BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 vs BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3: Introducing the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 and BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 – two exceptional tires designed to cater to different off-road segments. While both are known for their outstanding performance and durability, they each possess unique features that set them apart.
The All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a versatile tire designed for a balanced on- and off-road experience. With its improved tread life, puncture resistance, and traction, it’s perfect for drivers who frequently traverse various terrains, such as gravel, dirt, and even light snow. On the other hand, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is specifically engineered for the most challenging off-road conditions, like deep mud, rocks, and sand. Its aggressive tread pattern and enhanced sidewall strength ensure superior traction and durability in extreme environments.
A key difference between the two lies in their tread depth. The KO2 features a shallower tread pattern of 12mm (15/32″), making it suitable for diverse terrains while maintaining decent on-road manners. Conversely, the KM3 boasts a deeper 14mm (18/32″) and more aggressive tread pattern, allowing it to excel in difficult off-road situations but at the cost of some on-road comfort. Get ready to witness an epic showdown that will leave every off-road enthusiast on the edge of their seat!
Table of Contents
Results
The results below are derived from the 2022 Bob Jane T-Mart’s All-Terrain (AT) Tyre Comparative Test. A total of 9 tires were tested this time, with the OE Bridgestone Dueler A/T 697 set as the reference point. The following graph compares the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 vs BFGoodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM3 based on their relevant performance categories. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 was set as the reference, hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective evaluations, we equate 1 point to 5%. Thus, for example, if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, tire A is considered 5% better than tire B.
In the all-terrain segment, off-road tests are undoubtedly essential and cannot be overlooked. This time, the off-road test consisted of a mix of mud, gravel, and loosely packed sand. The tire size of interest is 265/65 R17, which is a common size for vehicles such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. You can refer to our latest tire size table for more information. The chosen testing vehicle for off-road performance was a 4-wheel-drive Isuzu D-Max.
Offroad
Featuring large grooves that offer substantial void volume, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 showcases remarkable off-road capabilities, earning the highest score among competitors with a total of 22 points. Regrettably, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 was not tested in this instance. However, based on theoretical calculations and an additional 2mm of tread depth, we have strong reasons to believe that the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 would perform even better than the All-Terrain T/A KO2.
Mud Terrain T/A KM3 : Predicted to be better than > All-Terrain T/A KO2
All-Terrain T/A KO2 : 22/22 points
Wet
In terms of wet performance, mud-terrain tires generally possess a deeper tread depth compare to all-terrain tires, enabling them to disperse water more effectively. However, there is a noticeable difference in wet braking among competitors. While the All-Terrain T/A KO2 excels in off-road capabilities, the deeper-tread Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 outperforms in wet braking performance. It managed to stop 5.4 meters sooner than the All-Terrain T/A KO2 from a braking speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). The test also included braking evaluations from 60 km/h and 100 km/h, with the braking distance disparity between the two tires widening as the speed increased.
Mud Terrain T/A KM3 :
- +19% in Wet Braking @80km/h
Dry
In dry conditions, safety is typically not as much of a concern, as braking distances are longer than in wet conditions. However, since this is the default daily usage, tires must perform consistently. Surprisingly, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 outperformed the All-Terrain T/A KO2 in dry braking, stopping 1.4 meters shorter from 100 km/h (62 mph) to 0. This result defies expectations, as tires with lower tread depth usually perform better in dry braking than those with higher tread depth. With a low surface contact and large block pattern, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 had the worst dry braking performance among the nine competitors.
In the dry slalom test, the trend reversed: the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 finished with a lower subjective point rating of 8 compared to the higher 11 points of the All-Terrain T/A KO2. In the lane change test, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 once again scored lower, achieving a subjective point rating of 9 compared to the All-Terrain T/A KO2’s 11 points. Overall, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 definitely feels better in terms of handling, while the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3, even with its higher tread depth, still managed to outperform the All-Terrain T/A KO2 in dry braking.
Mud Terrain T/A KM3 :
- +4% in Dry Braking
- -15% in Dry Slalom (subj)
- -10% in Lane Change (subj)
UTQG rating
We have previously shown that UTQG tread wear rating can be a good indication of your expected mileage. Below are the UTQG values of both of the tirelines.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFGoodrich | Mud Terrain T/A KM3 | All | – | – | – |
| BFGoodrich | All-Terrain T/A KO2 | All | – | – | – |
Unfortunately, as the All-Terrain T/A KO2 and Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 are sold with a light truck (LT) designation, they do not need to provide any UTQG rating. The All-Terrain T/A KO2 comes with a mileage warranty of 50,000 miles, while the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 does not offer any mileage warranty. However, based on the extra 2mm of tread depth, we believe that the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 would likely have a longer mileage compared to the All-Terrain T/A KO2.
Price
BFGoodrich, a premium brand owned by Michelin, is considered one of the most expensive options in the all-terrain tire segment. As the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is positioned in a higher niche segment and also features a greater tread depth, we would certainly expect it to be priced significantly higher. Based on the prices we surveyed, this is indeed the case, as the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is $42 more expensive than the All-Terrain T/A KO2.
Tire size: 265/65 R17
Mud Terrain T/A KM3 : $311
All-Terrain T/A KO2 : $269
Difference: +13.5% more expensive for Mud Terrain T/A KM3.
Summary
Overall, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 excels in wet and dry braking, while the All-Terrain T/A KO2 demonstrates outstanding off-road and dry handling capabilities. In this comparison, it’s challenging to determine a clear winner, as both tires cater to different segments. The key to selecting the right tire lies in your personal requirements when choosing your next off-road tires. If 80% of your usage involves off-road conditions, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 would definitely be a good choice. However, if your off-road usage is only about 50%, then the All-Terrain T/A KO2 would be your perfect choice.