- A short note here: As a former Bridgestone engineer, I strongly recommend checking Discount Tire - Treadwell out. Now, you can effortlessly get recommendations based on value, performance, and local favorites without going to the Discount Tire store.
TRIED & TRUSTED!
Toyo Open Country AT3 and BF Goodrich KO2 are all-terrain tires that have wide fields of usage. Since they are built in the U.S, they’re exceedingly suitable for various road conditions of Yankee. Toyo Open Country AT3 is the underdog in this comparison. How do you feel when the underdog beats the legend? It is the end of BF Goodrich KO2’s dynasty. We have a new guy in the town. Toyo Open Country AT3!
At a Glance
| BF Goodrich KO2 | Toyo Open Country AT3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Better for | Dry regions, rock crawling, beach driving | Squishy and snowy regions, camping and hunting |
| Pros | Responsiveness, strong sidewalls | Insane wet and snow traction, long-lasting rubber |
| Cons | Wet and winter traction is questionable, doesn’t last long as its competitors, a bit noisy | Slightly noisy ride |
| Available on | DiscountTire: Check Price TireRack: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price | DiscountTire: Check Price TireRack: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Toyo Open Country AT3 and BF Goodrich KO2 have similar dry performances. In this case, BF Goodrich KO2 offers slightly better handling. However, due to its highly notched pattern, Toyo Open Country AT3 offers way much better-wet ground traction. Though, their hydroplaning resistance is similar. Even though they’re similar regarding noise level, Toyo Open Country AT3 has a significantly better tread life than BF Goodrich KO2. On the other hand, BF Goodrich KO2 and Toyo Open Country AT3 are both heroic off-road tires. While Toyo AT3 is better in mud, BFG KO2 is a better selection for rock crawling.
All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet
Finding the most suitable one for you among thousands of tires is very difficult.
My team & I have analyzed 100 different tires and generated this ‘Quick Answer Sheet‘ for those who don’t wanna spend too much time during tire selection.
Before we start, here are the incredibly helpful articles I highly recommend to take a look at;
- How to keep tire noise down?
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise - Is it time to change your tires?
https://simpletire.com/learn/tire-news-information/tire-wear-bar - How do all-terrain tires do in the snow?
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/all-terrain-mud-tires-in-snow - Tire rating charts & reviews
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/rating-chart&reviews - Tire test report
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests
Below the table, you can find my favorite tires that I have classified according to your needs.
If you’re in a hurry, here are the tires worth every penny;
- Toyo Open Country AT3 – Best All-Round & Longevity
- Falken Wildpeak AT3W – Best All-Round & Squishy Regions
- BF Goodrich KO2 – Best All-Round & Off-Road Adventure
- Falken Wildpeak AT Trail – Best All-Round for CUV/SUV & Severe Off-Road
- Nitto Recon Grappler – Best All-Round for CUV/SUV & Smooth and Quiet Ride
- General Grabber ATX – Best All-Round for 3/4-ton or above trucks
- Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac – Best On/Off Road tire for 3/4-ton or above trucks
- Cooper Discoverer 4S XLT – Best Commercial All-Terrain Tire & Hauling and Towing
If you’re looking for something at a bargain price;
- Vredestein Pinza AT – Best All-Round for CUV/SUV & Smooth and Quiet Ride
- Kenda Klever A/T2 – Best All-Round for Medium & Light Duty Usage
- Kenda Klever R/T – Best All-Round for Heavy-Duty Usage
Depending on your needs, also the below articles might help;
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-3-4-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-mud-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-rt-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-tires-for-snow-plowing/
I highly recommend checking the below pages out before making any purchase:
- DiscountTire Deals:
https://www.discounttire.com/promotions - TireRack Deals:
https://www.tirerack.com/specialoffers - SimpleTire Deals:
https://simpletire.com/tire-deals
Table of Contents
What are the Benefits?
We would like to give you a summary table in this section. Later on, we will expand our results.
Which Application is Best Fit?
BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
- Any kind of off-road adventure
- Rock driving is your thing
- If you love aggressive-looking
- Heavy Trucks
- Have a powerful torque
- Towing
Toyo Open Country AT3
- If winter performance is crucial for you
- Need wet traction and hydroplaning resistance
- Need exceptional tread life
- On-road comfort is your priority
- Light Trucks
You can also find our BF Goodrich KO2 Review here. At the end of the BFG KO2 Review, there are other comparisons that you might wanna see before the final decision!
We are not done yet! Click here to see our Toyo Open Country AT3 Review! In this article, we’ve compared Open Country AT3 with other tires in the Open Country line-up. Moreover, you might wanna see it against Falken Wildpeak AT3W, Nitto Ridge Grappler, or Nitto Terra Grappler G2!
Tread Appearance
The aggressive tread appearance has two distinct benefits.
- Outlander folks will pay attention to your vehicle
- Aggressive tread design mostly means better traction
Even though, you can’t judge a book by its cover; this idiom is not valid for all-terrain tires.
We loved both tire’s tread and shoulder design. Yet, BF Goodrich KO2 stays as a legend in this section.
Let’s start with the center section.
As you see, center section designs are different for these two. While Toyo Open Country AT3 has an S-shaped interlock center section; BF Goodrich KO2 has a ‘C’ shaped interlock section. S and C shapes are not making too much difference. Yet, the size of these shapes is crucial.
BF Goodrich has smaller lugs. Manufacturers prefer smaller lugs in order to increase biting edges. This feature improves its gripping capability. Yet, it might cause some road noise.
Toyo Open Country AT3 with enhanced voice area offers better performance on loose grounds. Moreover, wider grooves mean higher hydroplaning resistance, for this reason, better-wet performance. Besides that, we loved the sipe intensity of this tire. We believe that Toyo thought broadly and ensures wet traction.
About shoulder design,
BF Goodrich KO2’s shoulder design is exceptional. Its shoulder is specially designed to improve evacuation capability. Its beefy shoulders go through to sidewalls and become biter and work as a sidewall protector also. That feature makes it a good option for rock crawling.
Toyo Open Country AT3 shoulders might seem cheap to you. Yet, these design is specific for wet and snow usage. Their shoulder go through to sidewall has the same feature as BFG KO2 has. However, it isn’t beefy as BFG KO2. Hence, Toyo Open Country AT3’s sidewall durability is slightly lower than BFG KO2.
Road Noise
Well, we’ve discussed the reason in the above section. Let’s directly get into the results.
Regarding noise reduction, these two are really close-rated. In this case, a narrowed void area in the center section works best. However, both tire has a respectable amount of gap in the center section. Well, when you combine it with a stiff compound, road noise is inevitable.
These aren’t mute tires. Yet, they are creating bearable road noise for their aggressive pattern. You can confidently go both ways for this section.
If the silent ride is your priority, prefer the SL load index. Though worth reminding, the SL load range will decrease your off-road capability (SL tires have weaker sidewalls).
A side note here: Even though some tires tend to make noise because of their tread patterns, it’s still possible to keep your tire noise down.
I’m leaving a perfect explanation below from DiscountTire for those who need it;
How to Keep Tire Noise Down? –>
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise
Riding Comfort
Riding comfort is mostly related to the internal structure. Well, both manufacturers do it up brown in this case.
While Toyo Open Country AT3 has twin high-strength steel belts which are covered by polyesters casing two times, BF Goodrich KO2 has a similar structure with a minor add-on. Its bead wire wraps multiple times and increases tires’ stability. Hence, riding quality.
Both tires offer a smooth ride. You can go each way. Though worth reminding, BF Goodrich KO2 fit way much easier to the rim.
If you’d like to improve riding comfort, I recommend XL sizes.
For all-terrain tire newbies: All-terrain tires wear well. We all know this. Yet, compared to the all-season tires these tires offer a rough ride. If your interest in all-terrain tires is fresh, I highly recommend reading the linked article before making any purchase.
Fuel Efficiency
Toyo Open Country AT3 is a lighter tire. The weight difference is changing between 3lbs to 10 lbs depending on size. This is a remarkable weight difference. However, the real game-changer is compound stiffness.
While Toyo Open Country AT3′ UTQG is 600, BF Goodrich KO2 doesn’t clarify UTQG. This is kinda bad news. I consulted a couple of my fellows who was working for a BF Goodrich for a while. Well, I can’t give you a certain number but it’s somewhere between 400-500 UTQG. Lower UTQG means higher rolling resistance, hence, an increase in MPG.
Toyo Open Country AT3 is our choice for fuel efficiency. It can create a 1 to 3 MPG difference.
Durability
Durability starts with carcasses and continues with compound features.
Both tires have awesome durability. When I say awesome, I really mean it.
- No folded on low pressure
- Rim and sidewall protector (multiple times wrapped bead wire get in the game out here)
- Strong sidewalls
Durability is not an issue for these two. Yet, BF Goodrich KO2 has slightly thicker and more durable sidewalls. Hence, BFG KO2 is a more durable tire.
Toyo Open Country AT3 can compete with BF Goodrich KO2 on LT and XL tire sizes. Yet, if you’ll prefer the SL load range, BFG KO2’s sidewalls are way much more durable.
Dry Performance
All-terrain generally does not have problems with dry traction. The real issue is steering and handling at high speeds.
BF Goodrich KO2 has proven dry performance. None of the customers complain about dry traction, steering, or handling.
Toyo Open Country AT3 has huge grip capability. You can be sure that it will not leave you halfway. The only complaint we’ve seen is loose steering over 60 mph. Well, I see that. But there is a reason beyond this. Nonconcurred usage. We recommend Toyo Open Country AT3 for below 3/4 tons usage.
As a result, these tires have a close dry performance. Nonetheless, BF Goodrich KO2 is slightly ahead of Toyo Open Country AT3.
Cornering Stability
In this case, stronger sidewalls always win.
Well, both have extremely strong sidewalls. However, BF Goodrich KO2 is superior in this case. Yet, the difference is minor.
Steering Response
In this case, the difference is a bit more than the minor.
BFG KO2’s smaller lugs and more compact tread design pay off in this section. Its aligned center lugs work as rib in this case and offer a better steering response.
On the other hand, Toyo Open Country AT3 isn’t bad as some people claim. Of course, its bigger lugs transmit the wheel motion a bit slower. Yet, I think it’s not on the crucial level.
Wet Performance
People have been mostly complaining about the wet performance of Toyo Open Country AT2. We strongly believe that Toyo overcome this issue with the new-generation tire Toyo Open Country AT3.
We’ve been talking about Toyo Open Country AT3’s sipe density. That feature brings huge wet traction with itself. If you live in a squish region, you should install Toyo Open Country AT3 instead of BF Goodrich KO2.
BF Goodrich KO’s wet capacity stays behind in this section. Its sipe density is almost as lower as mud-terrain tires. However, its softer compound still offers grip.
Regarding hydroplaning resistance, both are trustworthy tires. However, Toyo Open Country AT3 is slightly ahead due to its broader grooves. Though worth reminding, BFG KO2’s sidewall design offers reliable hydroplaning resistance.
Toyo Open Country AT3 has superior wet performance. If wet traction is your priority, I strongly recommend Toyo Open Country AT3.
Note: Hydroplaning is vital for a safe ride under the pouring rain. However, it might occur even with the best tire. Maybe you can’t prevent it but if you know what it is and how to deal with it, you can easily stay on the safe side.
Here is an extremely efficient guide about ‘How to Deal with Hydroplaning?‘ –> https://www.discounttire.com/learn/hydroplaning
Winter Performance
Both tires have 3-peak mountain snowflake marking. It is kinda proof of a huge winter performance. Yet, that marking is not guaranteed the performance after a snow flurry.
BF Goodrich KO2 has been known for satisfying performance on light and also deep snow. Toyo Open Country AT3 is performing at least as well as the KO2’s if not better.
Well, I prefer Toyo AT3 due to its sipe density and self-cleaning capability. However, BF Goodrich KO2’s fluffier compound works really well on the snow. I can’t separate them in this case.
Without thought, you can trust both tires.
Tread Life and Warranty
Well, I was talking about the UTQG rating in the previous sections. In this case, Toyo Open Country AT3 has higher UTQG, therefore, better tread life.
Moreover, like most Toyo tires, Open Country AT3 wears evenly and this is a highly important metric regarding tread life.
Toyo Open Country AT3 offers long-lasting rubber. If tread life is your priority, there is nothing to discuss. The difference isn’t minor for this time.
Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,
If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:
Warranty
Both manufacturers protect their reputation and offer tread life warranty for their products.
While Toyo promotes 65,000 Miles warranty package on passenger-metric(P-metric) sizes, BF Goodrich offers a 50,000 Miles warranty as usual. Both have a 50,000 Miles warranty for light truck(LT) sizes.
On the other hand, While Toyo offers 500 miles of 45 days trial for Open Country AT3, BF Goodrich offers 60 days satisfaction guarantee.
That difference reflects on their actual tread life. According to some customers, BF Goodrich KO2’s uneven wearing issue has a significant impact on tread life.
Toyo Open Country AT3 Warranty Document: https://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/warranty/TO0315.pdf
Off-Road Performance
Off-road traction is the identical feature of all-terrain tires. Big lugs and interlock center section ensure that you will not have any problem on harsh surfaces.
BF Goodrich KO2 with the serrated shoulder design creates massive mud, rock, and snow traction. You can count on it, especially in air-down situations.
Toyo Open Country AT3 with the staggered shoulder lugs also handles the severe surface conditions easily. In addition to that, enhanced lateral grooves and more evenly distributed void area have a massive effect in a positive way.
- A side note here: If you’d like to see the best all-terrain tires by vehicle or usage, this article is GOOOOLD –> https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires/
Both tires can be evaluated as generational talent. You can confidently ride with either of them.
Here’s a little video about Toyo Open Country AT3’s off-road performance!
Dirt Performance
Dirt is an intersection between on and off-road. It is easy to handle. Therefore, all-terrain tires don’t get you in trouble. I mean usually…
Toyo Open Country AT3 and BF Goodrich KO2 are the strongest two tires on dirt.
You can trust these two on filthy grounds.
Mud Performance
Mud performance(best ones) is hard to reach and generally aligns with evacuation and biting capability. Of course, shoulder design is decisive. In that case, you are lucky. Both products have unique shoulder designs which allow them to increase their biting capability.
BF Goodrich KO2 is good at the mud. But we believe that Toyo Open Country AT3’s mud performance can overperform it without effort.
Nevertheless, both are trustworthy options. We are sure, either product will satisfy you.
Rock and Gravel Performance
Rock and gravel performance are affected by different kinds of features. Yet, we have one conqueror in this section. We’re trying to keep it short…
BF Goodrich KO2 overwhelmed Toyo Open Country AT3 out here. Muscular shoulders increase sidewall durability a lot and enable air-down riding. Moreover, the stone ejecting capability of the intersection block is way much ahead of Toyo Open Country AT3.
Toyo Open Country AT3 is good but BF Goodrich KO2 is the best.
Sand Performance
Sand performance is something special. Besides that, it’s very changeable depending on strictness.
BF Goodrich KO2 is always on the table when it comes to sand driving. On the other hand, Toyo Open Country AT3 is a more on-road purposiveness tire. We’re confident they will not fail on the sand. Yet, BF Goodrich KO2 is a slightly better option.
Specs
| BF Goodrich KO2 | Toyo Open Country AT3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All-Terrain Tire | All-Terrain Tire |
| Vehicle | Light Truck, SUV | Light Truck, SUV |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’ | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’ |
| Weight | 34 – 78 lbs | 26 – 76 lbs |
| Made In | Opelika, AL, USA | White, GA, USA |
| Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF) | Yes (3PMSF) | Yes (3PMSF) |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 50,000 Miles | 65,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 50,000 Miles | 50,000 Miles |
| Prices | Check price section to see best possible prices | Check price section to see best possible prices |
Price
The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.
Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.
Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,
DiscountTire
- Biggest dealer in the US. Founded in 1960
- 1000 stores in 35 states. You most probably find one on your parallel street
- Free rotation and balancing
- 5% off for DiscountTire cardholders on online purchase
- Highest rated online tire dealer in Consumer Affairs
- Almost all brands are available
- Delivery takes 2-4 days (30% shorter average waiting time when you book online)
- Frequent discounts and promotions
Toyo Open Country AT3: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/toyo-tire-open-country-a-t-iii
BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/bfgoodrich-all-terrain-t-a-ko2
TireRack
- Fast and Free shipping
- Usually delivered in 1 day
- Joint venture with DiscountTire(their installers and dealers are on your service)
- Tons of installer options, and they also help you to choose the best one
- Mobile installers in many areas, your tires will be replaced while you’re working in the office
- Tire test results and comparisons can be found on the most product page
- 4.6/5 points on Google rate
Toyo Open Country AT3: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/toyo-open-country-a-t-iii
BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/bfgoodrich-all-terrain-t-a-ko2
SimpleTire
- Free shipping
- Delivered in 2 days
- Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
- Mobile installation option
- 7 million customers since 2021
- 4.7/5 points on Google rate
- Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match
Toyo Open Country AT3: https://simpletire.com/brands/toyo-tires/open-country-a-t-iii
BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2: https://simpletire.com/brands/bfgoodrich-tires/all-terrain-t-a-ko2
While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire buying process.
What does Artificial Intelligence Say?
Most of the articles on the internet are written by artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is now an important part of our lives, and we need to learn to live with it. That’s why I wrote a short article on the ‘ChatGPT’ bot to find out what artificial intelligence has to say about the topic of BF Goodrich KO2 vs Toyo Open Country AT3. Here is the result.
BF Goodrich KO2 and Toyo Open Country AT3 are both popular all-terrain tires that offer excellent off-road performance while also providing a comfortable ride on the highway. The BF Goodrich KO2 is known for its aggressive tread pattern that provides excellent traction in mud, snow, and rocky terrains, while the Toyo Open Country AT3 features a more conservative tread design that offers superior handling and stability on paved roads.
One of the major advantages of the BF Goodrich KO2 is its ability to handle extreme off-road conditions. Its robust construction and reinforced sidewalls make it resistant to punctures, while its aggressive tread design offers excellent traction in mud, snow, and rocky terrain. On the other hand, the Toyo Open Country AT3 provides a more comfortable ride on the highway with its noise-reducing technology and excellent handling and stability in wet conditions.
In terms of price, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is generally less expensive than the BF Goodrich KO2, making it a more budget-friendly option for those who want a reliable all-terrain tire without breaking the bank.
When it comes to user reviews, both the BF Goodrich KO2 and the Toyo Open Country AT3 have received positive feedback from consumers. However, the BF Goodrich KO2 is often recommended for heavier trucks and SUVs, while the Toyo Open Country AT3 is more suitable for lighter trucks and SUVs.
In conclusion, both the BF Goodrich KO2 and the Toyo Open Country AT3 are excellent all-terrain tires that offer different advantages depending on your needs. The BF Goodrich KO2 is perfect for those who need extreme off-road performance and are willing to pay a higher price, while the Toyo Open Country AT3 is ideal for those who want a comfortable ride on the highway and a budget-friendly option.
Conclusion
All-terrain tires should perform well on daily driving. That’s why they’ve been built for.
If we were comparing mud-terrain or rugged-terrain tires(best ones), we should pick BF Goodrich KO2. Though, we are comparing all-terrain tires. On-road usage is our priority.
| BF Goodrich KO2 | Toyo Open Country AT3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Better for | Dry regions, rock crawling, beach driving | Squishy and snowy regions, camping and hunting |
| Pros | Responsiveness, strong sidewalls | Insane wet and snow traction, long-lasting rubber |
| Cons | Wet and winter traction is questionable, doesn’t last long as its competitors, a bit noisy | Slightly noisy ride |
| Available on | DiscountTire: Check Price TireRack: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price | DiscountTire: Check Price TireRack: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price |
Take-Home Points,
- LT sizes have stronger sidewalls. That feature makes them more durable. Yet, these tires offer a rougher ride. (LT vs P-Metric tires)
- XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, if you’ll go with p-metric sizes, they might be a better pick for hauling and towing( XL vs SL tires)
- Please pay attention to the load range and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
- There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires
A side note here: If you’d like to get local advice and find the best fit for your driving habits, location, and road conditions DiscountTire – Treadwell Tire Guide can give you masterpiece recommendations.
Toyo Open Country AT3 is a slightly better tire overall. Massive wet and winter performance guarantees that. Let’s not forget fuel efficiency and tread life.
Yet, you can go with BF Goodrich KO2 for loaded and severe operations.
Hope you guys like our comparison. We believe Toyo Open Country AT3 will topple BF Goodrich KO2 from its throne. Do you agree with us?
Let us know in the below comments!
Take-Home Points,
- LT sizes have stronger sidewalls. That feature makes them more durable. Yet, these tires offer a rougher ride. (LT vs P-Metric tires)
- XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, if you’ll go with p-metric sizes, they might be a better pick for hauling and towing( XL vs SL tires)
- Please pay attention to the load range and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
- There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires
A side note here: If you’d like to get local advice and find the best fit for your driving habits, location, and road conditions DiscountTire – Treadwell Tire Guide can give you masterpiece recommendations.
Toyo Open Country AT3 is a slightly better tire overall. Massive wet and winter performance guarantees that. Let’s not forget fuel efficiency and tread life.
Yet, you can go with BF Goodrich KO2 for loaded and severe operations.
Hope you guys like our comparison. We believe Toyo Open Country AT3 will topple BF Goodrich KO2 from its throne. Do you agree with us?
Let us know in the below comments!
Guide Me Bruh!
This section contains my research and top picks. Depending on your need, you may choose a category and easily find the best fit for yourself. Remember, nobody knows your driving conditions and requirements better than yourself. You’re in the charge out here.
Start Here:
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