The best car tyres 2026
We compare real tyres from MercadoLibre Argentina in the most common small-car sizes, and explain how to read the size code so you don't buy the wrong one.
Prices verified on July 24, 2026 · How we do it
How we chose: We analyzed 15 real products on the market · MercadoLibre Argentina
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Quick verdict
First things first: a tyre is chosen by the SIZE your car requires, written on the sidewall of the ones already fitted. Within the most common small-car sizes, the Onyx NY-806 best balances price and backing; the Irauto is the cheapest; and a premium brand if you want top tier.
What to look for before buying
- The size: not optional — It's the first thing and the only non-negotiable one. On the sidewall of your current tyre you'll read something like 175/65 R14 82H: 175 is the width in millimetres, 65 the profile (sidewall height as a percentage of width), R14 the rim diameter in inches. You must buy exactly that size, or a validated equivalent. Fitting another affects the speedometer, stability and may void your insurance.
- Load and speed ratings — They're the number and letter at the end (for example 82H). The 82 is how much weight each tyre supports; the H, the maximum homologated speed. You can go above those ratings, but never below what the manual or the door-frame sticker specifies: it's a safety matter, not a performance one.
- Manufacturing date (DOT) — The figure almost nobody checks and the one most worth checking. On the sidewall there's a DOT code ending in four digits: the first two are the week and the last two the year. A tyre degrades over time even unused: the rubber hardens and loses grip. Avoid buying tyres more than two or three years old, however new they look.
- Brand: premium or budget — Premium brands invest in compounds and tread design, and the real difference is in wet braking and longevity. Budget Asian brands have improved a lot and perform fine on a small city car. The difference shows above all in emergencies: extra metres to stop in the rain.
- Buying in pairs or fours — Never change just one. Tyres are replaced in pairs at minimum, on the same axle, so grip is even and the car doesn't pull to one side under braking. That's why many listings come as kits of 2 or 4: compare the price per unit, not the kit price, to know which is actually cheaper.
Our recommendations
Neumático Onyx Ny-806 175 65 R14 82h Tecnología De Punta Con Respaldo Internacional
Size 175/65 R14, one of the most common on small cars, heavily discounted and with international brand backing. The most sensible balance of price and confidence.
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Neumático Irauto 165/70r13 79t Máximo Agarre Y Control Fabricadas con Tecnología de Punta
Size 165/70 R13, the cheapest in the group. Fine for urban use on a small car if budget is the constraint.
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Neumático Onyx Ny-806 165 70 R13 79t T
Same 165/70 R13 size as the previous one, from Onyx. A direct alternative if you prefer this brand, with a significant discount today.
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Neumático Onyx Ny-806 175 70 R13 82h Tecnología De Punta Con Respaldo Internacional
Size 175/70 R13, another common fitment on small cars. Same NY-806 model, same price-to-backing ratio.
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Neumático A609 175/70R14 84T Radial Auto Verano Aplus
Size 175/70 R14, a radial summer tyre. A good option if your car takes this size and you want an alternative to Onyx.
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Side-by-side comparison
| Product | Price | Installments | Rating | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neumático Onyx Ny-806 175 65 R14 82h Tecnología De Punta Con Respaldo Internacional | $ 70.176 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
| Neumático Irauto 165/70r13 79t Máximo Agarre Y Control Fabricadas con Tecnología de Punta | $ 75.498 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
| Neumático Onyx Ny-806 165 70 R13 79t T | $ 56.629 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
| Neumático Onyx Ny-806 175 70 R13 82h Tecnología De Punta Con Respaldo Internacional | $ 60.809 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
| Neumático A609 175/70R14 84T Radial Auto Verano Aplus | $ 69.584 | 12 | — | MercadoLibre |
Buying tyres has a quirk no other product on this site has: you don’t pick the one you want, you pick among the ones that fit your car. So the first step isn’t comparing prices, it’s knowing your size.
How to read the size
Look at the sidewall of the tyre currently fitted:
175/65 R14 82H
- 175 — tread width, in millimetres
- 65 — profile: sidewall height as a % of width
- R14 — rim diameter, in inches
- 82 — load rating (weight supported)
- H — maximum speed rating
It’s also in the manual and on a sticker in the driver’s door frame, which also gives the correct pressure. Buy exactly that size.
What else to check
- DOT date: the last 4 digits on the sidewall are the week and year of manufacture. Rubber hardens with age even unused. Avoid tyres over 2-3 years old.
- Load and speed ratings: you can go above, never below.
- In pairs: never change just one. And if you change two, the new ones go on the rear.
Our pick
The five in this comparison are different sizes, so the right one is whichever matches your car. That said: the Onyx NY-806 appears in several of the most common small-car sizes and best balances price and backing. If budget rules, the Irauto 165/70 R13 is the cheapest in the group.
An honest note: these are budget-tier tyres. For urban use on a small car they do the job well. If you cover a lot of motorway miles or drive often in the rain, a premium brand is justified, and the real difference isn’t longevity but the metres it takes you to stop on a wet road.
Prices come from MercadoLibre Argentina and update daily.
Frequently asked
How do I know what tyre size I need?
It's written on the sidewall of the ones currently fitted, in this format: 175/65 R14 82H. The 175 is tread width in millimetres; the 65 is the profile, the sidewall height as a percentage of that width; R means radial construction; the 14 is rim diameter in inches; the 82 is the load rating and H the speed rating. You'll also find it in the car's manual and on a sticker in the driver's door frame, which also gives the correct pressure. Buy exactly that size.
Budget brand or premium?
It depends how and how much you drive. For a small city car doing short trips at low speeds, current budget brands perform fine and the price difference is enormous. If you drive on the motorway often, carry loads or drive a lot in the rain, premium is justified: the real difference is wet braking distance and how many kilometres the tread lasts. It's not about prestige, it's about metres of braking in an emergency.
How often should they be changed?
For two separate reasons, whichever comes first. By wear: when the tread reaches the 1.6 mm indicators inside the grooves, though many recommend changing earlier, around 3 mm, because wet performance drops well before the legal limit. And by age: rubber hardens over the years even if the car sits still, so from five years it's worth inspecting them and at ten years replace them regardless of tread depth.
Can I change just one?
Not advisable. Tyres are changed in pairs at minimum, always both on the same axle, so grip is even. If you fit one new and one worn on the same axle, under hard braking or in a wet corner the car destabilises because one side grips more than the other. And if you change only two, the new ones go on the rear, counterintuitive as it sounds: the rear axle determines whether the car steps out.
Are prices and stock up to date?
Yes: we take real price and availability from MercadoLibre Argentina and refresh them daily. They can change at any time; the link always takes you to the current offer.
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