Falken Wildpeak AT3W is designed as a 50-50 all-terrain tire, balanced for both off-road and on-road use. In contrast, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A leans more toward on-road orientation. While both tires perform exceptionally in their respective areas, they diverge in certain aspects, catering to different driving needs and conditions.
If you want to see how the AT3W stacks up against its newer evolution, check out our Falken Wildpeak AT4W vs AT3W comparison.
Falken Wildpeak AT3W A is an excellent tire for on-road driving in all respects. However, in my observation, its lifespan is shorter since it’s an OEM tire. This shorter lifespan is often due to OEM tires being designed to align with vehicle manufacturers’ homologation tests, which can mean a sacrifice in tread life. So, if longevity and superior loose ground performance aren’t your primary concerns, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A is a good choice. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend the Falken Wildpeak AT3W.
Important Note on the AT3W Legacy:
You may have searched for the discontinued Falken Wildpeak AT3W. While production has ceased, some closeout stock is still available. This comparison is based on some popular-sized sized can still be found on retailers like Tire Rack:
Click here for the Full Technical Breakdown: AT4W vs Discontinued AT3W Test Results
I highly recommend checking the below pages out before making any purchase:
- TireRack Deals:
https://www.tirerack.com/specialoffers - SimpleTire Deals:
https://simpletire.com/tire-deals - Amazon Deals
- https://www.amazon.com/Tires-Discounts-Automotive-Wheels
Falken Wildpeak AT3W Overview
Falken Wildpeak AT3W stands out as an excellent all-around replacement tire, adeptly handling both on-road and off-road conditions. The only notable drawback is its lateral traction capability in wet and snowy conditions, particularly during hard cornering.
Falken Wildpeak AT3W A Overview
In my experience, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A is an on-road oriented all-terrain tire, often used as original equipment by manufacturers. This has led to a diverse range of feedback from users, largely influenced by the specific tire size.
From what I’ve observed, it’s an excellent choice for on-road conditions, but when it comes to off-road capabilities, it doesn’t quite live up to the Falken Wildpeak AT3W.
It’s worth noting, especially for my European readers, that the Falken Wildpeak AT3W isn’t available in Europe, but the AT3W A is. It’s crucial to remember that these are distinct models with different performance attributes.
On Road Performance
In my assessment, while the Falken Wildpeak AT3W delivers impressive on-road performance for a tire with an aggressive tread, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A is superior for a few reasons.
Firstly, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A features a more compact tread pattern, allowing for greater rubber contact with the road. This, combined with a softer rubber composition, results in better performance in wet conditions and mild snow, particularly in terms of lateral traction.
Additionally, the less aggressive and interconnected shoulder blocks, along with a continuous center rib, enhance the responsiveness of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A. However, it’s important to note that despite its narrower pattern, which is advantageous for towing and hauling stability, it does have a weaker sidewall that may flex more during cornering.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W A also tends to produce less road noise, thanks to the tie-bars I mentioned earlier and its reduced void area.
Overall, if aesthetics are not your primary concern, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A is a better choice for daily driving. However, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W still offers respectable performance, considering its more aggressive design.
Tread Wear
In this comparison, the stiffer compound and deeper tread of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W give it an advantage. Despite its higher rolling resistance, I’ve found it to be the better option in terms of wear.
Conversely, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A tends to wear more evenly. Therefore, if you’re not a frequent driver and prefer not to rotate your tires often, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A could be a suitable choice for you.
Fuel Efficiency
Falken Wildpeak AT3W A is both lighter and less aggressive than its counterpart. This results in lower rolling resistance, which, in my experience, leads to better fuel efficiency. If fuel efficiency is a top priority for you, I’d recommend the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A based on these attributes.
Off-Road Performance
In terms of loose ground performance, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W unquestionably outshines the AT3W A. While the AT3W handles mild winter conditions well, it struggles with slush and deep snow due to its limited void area, affecting self-cleaning. Therefore, in such conditions, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is the clear winner.
Regarding dirt, I haven’t noticed a significant difference between the two tires. However, in muddy conditions, the AT3W definitely has the upper hand.
Lastly, both tires perform adequately on gravel, but given its more cut-and-chipping resistant compound, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is the more durable choice for longevity.
Conclusion
Although the Falken Wildpeak AT3W A is a solid choice for daily driving, it’s important to note that there are other options in the market that may be more suitable, especially in terms of longevity. As an OEM tire, the AT3W A typically doesn’t last as long as replacement tires.
A Quick Check List:
- 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 index & 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
I hope you found this article informative and useful. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to reach out.
For those who prefer to see whole market analyze:
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires-for-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-1-2-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-3-4-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-rt-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-tires-for-snow-plowing/
- https://tireterrain.com/on-road-all-terrain-tires-highway/
A couple of popular size analyses:
- https://tireterrain.com/best-35x12-50r20-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-285-70r17-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-275-55r20-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-275-65r18-all-terrain-tires/
Want to learn more about all-terrain tires:
- https://tireterrain.com/highway-tires-vs-all-terrain-vs-mud-terrain/
- https://tireterrain.com/all-season-vs-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/tire-load-index-and-load-range/
- https://tireterrain.com/lt-tires-vs-passenger-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-for-daily-driving/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-loud/
- https://tireterrain.com/how-long-do-all-terrain-tires-last/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-rain/
- https://tireterrain.com/off-road-tire-pressure-load-range-for-every-rig/
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