Real-world test data, technical breakdowns, and use-case recommendations — from a former Bridgestone test engineer.
The versatile Falken Wildpeak AT4W builds on the AT3W’s reputation with stronger ice stopping, safer wet braking, and impressively low road noise for an A/T. For drivers comparing the AT4W vs AT3W, it’s the clear upgrade — dependable year-round traction without feeling punished on the highway.
The road-friendly Cooper Discoverer Road+ AT Trail takes a different lane. It isn’t a hardcore off-roader, but it’s tuned for SUVs and crossovers that need surefooted grip in rain, snow, and light dirt while keeping the ride smooth and fuel-efficient. In our tests, it consistently ranked among the best for wet traction, winter confidence, and comfort.
Time to put both tires through the same yardstick and see what shakes out.
🔍 Quick Look
🛞 Falken Wildpeak AT4W
The AT4W is Falken’s newest A/T, and in our tests it came across as the “trusty all-rounder.” It scored higher in ice stopping than the Cooper and held its own in wet cornering, making it a safe bet when the weather gets unpredictable. Noise levels were mid-pack, but our driver described it as “easy to live with” on long highway runs. If you want an all-terrain tire that blends stability, safety, and decent comfort, the AT4W is a reliable choice.
Best prices I found online:
Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/falken-wildpeak-a-t4w
Simple Tire: https://simpletire.com/brands/falken-tires/wildpeak-a-t4w
🛞 Cooper Discoverer Road + AT Trail
The Road + AT Trail stood out in our tests, topping charts in wet braking, winter stopping, and comfort — exactly what SUV and crossover drivers need. Our driver called it “one of the easiest A/Ts to trust in traffic,” and I agreed. It’s quieter, smoother, and more fuel-efficient than most competitors, though not built for hardcore off-road. If daily comfort and all-weather safety are your main priorities, Cooper nails it.
Best prices I found online:
Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/cooper-discoverer-road-plus-trail-at
Simple Tire: https://simpletire.com/brands/cooper-tires/discoverer-road-plus-trail-at
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.
Table of Contents
📊 Head-to-Head Test Data & Rankings
| Metric | AT4W | Rank | Road + AT Trail | Rank | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Stopping (60–0 mph) | 132.0 ft | 4/12 | 132.0 ft | 4/12 | Tie |
| Dry Cornering (g-force) | 0.72 g | 6/12 | 0.74 g | 4/12 | Cooper |
| Noise & Comfort (1–10) | 6.58 | 7/12 | 7.08 | 2/12 | Cooper |
| Wet Stopping (60–0 mph) | 171.0 ft | 4/12 | 167.0 ft | 2/12 | Cooper |
| Wet Cornering (g-force) | 0.57 g | 5/12 | 0.59 g | 3/12 | Cooper |
| Wet Traction (Standing) | 0.52 | 5/12 | 0.53 | 4/12 | Cooper |
| Winter Stopping (25–0 mph) | 82.3 ft | 11/12 | 71.5 ft | 1/12 | Cooper |
| Snow Acceleration (0–12 mph) | 49.1 ft | 12/12 | 42.5 ft | 2/12 | Cooper |
| Ice Stopping Distance | 47.5 ft | 4/12 | 44.4 ft | 1/12 | Cooper |
👉 See how both compare across the field in our Best All-Terrain Tires for 2025 guide.
Dry Performance — Close, But Cooper Edges Out
📊 Test Data:
AT4W: 132.0 ft (4/12) | 0.72 g (6/12)
Road + AT Trail: 132.0 ft (4/12) | 0.74 g (4/12)
Driver Feedback:
Our driver felt the Cooper was “lighter on its feet,” with quicker steering response and tighter cornering. The AT4W stayed stable and confidence-inspiring, but felt a little slower to react in fast maneuvers. Personally, I thought the Falken gave me more stability mid-corner, while the Cooper was more agile in quick transitions.
🧠 Root Cause:
Cooper uses a P-metric SUV-first build with a more continuous center section, which reduces block squirm and helps with steering precision. Falken’s AT4W has siped center blocks that flex more — great for wet and ice grip, but slightly softer on dry cornering.
🏁 Verdict:
Dry-road drivers will like the Cooper’s sharpness more, while the AT4W feels safer and steadier, especially in longer, sweeping turns.
Wet Performance — Cooper Clearly Safer
📊 Test Data:
AT4W: 171.0 ft (4/12) | 0.57 g (5/12) | 0.52 (5/12)
Road + AT Trail: 167.0 ft (2/12) | 0.59 g (3/12) | 0.53 (4/12)
Driver Feedback:
Our driver said the Cooper gave “shorter, more confident stops” in heavy rain, while Falken stayed predictable but didn’t hook as quickly. I felt the same: Cooper feels like a well-tuned SUV tire in the wet, while Falken behaves more like a do-it-all all-terrain with slightly longer braking.
🧠 Root Cause:
Cooper’s silica-heavy compound and tighter tread pattern clear water faster, keeping more rubber on the road in panic stops. Falken’s wider voids are tuned for all-terrain grip, which naturally gives up some wet pavement bite.
🏁 Verdict:
For SUV drivers who spend most of their time in the rain, Cooper is the safer, sharper wet-weather tire.
Winter & Ice — Cooper Dominates
📊 Test Data:
Winter stop: AT4W 82.3 ft (11/12) | Cooper 71.5 ft (1/12)
Snow accel: AT4W 49.1 ft (12/12) | Cooper 42.5 ft (2/12)
Ice stop: AT4W 47.5 ft (4/12) | Cooper 44.4 ft (1/12)
Driver Feedback:
Our driver called the Cooper “one of the best A/Ts for icy intersections,” noting it stopped quickly and hooked up smoothly in slushy turns. The AT4W was predictable, but needed more space to stop and more throttle finesse in deep snow. I’d agree — if winter is your main concern, Cooper just feels more surefooted.
🧠 Root Cause:
Cooper’s compound stays soft in freezing temps, while its denser siping creates thousands of biting edges for snow and ice. Falken’s AT4W is still 3PMSF-certified and solid on ice, but trails in deep-snow acceleration.
🏁 Verdict:
Winter belongs to Cooper — it’s built with SUVs in mind, and it shows.
Off-Road — Falken More Durable
Driver Feedback:
On rocky climbs, the AT4W felt sturdier when aired down, while the Cooper was smoother on dirt but more vulnerable to cuts.
🧠 Root Cause:
Falken uses reinforced sidewalls and interlocking lugs for off-road toughness. Cooper’s P-metric casing is tuned more for comfort than rock resistance.
🏁 Verdict:
If you plan on hitting rocky trails, the Falken is safer. For light gravel and dirt, Cooper is more than fine.
Noise, Comfort & Fuel Economy
📊 Test Data:
AT4W: 6.58 (7/12)
Road + AT Trail: 7.08 (2/12)
Driver Feedback:
Our driver said the Cooper “rode like a touring tire” — quiet, cushioned, and smooth over expansion joints. The Falken was good, but you could feel its tougher casing over long drives. I agreed: AT4W is livable, but Cooper is downright comfortable.
🧠 Root Cause:
Cooper’s optimized pitch sequencing and softer casing soak up vibrations better. It also rolls more easily, saving about 0.5–1 mpg compared to Falken in similar sizes.
🏁 Verdict:
For daily drivers, Cooper is the clear winner in comfort and fuel efficiency.
Size & Fitment Availability
AT4W: P-metric & LT sizes, 16–22″, fits SUVs, crossovers, and light trucks.
Cooper Road + AT Trail: Broad P-metric SUV coverage, plus select LT sizes.
Best Application
AT4W: Balanced for mixed climates, off-roaders who need rock strength, and drivers who still want comfort.
Cooper Road + AT Trail: Perfect for SUVs/crossovers, city drivers, and anyone prioritizing wet/winter safety and ride comfort.
What Drivers Say — Reddit vs Our Tests
| Topic | Reddit Insights | Our Test Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | “Coopers feel like car tires on SUVs.” | Cooper ranked 2/12 in comfort, better than AT4W. |
| Wet Grip | “Coopers grip rain-slick roads like glue.” | Matches: Cooper ranked 2/12 in wet braking. |
| Ice/Snow | “Wildpeaks okay, Coopers much safer on ice.” | Matches: Cooper 1/12 in ice stop. |
| Off-road | “Wildpeaks tougher for rocks.” | Matches: Falken better durability off-road. |
| Daily Driving | “Coopers feel more refined.” | Matches: Cooper smoother & more efficient. |
Final Verdict — Which Should You Buy?
Choose Falken Wildpeak AT4W if you:
Want a balanced all-terrain for mixed weather.
Need stronger sidewalls for occasional rocky trails.
Value a quieter A/T that still brings real off-road chops.
Best prices I found online:
Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/falken-wildpeak-a-t4w
Simple Tire: https://simpletire.com/brands/falken-tires/wildpeak-a-t4w
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/deal/falken+wildpeak+at4w
Choose Cooper Road + AT Trail if you:
Drive an SUV or crossover and want car-like comfort.
Need the best wet/winter grip for city/suburban life.
Value quietness, mpg savings, and predictable handling.
Best prices I found online:
Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/cooper-discoverer-road-plus-trail-at
Simple Tire: https://simpletire.com/brands/cooper-tires/discoverer-road-plus-trail-at
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/deal/cooper+road+trail
I hope the article and test data were helpful. Let me know if you have any further questions!