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Sumitomo Encounter A/T2 Test Results

Tested 2025 to 2026 1 publication

Tested 2 times by independent publications, the Sumitomo Encounter A/T2 averages a finish of 14th.

  • 2Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 14thAverage finish
  • 32%Field beaten on average
  • 1Publications
Sumitomo Encounter A/T2

2 tests, 2025 to 2026

The latest test

2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test P23 of 30

The Sumitomo Encounter AT2, a 3PMSF off-road all-terrain, shared twenty-third place on the snow rating while its measured results were mid-field or better. It was rated in Tire Rack's second winter session, whose tires sit lower on the drivers' scale than their measured results would suggest.

Winner: Cooper Discoverer Stronghold AT

Record by discipline

Where the Sumitomo Encounter A/T2 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 1 P2 of 9 88% -
Subj. Dry Handling 1 P4 of 9 63% -
Dry Circle 1 P7 of 9 25% -
Subj. Road Score 1 P3 of 9 75% -
Wet
Wet Braking 1 P2 of 9 88% -
Wet Handling 1 P3 of 9 75% -
Subj. Wet Handling 1 P5 of 9 50% -
Wet Circle 1 P2 of 9 88% -
Snow
Snow Braking 1 P16 of 30 48% -
Snow Traction 1 P10 of 30 69% -
Subj. Snow Handling 1 P23 of 30 24% -
Ice
Ice Braking 1 P10 of 30 69% -
Ice Traction 1 P16 of 30 48% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 1 P3 of 9 75% -
Subj. Noise 1 P6 of 9 38% -

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Sumitomo Encounter A/T Predecessor 0 - - -
Sumitomo Encounter A/T2 This tire 2 0 14th 32%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 2 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.

The Sumitomo Encounter AT2 combines relatively short braking distances with less reassuring behavior at the limit in Tire Rack testing. It finished fifth of nine in the 2025 All Terrain Tire Test, a field covering different all-terrain types. Dry braking was second, 2.3% longer than the best, and wet braking was also second, 2.6% behind. Dry and wet circle grip were both second, while the wet handling lap was third, only 0.5% slower than the best. The tester nevertheless described usable rather than exceptional wet traction, with serviceable steering that lacked precision.

The main reservation was an abrupt wet limit and a tendency for the rear to become unsettled when pushed. Noise was sixth of nine, despite comfort placing third. In the 2026 All Terrain Tire Snow Test, the driver snow rating was joint 23rd in a 30-tire truck field, but snow acceleration and ice braking were both tenth. Snow braking and ice acceleration were 16th. The poor subjective snow placing therefore should not be read as uniformly poor measured winter grip, just as the favorable road measurements do not remove the handling-limit concern.

Performance Strengths

  • Dry braking Minor
    Details
    • 2nd of 9, 2.3% longer than best, 2025 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Test
  • Wet braking Minor
    Details
    • 2nd of 9, 2.6% longer than best, 2025 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Test
  • Snow traction Minor
    Details
    • 10th of 30 for snow acceleration, 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test
  • Ice grip Minor in 1 of 2 tests
    Details
    • 10th of 30 for ice braking, 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test
    • 16th of 30 for ice acceleration, 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test

Performance Weaknesses

  • Behavior at the limit Minor in 1 of 2 tests
    Details
    • Abrupt wet limit with an unsettled rear when pushed, 2025 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Test
  • Road noise Minor
    Details
    • 6th of 9 for subjective noise, 2025 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Test
  • Snow handling Minor
    Details
    • Joint 23rd in driver snow rating, 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test

Every test, newest first 2

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2026 1 test
P23 of 30 Beat 14% of the field

2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test

Tire Rack 265/70 R17

The Sumitomo Encounter AT2, a 3PMSF off-road all-terrain, shared twenty-third place on the snow rating while its measured results were mid-field or better. It was rated in Tire Rack's second winter session, whose tires sit lower on the drivers' scale than their measured results would suggest.

WinnerCooper Discoverer Stronghold AT

2025 1 test
P5 of 9 Beat 50% of the field

2025 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Test

Tire Rack 265/70 R17

Sumitomo Encounter AT2 falls into what testers describe as an "inoffensive middle-ground" category, providing adequate performance without standing out as particularly impressive or problematic. The tire offers usable wet traction that feels reasonably capable within its limits, though those limits are noticeably lower than competitors. Testers found the steering serviceable with reasonable response, even if it lacks precision, and the tire generally works well enough for most applications. However, the wet track performance revealed some concerning characteristics, with limits that feel more abrupt than gradual, and a tendency for the rear to become unsettled when pushed beyond its comfort zone.

StrongDry BrakingWet BrakingWet Circle WinnerContinental TerrainContact AT

Back to the Sumitomo Encounter A/T2 overview

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