The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 has been a benchmark all-terrain tyre thanks to its excellent comfort, low road noise, strong off-road traction and outstanding snow performance. Pirelli’s brand-new Scorpion XTM arrives with bold claims that it matches or outperforms the KO3 across dry, wet, snow, mud and grass, while improving rolling resistance and steering response. I set out to see how those claims stack up with back-to-back subjective testing on-road and off-road.
About the Pirelli Scorpion XTM
The XTM replaces the Scorpion AT+ and has been developed with the North American market in mind. It’s far more aggressive visually and, according to Pirelli’s internal development data, combines attributes of two leading competitors while adding lower rolling resistance and sharper steering. There’s also an Elect version aimed at EVs that further reduces rolling resistance with a small trade-off in mud performance. Both versions carry the 3PMSF snow symbol.
There are two versions of the new XTM, the 'regular' version, and an ELECT version. The ELECT version trades a little mud traction for lower rolling resistance, and while it was designed for electric trucks, it could be the better choice for regular trucks too that spend more time on-road than off.
Based on Pirellis launch event presentation, the XTM and XTM ELECT out performs the combined qualities of two leading competitors. The competitors aren't published but it seems likely they are BFGoodrich and Falken.
But how does the XTM drive compared to the KO3?
On-Road Performance
Comfort
Both tyres impressed but with different strengths. The KO3 excels at rounding out big impacts, making potholes and sharp bumps feel less harsh. However, it transmits more vibration over surfaces with constant small imperfections. The XTM is firmer over the initial impact but settles more quickly, reducing post-impact vibrations. Which is “better” depends on the roads you drive — KO3 for big-hit comfort, XTM for smoother recovery over minor bumps.
Noise
Noise levels were close. On some surfaces, the KO3 was slightly quieter with a lower pitch; on others, the XTM matched or bettered it in decibel level. The KO3 takes a marginal win overall for tone and refinement, but the difference is small.
Steering Response
Here, the XTM pulled ahead. It feels more reactive and predictable, giving greater confidence when cornering, without introducing nervousness on the straight. The KO3, by comparison, has slower turn-in and can feel less settled over undulations. For drivers who value steering precision, the XTM is the stronger choice.
Off-Road Performance
Testing took place across sand, rock, deep gravel, and boulder-strewn trails, with pressures dropped from 39 PSI to 25 PSI off-road.
Traction and Braking
Both tyres offered excellent grip on all surfaces tested, with no damage sustained despite challenging terrain. On sand, the XTM felt slightly more eager on initial bite, but differences in outright traction and braking were minimal.
Steering and Handling
As on-road, the XTM offered sharper, more predictable steering, especially at speed on loose surfaces. It was also easier to steer out of ruts and grooves, giving it an advantage in driver confidence. The KO3 required more steering input to achieve the same result, making it feel less agile.
Sliding and Control
In rear-wheel-drive testing, the XTM’s slides were more progressive and easier to control. The KO3 sometimes broke traction more abruptly at the rear, demanding quicker corrections.
Verdict
These are two premium, class-leading all-terrain tyres. The KO3 remains a superb choice for drivers prioritising big-impact comfort and a touch more refinement in noise on certain surfaces. However, in this back-to-back, the Pirelli Scorpion XTM edged ahead overall thanks to its sharper steering, composed on-road manners and confidence-inspiring behaviour off-road.
This was a subjective comparison; a full instrumented test is coming. In the meantime, if you try the XTM, I’d love to hear how it compares to your previous all-terrain tyres.
Results
1st: Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The new Scorpion XTM marks a significant step forward for Pirelli in the all-terrain space. Designed with the North American market in mind, it combines a more aggressive tread with a lighter overall weight, sharper steering, and strong all-surface performance. On-road, the XTM offers a firmer ride on initial impact but quickly settles, giving it an edge on surfaces with constant minor imperfections. Noise levels are competitive with the KO3, but its real advantage lies in steering response and predictability, both on tarmac and loose terrain. Off-road, it proved equally grippy while being easier to control, especially when sliding or steering out of ruts. In this test, the XTM edged ahead overall, showing Pirelli has built a genuine rival to the established leaders. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The BFGoodrich KO3 continues the brand’s legacy of being a benchmark in the all-terrain category. It impresses with excellent road manners, combining low noise with class-leading comfort over larger impacts, making it a very easy tyre to live with day to day. Off-road, it delivers superb traction and durability across sand, gravel, and rock, with its robust construction shrugging off harsh terrain. However, the KO3’s steering can feel slower to react both on and off-road, and it requires more input to correct when unsettled, which may leave more enthusiastic drivers wanting a touch more precision. Still, it remains a dependable and highly capable all-rounder. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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