255/55R18 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 255/55R18, a SUVs size fitted to BMW X5, Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and more.
What 255/55R18 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 $624 to $848, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
About the 255/55R18 size
European luxury SUV size, H/V with 109 load index (XL). Grand-touring and highway tires; run-flat needed on some BMW fitments.
The numbers mean: 255 mm section width, sidewall height 55 % of that width, and a 18-inch rim. Overall diameter works out to about 29 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 255/55R18
- BMW X5 (2007-2013, base)
- Volkswagen Touareg (2004-2017, base)
- Porsche Cayenne (2003-2010, base)
- Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (2006-2011)
- Audi Q7 (2007-2015, base)
Confirm on the door-jamb sticker before ordering. Optional wheel packages often change the size within the same model.
Which type of 255/55R18 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 255/55R18 tires cost?
Expect $115–$152 per tire for a budget brand, $156–$212 for a mid-range tire like the Continental CrossContact LX25, and $216–$300 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 255/55R18 tires?
255/55R18 is original equipment on BMW X5 (2007-2013, base), Volkswagen Touareg (2004-2017, base), Porsche Cayenne (2003-2010, base), Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (2006-2011), Audi Q7 (2007-2015, base), 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 255/55R18 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 255/55R18 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.