
The tire specification of the Highlander is 245/60R18. Tires are often used in complex and demanding conditions, enduring various deformations, loads, forces, and high and low temperatures during operation. Therefore, they must possess high load-bearing performance, traction performance, and cushioning performance. The Highlander's length, width, and height are 4890mm, 1925mm, and 1720mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2790mm. The front suspension type is MacPherson independent suspension, the rear suspension type is double-wishbone independent suspension, the steering assistance type is electric power steering, the body structure is unibody, and the parking brake type is foot brake.

The tire configuration of the Highlander is quite meticulous, with noticeable differences across various model years. Based on my research on the current fourth-generation model: the entry-level 2.0T gasoline version comes with 245/60 R18 tires, while mid-to-high trims upgrade to larger 245/55 R20 wheels. The hybrid base model uses 235/65 R18 tires, and the PLUS version directly equips 235/55 R20 wheels. The previous third-generation Highlander also featured 20-inch wheels in higher trims. When selecting tires, pay attention to wheel size compatibility. Remember the alphanumeric combination on the tire sidewall when replacing tires, especially the last two digits indicating wheel diameter in inches. The 20-inch tires have thinner sidewalls that are prone to bulging, so extra caution is needed on rough roads. The factory-equipped Dunlop or Bridgestone tires offer decent noise reduction but are relatively stiff. Switching to Michelin Primacy Tour tires provides much better comfort, though they cost about one-third more.

I remember studying tire specifications in detail when accompanying a friend to pick up his top-tier Highlander Hybrid last year. His vehicle came equipped with 235/55 R20 Bridgestone Dueler tires. The parameter breakdown is actually straightforward: 235 indicates the tire width in millimeters, 55 represents the aspect ratio (sidewall height being 55% of the width), R stands for radial construction, and 20 is the wheel diameter in inches. Owners of older models should note: the 2018 base version used narrower 245/65 R17 tires. Different specifications don't just affect appearance - wider tires offer better grip but slightly higher fuel consumption, while narrower tires provide superior comfort. When replacing tires, always adhere to the original specifications, otherwise you risk rubbing against the wheel arches or even failing annual inspections. Last year, I saw someone mistakenly install 19-inch tires on 20-inch wheels, resulting in completely unresponsive steering.

Helped my cousin change tires twice for his Highlander, the 2021 sub-top trim uses 245/55 R20 specification. Pay attention to this 55 aspect ratio - the sidewall is much thinner than the 60 series on lower trims, so slow down when going over speed bumps. The original Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX 050 offers decent value, about 1500 per tire, but road noise becomes noticeably louder after 30,000 km of wear. If you frequently drive on highways, consider switching to Michelin Primacy - though 500 more expensive, it's quieter and more wear-resistant. Note that hybrid and gasoline versions have different tire pressure standards, as marked on the sticker on the driver's door frame - hybrid models recommend 250kPa for rear tires.


