Kenda Klever A/T2 Tire Review and Rating

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Kenda Klever A/T2

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Dry
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Wet
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Snow
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Comfort
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Noise
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Treadwear
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Pros

  • Up to 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
  • Comfort and noise levels are superb
  • Very capable tire in off-roading situations
  • Plenty performance for the cost

Cons

  • Performance on wet roads is average
  • The tire doesn’t have a 3-ply sidewall

As the SUV and truck segment in the car industry is increasing in popularity, many people want to take advantage of their car’s off-road capabilities. Whenever the tires need to be replaced, everyone is in a dilemma: buying a tire capable of on and off-road driving or getting two sets of tires. The ones that go on hard-core off-roading adventures already know the answer to this question.

If you don’t do a lot of off-roading or don’t take it to the extreme, getting two sets of tires may be beneficial, but it will be unnecessary. You will never use the off-road ones to the fullest potential, leaving you with a hole in your wallet and a set of tires that will sit in the garage for too long. So, what’s the solution? An all-terrain tire, of course.

These tires are designed to provide a good balance between on and off-road driving, mainly inclining to the road one. I’m not saying that they are terrible at off-roading. They are made to be more usable on the road regarding drivability, comfort, and noise. One of the many tire manufacturers that make these kinds of tires is Kenda, a brand you may not have heard about.

It’s a Taiwanese brand founded in 1962 that began its ventures making bicycle tires. For almost 40 years, the company was making tires for golf carts, trailers, etc., and in 2001 appeared in the passenger tire market. The main question that most people would ask is: can a company that’s only be making tires for 20 years produce good models?

Today I’ll be answering that question by looking at Kenda’s Klever A/T2. Believe it or not, this is the second version of the all-season all-terrain tire, so we should be looking at some performance improvements.

What are the features of the Kenda Klever A/T2?

Starting off with the design, the Klever A/T2 has a pretty aggressive tread pattern, which isn’t there just for look. In terms of performance, the tread pattern is designed to improve the tire’s performance on snow and in muddy conditions.

Kenda Klever A/T2 Tire Review

The way Kenda achieved this is by making the blocks in the central section in a 3-2-3 layout. They enable the tire to bite into any loose surface until it finds traction. The tire will dig until it reaches a hard surface. As a road-going tire, the second improvement is in terms of high-speed stability.

On the outside of the tire, the shoulder blocks are there to help the tire with traction in snow. They also should help the Klever A/T2 have better wet performance. Down the middle, the blocks should help the tire with traction on wet and slippery roads and grip in the corners. The deep grooves combined with the sipes should result in an excellent aquaplaning resistance.

Kenda sells the Klever A/T2 as an all-season tire, so the tread design will be pointless if the tire isn’t pliable in the cold. The good news is that the brand manufactures a rubber compound, which should be effective in freezing temperatures. In other words, the tire shouldn’t feel like plastic.

For comfort, the thicker sidewall should be capable of providing a smooth ride, while the tread is designed to reduce tire noise.

If you remember the previous version, you’ll know that it was praised for having a 3-ply sidewall. Unfortunately, the Klever A/T2 doesn’t have it, but Kenda tried to make up for that. The tire has reinforced sidewall, meaning that it will be able to take a beating in off-roading sessions.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

Dry performance with the Klever A/T2 is pretty good when considering that it’s a mid-range tire.

Kenda’s tread design was on point, and the tire has plenty of grip and traction even if you have a lot of power under the hood. You can accelerate more aggressively and still end up with good traction. The tire can slip, but most people won’t see that happening.

Your experience of going into a corner will depend on your driving style. Push the tire too much, and it won’t like it. Drive it normally, and you’ll be amazed by the levels of grip that it can provide.

As an all-terrain tire, the handling department takes the biggest hit. The Klever A/T2 isn’t slow to respond, but it’s not a tire that you should be racing.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

I believe that the biggest problem for the Klever A/T2 is the wet, as the tire had average performance.

Grip and traction levels were good, and the tire didn’t feel unsafe. The problem happens when you try to push it a bit, and it will start to slip and let go. This doesn’t make it unsafe to drive, but you may need to be slightly more careful when it rains.

In heavy raining scenarios, the groves are doing their job perfectly, and the tire provides excellent aquaplaning resistance. It’s not class-leading, but it’s definitely near the top.

The braking distances of the Klever A/T2 were decently short, but again, it’s not something that the tire will win trophies for.

How is it over snow?

As a tire with a 3PMSF rating, the Klever A/T2 shines in snowy conditions.

The tire can handle snow like a champ, even in some harsher conditions. Getting too aggressive isn’t something that you should do, and as long as you drive in a civilized manner, the tire will perform as it should. Combine that with the relatively short braking distances, and you get a decent performing tire in winter.

Is it comfortable and refined?

Yes, as an all-terrain tire, the Klever A/T2 is comfortable and surprisingly quiet.

Removing the 3-ply sidewall means that the tire has a bit more flex, perfect for providing better comfort. Road imperfections are pretty ironed out, and there is only a slight vibration when hitting a large hole. Combine that with a softer suspension on a truck, and you have a very comfortable tire.

The most surprising aspect is the noise. Tires that are capable of off-roading aren’t very quiet, but this one is. Yes, there is some noise, and it isn’t a quiet as a touring tire. Despite that, the noise levels are very low, giving the Klever A/T2 some touring-like properties.

Is it good for off-roading?

Kedra’s improvements in the off-road department paid off, and the Klever A/T2 has excellent performance in these situations.

When you compare it to its predecessor, you will notice that you will get more grip and traction in almost all situations. Mud or sand will pose no problem, and gravel roads will feel like paved ones.

With that said, the tire does lack some proper off-road performance if you need to take it to the max. Any all-terrain tire will struggle in those situations, at which point a dedicated off-roader is the best way to go.

Is the Kenda Klever A/T2 ideal for sporty driving?

No, the Klever A/T2 isn’t a tire that you should drive enthusiastically.

In terms of driving dynamics, the tire lacks them, at least in the sense that people need them. Despite having plenty of grip, it’s not as sharp or as talkative as you’d need it to have fun on a track. On top of that, the higher sidewall means that if you corner too hard, you will be greeted with sidewall flex.

Kenda Klever A/T2 Warranty

People didn’t like the first version because it had no warranty. Kenda fixed that, and now the Klever A/T2 comes with a treadwear warranty. You can find the tire in P-metric and LT models, meaning you have a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty for the first and 50,000 for the second.

Kenda Klever A/T2 Pricing: Is it worth the money?

With the improvements over the previous generation, the Klever A/T2 is worth the money. The price starts from around $170, which may sound a lot at first. When you factor in that you get plenty of performance and improvement upgrades over the previous version, you will see why it’s worth every penny.

Should I buy the Kenda Klever A/T2?

Yes, if you own a truck or an SUV and go off-roading, the Klever A/T2 is a tire that you should buy.

With plenty of on and off-road performance, it’s a tire that may not be the absolute best but offers plenty for the average driver. Combine this with the attractive price, and you end up with a very good price to performance ratio.

It doesn’t come without its drawbacks, though. Wet performance isn’t the best there is, and some people may prefer the 3-ply sidewall the previous generation had.

I have to point out that as long as you are doing some moderate off-roading, the tire will be an excellent choice. If you need something more extreme or don’t need any off-road performance, then you should look elsewhere.

What Vehicles Will the Kenda Klever A/T2 Fit?

Here’s a sample list of cars that the Klever A/T2 will fit:

  • Audi Q7
  • BMX X5
  • Ford Ranger, Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, Ford Expedition, Ford F-150, Ford Econoline, Ford F-250
  • Dodge Dakota, Durango, Ram,
  • GMC Canyon, Acadia
  • Honda Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline
  • Hummer H2, H3
  • Hyundai Santa Fe, Veracruz
  • Jeep Wrangler, Liberty, Cherokee, Commander,
  • Mitsubishi Outlander, Pajero
  • Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder, Xterra
  • Ram 1500, 2500, 3500
  • Suzuki Equator
  • Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma, 4Runner

Tire Sizes for Kenda Klever A/T2

15″

  • 235/75R15
  • 33×12.50R15

16″

  • 235/70R16
  • 245/75R16
  • 245/70R16
  • 255/70R16
  • 265/75R16
  • 265/70R16
  • LT225/75R16
  • LT235/85R16
  • LT245/75R16
  • LT265/75R16
  • LT285/75R16

17″

  • 235/75R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 285/70R17
  • LT235/80R17
  • LT245/75R17
  • LT245/70R17
  • LT265/70R17
  • LT285/70R17
  • LT315/70R17

18″

  • 255/70R18
  • 265/70R18
  • 265/65R18
  • 265/60R18
  • 275/65R18
  • LT265/70R18
  • LT275/70R18
  • LT275/65R18
  • LT285/65R18

20″

  • 275/60R20
  • 275/55R20
  • LT265/60R20
  • LT275/65R20
  • LT275/60R20

One Comment

  1. Not the greatest tires ever. I just ran through a set on my Colorado. I got one that would never balance out, always had a minor vibration at 35 and 70. I had a second that punctured quite easily and was patched. I managed 35k and the last 5k were sketchy but it was summer time and dry. They are also chunking off the shoulders after 3 years. Didn’t even take them on trails. Decent in the snow and gravel roads when new, but I wouldn’t recommend due to making half the rated mileage and poor stopping grip.

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