Real test data, off-road insights, and daily-driving impact — from a former Bridgestone engineer.
The Firestone Destination A/T2, released in late 2019, is a road-friendly On-Road A/T tire built for full-size SUVs, crossovers, and Jeeps. Unlike heavy-duty Off-Road A/Ts, it’s tuned more for pavement comfort, light off-road use, and all-season drivability — making it a poor match for trucks above the ¾-ton class (see our best heavy-duty tire picks).
In testing and driver feedback, the Destination A/T2 earns points for its quiet ride, wet traction, and year-round versatility. The trade-offs show in harsher terrain — it lacks the same bite and load stability you’d expect from more rugged options.
In the sections ahead, we’ll break down how it performs across dry, wet, winter, and light off-road use — and if you want a fast comparison for your exact vehicle, our All-Terrain Tire Decision Tool shows how it stacks up against other A/T options.
Quick Look
Firestone Destination AT2
From my standpoint as a former Bridgestone engineer, the Firestone Destination AT2 stands out as a long-lasting and fuel-efficient tire that delivers extremely satisfying on-road manners thanks to its well-optimized tread pattern. It offers a quiet, smooth ride and shows unique consistency on both wet and dry pavement, making it a strong everyday performer. With its 3PMSF rating, it’s also a reliable pick for mild winter conditions, though it falls short when the road disappears — it simply isn’t designed for adventure or severe off-road use.
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Tread Appearances
Red- Lug Type Shoulders, Green – Rib Type Center
Firestone Destination AT2 has a bit different pattern design than regular all-terrain tires. Most all-terrains have only a lug-type tread pattern that increases their loose ground traction significantly. In return, they sacrifice from the comfort and sometimes steering response.
Due to avert these negativities, Firestone use a hybrid type design. Destination AT2 has a rib-type center section and lug-type shoulder sections. The rib-type center section decreases the void area in the center section and reduces the road noises. Furthermore, it works like a mast and helps you to steer more responsively.
On the other hand, lug-type shoulders maintain the loose ground traction and help it to evacuate water more quickly.
Lastly, shoulder bites. While shoulder bites improve Destination AT2’s traction, they also provide a bare-knuckle looking. Though worth reminding, its biters don’t go through the sidewall. So, you can’t use it on an adventure like BF Goodrich KO2.
Fuel Efficiency
Due to its perfectly optimized void area and notches, this tire has very satisfying rolling resistance compared to its competitors. Moreover, it’s light as a feather. I can confidently say this is an eco-friendly tire. Your fuel mileage will be rump up unless you don’t replace it with an all-season tire.
Comfort and Road Noise
Hybrid-type pattern offers a more smooth ride than lug-type patterns. Well-aligned center lugs hit the ground in order and absorb the bumpy feeling significantly. Moreover, its gradual rubber is stiff outside and getting softer through the carcass. This feature increases its flexibility and absorbs the reaction force that reflects from the road.
Regarding road noise, this tire is deaf. Road noise is mostly related to the void area ratio of the center section. Rib-type and inter-locked center sections increase their contact pitch and provide a quiet ride.
This tire has unique road noise and comfort. I can confidently say that it’s more on-road tires than an off-road tire. I strongly recommend it for highway usage.
Note from the Expert: For years, choosing all-terrain meant accepting noise—a true compromise for off-road grip. That’s why the question, Are All-Terrain Tires Louder than Highway Tires?, used to have a simple “yes” answer. Now, with the rise of on-road models, the core issue has shifted from noise to overall refinement. To fully understand which side of the comfort spectrum you’re buying into, you need to determine Are All-Terrain Tires Good for Daily Driving?—a question that depends entirely on the tire’s construction, not just the name.
Dry Performance
Dry performance can be evaluated under 3 different dimensions. Dry traction, steering response, and cornering stability. Let’s start with the first dimension.
Dry traction is easy to reach for an all-terrain tire. Due to its lug-type tread pattern, its grip ability is higher than all-season tires. Regarding Destination AT2, as I mentioned above, it has a hybrid type tread pattern. Due to its lug-type shoulders and inner shoulder section, it has phenomenal dry traction. Moreover, well-siped rubber increases its grip ability and provides consistent grip.
Steering response is where it steps ahead. Its rib-type center behaves like a support bar and helps it to turn both ways easily. It has a unique steering ability. This feature increases its highway capability in a positive way.
Lastly, cornering stability. In that case, it’s not the best but average. Due to its fluffy sidewalls, it flexes a bit more than regular all-terrain tires at high speed. No worries, it’s not vital. I’ve stated it cause you might not like that floating feeling.
Firestone Destination AT2 is a beast regarding dry performance. It has unique traction and steering response. Yet, you might feel slightly floaty while cornering.
| Go for It | Stay Away |
|---|---|
| Satisfying on-road manners | If you need a tire for adventure |
| For a smooth and quiet ride | If you have 3/4 ton or above light truck(Ram 250, F250, F350 etc.) |
| Long lasting rubber | |
| Mild snow conditions |
Wet Performance
Wet performance is muddy for all-terrain tires. While they need a stiff compound for durability, however, they also need a fluffy compound for better grip. Though, an optimized tread pattern saves lives again.
Due to its 3D full-depth sipes, Firestone Destination AT2 provides consistent wet grip over time. Moreover, its full-depth and perfectly sized grooves improve its water evacuation ability with the help of open shoulders. That feature prevents hydroplaning.
Note from the Expert: When it comes to rain, I always emphasize two things: compound grip and water evacuation. You can see the full details in my analysis, but if you take just one thing away, remember that an AT tire’s stiff nature makes achieving top-tier wet performance a constant battle. This is why the question, Are All-Terrain Tires Good in Rain?, requires a nuanced answer that balances tread design against rubber stiffness.
Tread Life and Durability
Tread life is where Firestone tires step ahead. Due to their special compound selection, they generally last longer than their competitors.
The above info is also valid for Firestone Destination AT2. While optimized rubber offers better wearing, solid center rib, and increased surface help it to wear evenly and offer massive tread life.
Regarding sidewall durability, I can’t say the same thing that I’ve said for tread life. This tire is built for better on-road manners. Hence, it needs more flexible and softer sidewalls. Its sidewalls can resist puncture. Yet, tough sidewall impacts like that you face while rock crawling will hurt it very badly.
Firestone Destination AT2 lasts longer and offers huge durability for mild operations.
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:
Winter Performance
Winter is where Firestone Destination AT2 is shining. It’s labeled with 3PMFS. That means you can use it even in the hardest winter conditions.
Regarding light snow, it works almost the same as wet ground. Perfect grip and perfect evacuation for melted snow. Moreover, its narrower grooves(for an all-terrain) can clean itself perfectly and offers consistent traction.
Due to its lower tread depth, its deep snow traction is very limited. Serrated shoulder biters help it a bit but I don’t recommend it for deep snow usage.
About ice, due to its less void area, it’s better than most all-terrain tires. Yet, don’t forget, these are not winter tires. Your driving skills are a game-changer in that case.
Note from the Expert: Our discussions often boil down to the core tradeoff. On one hand, you must understand why all-terrain tires are truly effective in deep snow, but not on ice. On the other hand, you face the 3PMSF Paradox—the hidden cost of that badge. The short answer is: The 3PMSF badge certifies traction, but it costs you durability. Dive into our full analysis on the critical 3PMSF rating for severe winter and off-road service, and its hidden costs, before you risk your rig on the trail.
Off-Road Performance
Off-road performance can be considered under 4 different dimensions. Let’s start with the first one.
Dirt and Gravel
Since this tire is built for mild off-road applications, I’ve decided to put these two together for better understanding.
Dirt performance isn’t an issue for all-terrain tires. Regarding their grip ability, they can easily handle dirty surfaces. In that case, the crucial part is compact dirt. Well, Firestone Destination AT2 also performs very well on compact dirt. Due to its self-cleaning ability, it throws the compact dirt out with ease. Herewith, it offers consistent traction even on wet grass.
Regarding gravel performance, it’s also very efficient. Due to its serrated shoulders and stone ejectors, while it bites the loose ground, it also holds the stones out of grooves and helps to increase durability.
Firestone Destination AT2 is a solid pick for gravel and dirt. I strongly recommend it.
Sand
All-terrain tires fail on the sand due to their high traction ability. They tend to dig the sand and that increases the stacking possibility.
Due to its narrowed void area, Firestone Destination AT2 has better performance than common all-terrain tires. I can’t say it’s unique. Yet, it has superior performance.
Mud
In that case, Firestone Destination AT2 has one strength and one weakness.
Due to its narrow void area and low tread depth, it has limited mud traction. Yet, its self-cleaning ability and evacuation capability enhance its wet performance.
Let’s say it has average mud performance. Yet, I don’t recommend it for adventures.
Check this article out if you need a straight mud-terrain tire!
Rock
Firestone Destination AT2 is a p-metric tire. Therefore, it has relatively weak sidewalls.
I don’t recommend it for rock crawling.
Note from the Expert: Every successful day on the trail is about preparation and physics, because tire longevity is earned, not given. Before you even start, you must master the critical link between tire pressure and load range for every rig to maximize your contact patch. Once moving, remember your ultimate off-road armor is your sidewall protection against the inevitable pinch flat. And finally, your traction on the obstacle is dictated by choosing the right aggressive vs hybrid tread pattern for your terrain. Master those three steps, and your rig will be ready for anything.
Sizes
Bad news, it’s only available for p-metric sizes. In my point of view, it also shows the application range of this tire. It isn’t built with commercial intent.
Most tire sizes begin with modifier letters(P, LT, etc.) that identify the type of vehicle or type of service for which they were designed. Here is a perfect guide for reading tire size –> https://tireterrain.com/how-to-read-tire-size/
Firestone Destination AT2 Sizes for 15'' And 16'' Rim
| Tread Depth | Load Range | Speed Rating | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P235/75R15 | 12/32” | SL | S | 29 lbs |
| P225/75R16 | 12/32” | SL | S | 34 lbs |
| P235/70R16 | 12/32” | SL | S | 29 lbs |
| P235/75R16 | 12/32” | SL | S | 31 lbs |
| P245/70R16 | 12/32” | SL | S | 32 lbs |
| P245/75R16 | 12/32” | SL | S | 34 lbs |
| P255/70R16 | 12/32” | SL | S | 35 lbs |
| P265/75R16 | 12/32” | SL | T | 37 lbs |
| Tread Depth | Load Range | Speed Rating | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P235/65R17 | 12/32” | SL | S | 28 lbs |
| P235/70R17 | 12/32” | XL | S | 32 lbs |
| P235/75R17 | 12/32” | SL | S | 33 lbs |
| P245/65R17 | 12/32” | SL | T | 33 lbs |
| P245/70R17 | 12/32” | SL | S | 32 lbs |
| P255/65R17 | 12/32” | SL | S | 35 lbs |
| P255/70R17 | 12/32” | SL | S | 36 lbs |
| P255/75R17 | 12/32” | SL | S | 37 lbs |
| P265/65R17 | 12/32” | SL | S | 36 lbs |
| P265/70R17 | 12/32” | SL | S | 38 lbs |
| P285/70R17 | 12/32” | SL | T | 38 lbs |
| Tread Depth | Load Range | Speed Rating | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P245/60R18 | 12/32” | SL | T | 32 lbs |
| P255/70R18 | 12/32” | XL | S | 38 lbs |
| P265/60R18 | 12/32” | SL | T | 38 lbs |
| P265/65R18 | 12/32” | SL | T | 39 lbs |
| P265/70R18 | 12/32” | SL | S | 40 lbs |
| P275/65R18 | 12/32” | SL | T | 40 lbs |
| P275/55R20 | 12/32” | SL | S | 38 lbs |
| P275/60R20 | 12/32” | SL | S | 43 lbs |
| 285/54R22 | 12/32” | XL | H | 40 lbs |
Warranty
Tread Life Warranty: 5 Years / 55,000 Miles. Half mileage if the rear is a different size than the front.
Uniformity Warranty: First 2/32″ of wear.
Manufacturer Warranty: 90 Day Buy & Try Guarantee. Return option for the first 90 days.
Tire Size Selection: The Basics You Can’t Skip
Even the best tread design can’t rescue a tire that’s built too weak. Back when I was testing tires at Bridgestone, I saw all-terrain models that should’ve performed but fell short — simply because the basics (size, load strength, and speed rating) weren’t matched to the vehicle.
P-Metric vs. LT (Light Truck) Tires
The first step is knowing whether you need LT or passenger tires. LT (Light Truck) tires are built with extra reinforcement and stiff sidewalls, designed for towing, hauling, or off-road use. Passenger (P-metric) tires are lighter, smoother, and tuned for daily comfort and fuel efficiency — but they’ll flex more under load.
Understanding Tire Load Range: XL vs. E-Load
Then comes the tire load index and load range — essentially your tire’s strength rating. Here’s where things split between passenger XL and LT E:
XL (Extra Load) is a passenger tire with reinforced sidewalls. It can handle a bit more pressure (~41 PSI) than a standard SL tire and is perfect for SUVs, crossovers, or light trucks that carry extra gear, passengers, or small trailers. XL tires ride softer and quieter than LT options, making them ideal for daily use.
E Load Range is an LT tire class built with a much thicker casing. E-rated tires can handle far more pressure (up to ~80 PSI) and heavier loads, which makes them essential for ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks towing trailers or hauling close to max capacity. The trade-off is weight, stiffer ride, more road noise, and a small drop in fuel efficiency.
Put simply: XL is for “extra luggage and family,” while E is for “truck bed full of bricks or a car trailer.”
Why the Tire Speed Rating Matters for Safety
Finally, don’t overlook the tire speed rating. It’s not just about top speed — it measures how well a tire handles heat and stress at highway pace. Lower ratings (like S) tend to ride softer and last longer, while higher ratings (H, T) feel more stable and responsive under sharp maneuvers. Heat build-up is the silent killer of tires, and speed rating is your safeguard.
Bottom line: Match your tire’s construction (LT vs P-metric), load range (XL vs E), and speed rating to your vehicle’s demands. Get those right, and everything else — off-road grip, winter traction, comfort — will finally perform the way it was designed to.
Conclusion
Firestone Destination AT2 is an exceptional all-terrain tire. All you need to know is if its built intention matches your needs or not. The below table will help you to decide.
| Firestone Destination AT2 | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Mostly highway driving, SUV and CUVs, light-truck owners who are focused on road manners, mild off-road traction |
| Test Report | vs TerrainContact AT & Pinza AT (July 7, 2022) |
| Category | All-Terrain Tire |
| Vehicle | Light Truck, SUV |
| Weight | 29 – 43 lbs |
| Made In | USA |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 55,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 55,000 Miles |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22” |
| Labels | 3PMSF |
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
If you have any further questions, please leave them below. Have a safe ride folks!
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/
This is a great review of these tires! I will definitely get them for my wife’s GX470 now. Will I have to choose between SL and XL…even though they are all P rated?
Hello,
Normally, I recommend XL-rated tires for mid-size SUVs. However, I assume all Lexus comes with the 265/65R17 sizes. Tires of this size have high load capacity due to their high aspect ratio(the second number in the tire name,65 in that case). I’ve double-checked for this tire. Load range and speed range fit with your wife’s vehicle. You don’t need an XL rate for this one.
Though worth reminding, if you’re using a different rim size, just double check your speed and load indexes. You need a minimum S Speed rate and 110 load index.
I have a 2019 GMC Canyon 2wd that i want to upgrade the HT to a mild AT tire on. Is there a big difference in load capacity between the 255/65r17 and the 265/65r17 versions? I’m trying to balance tire aggressiveness vs weight since the truck is a 4 cylinder.
Hello Clay,
If both tires are P metric or LT, then the difference will be tentative. The difference between these two load capacities is around 100 lbs per tire. That means 400 lbs in total. It’s your decision but I think both will work fine on your vehicle. However, if you’re towing or hauling so often, smaller tires can transmit to torque way much easier. Just a little tip 🙂
Hi,
Looking for speed with the terrain-look, but also gas efficient. I have a Toyota Sequoia 4WD P275/55R20.
Whats’s my best pick in tires?
Hello Marcia,
I can offer a couple of tires. Since you want terrain look,
1)Nitto Ridge Grappler is the best pick for you. It’s a bit pricy but it’ll meet your expectations. Yet, it’s not perfect for severe winter conditions.
2)General Grabber ATX. This one has the best winter performance among these three.
3)Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus. This one is also an all-around tire. Regarding gas efficiency, this one is best.
Please pay attention to not buying LT sizes. Stick with XL or P-Metric sizes. If you wanna expent your options, you can use Tire Decision Guide which is linked on conclusion section