Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme and the Falken Wildpeak AT3W are both versatile all-terrain tires, each with a distinct focus. The Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme leans more towards on-road performance, offering enhanced driving comfort and stability on paved roads. In contrast, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W strikes a balance between on-road efficiency and off-road capability, making it a well-rounded choice for varied terrains. Depending on your specific driving needs and preferences, either of these tires could be an excellent fit.
| Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme | Falken Wildpeak AT3W | |
|---|---|---|
| Better for | Daily driving, Smooth and quiet driving experience, Towing & hauling | Loose ground performance, Muddy conditions |
| Pros | Year-round performance Lateral traction | Year-round performance Appearance |
| Cons | Hard to balance | Nothing much to talk about |
Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme excels in on-road performance, making it an ideal choice for frequent highway driving and light off-road conditions. It also boasts an appealing aesthetic. Conversely, if you’re looking to add some aggressiveness to your vehicle, albeit with a slight trade-off in fuel efficiency and lateral traction, Falken Wildpeak AT3W is an excellent option. Additionally, its superior self-cleaning capability is a significant advantage in frequent muddy conditions.
Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme Overview
The Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is an advanced iteration of the original Dynapro AT2. It features more aggressive and deeper sidewall lugs, along with beefier sidewall scoops, enhancing its performance on loose surfaces.
Despite its more rugged features, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme maintains its position in the on-road all-terrain tire category. This is attributed to its compact tread pattern, which allows for more rubber contact with the road, leading to improved on-road behavior. However, this compactness slightly compromises its loose ground performance.
From a technical standpoint, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is lighter and marginally shorter than its predecessor. What’s particularly surprising, though, is its section width – it’s significantly wider compared to the Falken Wildpeak AT3W, a point I’ll delve into in the balancing section.
Falken Wildpeak AT3W Overview
Falken Wildpeak AT3W stands as the market’s most popular and highly-rated all-terrain tire. In contrast to the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme, it’s classified as an off-road all-terrain tire, offering superior traction on loose surfaces.
This tire strikes a well-balanced performance both on and off the road. However, there’s a notable difference between its p-metric and LT metric sizes. The deeper tread of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W can sometimes lead to uneven and faster wear, particularly on heavier vehicles. It’s also important to note that the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is one of the heaviest tires available, which may impact its overall wear and performance.
Balancing
In this comparison, I must place the Falken Wildpeak AT3W above the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme.
The notable issue with the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is its excessively wide section width. This often indicates potential uniformity problems with the tire. The consequences? A need for additional weight during balancing, uneven wear, and consequently, a shorter tread life.
While not every Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme tire may exhibit these issues, the risk is worth considering. In contrast, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W tends to be easier to balance, avoiding some of these potential pitfalls.
Handling & Cornering Stability
Assuming both tires are in perfect condition with no balancing issues, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme generally outperforms the Falken Wildpeak AT3W, and here’s why:
Firstly, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is narrower and features a 5-rib design. This structure allows for more rubber contact with the road, particularly in the center section, facilitating easier steering and a more optimized contact patch.
Secondly, while both tires boast similar internal structures, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W has an extra ply, which does offer better stability during cornering. However, this doesn’t significantly overshadow the handling stability provided by the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme.
Overall, for superior handling and cornering stability, my preference leans towards the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme. But, for those who favor a more aggressive look, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W could be the right choice.
Wet Performance
Wet performance in tires is largely influenced by the density of siping and the amount of rubber that contacts the ground.
In the case of the p-metric sizes, the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) rating is a useful indicator. Both the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme and the Falken Wildpeak AT3W share the same UTQG rating of 660 A B, suggesting similar traction qualities.
However, in terms of stopping distance, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme takes the lead. Its compact pattern, coupled with multi-directional siping technology, not only enhances lateral traction but also aids in shorter stopping distances.
As for hydroplaning resistance, both tires feature circumferential grooves effective in water evacuation. But here, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme’s five-channel design outperforms the two-channel layout of its competitor, making it a safer choice in wet conditions.
Overall, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme exhibits superior performance on wet surfaces.
Winter Performance
Winter performance in all-terrain tires is often linked to their self-cleaning capabilities.
In light snow conditions, self-cleaning is less critical than sipe density and compound stiffness. Given that both tires have similar compound stiffness, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme edges ahead slightly in mild winter conditions. This isn’t just about traction; it’s also due to its superior lateral steering capability on snow, thanks to its multi-directional siping.
For deep snow conditions, however, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W has a slight upper hand. Its more aggressive shoulder blocks and enhanced self-cleaning ability give it an advantage.
When it comes to icy highways, neither tire is the top performer, but in slush, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W proves to be superior.
Overall, even though both tires carry the 3PMSF marking, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is better suited for on-road snow conditions, while the Falken Wildpeak AT3W shines in off-road snowy environments.
Riding Comfort & Road Noise
In this comparison, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme stands out due to its more compact pattern and reduced void area, which contribute to its lower noise levels.
The rib-type pattern and tie-bars in the outer shoulder blocks of the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme effectively minimize airborne noise. On the other hand, the staggered and zigzag shoulder blocks of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W also do a commendable job in noise reduction, but the Hankook model has the edge in being quieter.
As for ride comfort, the difference between the two is marginal. However, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s heavier inner structure provides a slightly smoother ride, despite its more aggressive design.
Overall, while the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme produces less road noise, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W edges ahead in delivering a slightly smoother ride experience.
Tread Wear
When it comes to even wear, weight, and traction, these factors are crucial in deciding between these two tires.
The Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme has an edge in even wearing due to its narrower design, which distributes pressure more effectively. This is reflected in its warranty: 60,000 miles for LT sizes and 70,000 miles for treadwear, compared to the Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s 55,000-mile warranty.
Towing and hauling applications also play a significant role. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s step-down feature excellently supports its aggressive design, minimizing squirming and enhancing longevity. Conversely, the tie-bars in the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme contribute to maintaining tire shape and stability, thus boosting its towing capacity.
Both tires offer commendable tread life, but the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is the slightly superior choice in this aspect.
Off-Road Performance
The off-road performance of these two tires is where Falken Wildpeak AT3W excels.
While both are great on dirt and gravel, due to better self cleaning capability and wider pattern, Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a better option for mud. Moreover, its cut&chipping resistance is slightly more durable.
Overall, while both are great for mild off-road conditions, if you need something more I definitely recommend Falken Wildpeak AT3W.
Value for Money
Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a pricier option in this case. In my point of view, you don’t have to pay extra to Falken Wildpeak AT3W if you mostly drive on the highway. However, it’s one of the best option if you need an extra off-road traction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your driving is mainly on highways and streets, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme is likely your best option. On the other hand, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a well-balanced tire that excels not only on the road but also in muddy conditions.
I hope you found this article informative and useful. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask. Safe travels, folks!