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Last updated 9/17/2024 - Originally published 9/17/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Bridgestone doesn’t need a formal introduction and it is a fact that this Japanese tire manufacturer has surprised us with many great tire launches since 1931. In America, the tire maker offers tires for passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, EVs, light trucks, OTRs, farm applications, and commercial vehicles.
Toyo is one of the very popular tire manufacturers in the United States that also comes from Japan and has been in business since 1945. It offers a good range of high-quality and advanced tires for use on passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, pickup trucks, and ATVs/UTVs.
The Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent and the Toyo Open Country A/T III are the two exceptional all-terrain tires coming from these Japanese tire manufacturers that are suitable for use on pickups, SUVs, and Jeeps. Both tires being Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified can be used in all weather conditions, accommodating an extra ease for the customers to use them in severe to moderate winter conditions.
So, let’s compare the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent vs Toyo Open Country A/T III tires and find out how these close competitors position themselves in the all-terrain tires race. We will analyze these tires in the traction, handling, and longevity areas based on their SimpleScore ratings (our advanced tire rating system) to give a logical conclusion on what suits your needs the best. Read on!
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent tires
The Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent is a new tire in the market and was launched in August 2024 by the tire manufacturer. Designed for high-rim diameter rim vehicles, the tire is good for use on luxury and high-trim SUVs, Jeeps, and pickup trucks. This all-terrain tire is great when it comes to on- and off-road performance and sports many exceptional features that contribute to longer tread life, traction performance, and solid winter performance. There is a bundle of technologies that make this tire more precious, which we will discuss in the later sections of this Dueler A/T Ascent vs Open Country A/T III tires comparison.
Overall, the Dueler A/T Ascent scores a great 8.6 SimpleScore rating because of its admirable on- and off-road traction performance, sharp handling response, and long-lasting service life.
Toyo Open Country A/T III tires
Introduced in March 2020, the Toyo Open Country A/T III is a bit older than the Bridgestone tire but has many modern-day features to fascinate the enthusiasts. The tire is capable of going on- and off-road, offering the drivers the best of both worlds. It offers the required traction on paved and rough surfaces, boasts durable construction, and is also optimized for long-lasting use and responsive handling. Quieter rides and exceptional stability are also a few of the tire’s strong areas.
Overall, the Toyo Open Country A/T III scores an outstanding 9.3 SimpleScore; credit goes to its excellent on- and off-road traction, sharp handling response, and long-lasting tread life.
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent vs Toyo Open Country A/T III tires on traction
Used on- and off-road, traction is one of the most important areas of consideration for all-terrain tires like the Dueler A/T Ascent and Open Country A/T III. When we compared both tires, there was a significant gap in their scores.
The Dueler A/T Ascent scores an 8.7 SimpleScore rating in traction and as we mentioned before, it is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, which makes it compatible for use in moderate to severe winter weather conditions in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The tire combines on-road comfort and rugged off-road power and also sports a striking sawtooth tread pattern for increased traction performance, especially in wet and snowy conditions. Likewise, the tread compound is engineered for enhanced traction performance and the full-depth sipe technology offers a good number of biting edges to drive confidently in wet and snowy conditions. Thanks to the ENLITEN technology, the Dueler A/T Ascent offers year-round performance.
On the other hand, the Open Country A/T III is awarded with an outstanding 9.8 SimpleScore in traction. It is indeed an indication that this Three Peak Mountain Snowflake-certified tire offers exceptional traction in dry, wet, and wintry conditions and can be confidently used in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It features tread elements that boost on- and off-road traction and its advanced compound keeps the tire in consistent contact with the surface for better grip in diverse weather and terrain conditions. The tread design features an evenly distributed void area for increased traction performance on- and off-road, while features like increased lateral grooves, staggered shoulder lugs, and 3D multi-wave sipes improve traction performance.
While both tires come with advanced traction-related features, it is the Open Country A/T III that leaves the new Dueler A/T Ascent behind and scores higher.
ADVANTAGE: Toyo Open Country A/T III
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent vs Toyo Open Country A/T III tires on handling
On- or off-road, the tire needs to be responsive enough to deliver a great handling performance. Both tires have their distinct features that improve steering response and overall handling, and the difference between their scores wasn’t much. Let’s talk about this in detail.
The Dueler A/T Ascent scores a great 8.9 SimpleScore rating in handling and also comes with features that elevate comfort. The 3D sipe technology increases the number of biting edges and provides the tire with more stability in wet and wintry conditions. The flat and wide footprint provides the necessary surefootedness and offers a balanced ride. The shoulders and the center tread area feature sharper edges that let the tire bite the surface even better to provide extra hold. Likewise, the tread blocks are sturdy enough to facilitate smooth lane change and the shoulders adjust very well to provide confident cornering.
On the contrary, the Open Country A/T III scores a slightly higher 9.3 SimpleScore rating in the handling area. This impressive handling score indicates that the tire is optimized to offer a confident steering response, seamless lane change, and optimum stability in snow, rain, or shine. Whether you are driving on smooth highways or driving on rough terrains, the steering precision is consistent. The new-gen tread compound and innovative tread design of the Open Country A/T III provide confident handling and wet braking. Additionally, the tough tread blocks along with a flat footprint ensure enhanced stability.
There’s no doubt that the Bridgestone all-terrain tire is loaded with advanced features and does a great job on the handling front, but the older Toyo all-terrain tire takes the lead with a slightly higher rating.
ADVANTAGE: Toyo Open Country A/T III
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent vs Toyo Open Country A/T III tires on longevity
Out of the two tires, you would surely like to which one is better in terms of longevity. So, we did a long-lasting analysis and found that both tires had their strong areas, however, one of them was leading the game!
So, let’s talk about the Dueler A/T Ascent first. In longevity, the Dueler A/T was able to record an 8.3 SimpleScore rating. If we talk about the factors contributing to this score, the focus comes to the advanced tread compound that’s formulated for longer wear. The ENLITEN technology is the next good thing contributing to long-lasting use. Then comes the flat contact patch that’s optimized for even and longer wear. Besides this, the tire is covered by a 60,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which in itself speaks highly of the longevity of the tire.
Contrarily, the Open Country A/T III also surprises with a higher SimpleScore in the longevity area as well and earns a respectable 8.9 SimpleScore rating. The tire is covered by an up to 65,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty that highlights the tire’s capability of serving longer. The tread design and compound both prevent the tire from cuts and chips, assuring a longer use. Likewise, the stone ejecting blocks also avoid damage caused by stone penetration. Irregular wear is prevented by the 3D multi-wave sipes and the solid construction of the Open Country A/T III further controls wear rate and promotes longevity.
With all respect to the Bridgestone tires, the Toyo Open Country tires win the race in the longevity area as well.
ADVANTAGE: Toyo Open Country A/T III
When to use each
When driving on- or off-road, both the Dueler A/T Ascent and the Open Country A/T III are great choices and they both come with Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, which adds to their utility in moderate to severe winter conditions, in temperatures below 45 degrees. The world class comfort and quieter rides can be expected from the Bridgestone tires along with their use on highways and rough terrains. The Toyo tires, on the other hand, are a bit more aggressive and offer solid resistance to impacts, cuts, chips, and damage during off-road adventures, along with offering a satisfactory driving experience on paved roads. However, if you are looking for an absolute rugged performance in deep mud, sand, gravel, snow, or rocks, mud-terrain tires should be considered.
Both, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent is available in 17- to 22-inch rim sizes, while the Toyo Open Country A/T III is available in 15- to 22-inch rim sizes. This means, that while the Dueler A/T Ascent purely targets vehicles with big-sized wheels, the Open Country can also cater to the needs of CUVs, in addition to pickup trucks and SUVs.
Which one should you choose?
Looking at the overall SimpleScores of the Dueler A/T Ascent and the Open Country A/T III, we found that the Open Country tires are better with a slightly higher SimpleScore rating (9.3 vs 8.6). However, you must weigh the strengths and weaknesses of these tires against each other to conclude with the purchase decision.
As far as the pricing is concerned, the Dueler A/T Ascent is offered at a starting price of $237.99, while the Open Country A/T III is available at a starting price of at least $162.81 per tire. This means a set of four Dueler tires will cost you $951.96, while a set of four Toyo tires will cost you at least $651.24.
Looking at the SimpleScore, you should choose the Dueler A/T Ascent if you:
- Drive a high horsepower pickup truck like the GMC Sierra 1500 or a full-size pickup like the Ford F-150.
- Need a set of tires that offer high-end comfort and quieter rides
- Need a flat 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty across all sizes
- Are comfortable paying more to own a set of tires that boast world-class technologies and features
On the other hand, you should pick the Open Country A/T III if you:
- Drive a heavy-duty pickup like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 or a luxury compact SUV like the Audi Q3.
- Need a set of tires that offers better traction performance (9.8 vs 8.7 in traction).
- Need a tire that offers better handling response (9.3 vs 8.9 in handling)
- Need a long-lasting tire (8.9 vs 8.3 in longevity).
At first, the Dueler A/T Ascent vs Open Country A/T III tires comparison doesn’t look light a right match but when you analyze their scores and compare the similarities and strengths, they both look like ideal competitors. However, before buying either of these tires you must consider your budget, vehicle suitability, how and where you drive, and preference in terms of longevity, handling, and traction.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, and our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.