Real-world test data, everyday impressions, and plain-English breakdowns — from a former Bridgestone test engineer.
The legendary BFGoodrich KO2 has been the benchmark all-terrain for over a decade — trusted by off-roaders across the US and Canada for its 3-ply sidewalls and trail-ready toughness. The newer BFGoodrich KO3 keeps that DNA but adds safer snow grip, longer tread life, and more predictable handling. For drivers weighing the KO2 vs KO3, the updates make it the clear evolution.
The Yokohama Geolandar AT4 enters from another angle: modern road manners, stronger wet and ice braking, and a lighter steering feel — all while keeping the adventurous A/T styling.
Head-to-head testing starts now.
Quick Look
Yokohama Geolandar AT4
The AT4 is built for drivers who spend most of their time on pavement but still want the confidence of an all-terrain look. In our tests, it stopped shorter in the wet than both KO2 and KO3, delivered the best ice braking, and felt lighter on the steering wheel during daily highway miles. The tradeoff is durability — it won’t shrug off trail abuse like the BFGs. But if your priority is comfort, wet safety, and easy daily drivability, this is the smarter modern choice.
Best prices I found online:
Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/yokohama-geolandar-a-t4
Simple Tire: https://simpletire.com/brands/yokohama-tires/geolandar-a-t4-g018
BFGoodrich KO3
The KO3 is the natural upgrade to the KO2 — it keeps the 3-ply toughness but adds improvements in tread wear and winter performance. On-road, it feels steadier than the KO2 and more predictable in snow, making it the balanced pick for truck owners who tow, haul, or split time between pavement and dirt. It isn’t the cheapest option, but if you want long-term durability with fewer compromises, KO3 earns its spot.
Best prices I found online:
Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/bfgoodrich-all-terrain-t-a-ko3
BF Goodrich KO2
The KO2 is the off-road legend — still one of the toughest all-terrain tires you can buy. It claws into snow, handles rocks without complaint, and has proven itself for over a decade. But its weak spot is wet pavement, where it ranked last in our braking and cornering tests. If you need a battle-tested tire for off-road work and want to save money compared to the KO3, the KO2 remains a solid pick.
Best prices I found online:
Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/bfgoodrich-all-terrain-t-a-ko2
Table of Contents
Head-to-Head Test Data & Rankings
| Performance Metric | Geolandar AT4 | BFGoodrich KO3 | BFGoodrich KO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Stopping (60–0 mph) | 141.0 ft8/12 | 141.0 ft9/12 | 144.4 ft11/12 |
| Dry Cornering (g-force) | 0.70 g8/12 | 0.69 g11/12 | 0.69 g11/12 |
| Noise & Comfort (1–10) | 6.0810/12 | 6.428/12 | 6.607/12 |
| Wet Stopping (60–0 mph) | 177.0 ft7/12 | 184.0 ft9/12 | 213.8 ft12/12 |
| Wet Cornering (g-force) | 0.52 g10/12 | 0.51 g11/12 | 0.50 g12/12 |
| Wet Traction (Standing) | 0.4710/12 | 0.4511/12 | 0.4312/12 |
| Winter Stopping (25–0 mph) | 71.8 ft5/12 | 72.3 ft6/12 | 76.0 ft9/12 |
| Snow Acceleration (0–12 mph) | 47.8 ft9/12 | 46.4 ft7/12 | 46.0 ft6/12 |
| Ice Stopping Distance | 48.5 ft7/12 | 53.3 ft11/12 | 51.0 ft9/12 |
All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet
Finding the ideal all-terrain tire among the plethora of options available can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, my team and I have taken on this challenge head-on. Besides our hands-on experiences with these tires, we also analyze thousands of customer reviews and test reports.
Please note that: Light-Duty is 1500 series, Medium-Duty is 2500 series and Heavy-Duty is 3500 series. If you do towing or hauling, I recommend considering at least Medium-Duty tires.
Mobile users can scroll the table to the left to see the whole data.
Dry Performance — AT4 Feels More Nimble
Test Data:
AT4: 141.0 ft stop (8/12) | 0.70 g cornering (8/12)
KO3: 141.0 ft stop (9/12) | 0.69 g cornering (11/12)
KO2: 144.4 ft stop (11/12) | 0.69 g cornering (11/12)
Driver Feedback:
AT4 felt quicker and easier to guide through lane changes, giving it a more modern road feel. KO3 stayed planted but demanded more steering input, while KO2 felt heavy-handed — secure, but not eager to turn.
Technical Deep Dive:
AT4’s tighter tread blocks and softer rubber keep more surface pressed against the road, which sharpens steering response. KO3 and KO2, with their chunkier gaps and stiff 3-ply sidewalls, are built for punishment. That’s great for rocks and ruts, but it dulls precision on dry pavement.
🏁 Verdict:
If you want light, nimble steering for daily highway miles, the AT4 delivers. KO3 is steadier if you’re carrying a load or trailer, while KO2 is the strongest but least agile of the three.
Wet Performance — AT4 Feels Safer in Rain
Test Data:
AT4: 177.0 ft stop (7/12) | 0.52 g cornering (10/12) | 0.47 traction (10/12)
KO3: 184.0 ft stop (9/12) | 0.51 g cornering (11/12) | 0.45 traction (11/12)
KO2: 213.8 ft stop (12/12) | 0.50 g cornering (12/12) | 0.43 traction (12/12)
Driver Feedback:
AT4 felt the most composed in heavy rain, holding grip in corners where KO2 slipped early. KO3 was stable but not as reassuring mid-turn. KO2 demanded the most caution in emergency braking.
Technical Deep Dive:
AT4 uses a silica-rich rubber compound and plenty of siping (tiny slits) that pump water away from the tread, like little channels. KO2’s older, harder compound can’t clear water as well, so it slides sooner. KO3 improves on KO2 but still trails behind Yokohama.
🏁 Verdict:
For wet highways, AT4 is the safest bet. KO3 is serviceable but average, while KO2 is clearly outdated in the rain.
Winter & Ice — Each Tire Shines in a Different Way
Test Data:
AT4: 71.8 ft winter stop (5/12) | 47.8 ft snow accel (9/12) | 48.5 ft ice stop (7/12)
KO3: 72.3 ft winter stop (6/12) | 46.4 ft snow accel (7/12) | 53.3 ft ice stop (11/12)
KO2: 76.0 ft winter stop (9/12) | 46.0 ft snow accel (6/12) | 51.0 ft ice stop (9/12)
Driver Feedback:
KO2 dug hardest when starting in deep snow. KO3 felt more predictable in packed winter traffic. AT4 surprised us by stopping shorter on icy surfaces, making it the calmest choice for frozen mornings.
Technical Deep Dive:
KO2’s chunky tread blocks act like shovels, giving bite in snow. KO3 adds more siping for steadier winter grip. AT4 uses a flexible compound that stays soft in the cold and dense siping that works like cleats on ice, which explains its braking edge.
🏁 Verdict:
If you want raw snow traction, KO2 is still king. KO3 is the more balanced winter tire, while AT4 is the one that gives you peace of mind on ice.
Noise & Comfort — KO2 Surprisingly Wins
Test Data:
KO2: 6.60 (7/12)
KO3: 6.42 (8/12)
AT4: 6.08 (10/12)
Driver Feedback:
Despite its age, KO2 hummed less than expected at highway speeds. KO3 was nearly the same, while AT4 transmitted more vibration and felt harsher on long drives.
Technical Deep Dive:
BFG uses tread pitch sequencing — arranging block sizes like tuned guitar strings — to cancel out certain noise frequencies. Yokohama focused more on grip than silence, which makes AT4 louder inside the cabin.
🏁 Verdict:
If highway comfort matters, KO2 is the quietest surprise. KO3 comes close, but AT4 is the noisiest of the bunch.
Off-Road Performance — KO2 & KO3 Are Still Tanks
Off-Road Notes:
KO2 and KO3 resisted cuts and punctures best
AT4 handled gravel and dirt fine, but struggled in deeper mud
Driver Feedback:
KO2 and KO3 felt unshakable on rocks and mud. AT4 was okay for gravel backroads but didn’t clear mud well, losing grip quicker.
Technical Deep Dive:
KO2 and KO3 use 3-ply sidewalls — essentially armor plating — and wide voids that eject mud. AT4’s 2-ply build is lighter and smoother on-road, but less suited for serious trails.
🏁 Verdict:
For real off-road work, KO2 and KO3 remain the benchmarks. AT4 is fine for light trails but not the tire you want deep in the woods.
Fuel Economy & Tread Wear — KO3 Goes Longer, AT4 Rolls Easier
Driver Feedback:
AT4 rolled lighter, making it feel a touch more fuel-efficient. KO3 wore most evenly across its tread, while KO2 chewed shoulders faster when rotations were skipped.
Technical Deep Dive:
KO2’s aggressive shoulders focus stress, causing uneven wear. KO3 spreads load more evenly across the tread. AT4’s lighter design reduces rolling resistance, which helps MPG, but it won’t match BFG’s brute lifespan under abuse.
🏁 Verdict:
AT4 gives you a small bump in MPG, KO3 lasts the longest, and KO2 remains the brute force option if you rotate often.
What Drivers Say (Reddit vs Our Test)
“KO2 lasts forever but is scary in rain.” — Matches: weakest wet safety, longest wear. ✅
“KO3 is basically a KO2 that finally works in snow.” — Matches: steadier and safer in winter. ✅
“AT4 is underrated for wet and ice braking.” — Matches: topped wet and ice tests. ✅
Final Verdict — Which Tire Should You Buy?
If your driving is mostly highways and city miles, the Yokohama AT4 is the most reassuring, thanks to its wet safety and ice braking. The BFGoodrich KO3 is the balanced workhorse, great for towing and mixed use. And if you live off-road or need maximum durability, the KO2 is still the legend.
✅ Best Use Cases
🚙 Yokohama AT4 → Daily drivers, commuters, and families who value wet/ice safety and light steering.
🚛 BFGoodrich KO3 → Truck owners who tow, haul, and split time between pavement and dirt.
🪨 BFGoodrich KO2 → Off-roaders, ranchers, and anyone who prioritizes trail strength over road comfort.
