Best Tires for the 2022 Subaru Outback Limited: Ride Quality, Wet Grip, and Real-World Range

ByWyatt Brooks

Tires that actually change how the 2022 Outback rides

At 37,000 miles on the original rubber, a tire swap on the 2022 Outback Limited makes sense — and the right set will make a real difference. Not dramatic, but noticeable. Road noise drops, wet-weather grip improves meaningfully, and steering feels more connected. Here’s what’s worth looking at in your size.

First: know your tire size

The 2022 Outback Limited runs 225/60R18 on 18-inch wheels. That’s what you want to match. Stick with it — going up or down in size affects speedometer accuracy and can create clearance issues on the Outback’s moderate lift.

Top tire options for the Limited

Michelin CrossClimate 2 A/W CUV

This is the tire that surfaces most often in Outback owner communities. It holds the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification, meaning it meets serious winter traction standards — without the road noise or fuel economy penalty of a dedicated snow tire. Highway cruising is notably quieter than stock. Wet grip is strong. The ride feels planted rather than vague.

It sits at the higher end of the price range for this size. Owners consistently report it holds up well over its rated mileage, making the per-mile cost more reasonable than the sticker suggests.

Falken ZIEX CT60 A/S

A meaningful step down in price from the CrossClimate 2, without a proportional drop in performance. The CT60’s standout trait is wet-weather handling — four wide circumferential grooves channel water efficiently and the tire holds its composure in heavy rain better than most options in this class. Handling response is sharper and more communicative than average for an all-season. Treadwear warranty is 65,000 miles. If budget is a real factor, this is the first alternative worth considering.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

Another 3PMSF-rated tire, and a strong pick if your winters involve actual snow. Its grip on packed snow and light ice outperforms a standard all-season by a fair margin. Ride quality on dry and wet pavement is good — not quite as refined as the CrossClimate 2 on smooth highway, but quiet enough that most drivers won’t notice the difference on their commute.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

The Defender LTX trades handling sharpness for comfort and longevity. It’s quiet, grips well in wet and dry conditions, and Michelin’s EverTread compound is genuinely built to last. This one suits drivers who prioritize a comfortable highway ride over sporty feel. Less oriented toward winter performance than the CrossClimate 2 or WeatherReady — it’s not 3PMSF certified. Fine in light snow, but not a winter tire substitute.

What about 600+ miles per tank?

The 2022 Outback Limited with the standard 2.5-liter engine is EPA-rated at 26 city / 33 highway MPG. The fuel tank holds 16.6 gallons, putting the theoretical highway-only ceiling at roughly 547 miles on a full tank. Real-world data logged by owners on Fuelly tends to cluster between 28 and 31 MPG combined under typical mixed driving.

Consistently seeing 600-mile tanks would require sustained fuel economy above the EPA highway figure. It’s possible — long flat stretches at 60–65 mph, minimal air conditioning, light load. More often, the measurement starts from a partial tank (some owners fill up when the low-fuel warning appears, then drive further before noting the miles). Either way, 600+ miles is on the optimistic end of what the 2.5L delivers for most people.

Tire choice affects fuel economy slightly. Lower rolling resistance compounds can recover a small amount of efficiency, but it’s a secondary factor. Speed, load, and terrain move the number far more than brand selection.

Check tread depth before you buy

Worth doing first: measure where your current tires actually are. At 37K miles, some OEM tires still have usable life left. The legal minimum is 2/32″, but most shops recommend replacement at 4/32″. A quarter inserted into the tread groove works as a rough field check — if you can see the top of Washington’s head, you’re at or near 4/32″ and it’s time to shop.

If you’re still sitting at 5/32″ or above, you have time to compare prices and wait for a sale rather than buying under pressure.

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