Many people dream of owning a vehicle that works well in the city and off-road. That’s why SUVs and light trucks are popular.
Usually, you can choose tires for roads or off-road. But there’s a third option: all-terrain tires.
While these tires are good in different situations, they might not be as good as tires made only for roads or off-road. Yet, for many owners, having one set of tires that can handle different terrains is enough.
Some tire companies are making progress in creating all-terrain tires. We’ll compare two popular choices: the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT and the Toyo Open Country A/T III.
Both are great all-terrain tires, but which is better? Let’s see.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT
Cooper’s Discoverer AT3 tire lineup includes the XLT model, which is the most advanced option. It is designed to handle rough terrain and withstand tough conditions, making it the top choice for today’s comparison.
For road performance, Cooper has equipped the Discoverer AT3 XLT with Even Wear Arc Technology. This feature maintains consistent contact with the road, ensuring even wear over the tire’s lifespan. This not only improves longevity but also enhances handling on different road surfaces.
The Discoverer AT3 XLT tire is rated 3PMSF, showing it works well in snow. Cooper added Snow Groove Technology, a softer rubber compound, and zig-zag sipes to improve snow traction, going beyond M+S tires.
The XLT model has the Rugged Traction shoulder design for better off-road performance, especially in mud and loose terrain.
Cooper also included Durable-Tread Technology in the Discoverer AT3 XLT, with a strong silica compound to resist shredding. This helps the tire withstand off-road driving without damage. The stone ejection technology stops rocks from getting stuck in the tire’s grooves, preventing punctures and abrasions.
Toyo Open Country A/T III
Toyo’s new tire, the Open Country A/T III, has enhanced features compared to previous models, making it competitive. One improvement is the upgraded rubber, which boosts performance on wet roads and increases durability by resisting cuts and chips.
The tread pattern is designed for longevity, wearing down evenly. It also improves handling by stiffening tread blocks for stability on different terrains.
Toyo added more grooves to the A/T III for advantages on both paved and off-road surfaces. On roads, the grooves help with water drainage and stability. Off-road and in snow, they enhance traction with staggered shoulder lugs.
For better traction on wet roads and hard-packed snow, Toyo included 3D multi-wave sipes in the tire blocks. This, along with the increased grooves, gives the A/T III a 3PMSF rating for excellent snow performance.
To prevent stones from damaging the tread, the A/T III has stone ejecting blocks for durability in rugged terrains.
Performance Comparison
The tires use different technologies. Some features are similar. This means good performance on and off-road. However, the Discoverer AT3 XLT and Open Country A/T III don’t perform the same in all weather.
How well do they perform in dry conditions?
The Discoverer AT3 XLT and the Open Country A/T III tires perform well in dry conditions. They are good for everyday driving due to their traction and grip. These all-terrain tires provide solid performance for regular town driving. While they are not meant for extreme use, they can handle some pushing, especially with weight on the tire. In aggressive acceleration, wheel slip is minimal.
The Toyo tire offers slightly better grip than the Cooper one. It’s worth noting that this situation is not common in daily driving. Both the Open Country A/T III and Discoverer AT3 XLT tires excel in safety, with short braking distances that rank at the top of their class.
How well do they drive on wet roads?
Driving on wet roads can be challenging, but both the Open Country A/T III and the Discoverer AT3 XLT tires perform well. The Open Country A/T III by Toyo provides good traction on damp surfaces. The Discoverer AT3 XLT from Cooper offers satisfactory grip and traction, keeping the vehicle stable in corners. However, the Discoverer AT3 XLT may struggle at high speeds in corners. Overall, the differences between these tires are minor and won’t significantly impact your driving experience.
The Open Country A/T III has slightly better braking performance than the Discoverer AT3 XLT, thanks to its new rubber compound. Both tires have decent braking distances and perform above average for their class. They also offer excellent resistance to aquaplaning due to their tread pattern and voids. While they can remain stable under normal driving conditions, they are not suitable for aggressive driving.
Can they be used on snow?
The Discoverer AT3 XLT and Open Country A/T III tires have a 3PMSF rating, which means they are better for winter conditions than regular all-season tires. Both tires perform well in tests, with minor differences between them.
These tires excel in snowy conditions due to their aggressive tread pattern and flexible compound that stays soft in the cold. They provide strong grip and traction on unpacked snow, even in deep snow.
In unpacked snow, the Open Country A/T III offers slightly better traction and grip than the Discoverer AT3 XLT. The Open Country A/T III handles corners at higher speeds better. The Discoverer AT3 XLT performs decently but may struggle a bit on unpacked snow.
Both tires do not perform well on ice. They can be driven on ice, but with caution and at lower speeds. Since they are not winter tires, their performance on ice is limited.
Will they perform well off-road?
The Discoverer AT3 XLT and Open Country A/T III are good off-road tires, especially for all-terrain use. They may not perform as well as mud-terrain tires, but most people will find them sufficient.
Both tires work well on gravel roads, providing excellent grip and traction. When it comes to rougher terrains like mud or sand, there are differences. The Open Country A/T III performs slightly better in deep mud compared to the Discoverer AT3 XLT.
For extreme conditions like rock crawling, neither tire is the best choice. All-terrain tires like these can’t match the performance of mud-terrain tires in such situations.
Are they good at handling things?
When we talk about all-terrain tires, don’t expect the same handling as high-performance tires. However, they are not bad and feel somewhat similar. The Discoverer AT3 XLT and Open Country A/T III tires may not impress enthusiasts. The Toyo model may be a bit more responsive, but not suitable for the racetrack.
They lack feedback through the steering wheel, making it hard to know what the front tires are doing. The Discoverer AT3 XLT tracks slightly better than the Open Country A/T III, needing fewer steering corrections to stay on course over road imperfections. If you’re used to touring tires, it may take some time to adjust. But if you’ve had all-terrain tires before, you should know what to expect.
How good are the tires for daily driving?
Don’t expect all-terrain tires to be as refined as grand touring options. Cooper and Toyo use their own technologies to make their tires quieter. This is evident in the Discoverer AT3 XLT and Open Country A/T III. The noise levels are acceptable due to the aggressive tread pattern. They are not as quiet as the Turanza QuietTrack, but the noise in the cabin is not too bothersome.
However, the comfort levels are not impressive. The Open Country A/T III and Discoverer AT3 XLT are not the most uncomfortable tires, but they are not the most comfortable either. You might feel a slight jolt when you hit a big hole and they can feel a bit unstable on uneven surfaces.
Do any of them provide a warranty?
In the warranty section, Toyo has a slight advantage. The Discoverer AT3 XLT has a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, while the Open Country A/T III has a 65,000-mile warranty. This small difference might matter to some buyers.
How do they compare in price?
The Discoverer AT3 XLT is priced higher than the Open Country A/T III. The price difference ranges from $20 to $50, depending on the tire size and dealer.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent all-terrain traction: Performs well on various surfaces, including dirt, gravel, rocks, and light snow. | Moderate road noise: May be noisier than some highway tires on paved roads. |
| Durable construction: Offers long tread life and مقاومت در برابر puncture thanks to its reinforced sidewalls and deep tread depth. | Heavier weight: Can slightly decrease fuel efficiency compared to lighter tires. |
| Good handling: Delivers confident handling on both on- and off-road surfaces. | Not ideal for deep snow: Limited winter performance compared to dedicated snow tires. |
| Available in various sizes: Fits a wide range of vehicles and driving needs. | Higher price point: May be more expensive than some all-season tires. |
Toyo Open Country A/T III Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent off-road traction: Aggressive tread pattern with deep grooves provides strong grip on loose surfaces like dirt, mud, and gravel. | More expensive than some other all-terrain tires: Due to its off-road capabilities, the Toyo Open Country A/T III may cost more than some highway-oriented all-terrain tires. |
| Durable construction for tough conditions: Reinforced sidewalls and a tough tread compound help resist punctures and cuts, making them suitable for off-road driving. | Can be heavy and decrease fuel efficiency: The increased weight of the tire can slightly decrease fuel economy compared to lighter highway tires. |
| Good handling on paved roads: The tread design also offers decent handling and stability on paved roads for everyday driving. | May not be ideal for winter driving in severe snow and ice: While the tire is Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for severe snow service, it may not perform as well as dedicated winter tires in extreme winter conditions. |
| Quiet ride for an all-terrain tire: The design helps minimize noise for a more comfortable driving experience on the road. | Limited warranty: Compared to some competitors, Toyo Open Country A/T III offers a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which might be lower for some users. |
| Long tread life: The tire is designed for extended wear, offering good value for the investment. |
Which option is better?
When buying an all-terrain tire like the Open Country A/T III or the Discoverer AT3 XLT, you may have to make some compromises. The differences between these two models are minimal, so sometimes it’s hard to say which one is better.
The Open Country A/T III generally performs a bit better, especially in wet and muddy conditions. If you don’t mind paying more, this is the tire to choose. On the other hand, the Discoverer AT3 XLT offers similar performance at a slightly lower price, so it’s a good option as well.
If you find a discount on the Open Country A/T III that makes it cost the same as the Discoverer AT3 XLT, don’t hesitate to go for it.
Vehicles Cooper Discoverer AT3 vs Toyo Open Country A/T III Will Fit
| Vehicle Type | Cooper Discoverer AT3 | Toyo Open Country A/T III |
|---|---|---|
| Small SUVs | Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 | Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5 |
| Midsize SUVs | Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee | Nissan Xterra, Ford Edge |
| Full-size SUVs | Chevy Tahoe, Nissan Armada | Toyota Sequoia, Dodge Durango |
| Pickup Trucks | Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Silverado 1500 | Nissan Frontier, GMC Sierra 1500 |
| Crossovers | Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento | Honda Passport, Ford Escape |
Final Words
The Toyo Open Country AT3 and the Cooper Discoverer AT3 are all-terrain tires. They focus on on-road performance because of their tread designs and lightweight construction. This means they are better for dry and wet braking, handling, and steering, rather than off-road driving.
They are good for winter driving and have the 3 peak mountain snowflake symbol. They are also comfortable, with low noise and good impact comfort.