Latest Trend: All-Terrain Tires (AT) Dominating the SUV/CUV Market in 2024!

In recent years, our experts at PMCtire have observed a significant shift in consumer preferences towards more aggressive, visually more appealing tires for vehicles not originally intended for off-road capabilities or larger tire installations.

At the forefront of this trend is the increasing popularity of All-Terrain tires (AT) within the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) market segments. These specialized tires, designed to excel on a variety of surfaces and originally mostly manufactured for bigger pick-up trucks and off-road capable vehicles, are revolutionizing the way drivers approach both urban commutes and outdoor escapades. In this discussion, we'll delve into the factors driving the surge in demand for All-Terrain tires for smaller, daily-used SUVs/CUVs, explore the vehicles most impacted by this trend and give our recommendations on what tires are the best options offered in the possible dimensions.

What Does this Trend Consist of?

As explained above, the current trend in tires right now is for SUV/CUV owners to purchase AT tires. Some customers will do it for the looks only, since AT tires have much bigger tread blocs and are designed to be much more appealing than regular touring tires.

We also see customers purchase AT tires for their SUVs for more practical reasons, as they fully intend to use their vehicles not only for comfort and convenience on city streets, but also for their capability to tackle rugged terrain and off-road adventures.

After the events that occurred a few years ago with Covid and so on, the surge in outdoor recreational activities such as camping, hiking, and off-roading has been an important factor for the increased demand for vehicles equipped with all-terrain tires. Consumers are looking for vehicles that can support their active lifestyles and provide the necessary traction and durability for exploring rugged terrain, without sacrificing the daily-use customers make of their vehicles to go to work, to the grocery store, to go get the kids at kindergarten, etc.

Regardless of your motive—be it aesthetic appeal or a need for rugged, off-road performance—this article presents the top tire options and comprehensive information to guide your decision-making process for the upcoming Spring tire purchase!

Why Are Customers Purchasing Wider/Bigger AT Tires?

One of the first factors to consider when purchasing AT tires for smaller vehicles is the fact that customers will most likely purchase wider/higher tires. The main reason for this is that in most cases, tire manufacturers do not build AT tires in regular SUV/CUV sizes as those vehicles were not intended for these kinds of tires in the first place.

Therefore, when looking for AT tires to put on your vehicle, chances are they will be slightly bigger (but still within recommendations of the 3% overall tire diameter difference) than the original dimensions coming with the car.

Another factor to consider is that some customers will bring their SUV/CUV to the next level by upgrading the suspension and lift their car by a few inches. This will allow them to maximize the tire size they can install and offer optimal looks/off-road capabilities no matter what your objective is!

Different Tire Options Offered in Different Sizes to Transform Your Vehicle

Most Frequent Vehicle Models Following this Trend

Over time, we've observed a notable impact of this trend primarily embraced by owners of specific vehicle brands and models. This is mostly driven by the popularity of forums and group discussions.

For instance, a high number of the trend adopters drive adventure-oriented SUVs, mostly targeted towards outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, such as the Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4 Adventure and Ford Bronco Sport.

We also noticed the popularity of AT tires on compact and subcompact crossover vehicles, such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5/CX-50, and Hyundai Kona. While these vehicles may not offer the same level of off-road capability as larger SUVs, they often feature all-wheel drive systems and are suitable for light off-road driving with the addition of all-terrain tires.

Of course, this phenomenon is no stranger to midsize and full-size SUVs, including popular models like the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, and Chevrolet Tahoe, or straight off-road vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, or Land Rover Defender, which are increasingly equipped with all-terrain tire options or offered with packages that include them. This allows consumers to customize their vehicles according to their intended use, whether it be urban commuting or off-road exploration.

A Phenomenon Not Uncommon to Electric Vehicles or Supercars!

Surprisingly, we’ve had many electric vehicle (EV) owners embracing this trend, equipping and preparing their vehicles with All-Terrain tires! This is specifically the case for Tesla’s Model Yand Volkswagen’s ID.4.

Moreover, the luxurious sports car manufacturer Lamborghini also joined the movement with the arrival of the very first off-road-capable hypercar, with the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, and Porsche followed the movement with the Porsche 911 Dakar! Both vehicles are equipped with many off-road features such as All-Terrain tires to play in the mountains, desert sands or rocky roads with a great peace of mind despite being hypercars!

What Are the Best AT Tires for SUV/CUV Models

When it comes to the best All-Terrain tires available for SUV/CUV models, our recommendations aren’t necessarily the recommendations for the best All-Terrain tires offered on the market.

Our top choices take into account the fact that these tires will be installed on smaller vehicles and will most likely be driven on regular/city roads, so we opted for All-Terrain tires offering the best comfort, quietness and durability (keeping in mind that All-Terrain tires haven’t been designed to excel in these criteria). They also take into consideration the look of the tires since this can be an important criteria for customers looking to be part of this trend!

Our #1 Recommendation for All-Terrain Tires for SUV/CUV

BFGoodrich T/A KO2

Most popular dimensions available for SUV/CUV, offered only in LT dimensions:

• LT225/65R17
• LT245/65R17
• LT255/55R18

Our #2 Recommendation for All-Terrain Tires for SUV/CUV

Toyo Open Country A/T III

Most popular dimensions available for SUV/CUV, offered in both LT and Passenger dimensions:

• 225/65R17/LT225/65R17
• 235/65R17
• 245/65R17/LT245/65R17
• 225/55R18
• 225/60R18
• 235/60R18
• 255/55R18

Our #3 Recommendation for All-Terrain Tires for SUV/CUV

Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus

Most popular dimensions available for SUV/CUV, offered only in Passenger dimensions:

• 225/65R17
• 235/65R17
• 245/65R17

Our #4 Recommendation for All-Terrain Tires for SUV/CUV

Firestone Destination A/T2

Most popular dimensions available for SUV/CUV, offered only in Passenger dimensions:

• 225/65R17
• 235/65R17
• 245/65R17
• 225/60R18

Our #5 Recommendation for All-Terrain Tires for SUV/CUV

Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 4S

Most popular dimensions available for SUV/CUV, offered only in Passenger dimensions:

• 225/65R17
• 235/65R17
• 245/65R17

You might have noticed that some tire sizes were only available in LT (Light Truck) dimensions, others only in Passenger dimensions, and some available in both Passenger and LT dimensions.

There are some advantages and disadvantages for both types. LT tires have been built with stiffer sidewall composed of many more plies than regular passenger tires, making them much more resistant to cuts that can come from sharp objects (rocks from a road in the woods or any metallic object on a construction site) and rough roads. Also, if you tow heavy objects such as a trailer, a camper or anything similar on a regular basis, going with LT tires will ensure a more stable ride as well as more durability since the construction of the tires will be able to support the extra weight better than passenger tires.

However, going with LT tires will result in a much stiffer ride, sacrificing the comfort of the original tires that came on the vehicle. Also, since the tires are much heavier and stiffer than what the vehicle was built to support, this may lead to an unusual wear of the suspension components that have to deal with this extra weight. Moreover, the fact that the tires are heavier will result in a higher gas/electricity consumption as the vehicle will require more power to make the tires spin.

For more details and information regarding LT tires, you can refer to this article.

Are there Any Drawbacks to Installing AT Tires on Vehicles

While the adoption of all-terrain tires has surged, particularly among owners of specific vehicle brands and models, there are several drawbacks to consider, especially when equipping small SUVs or CUVs.

Some of these drawbacks were mentioned in the previous paragraph, but they can also be true for Passenger All-Terrain tires. Typically, they will lead to increased gas consumption due to their heavier weight and higher rolling resistance, impacting fuel efficiency, even if they’re not LT. Additionally, their design can disrupt the aerodynamics of smaller vehicles, resulting in decreased overall performance and efficiency.

Moreover, the heavier construction of these tires demands more power to spin, exerting additional strain on the vehicle's suspension components and potentially leading to premature wear. Beyond mechanical concerns, all-terrain tires often generate more noise during operation, compromising the quiet and refined cabin experience expected in modern vehicles.

Furthermore, their stiffer sidewalls and aggressive tread patterns contribute to a rougher and less comfortable ride, particularly noticeable with LT variants. Lastly, the enhanced durability and off-road capability of all-terrain tires come at a premium, making them a more expensive option compared to standard tires, which could be a significant consideration for budget-conscious consumers. Overall, while all-terrain tires offer undeniable benefits for off-road enthusiasts, their drawbacks may outweigh their advantages for small SUVs and CUVs primarily used for urban commuting and daily driving.

In conclusion, AT tires can be a great tire option to consider for your SUV/CUV whether you want to upgrade the look of your vehicle or you’re really looking to prepare your vehicle to face the various challenges it may face when you go out on adventurous, harsher roads outside the city.

Whether you’re going to travel several kilometers in the woods for a fishing trip or commute to construction sites frequently, these tires provide a great balance for off-road capabilities, strong sidewalls capable of resisting to sharp objects/harsh roads, and they can perform well in most weather conditions (dry, wet, snowy or muddy roads). They are also very good to use for daily driving activities, making them a great balanced option no matter the reason why you want to purchase them.

On the other hand, there can be a few drawbacks to installing All-Terrain tires on your SUV/CUV especially if your objective is simply to give your vehicle a better look. Since those vehicles weren’t built to receive such big/heavy tires, there can be impacts on the suspension components, the vehicle’s consumption will definitely increase and the tires will most likely not be as comfortable and quiet as the original tires or a replacement set of tires.

As for anything, weigh the pros and cons of each tire type using this article’s information to make sure you make the best possible decision for the right tires that will fit your needs, and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts who will be happy to answer any questions you might have and find the best tire that suits your needs!