The 10 Best Tires for the Nissan Xterra
In the automotive world, the availability of different types of vehicles means that each one can cover specific use cases. With the commuter vehicles aside, what about the ones that can do some driving in non-paved conditions?
Off-road capable options aren’t a new addition, and we’ve been seeing them for ages, including the one I’ll be talking about today. My pick for this list is the Nissan Xterra, an SUV that offers everything: road performance, comfort, and off-road capabilities.
This list covers the second generation which spanned for over a decade. In terms of the size, you can find these tires in the 16 and 17-inch variants that the Xterra came with.
#1. Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra
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Today’s list kicks off with a premium model from the touring segment. The Alenza AS Ultra is the tire you should consider if you’re after something that can deliver all the performance you need without sacrificing comfort or longevity.
On a dry road, the Alenza AS Ultra is the type of tire that will offer excellent performance, more than you’d probably need for a vehicle like the Xterra. The grip and traction levels are pretty high, considering it’s a touring tire, meaning it won’t struggle. You won’t notice any slip when you’re accelerating, and the understeer will be kept to a minimum. Like most tires in this category, the limit isn’t the highest, but most people won’t reach it in daily driving scenarios. Let’s face it: considering the type of vehicle, you probably won’t be taking it on the track. As for the handling, I don’t have too many complaints. The responsiveness is pretty good, and even though there isn’t too much feedback, it’s not a massive problem for most people.
The positive comments about the Alenza AS Ultra continue in wet conditions. You won’t notice the tire struggling on damp roads too much, making it a pretty good daily driver candidate. The grip and traction levels in these conditions are pretty good for this category, meaning the tire won’t struggle to put the power down. It can handle some aggressiveness, but it’s not impossible to overwhelm it. I have to say, some of its rivals do a slightly better job. One area I have no complaints about is safety. The tire’s braking distances are very short. Also, the aquaplaning resistance in harsh rain is excellent, keeping it stable even at higher speeds.
When it comes to winter conditions, the Alenza AS Ultra is usable, but like most all-season tires, the performance is limited. You can get some decent traction on shallower snow. Also, the tire won’t be completely useless on a packed one, and you’ll get solidly short braking distances. This is where the tire’s capabilities end, and you’ll notice it struggling in harsher conditions.
As for refinement, the Alenza AS Ultra needs a bit more work to be excellent. The comfort levels aren’t the issue, as the tire offers a plush ride. It deals with anything from road imperfections to potholes relatively well, and you won’t feel like it’s harsh. The noise levels, on the other hand, aren’t as impressive. It’s a quiet tire in most cases, especially on smoother roads, but on rougher ones, it’s a bit noisier than some of its premium rivals.
As a premium model, the warranty is something this tire doesn’t lack. The Alenza AS Ultra comes with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is among the longest in this category.
Pros
- Plenty of performance for daily driving
- 80,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Decent traction on snow
Cons
- Slightly noisier than some of its rivals on rougher surfaces
- Some of its rivals can handle a bit more aggressiveness on damp roads
#2. Michelin Defender LTX M/S
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My second option for the Xterra is another premium tire from the touring segment. The Defender LTX M/S may not be the newest addition to Michelin’s lineup, but that doesn’t make it a poor choice.
For normal driving conditions, the Defender LTX M/S is a tire that will offer more than enough performance for most people. It can hook up and deliver the traction you’ll need to keep the slip to a minimum, even in some more aggressive scenarios. The grip levels are also high, meaning that you can go into a corner, and the grip will help eliminate understeer. There is a point where it will let go, but very few people will reach that point, so there’s not a lot to criticize here. As for the handling, it’s not the world’s dullest tire. The responsiveness is pretty good, and the steering won’t feel detached from the front tires.
Driving in rainy conditions is something that the Defender LTX M/S won’t struggle with. The performance on damp roads is excellent, meaning the tire will offer all the grip and traction to have a safe driving experience. Speaking of safety, the braking distances are very short, among the shortest in its class. Sure, as a touring tire, you won’t get a track-ready weapon, but it’s more than capable for the public roads. In harsher conditions, the tread pattern evacuates water well, offering high levels of aquaplaning resistance.
The Defender LTX M/S is an all-season tire, and as such, it offers solid performance in snowy conditions. You’re looking at more than just usable traction on unpacked snow, and it doesn’t struggle with packed snow as much as some of its rivals. The performance comes backed by short braking distances, making this a good choice for areas with lighter conditions.
Refinement is an area where the Defender LTX M/S doesn’t disappoint and is still among the best despite its age. The noise levels are low, offering a quiet ride in various conditions. In a worst-case scenario, you’ll hear it on rougher surfaces, but even then, it’s not too loud. The same goes for the comfort levels. You’re looking at a very comfortable tire capable of softening or eliminating bumps and road imperfections. With larger bumps or potholes, you won’t notice a sudden jolt, and the vibrations are barely noticeable.
As for the warranty, it’s not the best, which is the case with many Michelin models. The Defender LTX M/S comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is behind th previous model, but it’s still solid.
Pros
- Handles very well
- Plenty of performance in multiple conditions
- Comfortable and quiet
Cons
- The warranty isn’t the longest in its class
- There are some slightly more affordable options
#3. Cooper Endeavor Plus
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Speaking of affordable options, my next choice is from the mid-range segment. The Endeavor Plus is an excellent touring tire that offers solid performance at a slightly lower price than the premium options.
In daily driving scenarios, the Endeavour Plus delivers pretty good performance. The grip and traction levels are more than enough for your Xterra, and even if you’re a slightly aggressive driver, the tire won’t struggle too much. Combining the performance with the short braking distances, you’re getting a model that I’d rank quite high in the mid-range segment and very close to some of the premium options. In terms of the handling, it’s average. The responsiveness is pretty solid, but the feedback isn’t the most pronounced one.
The performance in wet conditions is also pretty good, but there is a small drawback. On the positive side, you have the grip and traction levels on damp roads, which are pretty good. The tire won’t slip too much, and the understeer won’t be noticeable in normal driving scenarios. Once you start to push it, you’ll notice that it will struggle a bit, but at the end of the day, it’s not a tire designed for that. Another positive side is the aquaplaning resistance, which will keep the tire stable in heavy rain. The small drawback I mentioned is the braking distances. They are short and safe but not the best in its class.
Snow performance is something that the Endeavour Plus does well enough, but it’s not a miracle worker. The traction on unpacked snow is pretty good, and the tire will deliver solid performance as long as the snow is shallower. With that said, driving on packed snow requires some caution as the tire will struggle a bit more, especially if you’re a bit enthusiastically inclined. As for the braking distances, again, they are short enough for me to call them safe, but they aren’t the shortest in the mid-range segment.
As a mid-range tire, the Endeavour Plus is a well-refined tire. The comfort levels are pretty good, and the tire can iron out many road imperfections. Potholes are dampened, and even though the vibrations aren’t entirely eliminated, you won’t notice too much of those in the cabin. The noise levels are solid, and the tire’s hum isn’t intuitive even when driving on the highway. You will hear it a bit more on rougher roads, but it’s still not too loud.
The warranty is pretty good, considering we’re talking about a mid-range tire. You’ll get the Endeavour Plus with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, putting it slightly behind the Michelin model but ahead of other premium options.
Pros
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
- High refinement levels
- Overall performance is very good, considering the price point
Cons
- Noise levels on rougher surfaces aren’t the lowest in its class
- Braking distances on snow and rain are longer than some of its rivals
#4. Continental TerrainContact H/T
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Moving away from the touring options, we have a few highway tires that are very similar in terms of what they offer. My first pick here is the TerrainContact H/T, a premium tire that delivers excellent performance.
The performance you’ll get from the TerrainContact H/T is excellent, and you probably won’t feel like the tire is lacking. There’s more than enough grip and traction to deliver all the performance you’ll need with a bit of headroom. As long as you’re not too aggressive, you probably won’t feel like the tire is struggling too much, so it’s a solid daily driver. With this, you’re also looking at short braking distances, putting it among the best in this class. The handling isn’t something that will thrill enthusiasts. It has a softer nature, so it won’t be the most responsive model in the category.
When it comes to wet performance, the TerrainContact H/T is a tire that won’t disappoint. Like many Continental models, you’re looking at more than enough traction to keep the slip to a minimum. You also won’t experience too much understeer when going into a corner. Since we’re talking about a highway tire, you probably won’t push it hard to experience too much slip. The performance is backed by the short braking distances. This comes combined with excellent aquaplaning resistance, putting this tire near the top of its class.
The TerrainContact H/T is an all-season tire, meaning you’re getting usable performance in winter. There’s enough traction on packed and unpacked snow, so you’ll find it usable in most lighter conditions. Surprisingly, the tire seems to fair slightly better with deeper snow than some of its rivals. With that said, it doesn’t do well on icy patches. Most tires from this category aren’t the best options for these conditions, but some of them seem to be a bit better.
As a highway tire, the TerrainContact H/T offers high levels of refinement, which is what you’d expect from a premium tire. The noise levels are low and the tire is quiet in most cases. You won’t hear it too much around town, while other noises often drown out the hum at highway speeds. The comfort levels are also excellent, and you’re looking at a comfortable ride. It smooths out road imperfections, and smaller bumps well and easily absorbs bigger blows. The best part is that the vibrations are almost non-existent in these situations.
The warranty is another positive aspect of the TerrainContact H/T. It comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is pretty good for a premium model.
Pros
- High refinement levels
- 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Superb all-round performance
Cons
- Not the most competitive pricing
- Average handling characteristics
#5. Firestone Destination LE3
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From the highway segment, I’m also covering one mid-range tire, and this model is from Firestone. The recently updated Destination LE3 brings some improvements, so it should be mentioned.
As a mid-range option, the Destination LE3 offers solid performance. The tire’s traction levels are pretty good, and you won’t notice it slipping too much when accelerating. The understeer is mostly non-existent as long as you don’t go into a corner too fast. It’s a tire that delivers enough performance for daily driving with a bit of headroom if you get carried away. As far as the handling is concerned, it’s decent enough considering the category. The responsiveness is pretty good, but you’ll need to accept the fact that you won’t have a lot of feedback.
The wet performance of the Destination LE3 is also pretty good for the category, and most people will be happy with it. It’s a solid performer on damp roads, and the grip and traction levels will be enough as long as you’re not too aggressive. For the most part, you won’t experience too much slip, and even if you do, it won’t be too much. The tire also delivers short braking distances and are shorter than many mid-range competitors. It’s the same with the aquaplaning resistance. The tire will offer very good stability in pouring rain, even at higher speeds.
When it comes to winter performance, the Destination LE3 should be fine for most people. The traction you’ll get on unpacked snow is pretty decent. You may notice it struggling on packed one, but it remains usable. Keep in mind that as an all-season model, you can expect to get this performance only in lighter conditions.
The refinement is where the Destination LE3 is good in most cases. On the comfort side of things, the tire deals with bumps and potholes well, smoothing or absorbing them with ease. With that said, driving on bad roads with repetitive bumps reveals a slightly harsher nature. It’s not terrible, but it’s worth mentioning. The noise levels are pretty good, and the tire isn’t the loudest in its class. It’s generally quiet around town, with the hum not being too pronounced. At highway speeds, it’s a bit more noticeable, but it’s not too bad.
Despite being a mid-range tire, the warranty is on a premium level. The Destination LE3 comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, putting it on the same level as the Continental tire.
Pros
- More than enough performance for daily driving
- Decent traction in lighter snow conditions
- Quiet
Cons
- You won’t have a lot of feedback
- The comfort levels are average on bad roads
#6. Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV
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Moving away from the all-season options, this next model is from the winter segment. I’m talking about the X-Ice Snow SUV, a tire that will deliver some of the best performance in its category.
In dry conditions, the X-Ice Snow SUV is a tire that won’t struggle at all. The traction levels are more than enough to eliminate slip on acceleration, and the grip will keep the tire clawed to the road without promoting understeer. Even though I’m talking about a tire that isn’t sporty, there is some room to push it if you’re a more aggressive driver. The tire also delivers very short braking distances, which is what you’d expect from a premium tire. In the handling department, the tire doesn’t do a poor job. It’s quite responsive for a winter tire, and even though it feels muted, it doesn’t feel as detached as some of its rivals.
Wet roads are something that the X-Ice Snow SUV can tackle with ease. Damp roads are often problematic for many tires as they’re more slippery, something you won’t notice with this tire. The traction and grip levels are among the best in this class, which will help keep the slip to a minimum. The same goes for going around a corner. Your Xterra won’t feel like it’s on rails, but it will be pretty good in this category and conditions. As good as all of this sounds, some models can outperform it in terms of cornering grip. When it comes to safety, Michelin nailed it. The tire’s braking distances are among the shortest when compared with its rivals. It’s the same story with the excellent aquaplaning resistance, meaning the stability won’t be compromised.
The tire is called X-Ice Snow SUV, meaning you should see excellent winter performance. Starting off with the snow traction, you’re looking at one of the best performers in this segment. It doesn’t matter if you drive on packed or unpacked snow, this tire will deliver. It deals with deep snow very well, and you won’t notice it struggling too much unless you get into really deep patches. To be fair, most tires will have an issue with that. As a winter tire, you’d expect it to perform on ice, and this tire doesn’t disappoint. I wouldn’t compare it with something from the studdable segment, but in this one, I would categorize it as among the best.
We reach one area of the X-Ice Snow SUV where some people may be a bit disappointed. The comfort levels are very good, and despite the great responsiveness, it’s not as stiff as I thought it would be. It irons out smaller imperfections well and dampens the larger ones without transmitting too many vibrations into the cabin. The area where Michelin could’ve improved is the noise levels. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a loud tire, but it’s noticeable. Having an aggressive pattern means the roar is noticeable, especially when driving at higher speeds.
Surprisingly, the X-Ice Snow SUV comes with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty. The surprise here is that it’s one of the few tires in this category that offer one.
Pros
- Dry performance is superb
- One of the rare winter tires with a treadwear warranty
- Marvelous snow and ice performer
Cons
- Needs just a bit more grip on damp roads to be the best
- The aggressive design produces a bit more noise
#7. Sumitomo Encounter AT
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The first tire from the all-terrain batch for today is a mid-range one from Sumitomo. The Encounter AT is a model that seems to do a lot of things right in terms of performance, and it does that in a package that you can consider affordable.
As an all-terrain tire, the Encounter AT should offer performance on paved roads, and it does that well. In dry conditions, the tire offers a good amount of traction which will help it minimize slip. The cornering grip is also pretty good, meaning it will hold the line well without understating too much. Even though we’re not talking about a performance tire, it can handle some aggressiveness without too many issues. The good thing about it is that even if you get too carried away, you’ll have short braking distances to keep things safe. In terms of handling, it’s only acceptable. It’s not particularly responsive, but it offers a good amount of feedback, which is a bit weird.
One thing I really liked about the Sumitomo AT is the wet performance. The tire does a very good job delivering performance on damp roads, thanks to which I’d rate it high in the mid-range segment. It doesn’t struggle as much as I thought it would, even in slightly aggressive scenarios. You can get I to slip if you get too aggressive, but that’s the case with most all-terrain tires. The braking distances are also very short for the category, and thanks to the tread pattern, you’re looking at excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Winter performance is something that the Encounter AT does well, but it’s not perfect. The 3PMSF-rated tire offers traction in lighter conditions and seems to do a good job of delivering enough performance for driving in lighter conditions. This also applies for the braking distances, which are quite short. With that said, I feel like this tire struggles a bit more with harsher conditions. Most all-terrain tires do, but some of its rivals do a better job with deeper unpacked snow.
Off-roading is something that the Encounter AT does well, as long as you’re aware of its limitations. Driving on hard-packed surfaces is not a problem, and the tire delivers all the performance you’d need for these conditions. It’s stable, controllable, and offers short braking distances. With mud, you’ll need to be mindful of the depth. It deals with shallower patches well, but it will struggle with deeper ones, which is to be expected. Since we’re not talking about a mud-terrain tire, rock crawling is something you may be able to pull off, but only in the lightest conditions possible.
Regarding the refinement, the Encounter AT is good enough, but nothing to write home about. The comfort levels are solid, and the tire will iron out a decent amount of road imperfections without feeling too bouncy. With larger bumps or potholes, you will notice the initial hit and some vibrations. The noise levels are acceptable for a mid-range all-terrain tire. On smoother surfaces and lower speeds, the hum isn’t too noticeable, but it increases when you get on the highway or drive on rougher roads.
The warranty is pretty good and falls within the premium segment. You can get the Encounter AT with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is among the best you’ll find in the mid-range category.
Pros
- The road performance is very good, especially in wet conditions
- Solid option if you’re after a tire with good performance in light off-road scenarios
- 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- It may struggle a bit on deeper unpacked snow
- The refinement is average
#8. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
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The second all-terrain option I have for the Xterra is another mid-range model. I’ve chosen the Wildpeak A/T3W, a tire that may not excel on the road, but it won’t disappoint off it.
If you’re looking for a tire that can offer enough performance for daily driving, the Wildpeak A/T3W is a model you should consider. The tire’s grip and traction levels on dry roads are solid, considering it’s a mid-range option. You probably won’t be pushing the tire hard, so you won’t feel like you’re not getting enough performance. The tire also delivers short braking distances, putting it well within the safe zone. One thing I would like to see improved is the handling. I know all-terrain tires aren’t about being dynamic, but I feel like this one needs a bit more responsiveness and feedback.
Wet performance is something that the Wildpeak A/T3W will deliver without too many compromises. Like in dry conditions, the performance is enough, but it’s not the best in this class. On damp roads, the traction will be good to prevent slip as long as you’re not too aggressive with the gas pedal. It’s a similar story with the cornering grip. The tire will be fine as long as you don’t go into a corner at a higher speed. When it comes to the braking distances, they’re more or less similar to those in dry conditions. The tire stops relatively short, so it’s safe. Speaking of, we have the aquaplaning resistance, which ranks pretty high in the mid-range segment.
Despite being an all-season tire, the Wildpeak A/T3W comes with the 3PMSF rating, so the winter performance is a bit better. The tire’s traction levels on unpacked snow are pretty good. Surprisingly, the tire will deal with deeper snow patches relatively well. As far as packed snow is concerned, it does a good enough job, and even though it struggles a bit, it’s not a terrible performer. All of this comes in a package that offers relatively short braking distances.
What the Wildpeak A/T3W lacks in road performance makes up for that in off-road conditions. The tire easily deals with hard-packed surfaces, offering more than enough traction for most people, even ones that are a bit aggressive. Driving in mud is something that the tire won’t struggle, as long as you’re aware of its limitations. As an all-terrain model, you can use it in lighter to medium conditions, meaning that it won’t like deep mud patches a lot. In terms of rock crawling, I’d say to keep it to the lither stuff and smaller obstacles because the tire will struggle with larger rocks.
The refinement is good and bad, depending on which aspect you’re looking at. Due to the internal construction, the Wildpeak A/T3W has a slightly harsher ride, even when compared with some of its all-terrain rivals. It’s not unbearably stiff, but you’ll have to live with a slightly bumpy ride in some situations. The noise levels, on the other hand, are pretty good for a tire from this category. I wouldn’t compare it with a highway tire, but as far as mid-range all-terrain tires are concerned, this one does a solid job.
In terms of the warranty, the Wildpeak A/T3W does a pretty good job. The tire comes with a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is close to what the premium rivals offer.
Pros
- Surprisingly low noise levels
- The off-road performance is very good
- Solid traction in snowy conditions
Cons
- The tire may feel a bit stiff at times
- Road performance is behind some of its rivals
#9. Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse AT
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Going for something from the premium segment, we have a relatively new tire from Goodyear. I’m talking about the Wrangler Workhorse AT, a tire that does a lot of things right but has a few weaknesses.
One area where the Wrangler Workhorse AT doesn’t show any weakness is dry performance. The tire’s grip and traction levels are very good for the category, offering more than enough for daily driving. I wouldn’t categorize it as a model that you can push hard, but it won’t struggle too much. The traction will be fine, but if I have to comment, I’ll say the tire will start to understeer when you get too aggressive. On a positive note, you’re looking at short braking distances, even for the all-terrain segment. Another slight surprise is in terms of the handling. Despite being an all-terrain tire, the responsiveness and feedback are pretty good.
I mentioned that the Wrangler Workhorse AT has a few weaknesses, and wet performance is one of them. The tire is far from a poor performer and will offer enough for most people, but it’s not the best in its class. On damp roads, the grip and traction levels are good, and as long as you don’t get carried away, the tire won’t slip too much. Like I said, it’s good, but a few premium rivals seem to do a better job. It’s the same thing with the braking distances. Even though they’re short and safe, they’re not the shortest I’ve seen, and some mid-range tires do a better job. As for the aquaplaning resistance, I’d call it average. The tire is fine around town or even at highway speeds, as long as you’re not driving in deeper patches.
When it comes to winter performance, the Wrangler Workhorse AT goes back to being a very good option. The tire has a 3PMSF rating, meaning the snow performance is pretty good. You can expect to get more than enough traction on packed and unpacked snow as long as we’re talking about driving in lighter conditions. Going for deeper snow reveals that we’re talking about an all-season tire, meaning it won’t be as usable as you think. The best thing about this tire is that it offers short braking distances, even when we’re talking about ice. The traction may not be on the same level as a dedicated tire, but at least it will stop relatively short.
As far as off-roading is concerned, the Wrangler Workhorse AT does a phenomenal job in lighter conditions. The traction on hardpacked surfaces is excellent, and the tire can handle a lot, in most cases more than what most people would throw at it. It may feel a bit unsteady, but only when you start to reach the limits. You’re looking at a solid performer for mud or sand as long as you don’t ask too much of it. It can deal with shallow patches very well, but since it’s not a mud-terrain tire, it will struggle with the deeper ones. As far as rock crawling is concerned, like most all-terrain tires, you can rely on it only for the smaller obstacles.
When it comes to refinement, the Wrangler Workhorse AT is good but not perfect. On the positive side of things we have the comfort levels. With smaller imperfections, the tire smooths them out and delivers a plush ride. It struggles a bit with the larger ones, especially in terms of absorbing them, but it’s not terrible. On the other hand, we have the noise levels. I wouldn’t call this an obnoxiously loud tire, but the roar is noticeable due to the tread pattern. It’s not a massive dealbreaker, and most people don’t get an all-terrain tire for the noise levels, but it’s worth mentioning this.
The warranty is a bit disappointing, especially considering that we’re talking about a premium tire. Goodyear offers the Wrangler Workhorse AT with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, putting it behind even some mid-range options.
Pros
- Excellent dry performance
- Deals with lighter off-road conditions very well
- Comfortable
Cons
- Wet performance trails behind some of its rivals
- It’s not the quietest tire in this category
#10. General Grabber APT
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Last but not least is another tire designed to offer a mix of on and off-road performance. I’m talking about the Grabber APT, a tire that balances price and performance very well, which is why it’s such a popular choice.
In dry conditions, the Grabber APT is a tire that will deliver enough performance for most drivers. It can handle the power of the Xterra and won’t struggle too much. This is thanks to the solid grip and traction levels, which should cover your needs nicely. Even if you’re a bit aggressive, you won’t notice the tire squealing too much. As for the braking distances, they are short and safe, considering that we’re talking about a mid-range option. The handling is acceptable, which is what you’ll get with most all-terrain tires. There is enough responsiveness, so it doesn’t feel slow, but you won’t have a lot of feedback.
The Grabber APT continues to deliver dependable performance in wet conditions as well. On damp roads, the grip and traction levels are pretty good to keep the tire from slipping or understeering unsafely. You can reach a point where the tire will let go of the road, but you’ll need to be aggressive, something that you probably won’t be practicing on a daily basis. The braking distances are also very short and are among the best in the mid-range segment. General’s tread pattern does an amazing job of evacuating water and offering excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Like many all-terrain models, the Grabber APT comes with a 3PMSF rating, meaning you’ll get a solid winter performance. The traction on packed and unpacked snow is pretty good for a tire from this category, followed by the short braking distances. For the most part, this tire will be good in lighter conditions. Colder temperatures or deeper snow aren’t ideal conditions for it, so you’ll notice it struggling a lot more.
As an all-terrain tire, the Grabber APT is a tire that will offer enough performance for many off-road situations. The tire deals with dirt and gravel roads with ease, offering plenty of traction even for some more aggressive scenarios. It’s a similar story when it comes to the mud performance. As long as you’re not aiming for the most extreme conditions, the tire will offer all the performance you’ll need. Rock crawling isn’t something that this tire will excel at, but you may find it usable over smaller obstacles.
Surprisingly, the Grabber APT doesn’t do so badly in terms of refinement. The comfort levels are pretty good thanks to this tire’s softer design, which helps a lot with smaller imperfections. On the other hand, for larger bumps or potholes, the tire dampens the initial hit a bit, but you’ll notice it and feel the vibrations in the cabin. As for the noise levels, it’s not as bad as I thought. Despite the aggressive pattern, this is still a relatively quiet tire, considering we’re talking about an all-terrain model. The hum is there, regardless of the speeds you’re driving at. With that said, driving over rougher surfaces means you’ll have a bit more roar when compared with some of its rivals.
The warranty is another positive side of the Grabber APT. General offers the tire with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is more than what you’re getting with some premium all-terrain models.
Pros
- Excellent refinement
- Plenty of off-road performance in lighter conditions
- Road performance is more than enough for most people
Cons
- Almost no traction on ice
- It will struggle in harsher off-road scenarios, especially rock crawling