BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 vs Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT
- TR Score
- 7.1/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 16
- TR Score
- 8.5/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 6
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT finished ahead 2 times and the All Terrain TA KO3 not once.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT if you want the best all-rounder with road-tire-like confidence-especially for wet conditions, braking safety, and sharp steering-while still excelling on dirt and staying strong in snow. Choose the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 if your priority is day-to-day comfort and a more relaxed, progressive feel on and off road, and you're willing to accept notably longer braking distances and less crisp wet handling.
Where the All Terrain TA KO3 is stronger
- Best-in-comparison subjective comfort in both shared tests (10 vs 9.5 in 2026; 10 vs 9.75 in 2025)
- Best-in-comparison subjective noise in both shared tests (9.5 vs 9 in 2026; 10 vs 9.75 in 2025), making it feel quieter/softer to drivers
- Very competitive snow performance for an aggressive AT (close to the leaders in the 2026 test, with progressive, safe behavior)
Where the Scorpion XTM AT is stronger
- Clear advantage in braking, especially on-road safety metrics: dry braking 40.99 m vs 47.06 m and wet braking 35.77 m vs 40.23 m (2026 test)
- Sharper, more confidence-inspiring on-road dynamics: better wet handling time (119.98 s vs 129.16 s) and higher subjective road score (10 vs 9 in 2025)
- Stronger all-terrain “all-surface” pace: wins dirt handling and subjective dirt handling (including best dirt result in 2026) and leads in multiple snow metrics
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 Scorpion XTM AT at a glance
| Category | All Terrain TA KO3 | Gap | Scorpion XTM AT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won2 shared tests | 0 | 2 | |
| Dry3 measurements | 0 | 3 | |
| Wet4 measurements | 1 | 3 | |
| Snow4 measurements | 0 | 4 | |
| Off road3 measurements | 0 | 3 | |
| Comfort5 measurements | 4 | 1 | |
| Value1 measurement | 0 | Level between the two. | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.1/10 | The Scorpion XTM AT by 1.4 | 8.5/10 |
| Owner rating16 and 6 reviews | 78% | Too close to call | 78% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 73% | The Scorpion XTM AT by 10 points | 83% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 53 | 0 sizes made in both | 1 |
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 2 tests, 2025 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 | Scorpion XTM AT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The BEST All Terrain Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated | P3 of 7 | P1 of 7 | |
| BFGoodrich All Terrain KO3 vs Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT | P2 of 2 | P1 of 2 |
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
All Terrain TA KO3
Scorpion XTM 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.
Where each scores higher
All Terrain TA KO3
Not ahead in any category
Scorpion XTM 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.
Where owners rate each higher
All Terrain TA KO3
Scorpion XTM AT
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the All Terrain TA KO3 78% from 16 reviews and the Scorpion XTM AT 78% from 6. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
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 | Scorpion XTM AT | Wins | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 154 | 12.9% | 134 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 8.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 132 | 11.1% | 117 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 129.2 | 7.1% | 120 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 11.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 63.4 | 0.5% | 63.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 45 | 1.3% | 44 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 5.44 | 3.3% | 5.26 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 82.69 | 0.9% | 81.91 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 4.8% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 74.87 | 1.1% | 74.05 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 3.8% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| scored | 3.9% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| scored | 4.1% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 57.72 | 2.8 dB | 54.95 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 9.3 | = | 9.3 | 0-0 | |||||||||
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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 Scorpion XTM AT 8.5 out of 10.
| All Terrain TA KO3 | Category | Scorpion XTM AT | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Dry | 100 | ||
| 57 | Wet | 97 | ||
| 46 | Comfort | 49 | ||
| 19 | Value | 52 | ||
| 53 | Snow | 72 | ||
| 10 | Ice | - | ||
| 70 | Off road | 93 | ||
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 | Scorpion XTM AT | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 7.5 | Wet Grip | 7.8 | ||
| 7.1 | Road Feedback | 8 | ||
| 7.9 | Handling | 7.8 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 7 | ||
| 7.8 | Comfort | 6.2 | ||
| 9 | Snow Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 6.9 | Ice Grip | 6 | ||
Owners rate the All Terrain TA KO3 78% from 16 reviews and the Scorpion XTM AT 78% from 6. 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.
Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT
- 78%from 6 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 28,800 milesdriven by reviewers
Across six reviews, the Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT is generally praised as a strong all-around all-terrain tire with notably low road noise and confident on-road manners. Drivers commonly report improved steering response/feedback versus several OE and popular A/T options, along with good wet traction and capable light-to-moderate off-road performance; snow traction is also described as solid by multiple users. The main recurring drawback is ride quality, with a minority noting a stiff/busy feel that transmits small bumps and sharp impacts more than expected.
- Low road noise / quiet for an A/T
- Improved steering response and handling feel
- Strong wet traction
- Good all-around on-road/off-road balance
- Stiff/busy ride quality (sharp impacts, jiggly over imperfections)
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 6 Scorpion XTM AT reviewsI recently purchased as set of these tires (275/70R18) for my new 2026 4Runner TRD OffRoad. I upsized from the OEM 265/70R18 size after reading that they would fit without rubbing on a stock 4runner. I purchased from Discount Tire thinking I was going to get the gas version, but noted that the Electric version was delivered and asked DT to reorder to get the gas version. Well it turns out that in this size the Electric version is the only one made. So I gave them a try. On the good side... they look great, are smooth and almost silent. So far I have noticed only a minimal drop in MPG - maybe 1 mpg. The steering response is much better than the OEM Falcon AT3WA version and the Falcon AT4W I had on my previous vehicle. I do find the comfort level of the Electric version on a gas 4Runner to be lacking - very stiff and sharp impacts. Likely because this version was designed for a much heavier vehicle. At this point, I am thinking of returning them and downsizing to the OEM 267/70R18 to get the gas version - just for comfort alone. I like the 275 size and all the other positive aspects, including looks, but.....not sure I can live with the stiff ride.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 53 sizes of the All Terrain TA KO3 and 1 of the Scorpion XTM AT, 0 of them made in both.
| Category | All Terrain TA KO3 | Scorpion XTM AT |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| Sizes made | 53 sizes, 15 to 22 inch | 1 sizes, 18 to 18 inch |
| Made in both | No size is made in both | |
| EU label wet grip | C100% | B100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | E100% | C100% |
| EU label noise | 74-75 dB B100% | 73 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 57 of 57 | 1 of 1 |
| On the market since | 2024 | 2026 |
| Replaced | BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2 (2014) | Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus (2017) |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
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.
BFGoodrich's All-Terrain T/A KO3 is the latest evolution of one of the category's best-known “do-it-all” AT tires, with a reputation built on everyday livability (comfort and low perceived noise) plus dependable snow and off-road manners. Pirelli's newer Scorpion XTM AT targets the same SUV/4x4 all-season all-terrain buyer, but with a clear emphasis on sharper road behavior and a more modern balance across wet, dry, snow and dirt.
Across two shared head-to-head tests (including a full 8-tire group test), the pattern is consistent: the Scorpion XTM AT is the performance-led option and takes both overall wins, while the KO3 counters with a more relaxed, comfortable feel. The real question is whether you prioritize measurable road safety/precision and all-surface pace (Pirelli), or a more forgiving, “easy to live with” ride with a tough, progressive character (BFGoodrich).
Conclusion
On objective and broad-spectrum performance, the Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT is the clear winner. In the 2026 group test it led overall (1/8) and beat the KO3 decisively on key on-road safety metrics: dry braking (40.99 m vs 47.06 m, ~13% shorter) and wet braking (35.77 m vs 40.23 m, ~11% shorter), while also being quicker in wet handling (119.98 s vs 129.16 s). It also stayed at or near the top on snow and dirt, topping multiple subjective categories and edging the KO3 in snow traction/handling and dirt handling, making it the more confidence-inspiring “sharp and secure” AT on mixed surfaces.
The BFGoodrich KO3 remains a strong, recommended tire-particularly if comfort and perceived refinement are your priorities. It repeatedly leads on subjective comfort and noise, and it has a progressive, safe feel that suits long-distance driving and day-to-day use. However, the consistent downside across the shared data is road sharpness and braking: it was last in dry braking in the 2026 test and notably behind in wet handling, which matters most for emergency stops and fast-changing conditions.
Practical takeaway: if you want one AT tire that feels closest to a confident road tire while still excelling on dirt and holding strong in snow, the Scorpion XTM AT is the standout. Choose the KO3 if you value a more cushioned, easygoing ride and don't mind giving up meaningful braking and wet-handling performance for that comfort-focused character.
All Terrain TA KO3 vs Scorpion XTM AT: your questions
Is the BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3 or the Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT the better tire?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT finished ahead 2 times and the All Terrain TA KO3 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 Scorpion XTM AT 8.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the All Terrain TA KO3 or the Scorpion XTM AT?
The Scorpion XTM AT led 3 of the 4 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in the dry?
The Scorpion XTM AT led 3 of the 3 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Scorpion XTM AT led 4 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.8/10 for the All Terrain TA KO3 and 6.2/10 for the Scorpion XTM AT.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the All Terrain TA KO3 78% from 16 reviews and the Scorpion XTM AT 78% from 6. 73% of All Terrain TA KO3 owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Scorpion XTM AT.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The All Terrain TA KO3 is made in 53 sizes (15 to 22 inch) and the Scorpion XTM AT in 1 (18 to 18 inch). 0 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the All Terrain TA KO3 is graded C for wet grip and E for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Scorpion XTM AT B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Scorpion XTM AT is the newer design: it reached the market in 2026, the All Terrain TA KO3 in 2024. The All Terrain TA KO3 replaced the BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2. The Scorpion XTM AT replaced the Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus.
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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.
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