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Last updated 11/05/2024 - Originally published 11/05/2024
Written by SimpleTire
The German conglomerate Continental does not need an introduction in the USA market due to its superior build quality and highly reliable products for passenger cars, minivans, CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks. Similarly, the homegrown brand Cooper offers a long list of tires in different categories such as all-season, all-terrain, highway terrain, ultra-high-performance (UHP), winter, rugged-terrain, and mud-terrain. When it comes to highway tires for SUVs and light trucks, the TerrainContact H/T from Continental and Discoverer HT3 from Cooper offer improved highway performance and enhanced load-carrying capacity.
Designed for SUVs, light trucks, and others, the Continental TerrainContact H/T and Cooper Discoverer HT3 are highway terrain tires engineered to deliver consistent traction, grip, durability, and handling with increased resistance to punctures and cuts. With special rubber compounds, both provide great year-round traction and a longer service life. They are backed by strong limited manufacturer tread life warranties for complete peace of mind. So, which one should you choose? To help you ease your buying decision and pick the perfect tire for your vehicle, let’s compare Continental TerrainContact H/T vs. Cooper Discoverer HT3 based on our proprietary SimpleScore.
Continental TerrainContact H/T tires
Launched in 2019, the Continental TerrainContact H/T packs the tire maker’s patented TractionPlus technology that assures improved traction and sturdy carcass for extra durability. While the optimized tread pattern reduces road noise and vibrations for a quiet and comfortable ride, its special traction grooves ensure increased grip and traction in snow and ice. Boosting the wet performance of the Conti are the wide circumferential grooves and deep sipes that help clear water from the tread to mitigate the risk of hydroplaning. Available in Outlined White Letter (OWL) and Black Sidewall (BSW) options, the TerrainContact HT is backed by a strong 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, a 60-day trial, and a 3-year roadside assistance.
Boasting a fantastic average SimpleScore of 8.7 out of 10, the Continental highway tire promises a quiet ride, increased durability, enhanced traction, and longer service life.
Cooper Discoverer HT3 tires
The Cooper Discoverer HT3, on the other hand, features an all-season rubber compound for improved year-round performance in dry, wet, and light snow. The optimized tread pattern of the Discoverer HT3 not only resists soundwaves and vibrations from reaching the cabin but also ensures stones, debris, and rocks do not cling to the tread for extra durability. While the advanced construction reduces rolling resistance for improved fuel efficiency, the continuous shoulder ribs provide improved wearability thanks to its ability to limit uneven wear. With wide longitudinal channels, the Cooper highway tire flushes out water to reduce the risk of hydroplaning and improve wet performance. Lastly, the zigzag sipes provide additional biting edges for a confident ride in the rain. The Cooper is covered by a solid 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty and a 45-day satisfaction guarantee.
With a decent score of 7.8, the Cooper promises to deliver adequate traction, handling, and longevity. This is a tire largely meant to fit commercial vans and light trucks.
Continental TerrainContact H/T vs Cooper Discoverer HT3 tires on traction
Tire traction plays a significant role in ensuring a safe ride in different weather conditions, whether in passenger cars, light trucks, or SUVs. Let’s see what are the scores for Conti and Cooper.
Backed by the TractionPlus Technology, the Continental TerrainContact H/T allows increased grip and traction in different weather conditions, leading to a score of 8.5. While the circumferential grooves allow quick disbursal of water from the tread to resist hydroplaning and boost wet performance, the special Traction Grooves of the Conti improve snow grip.
Scoring an 8 in traction, the Cooper Discoverer HT3 provides four circumferential grooves for effective removal of water from the tread and reduced risk of hydroplaning. Moreover, the zigzag sipes on the tread blocks provide extra biting edges for increased traction.
With a higher score, the traction ‘terrain’ is conquered by the TerrainContact H/T.
ADVANTAGE: Continental TerrainContact H/T
Continental TerrainContact H/T vs Cooper Discoverer HT3 tires on handling
Better control over your vehicle gives you more confidence behind the steering, making handling a significant factor in the tire-buying process. The Conti and Cooper tires promise great handling of your SUV or truck.
Boasting an 8.5 handling score, the TerrainContact H/T features reinforced construction and TractionPlus Technology which help keep rides stable and in control in different weather conditions. Moreover, the solid sidewalls and optimized tread pattern boost cornering by lending improved road contact even under heavy loads.
With an 8.3 score, the Cooper is almost on par with the Conti thanks to the wide, longitudinal grooves and ribbed pattern with sipes on tread blocks that lead to improved handling, stability, and better control on paved roads in dry, wet, and light snow. The tread depth on this tire is higher than that of the TerrainContact H/T.
A loss is a loss, even if by a small margin; the Discoverer HT3 ‘discovers’ another defeat against the Continental TerrainContact H/T.
ADVANTAGE: Continental TerrainContact H/T
Continental TerrainContact H/T vs Cooper Discoverer HT3 tires on longevity
Drivers prefer tires that are solid, highly durable, and last long, making longevity a key factor in the tire selection. Longevity becomes far more critical when hauling goods or people on highways.
With a phenomenal score of 9.2, the Continental TerrainContact H/T features sturdy construction and reinforced carcass for enhanced durability and a longer service life. While the TractionPlus Technology assures great wearability, the Conti is backed by a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
Scoring a modest 7.6, the Cooper highway tire features continuous shoulder ribs for enhanced resistance to uneven wear and improved wearability. It is backed by a decent 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
Giving the final blow that comprehensively decimates the Cooper Discoverer HT3, the Continental TerrainContact H/T wins the best highway tire battle.
ADVANTAGE: Continental TerrainContact H/T
When to use each
Highway tires are designed to offer superior control, durability, and traction in different weather conditions like dry, wet, and snow. The rugged carcass and reinforced construction of these tires allow easy hauling of heavy loads across the country. If you occasionally wander in off-road conditions, you should go for all-terrain tires as they are built with cut and chip resistant compound to combat sharp rocks, debris, and stones.
If you mostly travel on rough roads with mud, muck, and gravel, you can also check out rugged-terrain tires, which are a cross between mud-terrain and all-terrain tires.
Which one should you choose?
With the Continental and Cooper’s performance scores out for traction, handling, and longevity, the picture is as clear as it can get. It’s Continental TerrainContact H/T all the way, winning the battle 3-0! The Conti offers better warranty, traction, handling, and wearability, making it the tire to go for. But, hold on! Let’s compare their prices to affirm our decision.
Comparing their prices for the LT245/75R17 121/118S E tire size, the Continental costs $281 per tire, and four such tires cost $1124, while the Cooper tire costs $245 per tire and four tires cost $980 (a good difference of $144!).
Based on SimpleScore, you can pick the Continental TerrainContact H/T Plus if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Ford F-150, RAM 3500, and Nissan Titan XD
- Prioritize traction (8.5 vs 8) and want better handling (8.5 vs 8.3)
- Want a longer-lasting tire (9.2 vs 7.6) with a longer mileage warranty (70,000 vs 50,000 miles)
On the other hand, you can choose the Cooper Discoverer HT3 if you:
- Drive passenger and commercial vehicles like the Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford-Transit 250, and Freightliner Sprinter 3500
- Want better fuel economy
- Want a tire specially tuned for commercial trucks and vans
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.