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HT vs AT vs MT Tyres Tested: What's the Best Type of Tyre for Your SUV or Pickup?

Overall test winnerGeneral Grabber HTS60

Highway terrain (HT) tyres are the best choice for an SUV or pickup that spends most of its life on the road, mud terrain (MT) tyres are the only real choice if you regularly drive in mud, and all terrain (AT) tyres sit in between.

Tyres tested
4
Tested size
265/70 R17
Test vehicle
Ford F-150 Raptor
Disciplines
15

At a glance

Tyre shortlist

4 Tyres tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

How the results are weighted

1st

General Grabber HTS60

+Best in test for dry braking, wet braking, wet handling, comfort, weight and rolling resistance, and surprisingly capable on hard-packed dirt.

−Slowest on loose gravel and the least mud traction in the test, as it rolls on top of loose surfaces rather than digging in.

Read full verdict
2nd

General Grabber APT

+Matched the road tyre in dry handling and comfort, with the best dry braking of the off-road tyres and a clear gain in dirt, gravel and mud traction.

−Wet braking and wet handling dropped noticeably compared with the highway tyre, and it was looser at the rear on gravel.

Read full verdict
3rd

General Grabber ATx

+Fastest on hard-packed dirt, a clear step up on gravel, and half as much mud traction again as the road tyre.

−Longest wet braking and worst aquaplaning resistance in the test, with more sidewall shimmy and cornering noise on the road.

Read full verdict
4th

General Grabber X3

+Almost double the mud traction of the road tyre, the best aquaplaning resistance, the most confidence on gravel and very quiet for a mud terrain in a straight line.

−Slowest in dry handling and on hard dirt, with long wet braking, the heaviest construction and the highest rolling resistance of the 265 size tyres.

Read full verdict

Tyre shortlist

Compare selected tyres

HT vs AT vs MT Tyres Tested: What's the Best Type of Tyre for Your SUV or Pickup? · 265/70 R17

TyreGeneral Grabber HTS60General Grabber APTGeneral Grabber ATxGeneral Grabber X3
Position1st2nd3rd4th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry 36% of overall score99.9%98%95.2%94.3%
Wet 50% of overall score98.5%93.4%91.1%92.5%
Comfort 7% of overall score100%97.7%91.2%82.5%
Rolling Resistance 7% of overall score100%90.9%87.4%78.3%
Off road83.1%88.8%94.5%94.4%
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The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

Highway terrain (HT) tyres are the best choice for an SUV or pickup that spends most of its life on the road, mud terrain (MT) tyres are the only real choice if you regularly drive in mud, and all terrain (AT) tyres sit in between. To put numbers on that trade-off, I tested one tyre of each type back to back on the same truck, on road and off road, and measured exactly what you gain and lose as the tread gets more aggressive.

All four tyres came from General Tire's Grabber range, which kept the construction philosophy as consistent as possible: the Grabber HTS60 highway tyre, the Grabber APT mild all terrain, the Grabber ATx aggressive all terrain and the Grabber X3 mud terrain, all in 265/70 R17. I also ran the Grabber X3 in a much bigger LT315/70 R17 size, shown in the charts as "Reference MT Mud Terrain", to see what fitting bigger tyres does. The truck was a Ford F-150 Raptor, and the testing took six days at General Tire's off-road proving ground in Texas, covering dry and wet braking and handling, aquaplaning, hard-packed dirt, gravel, mud traction, comfort, noise, weight and rolling resistance.

Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Show full testing methodology

Score Weighting

Weights express the scoring priorities, not how much each discipline actually changed the finishing order. The size of the performance gaps matters too. Category weights contribute to the overall score. Within each category, discipline weights divide that category’s share. Published finishing positions also need to be read alongside the editorial verdict.

TestWithin categoryShare of overall score
Dry · 36%
Dry Braking46%16.56%
Dry Handling45%16.2%
Subj. Dry Handling9%3.24%
Wet · 50%
Wet Braking40%20%
Wet Handling40%20%
Subj. Wet Handling10%5%
Straight Aqua10%5%
Comfort · 7%
Subj. Comfort83%5.81%
Tyre Weight17%1.19%
Value · 7%
Rolling Resistance100%7%

Our standard methods

The conditions above are recorded for this test. The descriptions below explain our standard procedures; measurement windows and run counts can vary by test.

Dry Braking

For dry braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 110 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on clean, dry asphalt. I typically use an 100–5 km/h measurement window. My standard programme is five runs per tyre set where possible, although the sequence can extend to as many as fifteen runs if conditions and tyre category justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. Reference tyres are run repeatedly throughout the session to correct for changing conditions.

Dry Handling

For dry handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible so I can assess the tyre's natural balance, transient response, and limit behaviour without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tyre set, depending on the circuit, tyre type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tyres so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable. For more track-focused products, I also do endurance testing, which is a set number of laps at race pace to determine tire wear patterns and heat resistance over longer driving.

Subj. Dry Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment at the limit of adhesion on a dedicated dry handling circuit. I score steering precision, steering response, turn-in behaviour, mid-corner balance, corner-exit traction, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tyre before evaluating each candidate.

Wet Braking

For wet braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 88 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on an asphalt surface with a controlled water film. I typically use an 80–5 km/h measurement window to isolate tyre performance from variability in the initial brake application. My standard programme is eight runs per tyre set where possible, although the sequence can extend to as many as fifteen runs if conditions and tyre category justify it. I analyse the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. To correct for changing conditions, I run reference tyres repeatedly throughout the session — in wet testing, typically every three candidate test sets.

Wet Handling

For wet handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit. I generally use specialist wet circuits with kerb-watering systems designed to maintain a consistent surface condition. ESC is disabled where possible so I can assess the tyre's natural balance, transient response, and limit behaviour without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tyre set, depending on the circuit, tyre type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tyres so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable.

Subj. Wet Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment at the limit of adhesion on a dedicated wet handling circuit. I score steering precision, steering response, turn-in behaviour, mid-corner balance, aquaplaning resistance, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tyre before evaluating each candidate.

Straight Aqua

To measure straight-line aquaplaning resistance, I drive one side of the vehicle through a water trough of controlled depth, typically around 7 mm, while the opposite side remains on dry pavement. I enter at a fixed speed and then accelerate progressively. I define aquaplaning onset as the point at which the wheel travelling through the water exceeds a specified slip threshold relative to the dry-side reference wheel. I usually perform four runs per tyre set and average the valid results.

Gravel Handling

For gravel handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated gravel handling course with ESC typically disabled. I complete multiple timed laps per tyre set, excluding laps affected by driver error or environmental inconsistency. Because natural surfaces are inherently variable, I place particular emphasis on repeat runs, careful reference tracking, and averaged results. The control tyre is retested at regular intervals throughout the session.

Subj. Gravel Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment on a dedicated gravel course. I score steering feel, traction, stability, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tyre before evaluating each candidate.

Dirt Handling

For dirt handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated dirt handling course with ESC typically disabled. I complete multiple timed laps per tyre set, excluding laps affected by driver error or environmental inconsistency. Because natural surfaces are inherently variable, I place particular emphasis on repeat runs, careful reference tracking, and averaged results. The control tyre is retested at regular intervals.

Subj. Dirt Handling

I also carry out a structured subjective handling assessment on a dedicated dirt course. I score steering feel, traction, stability, breakaway characteristics, and overall confidence using a standardised 1–10 scale used consistently across my testing. The final assessment combines numeric scoring with written technical commentary. I complete familiarisation laps on the control tyre before evaluating each candidate.

Mud Performance

To assess mud performance, I use a dedicated off-road mud section that is actively watered and maintained to a defined condition. The test focuses on the tyre's ability to generate forward traction through the section under controlled conditions. Performance is measured using acceleration time, distance covered, or both, depending on the specific format of the programme. Multiple runs are completed and averaged, with the mud section refreshed as necessary to maintain consistency.

Subj. Comfort

To assess comfort, I drive on a wide range of road surfaces (often dedicated comfort tracks at test facilities) at speeds from 50 to 120 km/h, including smooth motorway, coarse surfaces, expansion joints, broken pavement, and sharp-edged obstacles. I evaluate primary ride quality, secondary ride quality, impact harshness, seat-transmitted vibration, and the tyre's ability to absorb sharp inputs. Ratings are assigned on a 1–10 scale relative to the reference tyre.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance is measured under controlled laboratory conditions in accordance with ISO 28580 and UNECE Regulation 117 Annex 6. The tyre is mounted on a test wheel and loaded against a large-diameter steel drum. After thermal stabilisation at the prescribed test speed, rolling resistance force is measured at the spindle and corrected according to the relevant procedure. The result is expressed as rolling resistance coefficient, typically in kg/tonne.

This test was run in partnership with General Tire in 2019, and every tyre is from their range, so it answers the question "which type of tyre?" rather than "which brand?". If you want to know which all terrain tyre to buy, my 2026 all terrain tyre test compares the latest models from every major brand. The overall result here is weighted towards road driving, and you can change the score weighting to match how you use your own vehicle.

What is the difference between HT, AT and MT tyres?

The difference is how much of the tread is rubber and how much is gap (void). A highway terrain tyre has a closed, road-car style tread with lots of rubber in contact with the surface, which is what you need for braking and grip on tarmac. As you move to a mild all terrain, an aggressive all terrain and then a mud terrain, the blocks get bigger and the gaps between them get wider, so the tyre can dig into loose surfaces and clear mud out of the tread. Mud terrain tyres also tend to use a heavier, stronger construction for puncture resistance, which makes them heavier. Every step towards off-road ability takes rubber away from the road, and this test measures what that costs.

Dry Braking

The Grabber HTS60 highway tyre stopped shortest in the dry at 46 metres. The mild all terrain Grabber APT was the best of the rest at 47.9 metres, and the Grabber X3 mud terrain and Grabber ATx aggressive all terrain were very close together at 48.1 and 48.5 metres. That means the most off-road focused tyres needed around 2 to 2.5 metres more to stop than the road tyre, which is roughly 5% further. The reason is simple: less rubber on the road means less grip under braking.

Dry Braking

Dry braking in meters

Lower is better ↓
Dry Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to best
46 m Best
47.9 m +1.90 m
48.1 m +2.10 m
48.5 m +2.50 m

The difference between best and worst was 5.4% (2.5 m ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths).

Dry Handling

Dry handling was the biggest surprise on the road. The mild all terrain Grabber APT set the fastest lap at 100.84s, just 0.14s ahead of the Grabber HTS60, so the APT essentially matched the road tyre for grip. The road tyre still felt the more precise and sporty of the two, which is why it scored higher subjectively, but the APT did a very good job of clinging on.

Dry Handling

Dry handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Dry Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
100.84 s Best
100.98 s +0.14 s
102.32 s +1.48 s
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
102.5 s +1.66 s
103.63 s +2.79 s

All the tyres in the Dry Handling test finished less than 3% apart.

The two more aggressive tyres dropped both time and feel. The Grabber ATx lapped in 102.32s and the small Grabber X3 in 103.63s, almost 2.8 seconds behind the APT, and both lost steering feel and feedback. The big LT315/70 R17 X3 was 1.1s faster than the small X3 at 102.5s, and it scored higher subjectively too. More rubber on the road gave it roughly the dry grip of the aggressive all terrain.

Subj. Dry Handling

Subjective Dry Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Dry Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9.8 Points -0.20 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
7.9 Points -2.10 Points
7.2 Points -2.80 Points

The difference between best and worst was 28% (2.8 Points).

Wet Braking

Wet braking is where the compromise is clearest. The Grabber HTS60 stopped in 59.3 metres, and the three off-road tyres in the same size needed between 64.2 and 65.7 metres. That is between 4.9 and 6.4 metres further, or 8 to 11%, with the aggressive all terrain Grabber ATx the longest. In an emergency stop in the rain that is the difference between stopping short of something and hitting it at speed.

Wet Braking

Wet braking in meters

Lower is better ↓
Wet Braking
Position / TyreResultGap to best
59.3 m Best
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
63 m +3.70 m
64.2 m +4.90 m
65 m +5.70 m
65.7 m +6.40 m

The difference between best and worst was 10.8% (6.4 m ≈ 1.4 Car Lengths).

The big LT315/70 R17 X3 stopped in 63 metres, second best and shorter than any of the smaller off-road tyres. Wider tyres put more rubber on the road, and here that was enough to lift the mud terrain above both all terrains. If you spend most of your time on the road, this is the test to think about before fitting a more aggressive tyre just because it looks better.

Wet Handling

The results in wet handling followed the tread patterns in a very logical order. The Grabber HTS60 was fastest by a clear margin at 82.2s, and it was the most direct and enjoyable tyre to drive. Every step towards a more aggressive tread made the handling a little worse and the grip drop off, but the other three were close together: the Grabber APT lapped in 85.2s, the Grabber ATx in 85.9s and the Grabber X3 in 86.6s, all within 1.4 seconds. The big X3 was right in that group at 86.0s.

Wet Handling

Wet handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Wet Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
82.2 s Best
85.2 s +3.00 s
85.9 s +3.70 s
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
86 s +3.80 s
86.6 s +4.40 s

The difference between best and worst was 5.4% (4.4 s).

Subj. Wet Handling

Subjective Wet Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Wet Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9 Points -1.00 Points
8.5 Points -1.50 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
8 Points -2.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 20% (2 Points).

Aquaplaning

Aquaplaning reversed the road-tyre story. The Grabber X3 mud terrain dominated at 105.1 km/h, because its large, open tread blocks clear water much more efficiently. That was 12.2 km/h better than the Grabber APT in second at 92.9 km/h. The Grabber HTS60 was third at 89.1 km/h, and the Grabber ATx aggressive all terrain was last at 86.1 km/h, so more void does not automatically mean better aquaplaning resistance. The layout of the grooves matters as much as the amount of gap.

Straight Aqua

Float Speed in Km/H

Higher is better ↑
Straight Aqua
Position / TyreResultGap to best
105.1 km/h Best
92.9 km/h -12.20 km/h
89.1 km/h -16.00 km/h
86.1 km/h -19.00 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 18.1% (19 Km/H).

Off Road: Dirt

The dirt course was hard, compacted Texas gumbo, which General Tire had watered and rolled for over a week to make it consistent. Even so the surface grooves up as you drive on it, so every tyre had to do its timed laps early and the course was combed between sets. It is a firm surface where rubber contact still matters, and that showed.

The Grabber HTS60 road tyre was the surprise of the day. It felt sporty with good lateral stability, steering response and balance, and it was not the slowest at 53.55s. The mild all terrain Grabber APT was 0.62s faster at 52.93s, as it was better in braking and traction, although it lost a little steering precision and lateral grip. The aggressive Grabber ATx went one step further and was fastest at 52.62s, with slightly woollier steering that does not matter much on dirt.

Dirt Handling

Dirt handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Dirt Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
52.62 s Best
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
52.75 s +0.13 s
52.93 s +0.31 s
53.55 s +0.93 s
54.14 s +1.52 s

All the tyres in the Dirt Handling test finished less than 3% apart.

The Grabber X3 mud terrain was slowest at 54.14s, 1.52s behind the ATx. A mud terrain tyre is designed for a very different surface, and on hard dirt it had less lateral stability, although it was good in traction and braking. The big LT315/70 R17 X3 brought the time back to 52.75s, almost matching the ATx, because the extra contact area gave it more grip on the hard surface.

Subj. Dirt Handling

Subjective Dirt Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Dirt Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9.5 Points -0.50 Points
9 Points -1.00 Points
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
8 Points -2.00 Points
7.5 Points -2.50 Points

The difference between best and worst was 25% (2.5 Points).

Off Road: Gravel

Gravel is a much looser surface, and it is where bigger blocks and wider grooves start to pay off because they dig in rather than roll on top. General Tire sampled gravel from around the world to choose the right stone size, and the test used around four truckloads of it over the week.

This time the road tyre was last. The Grabber HTS60 felt like it rolled on the surface of the gravel rather than digging in, and it lapped in 62.78s. The Grabber APT added some traction and a little more side force at 62.26s, but was looser at the rear. The Grabber ATx was a clear step up at 61.12s, with much more traction and braking, which let me place the truck exactly where I wanted it.

Gravel Handling

Gravel Handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Gravel Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
60.8 s -0.12 s
60.92 s Best
61.12 s +0.20 s
62.26 s +1.34 s
62.78 s +1.86 s

The difference between best and worst was 3.3% (1.98 s).

The small Grabber X3 was fastest of the four at 60.92s. Its blocks dug into the gravel and gave much more braking and traction, although not much more side grip, so it was only 0.2s quicker than the ATx. It was the tyre that gave me the most confidence, and for a less experienced driver that confidence is worth more than a few tenths of a second. The big LT315/70 R17 X3 was essentially the same at 60.8s. It had even more longitudinal grip, and I suspect with more power than the Raptor's 410 horsepower V8 it would have pulled further ahead.

Subj. Gravel Handling

Subjective Gravel Handling Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Gravel Handling
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
10 Points 0.00 Points
9.8 Points -0.20 Points
9.2 Points -0.80 Points
8 Points -2.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 20% (2 Points).

Off Road: Mud

Mud testing needs far more repeats than other surfaces, with around 15 traction runs per set of tyres in both directions through thick mud. It was also so hard on the vehicles that the Raptor got stuck in rear-wheel drive, and I had to finish on a backup pickup that could not fit the LT315/70 R17 tyres, so the big X3 has no mud result.

Mud produced the biggest differences of the whole test, so it is easiest to show as percentages with the Grabber HTS60 road tyre as 100%. The mild all terrain Grabber APT managed 119%, the aggressive all terrain Grabber ATx 149%, and the Grabber X3 mud terrain 199%, almost double the traction of the road tyre.

Mud Performance

The tyres ability in mud based on percentage

Higher is better ↑
Mud Performance
Position / TyreResultGap to best
199 % Best
149 % -50.00 %
119 % -80.00 %
100 % -99.00 %

The difference between best and worst was 49.7% (99 %).

Comfort and Noise

The Grabber HTS60 was the most comfortable and quietest tyre, as you would expect. It rounded off bumps best and had the least noise in the cabin. The Grabber APT was almost unchanged in both comfort and noise, with only slightly more noise under hard cornering, which is impressive given the blockier tread. The Grabber ATx was a step down: more shimmy through the sidewalls, more crashing over bumps and more cornering noise, although it was still impressively quiet in a straight line.

The Grabber X3 was a surprise. I have driven mud terrain tyres on the road before that have a droning noise that drives you mad after a while, but the X3 was very quiet for a mud terrain in a straight line, with more noise only under hard cornering. The big LT315/70 R17 X3 was broadly the same as the smaller one for comfort and noise.

Subj. Comfort

Subjective Comfort Score

Higher is better ↑
Subj. Comfort
Position / TyreResultGap to best
10 Points Best
9.8 Points -0.20 Points
9 Points -1.00 Points
8.5 Points -1.50 Points
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
8 Points -2.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 20% (2 Points).

Weight and Rolling Resistance

The more aggressive tyres are heavier and harder to roll, which costs fuel. The two all terrain tyres were only slightly heavier than the HTS60, but the Grabber X3 mud terrain was 42% heavier, and the big LT315/70 R17 X3 was 85% heavier. Extra unsprung weight also takes a little away from ride and handling.

Tyre Weight

Tyre Weight Per Set

Lower is better ↓
Tyre Weight
Position / TyreResultGap to best
75.2 Kg Best
77.7 Kg +2.50 Kg
78.2 Kg +3.00 Kg
106.8 Kg +31.60 Kg
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
139 Kg +63.80 Kg

The difference between best and worst was 84.8% (63.8 Kg).

Rolling resistance followed the same pattern. With the Grabber HTS60 as the baseline, the Grabber APT had 10% more rolling resistance, the Grabber ATx 14% more, the Grabber X3 28% more and the big X3 33% more. For a vehicle that does most of its miles on the road, that adds up to a real difference in fuel consumption over the life of the tyres.

Rolling Resistance

Rolling resistance in kg t

Lower is better ↓
Rolling Resistance
Position / TyreResultGap to bestExtra fuel / year
9 kg/t Best £0
9.9 kg/t +0.90 kg/t £44
10.3 kg/t +1.30 kg/t £64
11.5 kg/t +2.50 kg/t £122
RefReference MT Mud Terrain
12 kg/t +3.00 kg/t £147

The difference between best and worst was 33.3% (3 kg / t). Over 19,000 km a year at £1.45/L, the General Grabber X3 uses about 84 L (£122) more fuel than the General Grabber HTS60.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

19,000 km
£1.45/L
Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tyre age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

Do bigger tyres perform better?

In this test, mostly yes. The LT315/70 R17 Grabber X3 was faster than the 265/70 R17 X3 in dry handling, wet handling, wet braking, dirt and gravel, because the wider tyre puts more rubber on the ground. In wet braking and dirt it effectively jumped up a class of tyre. Comfort and noise were about the same. The costs are weight and rolling resistance, which were the worst in the test, so bigger tyres will use more fuel.

Which type of tyre should you buy?

If you spend more than about 95% of your time on the road, fit a highway terrain tyre. The Grabber HTS60 was the best tyre in the test for dry braking, wet braking, wet handling, comfort, weight and rolling resistance, and it was far from hopeless off road, especially on hard dirt.

If you spend around 70% of your time on the road and 30% off road, a mild all terrain like the Grabber APT is the best compromise. It matched the road tyre in dry handling and comfort, gave up only a little in dry braking, and was noticeably better in dirt, gravel and mud. Its biggest weakness is wet braking.

If it is closer to 50/50 and you do some more serious off-roading, an aggressive all terrain like the Grabber ATx is the right choice. It was fastest on dirt, close to the mud terrain on gravel and gave half as much traction again as the road tyre in mud, but it had the longest wet braking and was the worst in aquaplaning.

If you spend a lot of time off road, especially in mud, a mud terrain tyre is the only real choice. The Grabber X3 had almost double the mud traction of the road tyre and the best aquaplaning, and its heavier construction gives better protection against punctures and cuts on rocks, which this test did not measure. Just remember that you pay for it on the road in braking distance, rolling resistance and weight.

Results

The Grabber HTS60 finished first overall because the score weighting reflects the fact that most SUVs and pickups spend most of their time on the road. The Grabber APT was second, the Grabber ATx third and the Grabber X3 fourth. That order is right for a road-biased driver, but reverse the weighting towards off-road use and the order would look very different, which is exactly why there is no single best type of tyre.

HT vs AT vs MT Tyres Tested: What's the Best Type of Tyre for Your SUV or Pickup?Watch the full video of this test on YouTube Watch on YouTube

1st

General Grabber HTS60

265/70 R17
General Grabber HTS60
The Grabber HTS60 won this test overall because it was clearly the best tyre on the road. It stopped shortest in the wet and dry, was the fastest and most enjoyable in wet handling, and was the quietest and most comfortable. It was also far from hopeless off road, especially on hard dirt. If your SUV or pickup spends more than about 95% of its time on the road, this is the type of tyre to fit.
Dry99.9%
Wet98.5%
Comfort100%
Rolling Resistance100%
Off road83.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (15)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better1st / 446 mBest in this discipline
Dry HandlingLower is better2nd / 4100.98 s+0.14 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better1st / 410 PointsBest in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better1st / 459.3 mBest in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better1st / 482.2 sBest in this discipline
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better1st / 410 PointsBest in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better3rd / 489.1 km/h-16.00 km/h
Gravel HandlingLower is better4th / 462.78 s+1.86 s
Subj. Gravel HandlingHigher is better4th / 48 Points-2.00 Points
Dirt HandlingLower is better3rd / 453.55 s+0.93 s
Subj. Dirt HandlingHigher is better3rd / 49 Points-1.00 Points
Mud PerformanceHigher is better4th / 4100 %-99.00 %
Subj. ComfortHigher is better1st / 410 PointsBest in this discipline
Tyre WeightLower is better1st / 475.2 KgBest in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better1st / 49 kg/tBest in this discipline
2nd

General Grabber APT

265/70 R17
General Grabber APT
The Grabber APT finished second and was the best compromise in the test. On the road it gave up surprisingly little, essentially matching the highway tyre in dry handling and comfort, while it was quicker on dirt and gravel and found more traction in mud. Its weak point is wet braking. If you split your time roughly 70% on road and 30% off road, a mild all terrain like this is the one I would choose.
Dry98%
Wet93.4%
Comfort97.7%
Rolling Resistance90.9%
Off road88.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (15)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better2nd / 447.9 m+1.90 m
Dry HandlingLower is better1st / 4100.84 sBest in this discipline
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better2nd / 49.8 Points-0.20 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better2nd / 464.2 m+4.90 m
Wet HandlingLower is better2nd / 485.2 s+3.00 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better2nd / 49 Points-1.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better2nd / 492.9 km/h-12.20 km/h
Gravel HandlingLower is better3rd / 462.26 s+1.34 s
Subj. Gravel HandlingHigher is better3rd / 49.2 Points-0.80 Points
Dirt HandlingLower is better2nd / 452.93 s+0.31 s
Subj. Dirt HandlingHigher is better2nd / 49.5 Points-0.50 Points
Mud PerformanceHigher is better3rd / 4119 %-80.00 %
Subj. ComfortHigher is better2nd / 49.8 Points-0.20 Points
Tyre WeightLower is better3rd / 478.2 Kg+3.00 Kg
Rolling ResistanceLower is better2nd / 49.9 kg/t+0.90 kg/t
3rd

General Grabber ATx

265/70 R17
General Grabber ATx
The Grabber ATx finished third. Off road it was excellent, fastest on dirt and close to the mud terrain on gravel, and it gave me the confidence to place the truck exactly where I wanted it. On the road it paid for that with the longest wet braking, the weakest aquaplaning and a small drop in comfort, although it was still quiet in a straight line. If your driving is closer to a 50/50 split and includes some more serious off-roading, an aggressive all terrain like this is the right choice.
Dry95.2%
Wet91.1%
Comfort91.2%
Rolling Resistance87.4%
Off road94.5%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (15)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better4th / 448.5 m+2.50 m
Dry HandlingLower is better3rd / 4102.32 s+1.48 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better3rd / 48 Points-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better4th / 465.7 m+6.40 m
Wet HandlingLower is better3rd / 485.9 s+3.70 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better3rd / 48.5 Points-1.50 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better4th / 486.1 km/h-19.00 km/h
Gravel HandlingLower is better2nd / 461.12 s+0.20 s
Subj. Gravel HandlingHigher is better2nd / 49.8 Points-0.20 Points
Dirt HandlingLower is better1st / 452.62 sBest in this discipline
Subj. Dirt HandlingHigher is better1st / 410 PointsBest in this discipline
Mud PerformanceHigher is better2nd / 4149 %-50.00 %
Subj. ComfortHigher is better3rd / 49 Points-1.00 Points
Tyre WeightLower is better2nd / 477.7 Kg+2.50 Kg
Rolling ResistanceLower is better3rd / 410.3 kg/t+1.30 kg/t
4th

General Grabber X3

265/70 R17
General Grabber X3
The Grabber X3 finished fourth on a road-biased weighting, but it was in a different league in mud, the quickest of the 265 size tyres on gravel and the best for aquaplaning. It was also much quieter on the road than I expected from a mud terrain. The price is weight, rolling resistance, and grip and braking on tarmac. If you spend a lot of your time off road, particularly in mud or on rocks where its heavier construction helps, a mud terrain is the only real choice.
Dry94.3%
Wet92.5%
Comfort82.5%
Rolling Resistance78.3%
Off road94.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (15)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestPosition in disciplineResultGap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better3rd / 448.1 m+2.10 m
Dry HandlingLower is better4th / 4103.63 s+2.79 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better4th / 47.2 Points-2.80 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better3rd / 465 m+5.70 m
Wet HandlingLower is better4th / 486.6 s+4.40 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better4th / 48 Points-2.00 Points
Straight AquaHigher is better1st / 4105.1 km/hBest in this discipline
Gravel HandlingLower is better1st / 460.92 sBest in this discipline
Subj. Gravel HandlingHigher is better1st / 410 PointsBest in this discipline
Dirt HandlingLower is better4th / 454.14 s+1.52 s
Subj. Dirt HandlingHigher is better4th / 47.5 Points-2.50 Points
Mud PerformanceHigher is better1st / 4199 %Best in this discipline
Subj. ComfortHigher is better4th / 48.5 Points-1.50 Points
Tyre WeightLower is better4th / 4106.8 Kg+31.60 Kg
Rolling ResistanceLower is better4th / 411.5 kg/t+2.50 kg/t
Reference Tyre

Reference MT Mud Terrain

265/70 R17
Reference MT Mud Terrain
The LT315/70 R17 Grabber X3 was included as a reference to show what fitting bigger tyres does, and size really did matter. More rubber on the road lifted it by roughly a class in wet braking, dry handling and dirt, and it was the fastest tyre on gravel by a fraction, while comfort and noise were about the same as the smaller X3. The cost is much more weight and rolling resistance, so expect to use more fuel.
All discipline results (12)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestResult
Dry HandlingLower is better102.5 s
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better7.9 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better63 m
Wet HandlingLower is better86 s
Subj. Wet HandlingHigher is better8 Points
Gravel HandlingLower is better60.8 s
Subj. Gravel HandlingHigher is better10 Points
Dirt HandlingLower is better52.75 s
Subj. Dirt HandlingHigher is better8 Points
Subj. ComfortHigher is better8 Points
Tyre WeightLower is better139 Kg
Rolling ResistanceLower is better12 kg/t

More tyre tests

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Where these tyres were tested again, and how the verdict held up.

Discussion

3 comments
  1. toddtour archived

    What about snow and ice?

    #5425
  2. TyreReviews archived

    I'd love to do that test soon. AT tyres do have an advantage on snow, but they're not as good as a proper winter tyre. Where they fit into the puzzle I'll need to find out with testing.

    #5183
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