- 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!
Nitto and Toyo became siblings when Toyo expanded its business operations to the United States. As a result, these tires are manufactured in the same factory. Both brands have been included in the company’s lineup for a specific purpose: to provide a balance between smooth on-road performance and the capability to handle mild off-road conditions. Although they may not excel as all-round tires, they are ideal choices if you understand their specific areas of expertise. Let me help you with this!
At a Glance
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 | Toyo Open Country AT2 | |
---|---|---|
Best for | Squishy and snowy regions, mostly highway driving Aggressive appearance | Dry regions, weekend overlanders, working trucks, 3/4 ton or above trucks |
Pros | Quiet ride, long-lasting rubber, satisfying wet and winter grip | Smooth ride, decent off-road performance, hauling & towing capability |
Cons | Limited off-road performance | Average performance on wet and snowy surfaces |
Available on | DiscountTire: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price | DiscountTire: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, in my perspective, both the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2 demonstrate comparable handling capabilities on highways and city streets. However, there are some distinctions between the two. The Toyo Open Country AT2 offers a longer tread life, while the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 delivers superior performance in wet and winter conditions. Additionally, the Terra Grappler G2 excels in reducing noise and providing a comfortable ride. In terms of off-road performance, both tires are highly capable and perform well in various conditions, except for deep mud and 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 - 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.
Name | Best for | Works Best on | Articles | 3PMSF | Road Noise | Mileage | Fuel Economy | Riding Comfort | Responsiveness | Wet Performance | Mild Winter | Severe Winter | Mild Off-Road | Severe Off-Road | Commercial Usage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Toyo Open Country AT3 (Test Report – Check Price) | Treadlife focused all-round performance | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks, 1-ton trucks | Review | Yes | Average | Elegant | Decent | Decent | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Elegant | Decent | Medium-Duty |
Falken Wildpeak AT3W | Winter driving and mild off-road performance | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks | Review | Yes | Average | Average | Poor | Decent | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Decent | Average | Light-Duty |
BF Goodrich KO2 (Test Report – Check Price) | Off-road adventure | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks, 1-ton trucks | Review | Yes | Average | Average | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Average | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Medium-Duty |
Nitto Ridge Grappler (Check Price) | Off-road driven all-round performance | SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks, 1-ton trucks | Review | No | Decent | Decent | Decent | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Elegant |
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S (Test Report – Check Price) | Daily driving, moderate off-road | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton pickups | Review | Yes | Decent | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Elegant | Elegant | Decent | Decent | Fairy Well | Medium-Duty |
Vredestein Pinza AT (Test Report – Check Price) | Quiet & smooth highway driving and mild off-road performance | 3/4 ton or below Light Truck, SUV, Jeep, CUV | Review | Yes | Elegant | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Elegant | Average | Light-Duty |
Falken Wildpeak AT Trail (Test Report – Check Price) | CUV & SUV off-road lovers | CUV, SUV | Review | Yes | Decent | Decent | Average | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Average | Light-Duty |
Sumitomo Encounter AT (Test Report – Check Price) | Winter-driven all-round performance, medium-duty off-road | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks | Review | Yes | Decent | Average | Average | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Medium-Duty |
Firestone Destination AT2 (Test Report – Check Price) | Weekend overlanders | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton pickups | Review | Yes | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Elegant | Elegant | Decent | Elegant | Average | Decent | Decent | Medium-Duty |
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT (Test Report – Check Price) | Heavy duty work trucks | 3/4 ton trucks, 1-ton pickup trucks, body-on-frame SUVs, Jeeps | vs Cooper Discoverer ATW | No | Decent | Decent | Fairy Well | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Average | Fairy Well | Elegant | Decent | Heavy-Duty |
Firestone Destination XT (Test Report – Check Price) | Fuel economy on 3/4 ton or above light trucks | 3/4 ton trucks, 1-ton pickup trucks, body-on-frame SUVs, Jeeps | Review | Yes | Average | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Decent | Average | Decent | Decent | Heavy-Duty |
General Grabber ATX (Test Report – Check Price) | Handling focused all-round performance | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks, 1-ton trucks | vs BFG KO2 | Yes | Average | Decent | Fairy Well | Decent | Decent | Decent | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Medium-Duty |
General Grabber APT (Test Report – Check Price) | Mild winter and mild off-road combination | SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks | Review | Yes | Decent | Excellent | Average | Decent | Decent | Decent | Decent | Average | Decent | Average | Medium-Duty |
Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus (Test Report – Check Price) | Well-balance on/off road tire | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks, 1-ton trucks | No | Average | Decent | Fairy Well | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Decent | Decent | Elegant | Decent | Medium-Duty | |
Continental TerrainContact AT (Test Report – Check Price) | Premium on-road manners, dry regions | CUV, SUV, 1/2 ton trucks, 3/4 ton trucks | No | Elegant | Decent | Elegant | Elegant | Elegant | Elegant | Average | Fairy Well | Decent | Fairy Well | Light-Duty |
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
All-Terrain Tires
As we all get it from naming, all-terrain tires offer effective functionality in different sort of conditions. Well, in that case, It’s hard to reach perfection in all conditions. Manufacturers lose the battle on at least one front line and it’s mostly highway driving.
The main reason for this deficiency is many of them are developed by mud-terrain tire (best ones) patterns. Therefore, sometimes they are struggling in the city driving. The most common problems are losing traction on wet, sliding while cornering, uneven wearing, and so on.
- 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/
As a result, can we say that the quality of all-terrain tires can be approximately aligned with the highway performance? For an amateur, yes but we are going to put other elements in this equation. Which are off-road performance, wear life, and wet and snow performance on and off-road.
Nitto Terra Grappler G2
Without any doubt, Nitto put huge effort while developing Nitto Terra Grappler G2. The product promises various advantages due to its unique tread pattern design.
While variable pitch tread blocks allow it to reduce noise on highway usage and offer a quiet ride. On the other hand, reinforced coupling joints promote even wearing and increase wear life dramatically. It’s also nice to see shoulder lugs that offer more traction on tough off-road terrain.
As the last surprise of Nitto designers, full-depth sipes increase aquaplaning resistance significantly. That will pile up performances on wet surfaces. Folks, this tire promises a lot!!
You can click here to see a detailed review of the Nitto all-terrain tires line-up!
Toyo Open Country AT2
Even though his younger brother Toyo Open Country AT3 has been released early in 2021. Toyo Tires decided to keep Toyo Open Country AT2 due to good on-road performance and durability. When the manufacturer first released Toyo Open Country AT2 they claimed that this tire has a wear-resistant tread compound. Well, according to users on the internet that’s true.
Even though it has long-lasting rubber, it has poor wet and winter performance. Yet, aggressive sidewall and open tread block design deliver the tough appearance and scale-up performance in dirt, mud, and snow on off-road usage. Moreover, deep tread grooves with stone-ejecting blocks enable stone-throwing. This feature will enhance efficiency in deep mud and snow.
In general, Toyo Open Country AT2 might be a good choice for mostly off-road users. Yet, if you need something better for severe winter conditions –> https://tireterrain.com/toyo-open-country-at2-extreme-vs-at2/
Let’s jump into comparison and see what tire is suitable for your operation.
Comparison Table
In this section, we want to give you brief information about products. I would like to start with sizes. Both products are available at 18’’, 20’’, and 22’’ inches, Nitto offers 24’’ or the ones who are in love with huge staffs. Toyo’s answer is 16’’ inches which is exceed the light truck application range.
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/
Regarding weight, Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is lighter than Toyo Open Country AT2 and that makes it fuel-efficient.
Lastly, the dual sidewall design promotes different sidewall appearances for Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and gives you a chance to select a suitable sidewall design for your vehicle.
- 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/
Highway Performance
As we mentioned above, highway performance makes a difference when it’s come to round-up all-terrain tires performance.
In my opinion, Nitto Terra Grappler G2 has better highway performance in total. Not the best in any line but good all across the board. Let’s examine strengths and weaknesses below the comparison table.
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 | Toyo Open Country AT2 | |
– Riding comfort is average due to block thread design | – Due to a specific tread design, this tire is mute, it brings comfort | |
– Handle aggressive driving | – Especially after 50% wearing level, handling decrease significantly | |
– Better handling on wet | – Taking off on wet streets can also be a challenge. | |
– Can handle dry ground | – Can handle dry ground | |
– Usable for heavy-duty applications | – Usable for heavy-duty applications | |
– Good winter performance no traction issues even in a snowstorm | – Snow performance is even worse than wet | |
– Long-lasting in highway usage | – Thread life is amazing, it is overdesigned. | |
– Average durability | – Better durability |
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 comes up strong with better wet and dry handling and superior performance in winter conditions. If you are looking for a daily driving tire, Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is in your service.
Toyo Open Country AT2 could be efficient in commercial operations. Long life and better durability might bring profit in long term.
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:
Depending on your intention, you may go with Nitto Terra Grappler G2 for innercity driving. On the other hand, Toyo Open Country AT2 can be a good option for small businesses.
Off-Road Performance
When it comes to off-road performance, both tires are confident and plush. While Nitto Terra Grappler G2 promises better traction on mud and dirt. Toyo Open Country AT2 is showing strength with sidewall durability.
Though worth reminding, Nitto and Toyo have better off-road tires on their lineup.
Nitto Line-Up –> https://tireterrain.com/nitto-trail-grappler-vs-ridge-grappler-vs-terra-grappler/
Toyo Line-Up –> https://tireterrain.com/toyo-open-country-at3-vs-at2-vs-rt-vs-mt-vs-ct/
The battle is close in this section. You can go either way. A detailed table below will help you to pick!
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 | Toyo Open Country AT2 |
– Can be noisy sometimes | – Ride quality is very good for an AT tire and the tread noise is fairly low |
– Good tread life | – Ridiculous tread life |
– Work well on mud, dirt, and sand | – Off-road performance is great really fine silty powder sand, thick mud, embankments. |
– Great on gravel | – Some rumors say Toyo sometimes spin in gravel |
– Traction is smooth | – Average traction |
– Works impeccably on snow | – Average winter performance |
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and Toyo Open Country AT2 are both good Off-Road tires. In that case, your decision-maker must be your region.
If you are struggling with tough winter days or rainy climates, Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is your savior. If you mostly spend your days sunshiny, you can feel the comfort with Toyo Open Country AT2. Yet, do not forget to be thankful for the sun!
- 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/
Warranty
As a sibling, Nitto and Toyo offer 50,000 miles tread life warranty for LT and 65,000 miles for P-metric sizes.
However, I recommend you check this document for a better understanding of warranty limits –> https://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/warranty/TO0315.pdf
Specs
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 | Toyo Open Country AT2 | |
---|---|---|
Category | All-Terrain Tire | All-Terrain Tire |
Vehicle | Light Truck, SUV | Light Truck, SUV |
Available Sizes (Rim) | 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’, 24’’ | 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’ |
Weight(275/55R20) | 43.3 lbs | 49 lbs |
Made In | White, GA, USA | White, GA, USA |
Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF) | No | No |
Warranty (P-metric) | 65,000 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 AT2: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/toyo-tire-open-country-a-t-ii
Nitto Terra Grappler G2: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/nitto-terra-grappler-g2
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 AT2: https://simpletire.com/brands/toyo-tires/open-country-a-t-ii
Nitto Terra Grappler G2: https://simpletire.com/brands/nitto-tires/terra-grappler-g2
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.
Size Selection
Before we dive into selecting the right tire size, it’s essential to understand the tire standards that manufacturers follow.
Technical Standards & Regulations
In Europe, the tire standardizing organization is called ETRTO. In the United States, it’s The Tire and Rim Association (TRA), while in Japan, it’s the Japanese Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA). Although there may be other organizations, they generally align with one of these three.
When it comes to passenger car tires, TRA designates them by placing the letter “P” in front of the size to indicate conformity to the TRA standard. On the other hand, ETRTO and JATMA do not use any letters, which can sometimes be confusing when determining which standard is being used.
For light truck tires, TRA uses the letters “LT” in front of the tire size, while JATMA places the letters “LT” after the size. ETRTO, however, uses the letter “C” after the size to indicate tires of this type.
In the realm of medium truck tires, ETRTO uses the letter “C” after the size to designate tires designed according to their standard. In contrast, TRA and JATMA do not use any letters in this context.
Now, here’s what’s essential: Tires with the same dimensions (size) may have different maximum load capacities depending on the standard being followed. So, it’s crucial to consider the relevant standard when choosing tires.
When it comes to load capacity designations, “SL” (Standard Load) and “XL” (Extra Load) are used for all passenger car tires, regardless of which standard is being followed. In the ETRTO standard, “Reinforced” is also used as an alternative to “XL.”
Load Range, on the other hand, is specific to TRA. ETRTO and JATMA use the term “Load Index.” While TRA references Load Indexes, it’s important to note that the values provided are approximate.
To sum it up, understanding the tire standards and designations is vital as they play a significant role in determining the right tire size and load capacity. By considering the appropriate standards, you can make an informed decision when selecting tires that meet your vehicle’s requirements.
Here are two great articles if you wanna dive deeper:
Load Range vs Load Index: https://www.discounttire.com/learn/load-range-load-index
Tire Sizing System: https://www.discounttire.com/learn/euro-vs-pmetric-tires
How to Select the Right Tire Size Based on Your Requirements?
When it comes to selecting tire sizes for your vehicle, it’s important to keep in mind that most vehicles offer more than one original equipment size. Let’s take the 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab 4WD as an example. You have three different tire size options: 275/55R20 SL, 275/65R18 Load Range C, or 275/65R18 SL.
Note: I use Toyo Open Country AT3 for an example tire. You can use this link to see tire options for your vehicle and then make a comparison between the sizes:
https://www.discounttire.com/fitment/vehicle
If you don’t know your tire size: https://tireterrain.com/find-tires-by-vin-number/
Let’s focus on comparing the 275/65R18 SL and 275/65R18 Load Range C options for a more detailed comparison. Your decision should be based on your priorities. If you prioritize a smooth ride and better handling, the SL option is the way to go. On the other hand, if you value hauling or towing performance and tire longevity, the Load Range C option would be a better fit.
As a tire engineer, my perspective often revolves around load-carrying capacity. Generally, tires with higher load capabilities tend to provide a stiffer ride. However, there’s a bit of an illusion to consider. When you compare the two tires in the same size, the SL-rated tire may initially appear to have a higher load capability. But here’s the catch: P metric tires, like the SL option, need to be derated by a factor of 1.1 when used on a truck. Crunching the numbers reveals that the SL option actually has a lower maximum load capability. Additionally, it boasts a lower tread depth, which translates to better responsiveness.
The same principles I mentioned earlier also apply when comparing XL and E Load range tires. In summary, if your vehicle allows for Passenger Car or LT (Light Truck) tires, going with a passenger option will provide you with better on-road manners. However, if you find yourself venturing off-road frequently, own a working truck, or regularly engage in towing and hauling heavy loads, then LT tires are generally the better choice for your needs.
Couple of tips for towing;
- Even though the load index of passenger car tires fits, when it comes to towing, sidewall stability is the issue. Hence, LT tires with Load Range C, D, or E provide better stability.
- Generally, a load index higher than 119 is recommended for towing
- Proper loading is important for even wearing. 60/40 rule should be followed. 60% of the weight should be on the front axle and 40%of weight should be applied rear axle of the trailer. Besides that, try to center load. Start with heavier ones if you gonna stack them up.
To wrap it up, selecting the right tires comes down to choosing the ones that align with your driving preferences and specific requirements.
Conclusion
Both tires are pretty affordable options for your all-terrain usage, especially if you spend most of your time off the road. Both are trustworthy for off-road usage.
Unfortunately, they are not singing from the same hymnsheet in the matter of on-road usage. Deep down I believe that Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is a more functional tire and serves way much better on the highway.
In addition to that, full-depth sipes relieve traction and handling on wet and it’s also in the same class in tough winter conditions. Moreover, a few sizes fulfilled expectations of three-peak mountain snowflake marking.
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 | Toyo Open Country AT2 | |
---|---|---|
Best for | Squishy and snowy regions, mostly highway driving Aggressive appearance | Dry regions, weekend overlanders, working trucks, 3/4 ton or above trucks |
Pros | Quiet ride, long-lasting rubber, satisfying wet and winter grip | Smooth ride, decent off-road performance, hauling & towing capability |
Cons | Limited off-road performance | Average performance on wet and snowy surfaces |
Available on | DiscountTire: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price | DiscountTire: 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.
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 you can traverse the many potholes, uneven pavement, and highway debris that city driving brings. It can also handle aggressive driving. Also, off-road performance is better on snow. On the other hand, Toyo Open Country AT2 is good for daily driving. Yet, users criticize wet performance a lot. Some even say it’s not safe!
I hope this article will be efficient for audiences. If you have any further questions, please write in the below section. I will return to you ASAP!
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