Choosing between off-road and on-road tires is a challenging task. But selecting between Cooper Discoverer AT3 Vs Toyo Open Country AT3 should be easy, as both tires belong to the same terrain category.
Both possess the best handling, traction, and longevity features. However, these tires have specific distinctions that make it difficult to choose between them. To help you pick the right one, let’s compare these tires to understand their strength and weakness.
| Features | Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT | Toyo Open Country AT3 |
| Category | All-terrain tire | All-terrain tire |
| Treadwear Warranty | Covers 60,000 miles of tread | Covers 65000 miles of tread |
| Speed ratings | Available in Q, R, S, T, and even H ratings | Available in R and S. |
| Tread Depth | From 16/32 to 17/32 inch | From 12.7/32 to 17/32 inch |
| Noise | Cooper has better performance due to the smaller gaps between ribs. | |
| Performance | Excellent on wet roads due to siping design | Better stability on dry roads |
| Comfort | Have a smooth ride as it absorbs all kinds of bumps | More bumpy than Cooper Discoverer |
| Rating | Both tires have a 3PMSF rating. | |
Most people get confused while choosing between Cooper AT3 vs Toyo AT3, but certain features such as noise, comfort, and performance efficiency make these tires comparable.
1. Comfort
Ride comfort depends on the tire’s damping feature, which helps protect riders from bumpy roads.
The Cooper Discoverer saves your ride from almost all roughness because of its smooth tread. It is made of soft rubber, so you don’t need to worry about its comfort and efficiency.
On the other hand, Toyo Open AT3 is made from stiff rubber materials; hence, it does not have much ability to absorb bumps. It means the Toyo offers comparatively less comfort than the Cooper.
2. Noise
In terms of noise cancellation between the Toyo At3 vs Cooper At3, the Cooper Discoverer provides better efficiency than the Toyo Open. Both tires have shoulder ribs between them, which restricts airflow and cancels out noise.
However, Cooper takes a step farther and provides drivers with a smaller rib gap, which means less area for air to come in.
3. Performance
To see the effectiveness of both tires, let’s look at their on-road and off-road performance.
Off-Road Performance
Snow Terrain
Both tires give tough competition on the snowy terrain as both have excellent performance.
However, Toyo Open At3 still has the edge over Cooper due to its Kelver Polymer composition and stiff ribs. Its lateral grooves allow for better traction on the road, and I’ve driven the tire through 4-inch snow without problems.
However, Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT also would not disappoint you in the snow as it has 3D siping, but its longitudinal grooves do not serve a beneficial role in the snowy terrain.
Sandy Terrain
For sand or dirt, Cooper would be the better choice, as it is designed especially for these terrains. Its wider sidewalls and larger treads provide a superior grip on grainy surfaces.
The Toyo is by no means disappointing, though, since it clears dirt quite well.
Muddy Terrain
For muddy terrains, these two tires do not have much capability. Still, you can go with the Toyo Open because of its interconnected grooves and ribs. They’re better than Cooper’s circumferential grooves at evacuating mud, even if the mud’s up to the rims.
Rocky Terrain
You should not consider these tires a choice for rocky terrains.
However, Toyo’s longitudinal grooves still give a more confident approach while climbing rocks.
Cooper’s treads are insufficient in keeping stones out, possibly due to the tire’s siping.
On-Road Performance
Wet Traction
Due to the soft rubber in its composition, Cooper Discoverer grips wet roads more easily. There’s no spinning while cornering, and I could even use the tire to pull a trailer.
On the other hand, Toyo Open At3 has less flexibility due to the lower number of sipes. Its braking and traction are still decent, though.
Dry Traction
Cooper Discoverer does not have much shoulder stability in this area, so there is a slight chance for mishandling and inconveniences.
In comparison, Toyo At3 has stable shoulders and ridges between them, which allow for smoother driving, even during acceleration.
It provides a tad more grip than Cooper, but the gap is not that significant.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Cooper Discoverer AT3 vs Toyo Open Country AT3 depends on your situation’s requirements and demands.
Both tires perform exceptionally well for everyday needs, and you can consider either. But if you have snowy, dry, and muddy rides, then Toyo must be your choice, as it provides more effectiveness in these situations.
Cooper will be superior in wet and sandy areas.
You can also read your vehicle manual for guidance, as some suggestions would be available.
