BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 vs Nitto Recon Grappler AT
- TR Score
- 7.1/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 16
- TR Score
- 6.3/10
- Owners say
- 66% · 1
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 finished ahead 3 times and the Recon Grappler AT not once. The All Terrain TA KO3 stopped 7.8% shorter in the wet; the Recon Grappler AT stopped 2.3% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the BFGoodrich KO3 for the stronger all-round result, particularly if you regularly drive in rain or want the better-supported snow and dirt performance. Consider the Nitto Recon Grappler AT for predominantly dry-road use if its dry braking, measured quietness and efficiency matter more-but its wet-grip deficit is a significant compromise.
Where the All Terrain TA KO3 is stronger
- Shorter wet braking distances and quicker wet handling in both shared tests
- Better 2026 snow traction, with snow braking close to the leading group
- Competitive dirt performance in the 2026 test
Where the Recon Grappler AT is stronger
- Shorter dry braking distances in both shared tests
- Lower measured cabin noise in the 2026 test
- Lower rolling resistance and a better reported value metric in 2026
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
All Terrain TA KO3 vs Recon Grappler AT at a glance
| Category | All Terrain TA KO3 | Gap | Recon Grappler AT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 3 | 0 | |
| Dry5 measurements | 1 | The Recon Grappler AT stopped 2.3% shorter in the dry (2 tests) | 3 |
| Wet7 measurements | 7 | The All Terrain TA KO3 stopped 7.8% shorter in the wet (2 tests) | 0 |
| Snow8 measurements | 5 | The All Terrain TA KO3 stopped 3.7% shorter on snow (2 tests) | 2 |
| Ice2 measurements | 0 | 2 | |
| Off road2 measurements | 2 | 0 | |
| Comfort5 measurements | 2 | 3 | |
| Value1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.1/10 | The All Terrain TA KO3 by 0.8 | 6.3/10 |
| Owner rating16 and 1 reviews | 78% | The All Terrain TA KO3 by 12 points | 66% |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 3 tests, 2024 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | All Terrain TA KO3 | Field | Recon Grappler AT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test | P7 of 30 | P17 of 30 | |
| The BEST All Terrain Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated | P3 of 7 | P7 of 7 | |
| 2024 Tire Rack All Terrain Tires On-Road Test | P7 of 12 | P8 of 12 |
Performance profile
8 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
All Terrain TA KO3
Recon Grappler AT
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. 14 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
All Terrain TA KO3
Recon Grappler AT
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | All Terrain TA KO3 | Gap | Recon Grappler AT | Wins | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 148 | 2.3% | 144 | 0-2 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 0.69 | 1.4% | 0.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| scored | 3.4% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 158 | 7.8% | 171 | 2-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 84.91 | 2.4% | 87.52 | 2-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| scored | 21.2% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 0.51 | 6.3% | 0.48 | 1-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 63.4 | 5.1% | 60.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 58 | 3.7% | 61 | 2-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 5.44 | 12.7% | 6.23 | 1-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 46 | 1.9% | 46 | 0-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 55.47 | 0.3% | 55.84 | 1-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| scored | 5.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 53 | 12.8% | 46 | 0-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 6.23 | 4.7% | 5.94 | 0-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 74.87 | 1% | 75.59 | 1-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| scored | 3.7% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| scored | 10.4% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| scored | 7% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 57.72 | 2 dB | 55.75 | 0-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| 9.3 | 11.8% | 8.2 | 0-1 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the All Terrain TA KO3 scores 7.1 and the Recon Grappler AT 6.3 out of 10.
| All Terrain TA KO3 | Category | Recon Grappler AT | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Dry | 35 | ||
| 57 | Wet | 22 | ||
| 46 | Comfort | 21 | ||
| 19 | Value | 48 | ||
| 53 | Snow | 36 | ||
| 10 | Ice | 76 | ||
| 70 | Off road | 33 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| All Terrain TA KO3 | Category | Recon Grappler AT | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.5 | Wet Grip | 3 | ||
| 7.1 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 7.9 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 7.8 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 9 | Snow Grip | 4 | ||
| 6.9 | Ice Grip | 2 | ||
Owners rate the All Terrain TA KO3 78% from 16 reviews and the Recon Grappler AT 66% from 1. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3
- 78%from 16 reviews
- 73%would buy again
- 184,500 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO3 well (average 77.8%), with most praising its off-road traction and its more civilised on-road comfort and noise levels than expected for an all-terrain. Wet performance is a bit mixed but leans positive overall, with several noting an improvement versus the KO2, though a meaningful minority still want more confidence in wet grip/braking. The main recurring drawback is balance/vibration issues (around one in four owners), and around one in four also point out that ice grip is not a strong suit, even if snow traction is often praised.
- Strong off-road traction on dirt/gravel and trails
- Comfortable ride for an all-terrain
- Low road noise, often reported as quieter than expected
- Good snow traction
- Balancing problems leading to vibration or wobble
- Limited ice grip (not a winter tire)
- Slower, less sharp steering response
Summarised by AI from 16 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 16 All Terrain TA KO3 reviewsHow much you love or hate these tires is highly dependent on the amount of time you spend on vs. off road. On dirt or mud, at least on a Ranger Raptor, they come alive inspiring tremendous confidence on loose surfaces at speed. But that confidence evaporates the moment you return to tarmac. Wet braking is particularly bad and frankly, when new, downright dangerous. After 2-3K miles they become a bit grippier in the wet, but never do they inspire confidence. In short, if your spending a lot of time hooning it on logging roads, you'll likely be satisfied, but otherwise Id look elsewhere.
Nitto Recon Grappler AT
- 66%from 1 reviews
- 9,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 1 Recon Grappler AT reviewsThese tires ride extremely well on 1/2 ton. If you are in a very dry climate (desert southwest) they will serve you well. The ride is very good, quiet, and smooth on pavement. Very good for light to medium off-road trails and farm. Where the Recons fall short is wet traction and braking as well as snow and ice. The Recons balanced easily with less than 15 pounds of road force and less than 3oz on each wheel.
Final thought: A great buy if you are in a dry climate. For wet/snow, look elsewhere.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | All Terrain TA KO3 | Recon Grappler AT |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| On the market since | 2024 | - |
| Replaced | BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2 (2014) | - |
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
The BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 and Nitto Recon Grappler AT are all-season all-terrain tires for SUVs and 4x4s, but their on-road trade-offs differ. Two shared tests in 265/70 R17 put the KO3 ahead overall, while the Recon Grappler shows advantages in dry braking and some road-efficiency measures.
The most consequential question is how they behave when the road turns wet. Both tests found better wet braking and handling from the BFGoodrich. The Nitto's strengths are more apparent on dry roads, so the right choice depends less on their similar all-terrain positioning than on the conditions you drive in most often.
Conclusion
The KO3 finished ahead in both tests-third versus seventh out of seven in 2026, and seventh versus eighth out of 12 in 2024. Its clearest advantage is wet-road control: it stopped 5.21 meters sooner than the Nitto in the 2026 wet-braking test and 2.44 meters sooner in 2024. It also led in wet handling in both tests, delivered stronger snow traction in 2026, and was slightly quicker on that test's dirt course. These results make it the more rounded choice, though its dry braking was weak relative to the wider test groups.
The Recon Grappler braked slightly shorter in the dry in both tests, recorded lower measured noise and rolling resistance in 2026, and received strong road-manners praise in 2024. Those benefits do not erase its repeated wet-grip deficit. Neither tire dominated the full field, and comfort and perceived noise ratings varied between tests. If rain is a regular part of your driving, the KO3's wet-weather margin is the practical reason to choose it.
All Terrain TA KO3 vs Recon Grappler AT: your questions
Is the BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 or the Nitto Recon Grappler AT the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 finished ahead 3 times and the Recon Grappler AT not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the All Terrain TA KO3 scores 7.1 and the Recon Grappler AT 6.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the All Terrain TA KO3 or the Recon Grappler AT?
The All Terrain TA KO3 led 7 of the 7 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7.8% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Recon Grappler AT led 3 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.3% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The All Terrain TA KO3 led 5 of the 8 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.7% shorter on snow across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.8/10 for the All Terrain TA KO3 and 9/10 for the Recon Grappler AT.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the All Terrain TA KO3 78% from 16 reviews and the Recon Grappler AT 66% from 1.
More comparisons with these tires
vs 
BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 vs Falken Wildpeak AT4W
2-2 in 4 shared tests
vs 
BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 vs Nokian Outpost nAT
0-2 in 2 shared tests
vs 
BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 vs Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT
0-2 in 2 shared tests
vs 
BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 vs Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT
3-0 in 3 shared tests
vs
Falken Wildpeak AT4W vs Nitto Recon Grappler AT
4-0 in 4 shared tests
vs
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT vs Nitto Recon Grappler AT
1-1 in 3 shared tests
Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
Discussion