2026 Platinum - Tire Swap To Survive in Ice/Snow

[MTRunner]

Hello yall! Finally picking up my dream car tomorrow: Heritage Blue Platinum. I wanted a TRD trim but I do a lot ice and snow driving in the mountains during the winter and didn't want to mess with turning on AWD constantly. I come from a long line of Subaru Foresters (beast on ice and snow) so the lazy, always on option was preferred.

The problem is the garbage tires the Platinum comes in stock. I get why, but I will need to switch them out promptly as winter approaches.

What is everyone running on their Platinum that has upgraded their tires to AT with 3PMSF? I've read some suggestions but they required a slightly taller tire wall which didn't appear to be a problem?

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[a_double]

I bought a Platinum for the same reason. I plan on upgrading, after the summer, to Nitto TGG3 in 275/60R20 XL.

Others run this tire size on the Platinum or Sport without rub, but I haven't seen anyone with this tire yet. You could be the first!

I have the TGG2's on my 2.5G Tundra. They are amazing in the snow. I'd get them if not for being superseded by the G3's. I'm hoping the G3's are just as good if not better.

I actually have the TGG3 tires in "my cart." I'm just waiting for IDGAF mode to pull the trigger.

 

[NotApplicable]

On my limited I run the Terra grappler g3 in 265/60R20

 

[BonRunner]

I have the TRD Sport. It rocks the same wheels size as the Platinum, in 20". I switched the tires to Cooper Discoverer Road & Trail AT in 275/60/20. Pics here! They are 33" tires. The ride is great and they perform excellent on ice & snow. I live in Montana so plenty of that earlier this year. No trim or mods.

 

[a_double]

I have the TRD Sport. It rocks the same wheels size as the Platinum, in 20". I switched the tires to Cooper Discoverer Road & Trail AT in 275/60/20. Pics here! They are 33" tires. The ride is great and they perform excellent on ice & snow. I live in Montana so plenty of that earlier this year. No trim or mods.

During the Montana winter, did you drive in AWD or 4HI?

 

[BonRunner]

During the Montana winter, did you drive in AWD or 4HI?

Mine is 4WD so i switch to 4H or 4L depends on situation. When road clears, i stay on 2H. Your Platinum has full time AWD so you can stick with that.

 

[mfoga]

I have been eyeing Nokian Outpost nAT. I have heard their tires are beast in snow and ice from a lot of people in CO mountains. I don't live in the snow but do spend a lot time traveling and camping in snow in winter so winter performance is a key for me.

 

[NeiltheYogi]

Hello yall! Finally picking up my dream car tomorrow: Heritage Blue Platinum. I wanted a TRD trim but I do a lot ice and snow driving in the mountains during the winter and didn't want to mess with turning on AWD constantly. I come from a long line of Subaru Foresters (beast on ice and snow) so the lazy, always on option was preferred.

The problem is the garbage tires the Platinum comes in stock. I get why, but I will need to switch them out promptly as winter approaches.

What is everyone running on their Platinum that has upgraded their tires to AT with 3PMSF? I've read some suggestions but they required a slightly taller tire wall which didn't appear to be a problem?

You are right about the ORM tires on the Platinum. I switched mine to Nokian Outpost nAT’s 265/60R20. No issues, it’s a straight swap. I am in Alberta so plenty of ice and snow, and the tires did well this winter.

 

[NotApplicable]

Note that 265/60R20 are dimensionally nearly-identical to the 265/70R18 that come on the 18-inch trims

 

[20119mm]

I switched to Falken Wildpeak A/T4W in 275/60r20. Very happy with my decision.

 

[Dynamic_4runner]

Has anyone tried the new Yokohama Geolander A/T4 G018 tires?

 

[CO4RUN]

MT Runner, Congratulations on your purchase, and I understand your concern. The stock tires are not great. This is my 3rd 4runner (4th gen, 5th gen and now 6th gen) with AWD. If you have not driven a Limited or Platinum 4Runner in snow, then you cannot appreciate how good the AWD/ATRAC system is. When you move to 6th gen hybrid, and you put a big hybrid battery over the rear axle it gets even better. I think you will find that it outperforms your Subaru even with the stock tires. Yes, a softer compound, a more aggressive tread and 3SF rated tires will be an improvement. But if you don't want to spend the money right now, you can probably wait and see if the current tires perform to meet your needs.

If you decide to tow, then be very careful about tire selection. What is good for snow is bad for towing. You can lose a lot of tread life quickly towing with a softer compound tire that does not have a more durable center tread.

 

[mfoga]

You are right about the ORM tires on the Platinum. I switched mine to Nokian Outpost nAT’s 265/60R20. No issues, it’s a straight swap. I am in Alberta so plenty of ice and snow, and the tires did well this winter.

I am curious how do the handle regular road or rain? How are they off road if you have done that. I have seen good reviews on them but outside some people K CO I know they seem to be fairly unknown brand.

 

[NeiltheYogi]

It’s a good question but hard for me to answer. This is my first 4R and first body on frame vehicle so there are a lot of differences from my previous vehicles. Plus of course I went from the OEM’s to the Nokians and have not compared to any other AT brands. I went ahead based on research and reviews and I have certainly not been disappointed (and we have had plenty of weather this winter). But would another tire have been better? I’m not in a position to say. The broad consensus seems to be that if you don’t do much off roading and you want good manners for regular driving and good ice and snow performance (which is my requirement), then the Nokians are a solid choice. If you are doing a significant amount of off roading, there may be better options.

 

[Papa Smurf]

Studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3. Swapped out the Factory Toyo open country 3 and they perform way better in 2 wheel drive than the Toyos did in 4 wheel drive. Went 1 size bigger and have had no issues but I have them on a PRO. I absolutely love these tires. As a Snow Mexican I can certify these as Snow Mexican approved.

Here is a run down of the tires.


The Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 is a premium, studded winter tire designed specifically for heavy-duty light trucks, 4x4s, and commercial vehicles, offering superior ice and snow traction. It features stainless steel studs for enhanced durability against corrosion and a reinforced, cut-resistant carcass for high-load capacity.
Nokian Tyres +2
Key Features and Performance

• Arctic Stud Concept: Uses stainless steel studs that resist rust, ensuring the studs last longer and maintain effectiveness.
• Extreme Grip: Designed with an aggressive tread pattern for reliable braking and handling on icy and slushy roads.
• Durability: Features a reinforced structure and Aramid-reinforced sidewalls to protect against cuts and impacts, ideal for work sites.
• Comfort & Noise: While optimized for severe, harsh conditions, the design includes features to reduce noise compared to traditional studded tires.
  

Technical Specifications

• Tread Depth: Approx. 16.5 mm to 17/32 inch.
• Load Range: Often E (10-ply rating), supporting high load capacities.
• Speed Rating: Q (up to 160 km/h or 99 mph).
• Compound: Arctic Grip rubber compound for cold-weather flexibility.

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