255/35R21 tires

Prices, best picks and current deals for 255/35R21, a common size on electric vehicles. It fits the Tesla Model Y Performance and more.

What 255/35R21 tires cost

Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $1,372 to $1,751, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.

See every 255/35R21 tire in stock at SimpleTire

About the 255/35R21 size

Model Y Performance front size (rear 275/35R21), Y rated XL. OE Pirelli P Zero (TO, foam-lined); Pilot Sport EV and iON evo are the popular replacements.

What the numbers on the sidewall mean

A 255/35R21 tire is 255 millimeters wide, its sidewall is 35 percent of that (about 3.5 inches tall), and it mounts on a 21-inch wheel. That works out to an overall diameter of roughly 28 inches. Every replacement has to match all three numbers, and the load index and speed rating on the placard inside the driver's door have to be met or exceeded.

In this size our picks are marked 98Y on the Atturo AZ850 (1,653 lb per tire, rated to 186 mph), 98W on the Hankook iON evo AS SUV (1,653 lb per tire, rated to 168 mph) and 101Y on the Pirelli P Zero (PZ5) Elect (1,819 lb per tire, rated to 186 mph). The first number is the load index, the letter the speed rating; a tire with equal or higher values than your placard is fine, a lower one is not.

Our guide on reading a tire size walks through the markings, and this one lists every load index and speed code.

Our three picks, side by side

One tire at each price level from what the retailer stocks in this size, with the mileage warranty and UTQG grades as published by the manufacturers and their retailers. Treadwear is the number to compare: it is a relative wear rate, so 700 should last roughly twice as long as 350 on the same car.

What 255/35R21 tires cost across the whole range

Of the 45 tires listed in this size, 37 are in stock today. The lowest price is the Atturo AZ850 at $138.96, a 98Y tire. The median is $390.99; a third of the tires cost $343 or less, and the top five percent start above $575.96. Those are per-tire prices before mounting and balancing, which adds $15 to $45 per tire at most shops, read from the retailer's feed Nov 13, 2026.

The same tires in neighboring sizes

The Atturo AZ850, our budget pick here at $138.96, is also stocked in 275/40R20 ($328), 285/30R20 ($146.96), 285/35R20 ($155.96) and 295/45R20 ($185.96). The Hankook iON evo AS SUV, our mid-range pick here at $253.99, is also stocked in 275/35R21 ($488.99), 285/45R21 ($472.99), 255/40R20 ($413.99) and 265/35R22 ($425.99). The Pirelli P Zero (PZ5) Elect, our premium pick here at $497.20, is also stocked in 285/40R22 ($640.96) and 315/35R22 ($592.99). Useful if your vehicle came with a different wheel package, or if you are comparing an upsize: the same tire usually costs more per inch of wheel, not per inch of rubber. Prices per tire, from the retailer's feed Nov 13, 2026.

Winter on an EV in this size

Electric vehicles are heavy for their size and deliver full torque instantly, which is exactly what loosens a tire on snow. Most EVs in this size are all-wheel drive and pass Colorado's Passenger Vehicle Traction Law on the 126 miles of I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison, in force from September 1 to May 31, on the vehicle alone, as long as the tires have at least 3/16 inch of tread; a rear-wheel-drive version needs tires marked M+S, 3PMSF or rated all-weather by the manufacturer. Fines start at $130. Whatever you fit, keep the load index at or above the door placard, since EV tires are usually XL rated for the battery weight, and expect any winter or all-weather tire to cost some range through higher rolling resistance.

None of our picks in this size, the Atturo AZ850, carries the 3PMSF symbol; for that, look at the all-weather and winter tires.

Vehicles that use 255/35R21

• Tesla Model Y Performance (2020-2024, 21 in Uberturbine front)

Other years and wheel packages of the same models came on 275/35R21 instead, so read the placard inside the driver's door before you order.

Which type of 255/35R21 tire?

Frequently asked questions

How much do 255/35R21 tires cost?

Expect $139–$343 per tire for a budget brand, $343–$438 for a mid-range tire like the Hankook iON evo AS SUV, and $438–$576 for a premium tire like the Pirelli P Zero (PZ5) Elect. A set of four therefore starts at about $556. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.

What vehicles use 255/35R21 tires?

255/35R21 is original equipment on Tesla Model Y Performance (2020-2024, 21 in Uberturbine 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 255/35R21 tire?

For most drivers our mid-range pick, the Hankook iON evo AS SUV, 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 Pirelli P Zero (PZ5) Elect is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Atturo AZ850 is a sound choice.

Can I replace just one or two 255/35R21 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.