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Last updated 9/20/2024 - Originally published 9/20/2024
Written by SimpleTire
American tire manufacturers have rolled out plenty of intriguing products in the all-terrain market over the past few years. Falken Wildpeak A/T4W has already proved itself as a viable replacement for the A/T3W, but it remains to be seen whether or not the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 will take over the mantle from the Grappler G2. As part of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 line, the Discoverer AT3 LT is a highly durable option. Though it's been around since 2018, which makes it the older tire, it has been updated in 2024.
As always, Nitto produces visually appealing tires, and this one is no exception. We definitely feel it is the better-looking tire when compared to the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT, though some of you may have a different opinion. Though Nitto was established way back in 1949, Cooper beats it by some years, having been set up in Ohio in 1914. The product portfolios of both brands include different types of tires, such as racing, highway, UHP, all-terrain, and all-season.
There are at least six plants worldwide that produce Nitto tires. While Nitto is a Japanese manufacturer, Cooper is the homegrown company here. Our goal is to determine which all-terrain tire is superior by comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 with the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT. We'll start by giving you additional information about each tire before comparing them according to several criteria. Our SimpleScore approach, which considers longevity, traction, handling, and overall performance, has been used to grade both tires.
Nitto Terra Grappler G3 tires
Suitable for fitment into light trucks, Jeeps and SUVs, the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 is an all-terrain tire with big tread blocks and deep grooves for improved traction, grip and control in rough terrain. Equipped with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, the Terra Grappler G3 performs exceptionally well in wet and moderate to severe winter weather conditions. It enhances grip and traction to deliver better performances in off-road, icy, and snowy areas, thanks to its unique sidewall design and many sipes.
Variable pitch tread blocks enable the tire to be relatively quiet. It has a limited manufacturer treadwear warranty for peace of mind, for which the specifics will be provided soon enough. As the Terra Grappler G3 achieves an average SimpleScore of 8.7, you can be sure that it has lived up to the Terra Grappler's remarkable heritage.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT tires
The Discoverer AT3 LT is an all-terrain tire designed for medium to heavy duty trucks. Introduced in 2018, Durable-Tread technology on this Cooper tire resists dirt and gravel well and provides better tread wear. In addition to improving performance and durability on rough terrain, the new cut-and-chip-resistant rubber compound also lowers noise levels for a more peaceful and comfortable ride. You can expect great performance from the tire in dry, wet and mild to severe winter conditions, thanks to the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating.
Whisper Grooves technology enables the Discoverer AT3 LT to be quiet. Stone ledges push gravel and stone out of the way to improve durability and offer steady traction. It has a healthy limited manufacturer tread life warranty, making it a great buying option for various terrains. The Cooper tire provides improved grip, traction, longevity, handling, and durability, both on- and off-the-road, leading to an average SimpleScore of 8.4.
Nitto Terra Grappler G3 vs Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT tires on traction
An all-terrain tire's sole function of traction is to provide steady contact with the ground, whether it be tar, dirt, sand, or mud, thereby preventing the vehicle from sliding. With its all-new compound, updated tread pattern, and deep grooves that provide rapid water and mud channelling for safety on wet roads, the Terra Grappler G3 achieves an amazing average traction SimpleScore of 9.0 while generating excellent wet grip. There are more biting edges than before, and the new tread design further enhances the tire's overall on- and off-road traction. To improve grip and preserve the tire's look over time, full-depth sipes are used. For increased stiffness and traction, the Block Foundation has been reinforced.
With its average traction score of 8.5, the Discoverer AT3 LT can go over challenging surfaces such as rocks, gravel, mud, or snow, thanks to its wide and deep grooves. The stone ejectors prevent stone, gravel, and debris buildup to offer continuous traction all year long, while the sidewall-extending shoulders offer additional grip in difficult situations. Its use in harsh winter conditions is certified by the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol.
ADVANTAGE: Nitto Terra Grappler G3
Nitto Terra Grappler G3 vs Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT tires on handling
The Nitto Terra Grappler G3 boasts a brand-new, cutting-edge tread pattern with big tread elements and balanced void ratios for great performance on wet, rocky, muddy, and sandy terrain, just like the Emperor's new clothes. The tire's design aims to provide the ideal balance of performance on- and off-road. The Terra Grappler G3 seems to look more ferocious than the G2. Featuring a new tread design and a new rubber composition that helps it avoid cuts, chips, snags, tears, and punctures for high durability. We strongly feel that the Terra Grappler G3 is the most advanced all-terrain tire by Nitto till date, offering effective performance and a tremendous average handling SimpleScore of 9.1.
On the other hand, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT showcases a new rubber compound for better on- and off-road grip and handling. tough shoulder blocks ensures supreme handling, whether on highways, suburban roads, or rocky terrains. While Even Wear Arc Technology enables it to deliver balanced on-road treadwear and better handling, Durable-Tread technology prevents rocks, stones, and gravel from cutting and chipping the tread, leading to high durability. As compared to top competitors, the Discoverer AT3 LT is designed for stopping 10% shorter. We found the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT to be suitable for an average handling score of 8.6.
ADVANTAGE: Nitto Terra Grappler G3
Nitto Terra Grappler G3 vs Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT tires on longevity
While there are full-depth sipes for reducing wear on the Terra Grappler, there are multi-wave sipes for the same purpose on the Discoverer AT3 LT. The Nitto comes with a more advanced tread compound, making it suitable for longer tread life here. Tread depths on both tires are nearly the same, with the Discoverer AT3 LT being ahead by a few decimal points.
While the Nitto has a limited manufacturer tread life warranty of 70,000 miles for hard-metric sizes and 55,000 miles for LT-metric sizes, the Cooper provides 60,000 miles on all sizes. Durable-Tread technology plays an important role on the Cooper, helping it resist rocks, gravels, and other debris that may cut and chip the tread. Even Wear Arc technology allows even on-road tread wear and stone ledges to remove gravel and stones to minimize tire damage, especially on undulating terrains.
It is here that the veteran, the Discoverer AT3 LT, trumps the Terra Grappler G3 fair and square. While the Terra Grappler G3 manages an 8.2, the Discoverer AT3 LT achieves a formidable longevity score of 8.5.
ADVANTAGE: Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT
When to use each
Full-depth sipes are better than multi-wave sipes in terms of traction, which is why we feel that Nitto Terra Grappler G3 is a better tire if grip is your prime concern. On the other hand, if longer tread life and carrying more loads are important for you, we would suggest the Cooper. Both tires are available with 10-ply ratings. Consider all-terrain tires like the ones above if you frequently travel across rocky, rough, or muddy roads.
All-terrain tires, as opposed to mud-terrain tires, provide better on-road performance and lower noise levels for a quiet and pleasant ride. [Highway terrain tires] (https://simpletire.com/categories/highway-terrain-tires) are the finest option if you drive mostly on paved roads and sometimes off-road. On the other hand, if your workhorse routinely crosses extremely muddy places, mud-terrain tires are the better choice.
Which one should you choose?
There is no doubt that the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 scores higher on more parameters as compared to the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT, with the battle being close on a few fronts. However, it is important to mention here that the G3 is a vastly improved version of its previous iteration, the G2, featuring a new compound and tread design. On the other hand, Cooper focusses on low road noise and longevity for the Discoverer AT3 LT. This brings to the next aspect of comparisons, the prices. While the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 is available for $307 per tire ($1228 for 4), the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT is tagged at roughly $155 per tire ($620 for 4).
Here are the reasons to select the Nitto Terra Grappler G3:
- You want a higher warranty for hard-metric sizes
- You’ve always adored Nitto products and want the latest tire
- You want better traction
- You want better handling
On the other hand, you can consider the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT if you:
- Want longer tread life
- Want the cheaper tire
- Want the quieter tire
- Want a tire that brakes quicker than its competitors
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.