- 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!
Firestone Destination AT2 is an all-terrain tire that has been released in late 2019. It can be used on full-size SUVs, crossovers, and Jeeps. Though worth reminding, it’s not an efficient tire for above 3/4 ton pickups (list of best tires). Let’s see what’s its cons and pros!
At a Glance
| 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 |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22” (Ensure these tires fit your vehicle) |
| Weight | 29 – 43 lbs |
| Made In | USA |
| Labels | 3PMSF |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 55,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 55,000 Miles |
| Prices | DiscountTire: Check Price TireRack: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Firestone Destination AT2 is a long-lasting and fuel-efficient tire. Due to its well-optimized pattern, Firestone Destination AT2 provides extremely satisfying on-road manners. It offers a quiet and smooth ride. Moreover, its wet and dry ground performance is unique. It’s also a good choice for mild winter conditions (3PMSF). However, it isn’t a good pick for adventure and severe off-road.
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 - What is the 3PMSF symbol?
https://tireterrain.com/what-is-3pmsf-symbol/ - Off-Road Tire Buyer’s Guide
https://tireterrain.com/off-road-tire-buyers-guide/ - Tire rating charts & reviews
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/rating-chart&reviews - Are all-terrain tires good for daily driving?
https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-for-daily-driving/ - Most aggressive all-terrain tires
https://tireterrain.com/most-aggressive-all-terrain-tires/
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
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.
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
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: 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
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.
If you have a heavy-duty truck, I recommend you to check this article out for a durable and solid winter tire!
Off-Road Performance
Off-road performance can be considered under 4 different dimensions. Let’s start with the first one.
Before starting to read this section, check this article out to what to expect from mud, rugged or all-terrain tires –> https://tireterrain.com/off-road-tire-tread-patterns/
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.
You can check this article out if you need something with a 3-ply sidewall!
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 |
A side note here: If you are planning to upsize or downsize from your original equipment size (changing tire size with a smaller or bigger size), or if you have already done, it’s crucial to remember that changing tire size will decrease the accuracy of your speedometer. If this is the case, I strongly recommend checking DiscountTire Speedometer Guide.
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.
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
Firestone Destination AT2: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/firestone-tire-destination-a-t-2
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, 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
Firestone Destination AT2: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/firestone-destination-a-t2
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
Firestone Destination AT2: https://simpletire.com/brands/firestone-tires/destination-a-t2
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.
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 |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22” (Ensure these tires fit your vehicle) |
| Weight | 29 – 43 lbs |
| Made In | USA |
| Labels | 3PMSF |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 55,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 55,000 Miles |
| Prices | 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.
If you have any further questions, please leave them below. Have a safe ride folks!
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