Last summer we bought an '18 Toyota Highlander with AWD. It came with all season tires. I've read that tests have shown all seasons to be no better than highway tires and I sure agree with that. Even with AWD, traction on slick roads is marginal. The problem is that the rubber is hard and made for high mileage. They last about as long as highway tires but they don't have slick road traction.
I'd like to get a set of real snows for it but first I have to find a set of wheels. I'm not going to pay to have them mounted twice a year. So far, all I can find, even used, cost $150 and up. They're 19" and those seem to be at a premium.

Best go ahead and buy a set when you find them. Put a good set of snow tires on them with studs .( I like Coopers) Change out in November and April.I have done this with every vehicle I have had for many years. $600 over ten years unless you turn over vehicles every two years is only $60/year. Saves lot of grief. Especially on my wife's Tacoma. I know if she is out and about and the roads ice up,she is safe and will get home unless some Ahole plows in to her, but a fellow can't guard against that .

245-55x19 ????????

yup

not much of an AT tire selection in that size

Since the death of my unloved Tacoma, I’ve been rocking the minivan. With Blizzaks, having no issue getting around, even with some mild drifting we’ve been having. Yesterday one of my colleagues stopped by to pick up some stuff.... and his F150 took four or five runs to make it through where the van had just mozied the night before. I’m continually amazed how much difference modern snow tires make.

Check dealers, junk yards, and tire shops for factory take offs. People are always upgrading wheels.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady or Nokian WRG 3 or 4. Severe service winter rating with a mileage warranty (year round use).

I would first try to get a set of wheels that are not 19 inch to fit your Vehicle, Cheaper?Preferably something in the 16 inch range would be nice. Then I would go with either Nokian or Bridgestone,Blizzak. I’ve run Michelin and Firestone dedicated winter tires I found the previous mentioned to be a better winter tire. This is what I do with my Toyota Tacoma and my Toyota corolla, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised in the difference running a true dedicated high-quality snow tire. Don’t know if I would run studs or not, I run studs on my Tacoma they’re nice but if I would do it again I wouldn’t run studs in the area I live in.Good luck in your decision making.

Depending on the car, it can be impossible to run smaller wheels as they don't fit over the brake calipers. I don't know about the Highlander. I think 18's might fit it, though.

You need to see if you can get wheels that will fit, if it’s possible.Your overall package will be cheaper, wheels and tires. Or you can just pick up winter tires and switch them as needed on your original wheels. I do that with my Corolla. My Tacoma I have a designated set of wheelsThat I got cheap.

Hey rock Chuck, try Toyota nation forums, I was just on there and there was discussion of a gentleman wanting to do the same thing you’re looking to do but on a 2017 highlander. If you do some research I’m sure you’ll come up with an alternative wheel.

Search/watch craigslist or other local selling sites for take-off wheels/tires...........

They will, XLE and lower trims came with 18s from the factory.

I've been doing that for a month. No luck.

The way the winter's going so far this year, I might not need them anyway.

Can you get snow tires in the size that fits your current wheels?

Why not just pay each spring/fall to have tires remounted?

good info here......

you may find better tire selection in 18"

but that means new wheels

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/learn/offset-backspace

I put Firestone Weathergrips on my wife’s Edge. They are severe snow rated but supposed to wear like an all season. Nothing but impressed with them so far. As far as a dedicated snow, Nokians are great along with the usual Blizzak.

I have dedicated snow tires on my work vehicle and would put the Weathergrips against them.

If it was my vehicle, I'd look at the Michelin Defender LTX M/S if I was planning to keep this vehicle for at least the life of the tires.

If we don't get some snow, this will be a moot issue for this year. We don't have any trips planned until after the usual snow season and around here, the ground is bare.

On my second set of Defenders. Tire life and ride quality is very good, as is hydroplaning resistance. Wet traction on pavement however, sucks, and they're neither snow rated, or anything approaching an all-terrain tire.

I am on my second set of Michelin Defender M/S tires on my 2014 Highlander. Got just over 93,000 miles on the first set and could have got a few more miles. Great on the dry road and are better than any other M/S tires I have ever used in snow. Drove from Beckley WV to Roanoke Va last year with 80,000 miles on the 1st set in 8" to 10" of snow. We had no problem getting home and driving up the mountain we live.

Now they are not as good as All terrain tires would be but AT tires and Crossover SUV's don't get along well in my opinion and we do not get enough snow to justify Winter Tires.