255/50R20 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 255/50R20, a SUVs size fitted to Ford Explorer, Volkswagen Atlas, Mazda CX-9 and more.
What 255/50R20 tires cost
Kumho Crugen HP71
Lowest price that still brakes and wears acceptably. Fine for a second car or low annual mileage.
Continental CrossContact LX25
The value sweet spot: long mileage warranty, solid wet grip, sane price.
Michelin Primacy Tour A/S
Best wet and snow braking, quietest ride, longest tread life. Worth it if you keep the car.
Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing, based on what the big US online retailers charge for this size. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $704 to $968, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
About the 255/50R20 size
Explorer/CX-9 20 in size, H/V with 105/109 load. Highway SUV all-seasons; fairly priced for a 20 in size.
The numbers mean: 255 mm section width, sidewall height 50 % of that width, and a 20-inch rim. Overall diameter works out to about 30 inches. Any replacement has to match all three, and the load index and speed rating on your door sticker must be met or exceeded. Our guide on reading a tire size walks through it.
Vehicles that use 255/50R20
- Ford Explorer (2011-2019, Limited/Sport)
- Volkswagen Atlas (2018-2024, SEL Premium)
- Mazda CX-9 (2016-2024, Grand Touring/Signature)
- Lincoln MKX (2011-2015, 20 in)
- Acura MDX (2022-2024, 20 in)
- Honda Pilot (2023-2024, Touring/Elite)
- BMW iX (2022-2024, xDrive50 20 in)
- Rolls-Royce Ghost (2010-2020, front)
Confirm on the door-jamb sticker before ordering. Optional wheel packages often change the size within the same model.
Which type of 255/50R20 tire?
All-Season Tires
Drivers in the South, West Coast and mild parts of the Midwest who want one set of tires that lasts a long time and is quiet.
All-Terrain Tires
Pickup, Jeep and SUV owners who tow, drive gravel or dirt roads, or need real traction in snow and mud.
Highway Truck & SUV Tires
Pickup and SUV owners who commute, haul the family or tow on pavement and want quiet, long tread life and good fuel economy.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 255/50R20 tires cost?
Expect $128–$172 per tire for a budget brand, $176–$242 for a mid-range tire like the Continental CrossContact LX25, and $246–$345 for a premium tire like the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 255/50R20 tires?
255/50R20 is original equipment on Ford Explorer (2011-2019, Limited/Sport), Volkswagen Atlas (2018-2024, SEL Premium), Mazda CX-9 (2016-2024, Grand Touring/Signature), Lincoln MKX (2011-2015, 20 in), Acura MDX (2022-2024, 20 in), Honda Pilot (2023-2024, Touring/Elite), BMW iX (2022-2024, xDrive50 20 in) and Rolls-Royce Ghost (2010-2020, front), among others. Always confirm with the sticker inside your driver's door, because trim levels and wheel packages can change the size.
What is the best 255/50R20 tire?
For most drivers our mid-range pick, the Continental CrossContact LX25, is the sweet spot of price and tread life. If you keep the vehicle a long time or drive in heavy rain and snow, the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Kumho Crugen HP71 is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 255/50R20 tires?
On a front- or rear-wheel-drive car, yes: replace in pairs on the same axle and put the newer pair on the rear. On all-wheel-drive vehicles most makers want all four replaced together, or a new tire shaved to match, because a difference in circumference strains the drivetrain.