What is it?
The Firestone Destination LE2 is a highway all season tire designed for SUVs, crossovers, vans, and light-duty pickups. The Destination LE2 is offered primarily as an OE replacement tire; that is, a tire to consider when your original vehicle rubber expires.
The successor to the original Firestone Destination LE, the Destination LE2 aims to markedly improve winter condition performance, as well as overall comfort while maintaining excellent value.
According to Firestone,
“The Destination LE2 offers the all-season performance you need from your light truck tire as well as a quiet and comfortable ride.”
Firestone Destination LE 2 reviews to date are overwhelmingly positive, and as of mid-2017 we consider the Destination LE2 one of the very best everyday SUV tires on the market. Especially if you’re on a budget since Destination LE2 pricing is just about as reasonable as it gets.
Here’s the latest LE2 information…
Firestone Destination LE 2 Review: strengths and weaknesses?
The Destination LE 2 achieves excellent ratings for dry and wet traction and performance relative to other truck/SUV all season tires. It won’t be mistaken for a performance tire from behind the wheel, but offers sufficient grip and handling for typical road conditions.
Destination LE2 snow performance
Destination LE2 snow performance is also better than average for the category. Indications are that Firestone has delivered on its winter and snow performance improvement claims.
This is a point worth emphasizing because all too often “all season” tires fundamentally lack wintertime performance (see When the snow flies, not every all season tire is equal). And while some all season tires are adequate in strictly snowy conditions, but not icy or mixed conditions, the LE2 holds its own in those winter performance departments as well.
The LE2’s stepped inside notches and zig-zag sipes contribute to real world winter capability. It’s no dedicated winter tire, but as compared to numerous other all season tires the Destination LE2 is winter-worthy.
Ride Comfort and Noise Levels
Comfort is also a high point — the Destination LE2 delivers excellent ride quality and road noise is limited.
Tread life and mileage
The Destination LE2 may lack a bit of tread life and mileage as compared to class-leading highway all season contemporaries, but it could be argued that this is offset by the low initial price and affordability of the Destination LE2. The LE2’s 5 year and 60,000 mile treadlife warranty is quite strong too, so if you follow proper ownership protocols a valid warranty claim could be made if the LE2’s mileage proves deficient.
Destination LE2 Warranty?
– Treadlife Warranty: 5 years, 60,000 miles
– Treadwear Grade: 520
– Uniformity Warranty: First 1/32″ of wear
***Try and Buy 30 Day Guarantee. Full Firestone Destination LE2 warranty information here.
How does the Destination LE2 compare to competitors?
- Tire Rack user feedback ranks the Destination LE2 fifth in a highly competitive field of thirty-four highway all season tires. User satisfaction relative to most other highway all season tires is very positive as well.
- The story is much the same over at Tire Buyer where over 200 user reviews give the Destination LE2 a rating of 4.7/5.
Typically user ratings slide over time as the latest and greatest competing tires gain favor, but the Destination LE2 has actually improved some in ratings/ranking over the past year; a true indication of the tire’s quality.
In 2015 Tire Rack comparison testing, the Firestone Destination LE2 finished just ahead of an equally affordable, and worthy competitor in final overall scoring. The test drivers deemed the Destination LE2 a “well-rounded tire that is worthy of its high survey ranking.”
So on a performance and economic basis, the Destination LE2 compares very favorably against the competition. There is at least one other option though that bests the Destination LE2 on price, is just about its equal in terms of performance, and is therefore also worth considering (see below).
Anything else to know?
The original Firestone Destination LE was a decent all-around highway all season tire, and the Destination LE2 is a clear step up from there.
With both performance and value in mind, we’d suggest that the Destination LE2 is perhaps the best highway all season option available at this time. Most everyday SUV tire options that are more affordable — such as the Fuzion SUV — come with some sacrifices in performance, and lack the well-rounded characteristics and quality of the Destination LE2.
At nearly the same price point, the General Tire Grabber HTS60 is another very high quality option, and certainly worth a look as well. Data indicates that the Grabber HTS60 surpasses the Destination LE2 in terms of wintertime performance, specifically (see the video below). However, it may not be quite as compliant and comfortable during everyday driving as the Destination LE2.
Sometimes Firestone tires provide excellent value with just adequate performance. With the Destination LE2, Firestone has notably stepped up four season performance and comfort while remaining very affordable.
The Destination LE2 further distinguishes itself from much of the competition by prioritizing fuel economy. Internal Firestone testing and third party testing indicates that the Destination LE2 offers low rolling resistance, and therefore more optimized fuel economy.
We highly recommend the Firestone Destination LE2.
