Tackling the Off-Road Terrain: ADAC's All-Terrain Tire Test Review
No tire, off-road or otherwise, can entirely persuade terrain in isolation.
Looking for some serious off-road action? All-terrain tires are the new hot trend, but do they hold up on the pavement? ADAC sought to answer that question by scrutinizing eight of these chunky tires in size 225/65 R17 on various surfaces – dry, wet, snow, and gravel.
Results Overview: The verdict? Not so pretty for these tires on paved roads. ADAC concluded they're not a good choice when it comes to driving safety, especially since the majority of these tires spend most of their time cruising on paved surfaces.
- None of the tested tires received a "good" rating from ADAC.
- Performance on dry and wet roads was disappointing.
- The worst offender? The braking behavior on wet roads.
While they struggled on pavement, two tires at least managed to approach the reference tire – a passenger car all-season tire with a snowflake symbol – on snowy surfaces. Surprisingly, some models even outperformed it on gravel.
Top Performers: Satisfactory Rating Achieved
Although no tire impressed ADAC enough to earn a "recommendable" title, four tires did receive a "satisfactory" rating, with three being "adequate" and one model failing as "deficient."
The top pick is the "Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015" with an overall rating of 2.9. Also earning a "satisfactory" rating are the "Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA" (3.1), the "General Tire Grabber AT3" (3.2), and the "Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2" (3.2).
Is it time to ditch the AT tires? According to ADAC, if you only occasionally venture off-road, high-quality all-season tires may be safer for you. All-terrain tires can be beneficial for off-road enthusiasts with four-wheel drive, but choose wisely: "Interested parties can find at least models with well-balanced strengths and weaknesses in the four tires with a satisfactory overall rating."
Additional Factors to Consider:When experimenting with all-terrain tires on paved roads, consider that ADAC has not specifically tested all-season tires since 2020, with their focus primarily on all-terrain tires. Balanced on-road handling and durability is crucial if you aim for the perfect pavement performance. Here are some recommendations based on available tests and reviews:
- BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 and Bridgestone Dueler A/T 002 are popular choices for their durability and off-road performance, but they might not excel on paved roads due to excessive noise levels and less precise handling.
- Falken Wildpeak AT3 W/A, while exceptionally off-road capable, may not be optimized for paved roads. However, it's a good choice if you need a balance between on-road and off-road performance.
- General Grabber AT3 offers a balanced blend of durability and traction, suitable for those with both on-road and off-road needs.
For purely paved road use, consider more road-focused tires like the Continental Cross-Contact H/T or all-season options like the Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 H750. Happy driving!
[1] "All Terrain Tires - Are They Good for the Streets?" (2019), Tire Rack, accessed September 25, 2023, https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=109
[2] "Best All-Terrain Tires 2022" (2022), Tire Reviews, accessed September 25, 2023, https://www.tirereviews.com/best-all-terrain-tires
[3] "Best All-Terrain Tyres: The 10 Best Buys In 2022" (2022), Tyre Reviews, accessed September 25, 2023, https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/best-all-terrain-tyres
[4] "20 Best All Terrain Tires In 2023 - Which One Is The Best For You?" (2023), CarID, accessed September 25, 2023, https://www.carid.com/blog/best-all-terrain-tires-2023/
[5] "Top 5 Best All-Season Tires for 2023" (2023), AutoTech Review, accessed September 25, 2023, https://www.autotechreview.com/best-all-season-tires-2023/
- The manufacturers of the "Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015", the "Falken Wildpeak A/T3WA", the "General Tire Grabber AT3", and the "Matador MP72 Izzarda A/T2" produce tires that are used in various industries, including automotive.
- Financing a set of all-terrain tires can be part of a larger budget for automotive maintenance, especially if you're an off-road enthusiast.
- Transportation of all-terrain tires might require specific packaging to ensure their durability, as they are typically manufactured from materials of any heading, except that of the product itself.
