Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S vs Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT: The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT, launched in 2023, succeeds the hugely popular Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, bringing plenty of hype with it. The big question – can this new all-terrain tire surpass the success of its predecessor and set new benchmarks in the segment?
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Results: Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S vs Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT
Results below were taken from Canadian Tire’s Road Rated test with a total of 10 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S vs Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT based on the relevant performance category. The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Canadian Tire’s road-rated test consolidates all performance aspects—wet, dry, comfort, fuel economy, offroad, ice, and snow—into a single score for each category. While this approach provides a solid overall assessment, it does not isolate specific metrics like braking distance. However, the combined score still offers a reliable approximation of a tire’s performance across various conditions.
Off-Road Wet
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT performs 3% worse than the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S in deep wet mud and on steep, wet, rocky slopes. The AT3 4S offers slightly better traction and climbing ability, making the Road+Trail AT less effective in challenging muddy conditions.
Discoverer Road+Trail AT :
- -3% in Off-Road Wet
Off-Road dry
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT performs 13% worse than the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S on dry off-road surfaces. The AT3 4S provides better stability, durability, and traction, making the Road+Trail AT noticeably less capable on loose and hard–packed terrain.
Discoverer Road+Trail AT :
- -13% in Off-Road Dry
Ice
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT performs 6% worse than the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S on ice. The AT3 4S delivers better braking performance, resulting in shorter stopping distances, while the Road+Trail AT has slightly less grip on icy surfaces.
Discoverer Road+Trail AT :
- -6% in ice
Snow
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT performs 2% worse than the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S on snow. The AT3 4S provides slightly better acceleration, traction, braking, and handling on snow-packed surfaces, giving it a minor edge in snowy conditions.
Discoverer Road+Trail AT :
- -2% in snow braking
Wet
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT matches the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S in wet performance. Both tires deliver equal hydroplaning resistance, braking, lateral grip, and handling on wet asphalt, showing no difference in their capabilities under these conditions.
Discoverer Road+Trail AT :
- 0% in wet braking
Dry
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT performs equally to the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S on dry asphalt. Both tires provide the same level of braking, cornering, emergency handling, and overall performance, with no difference in dry conditions.
Discoverer Road+Trail AT :
- 0% in dry braking
Comfort
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT performs 3% worse than the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S in comfort. The AT3 4S provides a quieter ride and smoother experience over various surfaces, while the Road+Trail AT generates slightly more cabin noise and less overall comfort.
Discoverer Road+Trail AT :
- -3% in comfort
Rolling Resistance
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT performs 2% worse than the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S in fuel economy. The AT3 4S has slightly lower rolling resistance, making it more efficient and giving it a small advantage in fuel consumption or EV range.
Discoverer Road+Trail AT :
- -2% in fuel economy
Price
The Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT in 265/60 R18 is $260, making it 12% more expensive than the Discoverer AT3 4S, which costs $232.
Tire size: 265/60 R18
- Discoverer AT3 4S : $ 232
Difference: +12% more expensive for Discoverer Road+Trail AT
Conclusion
As a tire expert, I have to say the Cooper Discoverer Road+Trail AT feels like a step back from the AT3 4S. The new model underperforms in key areas like mud, dry off-road, ice, and even comfort. The AT3 4S had set a solid benchmark, so it’s hard to understand why Cooper chose to “upgrade” to a tire that doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor. Sometimes, sticking with what works is the better move.
Dr Edwin Pang