Best Tires for Nissan Altima: 2026 Recommendations

The Nissan Altima (S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum trims) requires tires that balance fuel efficiency with low road noise. Below are the top-rated tires based on SimpleScore, categorized by driving need.

Top 5 Nissan Altima Tire Recommendations

1. Pirelli P7 All Season Plus 3: Best All-season tire. 9.4 overall SimpleScore, 70,000 mile warranty, and offers excellent dry and wet handling with best-in-class ride comfort.
2. Nexen N’Blue 4S 2: Best All-Weather tire. 9.1 overall SimpleScore, 70,000 mile warranty. Superb wet and winter handling, and is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified to handle moderate to severe winter weather conditions.
3. Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+: Best Ultra-high-performance all-season tire. 8.9 overall SimpleScore, up to 55,000 mile warranty, and great steering for SR and Platinum trims.
4. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90: Best winter tire. 8.7 overall SimpleScore, and one of the top overall winter tires on the market.
5. Thunderer Mach I Plus: Best budget all-season tire. 8.6 SimpleScore, 70,000 mile warranty, great handling and traction at an affordable price.

1. Choosing tires by Nissan Altima Trim Level

To get the best performance, you should match your tires to your Altima's specific trim. Different trims have unique wheel sizes and suspension setups that require specific tire types.

• Altima S & SV (16" or 17"): Focus on All-Season and All-Weather tires. These trims prioritize fuel economy and a soft ride.
• Altima SR & Platinum (18" or 19"): Focus on Ultra-High Performance Summer and Ultra-High-Performance All-Season tires. These larger wheels require low-profile tires that handle higher cornering forces and turbocharged torque.

2. Fuel Efficiency: Maximizing your Altima's MPG

The Nissan Altima is engineered for high fuel economy. To maintain these ratings, choose tires with Low Rolling Resistance (LRR) technology.

• Impact: LRR tires can improve Altima fuel efficiency by 2% to 4%.
• Maintenance Tip: Keep tire pressure between 32 and 35 PSI. Under-inflation is the leading cause of "rolling drag," which significantly lowers MPG.

3. Understanding Your Altima's Tire Warranty

Warranties are a proxy for expected tire longevity. Dividing the price by the warranty miles gives you the "Cost Per Mile."

• Premium (70k to 80k Miles): Best for high-mileage highway commuters.
• Performance (50k to 60k Miles): Standard for sportier SR trims where grip is prioritized over tread life.
• Budget (40k to 50k Miles): Ideal for older Altima models or city drivers who cover fewer annual miles.

4. Seasonal Selection Guide

Selecting the right tire requires matching the rubber compound to your local "worst-case" weather scenarios. Use these guidelines to determine which seasonal category fits your environment.

All-Season vs. All-Weather

Choosing the right tire depends on how your local climate changes throughout the year. While both categories offer year-round convenience, they handle cold and snow differently:

• All-Season (M+S): These are designed for regions with mild winters where temperatures rarely stay below 45°F. They provide excellent tread life and wet-weather traction for the majority of the year.
• All-Weather (3PMSF): A step up in traction for those who face slush and light snow but want to avoid the hassle of seasonal tire swaps. The Nexen N Blue 4S 2 is a top-performing option that remains flexible in colder temperatures while staying durable enough for summer heat.

The 45°F Rule for Winter Tires

Temperature, not just snow, should dictate your tire choice. When local temperatures stay below 45°F, the rubber in regular all-season tires starts to harden. This greatly reduces its ability to grip the road. Dedicated winter tires, like the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, are made with special materials. These materials stay soft in very cold weather. This helps the tires stop much faster on ice and packed snow.

5. Smart Shopping Checklist for 2026

When looking for the best Nissan Altima tires in 2026, you should consider the following things before making a purchsse:

• Size Verification: Check your driver-side door jamb for the exact size (e.g., 215/60R16 or 235/40R19).
• Buy in Pairs or Sets: Always replace at least two tires at a time to maintain balanced steering and braking.
• Alignment: Always request an alignment check when installing new tires on an Altima to prevent premature "inner-edge" wear, common on mid-size sedans.