The Goodyear Wrangler AT/S is packed with innovative tread compounds and is designed to deliver exceptional performance, whether you’re on the beaten path or navigating the daily commute. Let see how this tire does out there, in more detail.
From my testing as a tire engineer, I can conclude that the Wrangler ATS is better-suited for roads (especially on dry ones), offering better grip, fuel economy, tread life and overall comfort. Though the tire can’t take on heavy off-road challenges, it still needs a bump up in the wet and winter performance, (it lacks the 3 peak mountain snowflake rating).
The tire comes in 15 to 20 inches with following specs:
- Speed ratings: R and S.
- Load ratings: SL, C, D and E.
- Weight range: 30 to 60 lbs.
- Tread depth: 13 to 16/32″.
- Ratings: No 3PMSFR.
- Warranty: None.
Tread Features
The Goodyear Wrangler A/TS, features a very powerful tread of 5 rib design.
In the very middle, you get to see two ribs having lugs of same sizes and shapes.
They are more closely packed up together compared to the rest, that’s why out of 3 longitudinal channels they make, the outer ones ones are wider.
This basically accounts for directional grip on roads.
Moving on shoulders, these lugs also give dual functionalities.
Towards inner edges, the lugs offer a more open design with multiple biters providing off-road traction, where their outer margins are closed up together having reinforced foundations underneath offering lateral grip.
Moreover, these lugs also join up together on the sidewalls, providing additional stability while cornering.
Compare Goodyear Wrangler AT/S With Others
Highway Performance
Dry performance is a vital aspect of an all-terrain tire, encompassing traction, steering, and cornering capabilities. Let’s check out all these dimensions one after another.
Dry Grip
The tire’s central tread area plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal grip on dry surfaces, as it bears the brunt of the tire, and vehicle’s weight, while it travels in a straight path. In essence, the tire’s capacity to establish a firm connection with the road surface underpins the effectiveness of its grip, directly influencing vehicle performance and safety.
Having said that, it can be explained why the Goodyear Wrangler A/TS is a standout performer here (comparing others in the all-terrain category).
It employs a sophisticated tread design that incorporates closed up central ribs, having longitudinal orientation of lugs, helping the tire in rolling straight without any hurdles.
Basically this configuration enhances directional grip, allowing the tire to maintain a steadfast connection with the road surface, rendering decent stopping power on average when compared to its many peers.
Dry Handling
Dry handling is a critical performance indicator that encompasses both sideways grip and steering response, and let me tell you, the Goodyear A/TS integrates these elements beautifully, ensuring optimal tire performance under dry conditions.
The tire supplies you with an ample contact patch, enabling it to retain a firm grip on the road. And its stiffer tread composition, and shallow enough tread depth, further contribute to the lugs’ stability, ensuring an exceptional balance between understeering and oversteering.
Moreover, its cornering stability is further enhanced by its elongated/interconnected shoulders, featuring reinforced foundations underneath, fortifying the tire’s structure.
Wet Traction
All-terrain tires often struggle with wet traction, but some on-road-oriented ones, like the Goodyear A/TS, manage to perform admirably.
My testing reveled that the Goodyear A/TS having full-depth interlocking sipes hold their own, and aren’t too bad after all. These sipes having wave-like siping pattern enables the slits to flex effortlessly, providing adequate suction power for water particles.
In other words, sipes effectively slurp water particles in their voids and supply superb wet grip. Though don’t expect them to be as high performing as other (some really great) options out there, like the Sumitomo AT, or the Falken Wildpeak AT3w.
I mean the tire’s overall wet traction could use a slight improvement compared to its dry performance, its harder tread compound renders the sipes less efficient in expelling water. But I guess if we consider how old this tire is, this can be ignored, (since it only lacks when compared to A/T tires having new gen compound).
Also, the good thing is that hydroplaning is not an issue, as the tire features ample tread voids to channel water effectively.
Fuel Consumption
Fuel consumption hinges on rolling resistance, significantly influenced by tire structure, including tread composition and weight.
The Goodyear ATS shines in this regard, thanks to its relatively lightweight design and closed-up tread blocks compared to many other all-terrain tires.
The close lugs facilitate better weight distribution, while the longitudinal alignment of the ribs ensures smooth weight transition as the tire rolls.
Furthermore, the tire’s stiffer rubber composition prevents lugs from bending or obstructing each other, reducing energy expenditure and, consequently, improving fuel consumption.
Tread Life
When it comes to tread life, the Goodyear Wrangler ATS falls short. And it makes sense, because its UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grade) rating is a modest 360, which is very low.
To give you an idea, a famous A/T tire with decent tread life, Toyo AT3 features a UTQG of 600, nearly twice the longevity of the Wrangler ATS.
This discrepancy explains the lack of a tread wear warranty for the tire, even though it gives you a commendable fuel efficiency.
But why that’s the case?
Well because the Wrangler ATS experiences uneven wear due to its central longitudinal ribs and irregular shoulder lugs. And so it tends to develop different kinds of wear patterns, which are less likely to be seen on its competitors.
Ride Quality
All-terrain tires prioritize on-road comfort, a lot more, compared to more aggressive hybrid and mud terrain tires. Though still, even out of these A/T tires some further lean toward on-road performance, sacrificing rugged terrain capabilities for smoother ride quality.
And I really have to say that the Goodyear ATS belongs to this category. Its closed tread voids minimize air turbulence, reducing noise, while its stiffer rubber composition ensures a firm on-road experience, and steering response (as already explained in the handling department above).
However, bear in mind that this comes at a cost. Meaning the tire’s harder rubber struggles to absorb road bumps effectively, and you may feel ride to be a bit more jittery compared to other options out there.
Winter Traction
Although the Wrangler ATS lacks the severe winter rating (3PMSF), its all-season tread compound still delivers above-average traction on a variety of snowy surfaces.
Simply put, this is because the tire’s sipes are very well optimized for snow, while its voided structure renders exceptional snow-scooping abilities.
Basically, the tire excels at supplying enough snow-to-snow contact, a crucial aspect for maintaining grip. Let me explain why this is important.
For winter traction, it’s preferable to have the tire’s tread voids filled with snow particles, as snowflakes adhere better to each other. In other words, the tire’s rubber would not generate as much fictional force as the lodged snow’s contact with the ground.
Durability
When conquering the wild terrain, off-road tires need to endure treacherous conditions and shrug off punctures from sharp obstacles.
This is precisely why these tires employ cut-resistant rubber, deep tread voids, and robust internal structure.
And the Goodyear Wrangler ATS is no different.
It features a 2-ply polyester casing reinforced by two steel belts and topped off with dual nylon cap plies.
Off Road Traction
Venturing off the beaten path, I put Wrangler ATS tires through their paces on various terrains. Let’s explore each one in detail.
On Mud
When tackling muddy terrains, tires with wide grooves and self-cleaning capabilities reign supreme, always. And it makes sense, as otherwise they would get packed.
That’s why I wouldn’t recommend taking the Goodyear Wrangler ATS into deep tracks, though I have to say it performs admirably on lighter surfaces, where there is less mud.
I mean, compared to other pavement-oriented A/T tires, the Goodyear ATS is able to give you a greater volume of mud escaping abilities.
On Rocks
Navigating rocky terrain calls for tires that grip effectively in all directions. Although on-road A/T tires with directional lug orientation have limitations, I have to say, the Goodyear Wrangler ATS fares better than most.
Its generous groove openings, particularly towards the shoulders, and relatively balder structure enables lugs to bite into rocky surfaces more effectively. Moreover, its full-depth sipes split open the blocks, enhancing the tire’s overall grip.
However, bear in mind that this only applies to lighter rocky trails, as it lacks the durability and biting edges, when compared to more aggressive options, like the BFG KO2.
On Sand
Sand is a notoriously challenging terrain, where there are two primary factors to consider. One, the tire’s structure, and, two, the overall tread’s footprint offering.
And after taking both into account, it’s evident why the Goodyear Wrangler AT/S struggles with traction on sandy surfaces, on deeper terrains, especially.
And the main reason is its lack of lugs near the sidewalls, and sharper outer edges. They both basically make it more prone to digging, (which is of course, a major pitfall for sand traction).
For Your Info: The Wrangler’s lighter weight isn’t helping its traction here either. While more aggressive tires may have a heavier structure, they still evenly distribute weight across their spread-out sidewall lugs. These sidewalls expand, increasing the contact patch with the sand, improving flotation abilities.
Conclusion
The Goodyear Wrangler ATS stands out as a decent all-terrain tire that supplies a good enough balance between on-road performance and mild off-road capabilities. With its superior dry grip and handling, it excels on the road, while its open shoulders supply great hydroplaning resistance.
Though as discussed, its wet grip still needs some improvement.
Speaking of other on-road performance areas, the tire’s lightweight design although supply with good enough fuel economy, it’s tread life efficacy needs a bump up.
And speaking of bumps, it’s comfort is also not that great either, though its tread reduces noise very effectively. I mean, its one of most silent tires, out there, in its category.
Off-road, the tire although does great on rocks and mud, it struggles on sandy surfaces and lacks durability in more demanding off-road conditions.
Ultimately, the Goodyear Wrangler ATS is a suitable choice for those seeking a tire that can handle both on-road driving and light off-roading. For more aggressive performance, and extended tread life, other options may be more appropriate, I believe.
