction is another strong point of the Assurance CS Fuel Max.

That said, the 65,000-mile treadwear warranty is shorter than most of the competitors, and the ride isn’t as plush.

5. Cooper Discoverer SRX

Best All-Season Touring Tires for Lexus RX350

The Cooper Discoverer SRX is a lower-cost alternative to touring tires from premium manufacturers. It still offers excellent handling on dry roads, with very high levels of grip, traction, and strong braking. Wet performance is also very good, almost on par with the premium competitors. Light-snow traction isn’t as good as on premium tires, but honestly, all of them should be replaced with winter tires if the weather is too cold.

On the positive side, the SRX has a very good ride quality, even when driving over bigger bumps and provides noise-free driving on the highway. The 75,000-mile treadwear warranty for T-Rated models and 70,000-mile for H-Rated models is the best for a tire at this price point.

6. Michelin CrossClimate SUV

Best All-Weather Touring Tires for Lexus RX350

The CrossClimate is an all-weather tire, which means that it works in slightly colder weather than all-season tires. It also has the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol, which signifies that it also offers better snow traction and braking. That translates into the real world – the Michelin CrossClimate is much better in the winter than any all-season tire you put against it.

In warmer weather, handling is almost intact. Sure, the Premier LTX offers better responsiveness overall, but for most drivers, the CrossClimate is good enough. More importantly, the CrossClimate is extremely good at resisting hydroplaning and provides outstanding wet traction and braking. That said, the 50,000-mile treadwear warranty might be limiting to some RX350 owners, and there’s slightly more noise on the highway.

7. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

Best All-Weather Touring Tires for Lexus RX350

The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is another excellent all-weather tire. Compared to the Michelin CrossClimate, Goodyear offers a better warranty at 60,000-miles treadwear, which is a very good result considering the slightly lower price.

On the road, the Assurance WeatherReady is almost as good as the Michelin, with high levels of grip and traction, and very good braking. Wet performance is also excellent, better than most all-season tires. The best thing about this Lexus RX 350 tires is that it offers advanced winter traction, grip, and braking. Thanks to the slightly softer compound, it works excellently on snow and ice. Also, thanks to the Weather Reactive Technology, this tire keeps its excellent wet and snow traction even when it wears down.

That said, some might be off-put by the slightly higher amount of noise on the highway.

8. Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport

Best High-Performance Tires for Lexus RX350

For those that want a more engaging driving experience, or own an RX350 F Sport, then the Dueler H/P Sport is an excellent choice. This tire was specifically developed for performance crossovers, trucks, and pickups, and that shows in the real world.

With a set of these Lexus tires, your RX350 will instantly become more responsive. It will also accelerate better, turn quicker, and achieve higher speeds in the corners. Braking will also be improved greatly. The Dueler H/P Sport also works on damp roads and has excellent hydroplaning resistance. Interestingly, the Dueler is also comfortable and quiet for a sporty tire.

However, despite the higher price, this tire doesn’t come with any treadwear warranty.

9. Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2

Best Winter Tires for Lexus RX350

The Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 is the absolute champion when it comes to winter tires for SUVs and crossovers. It is a tire that works extremely well in colder conditions, both on dry and wet roads.

Snow traction and braking are also a notch above the competition. The Michelin should also be praised for its excellent ice traction and excellent responsiveness on the road.

Unlike many winter tires, the X-Ice Xi2 comes with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty. However, the price is also higher than everything else on the market right now. We think it’s worth it, though.

10. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Best Winter Tires for Lexus RX350

The Blizzak DM-V2 is another excellent winter tire that is closely matched to the Michelin when it comes to performance. Thanks to the NanoPro Tech Multicell compound that has a water-loving hydrophilic coating, snow and ice traction are simply outstanding. The Bridgestone is also very good on dry and wet roads in the winter, thanks to the Multicell compound. However, while the price of the Blizzak is lower than the one of the Latitude, this tire has no treadwear warranty.

Best Tires for Lexus RX350: Buyer’s Guide

1. Touring Tires are the Best Choice for Most Lexus RX350 Owners

Touring and grand-touring tires are designed to offer balanced sets of qualities to drivers of passenger cars and crossovers. Normally, this also makes them an excellent choice for Lexus RX350 owners – the Japanese crossover is known to offer a balanced set of performance.

So, what are the things that set these tires apart from other alternatives on the market? First of all, touring tires aren’t very expensive to buy. Sure, there are premium models from Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli, and Goodyear that cost more, but when compared to other types of tires, they’re cheaper.

Despite the lower price point, touring tires are very durable. Most of them come with at least 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, while some even touch the 90,000-mile barrier. This means that the owners will always have tread on the tires, even after 7-8 years of ownership. It’s more probable that the tire will lose its geometry than its tread pattern. Thanks to this, touring tires will continue to work great in wet conditions, unlike other tire types that lose their potency over time.

We mentioned wet performance here, and for a good reason. Touring tires are designed to offer a balanced performance between dry and wet roads. On dry roads, the best touring tires for RX350 offer a responsive driving experience with enough grip, traction, and braking even for aggressive drivers. The tread pattern with circumferential grooves, on the other hand, helps immensely in the rain – touring tires are known for their excellent hydroplaning resistance.

Then we come to one of the most important qualities for RX350 owners, comfort. Touring tires are designed for long road trips on the highway. That’s why they offer superior ride quality when compared to any other type of tire. They are also very quiet – thanks to the extensive sound deadening in the Lexus RX350, you’ll probably not be able to hear them at all on the highway.

Some drivers might not be satisfied with how touring tires drive, though. Sure, they’re completely safe, even when you drive fast, but fast drivers might want to try some sporty alternatives. Still, modern touring tires are so good these days, that the number of people wanting for sportier tires is even smaller.

2. But What If I Still Want a More Responsive Driving Experience?

Don’t worry; we will cover enthusiasts like you as well. The RX350 is available in the F Sport variant with sporty suspension after all! If you own that car and want to keep its taut handling, then a set of high-performance tires will suit you best. These tires are designed to offer higher levels of driver engagement than touring tires and are generally preferred by enthusiasts.

With a set of high-performance tires, your RX350 will become much more responsive and engaging. Traction will also be much, much better, especially under very hard acceleration. As expected, high-performance tires also offer better side-to-side grip in the corners, better high-speed stability, and stronger braking. That means that you can drive faster and still be completely safe. And, if you’re asking, they are also better for wet driving than touring tires, especially on damp roads.

However, these tires also have some flaring disadvantages. First of all, they are very expensive to buy, especially if you purchase tires from premium manufacturers like Michelin and Bridgestone. Then, they also have shorter treadlife than touring tires, with a 50,000-miles warranty being very rare.

Oh, and due to the more aggressive tread compound and stiffer sidewalls, these tires have worse ride quality and produce more noise on the highway. That said, if we’re completely honest, the excellent sound insulation and soft suspension on the RX350 will take care of most things.

3. Should I Buy Off-Road Tires?

Well, you can, but we can’t see why. The Lexus RX350 might come with optional AWD, but it’s far from an off-road-ready vehicle. It simply lacks enough wheel articulation for proper off-roading. On top of that, off-road tires will completely spoil the driving dynamics on the road. These tires aren’t very responsive and lack enough traction and grip for fast driving on the roads. They are also very loud on the highway, which is a total opposite of the type of car the Lexus RX350 is. Suffice to say; we won’t include all-terrain, multi-terrain, or mud-terrain tires here.

4. What About the Climate? Does it Make a Difference?

It certainly does! Choosing a set of tires that will suit the climate in your area is not only required; it’s a must! The reason is very simple – different tires work in different temperature ranges. For example, a tire that’s designed for warmer weather becomes too brittle in very cold weather, while a cold-weather tire becomes too soft in warm conditions. Using tires that aren’t designed for your climate will not only destroy them quickly, but it also might be dangerous.

Luckily, we live in an era where high-quality all-season tires are available. These tires have a tread compound that can work in warmer and colder conditions. Thanks to that, all-season tires can be used throughout the year, without worrying about damage or serious performance issues. However, their range is still limited. Even the best all-season tires will not provide the driver with the best performance in very hot and humid conditions, or enough traction in very cold conditions. There are compromises for sure. However, due to their popularity and universal approach to the climate, all-season tires are the most popular type today.

All-weather tires are an alternative to all-season tires, made to work at slightly lower temperatures. If all-season tires work better in the summer, these will work better in the winter. However, all-weather tires will also be compromised if the weather is too hot or too cold.

That’s why if you want the best possible performance in the summer, you will need a good set of summer tires. These tires are designed to work only at higher temperatures. Thanks to that, they offer vastly superior responsiveness, traction, grip, and braking when compared to all-season tires. Also, even though some people think that’s not the case, they offer much better performance during a hot summer rain.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, winter tires are the best choice for the winter. If you live in areas with harsh winters, a set of proper winter tires is a must. These tires offer by far the best driving characteristics in very cold weather, including traction, grip, and braking. They are also much, much better on snow and ice. Sure, manufacturers claim that all-season tires also work in the snow, but the reality is that they aren’t that good.

To sum things up, a specialized tire will always work better than a universal one. However, due to the fact that we live in a world where the climate is constantly changing, all-season tires are a great choice for spring, summer, and fall, and even mild winter.

Final Words

You might have noticed that we didn’t include very cheap tires on the list above, but there is a reason for that. First of all, the RX350 is a premium vehicle, so a premium set of tires is recommended. Second, and perhaps more important, cheap tires can be unsafe in most conditions. They’re also much less durable and might cost you more in the long run. Suffice to say, we strongly suggest always going for a high-quality set of Lexus RX 350 tires from manufacturers that you fully trust.