Quick Answer: An all-terrain tyre is designed for versatility – providing a balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability. It features a more aggressive tread pattern than a road tyres, but not as extreme as an off-road tyre. This blocky tread pattern suitable for various surfaces, including pavement, dirt, gravel, and light mud, making it ideal for diverse driving conditions.
If you have a vehicle that you use for a variety of different journeys, you may have considered all terrain tyres. They’re sometimes put into the same category as mud terrain tyres – but they’re actually a different style of tyre completely.
If you’re weighing up the differences between a mud terrain tyre and an all terrain tyres – or you’d simply like to know what makes AT tyres stand out from the crowd, this guide will give you all the information you need.
What makes an all terrain tyre different?
When tyre manufacturers create all terrain tyres, they look physically different to standard road tyres, mud terrain tyres, or a highway terrain tyre.
Let’s take a look at what sets them apart:
All Terrain Tyre Tread pattern
The most obvious difference between all terrain tyres and road-going tyres is the aggressive tread pattern. Like mud tyres, all terrain tyres have significantly larger tread blocks, making them suitable for off-road driving. However, this tread pattern isn’t as deep as that found on mud terrains, meaning all terrain tyres will function better than mud terrain tyres when you switch back to tarmac roads.
Reinforced sidewalls
Since they’re very capable off-road all terrain tyres have a reinforced sidewall to complement the mud-tyre style tread patterns. Usually, a woven steel radial sidewall design is incorporated into the tyre to help with puncture resistance. This adds to the weight of all terrain tyres – but significantly reduces the chance of a sharp rock causing a puncture when you’re off road.
Multi-function use
Perhaps the thing that sets all terrain tyres apart from other light truck tyres and 4×4 tyres is the fact that they are capable of handling many driving conditions.
For example: they are a capable tyre when used off-road. They don’t have quite the same off-road capability and off-road performance as a dedicated mud terrain tyre – but significantly better than a road tyre. Equally, they are perfectly at home on the road – with reduced noise and better fuel economy compared to mud tyres – but not quite as quiet or fuel efficient as a dedicated road tyre.
Suitable for different tyre pressures
If you’ve driven on mud, sand, or other difficult surfaces, you’ll know that you need reduced air pressure in your tyres to get the best performance and grip. Many tyres are designed to just operate at one pressure – but an AT tyre is perfectly safe inflated to a road-going pressure or a pressure more suitable for off-road.
What are the Best All Terrain (AT) tyres in Australia right now?
We asked Aussie 4×4 drivers to vote on what they thought were the best All Terrain Tyres are in Australia
*Rating and reviews are based on what matters most across these six categories.
- Tyre road noise.
- Tyre braking performance.
- Tyre wet and dry handling.
- Tyre tread life.
- Value for money.
- Would they buy again
1st. Pirelli Scorpion ATR
The Pirelli Scorpion ATR came in first with 4.6 stars overall rating (based on 83 reviews) 81% of reviewers would buy this tyre again.
The Pirelli Scorpion ATR is made 37 sizes in 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 inch options. Prices range from $192.00 to $691.00 depending on size and location in Australia.
2nd.Hankook Dynapro AT-m (RF10)
The Hankook Dynapro AT-m (RF10) came in second place with 4.5 stars overall rating (based on 75 reviews)
85% of reviewers would buy this tyre again.
The Hankook Dynapro AT-m (RF10) is made 42 sizes in 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 inch options. Prices range from $175.00 to $385.00 depending on size and location in Australia.
3rd. Yokohama Geolandar AT G012
The Yokohama Geolandar AT G012 cam in 3rd with 4.5 stars overall rating (based on 66 reviews) 79% of reviewers would buy this tyre again.
The Yokohama Geolandar AT G012 is made 60 sizes in 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 inch options. Prices range from $187.00 to $480.00 depending on size and location in Australia.
4th. About Cooper Tires S/T MAXX Tyres
The Cooper Tires S/T MAXX came in 4th position with 4.5 stars overall rating (based on 68 reviews)
82% of reviewers would buy this tyre again.
The Cooper Tires S/T MAXX is made 30 sizes in 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 inch options. Prices range from $249.00 to $605.00 depending on size and location in Australia.
5th. Cooper Tires A/T3
In 5th place is another Cooper tyre in the top 5 with a 4.6 stars overall rating (based on 57 reviews)
72% of reviewers would buy this tyre again.
The Cooper Tires A/T3 is made 55 sizes in 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 inch options. Prices range from $235.00 to $600.00 depending on size and location in Australia.
Is an AT tyre right for you?
As you can see, an all terrain tyre is the ultimate ‘do anything’ choice for your vehicle. They will perform well on the road – but their open tread pattern means they also have solid off-road capabilities.
Whether they’re right for you or not depends on the type of driving you do. If your vehicle has to operate on roads during the week but you hit some muddy or loose trails at the weekend, then all terrain tyres will mean you don’t have to swap between two sets of wheels.
If you’d like to hear more about prices and specifications of AT tyres, why not request a quote now? When you do, we’ll show you a range of prices from tyre retailers near you. There’s no obligation to buy – so you’re welcome to just speak to your chosen tyre specialist about whether AT tyres would work for you or your vehicle.
Written By
Matt Banks
Matt is the founder of Autohero.com.au and has been hooked on cars and repairs ever since childhood.
A veteran in automotive since leaving school, Matt has completed his trade as a panel beater and is across all things with wheels.
His first car was a 1967 FORD XR Wagon followed by a string of collectable Holden’s.
Have a question for Matt? Leave a comment below.