Are you curious about the differences between the Cooper St Maxx, Goodyear DuraTrac, and BFG KO2? Which is the best tire among three? Here is exactly what you will answer your questions.
These all-terrain tires can save you the costs of buying separate tires for winter and summer when offering you many benefits. In this article, we shall evaluate the distinct features of each tire and recommend what you should buy.
Let’s get started!
Cooper ST Maxx vs. Goodyear Duratrac vs. BFG KO2 Comparison Table
Renowned for their ability to handle various weather conditions, the Cooper ST Maxx, Goodyear Duratrac, and BFG KO2 rank among the best models in the all-terrain category. Nevertheless, these tires have their differences, so comparing their qualities is essential before buying.
This detailed comparison table measures each tire’s performance in distinct criteria, including noise reduction, road performance, durability, and winter driving. You may use this information to guide your choice when it’s time to select a new set of all-terrain tires.
Best For Off-road
Best For Snow & Ice
Best For On-road
Cooper ST Maxx vs. Goodyear Duratrac vs. BFG KO2: Detailed Analysis
Off-road Performance
From our evaluation, the Cooper ST Maxx is the best off-road performer among the bunch. It benefits from a wide tread, which increases grip and balance in dirt, sand, rock, mud and other off-road terrains.
In addition, the Cooper ST Maxx uses a unique 3-Armor-Tek3 construction for better treadwear and durability. This helps the ST Maxx withstand exposure to harsh terrain and allows you to have off-road fun without damaging your tires.
Other features responsible for the ST Maxx’s superior off-road performance include the stone ejector feature and abrasion-resistant tread design.
The stone ejector removes debris from the tread, which is vital for driving in rocky terrain. Meanwhile, the abrasion-resistant compound protects your tire against cuts on the trail. Together, these features guarantee an exciting and safe off-roading experience.
The BFG KO2 comes closest to matching the off-road performance of the Cooper ST Maxx, with its unique CoreGard technology, extended shoulder shield, and stone ejectors. These combinations increase this tire’s durability and traction in extreme terrain.
Conversely, the Goodyear Duratrac performs poorly on off-road trails compared to other tires on this list. It has an advanced TractiveGroove technology that strengthens your grip in less-than-ideal driving conditions, such as deep mud. However, the Duratrac’s oft-maligned sidewall design makes it a subpar performer on harsh roads.
On-road Performance
When buying an all-terrain tire, the best models to buy are those that combine off-roading ability with excellent on-road performance. Otherwise, you’ll experience a lot of discomfort on your daily drives.
In our review, the BFG KO2 receives top honors in the on-road performance and performs well on both wet and dry roads. This comes as a revelation; as most dedicated all-terrain tires have poor on-road performance. More surprising is the fact that the BFG KO2 has low rolling resistance, so you can save more fuel while driving.
The Goodyear Duratrac is also impressive in our assessment of its on-road performance. This tire benefits from highly angled shoulder blocks that improve traction, cornering, and braking abilities. Furthermore, it uses a unique tread design with a symmetric tread block placement and the siping detail that reduces the impact of road obstacles on your vehicle’s movement and bolsters the quality of your ride.
On its own, the Cooper ST Maxx is impressive on pavement, although to a lesser degree than the Duratrac or KO2. It features Cooper’s signature 3-ply Armor-Tek construction, which prevents harsh terrain from affecting your vehicle’s traction and cornering capacity. Also, it has a flexible tread design that makes it a decent performer in various road conditions.
Snow and Ice Performance
Beyond dealing with mud, sand, gravel, and rock, an all-terrain tire needs to be able to navigate winter roads as well. Goodyear’s Duratrac has the best performance in winter conditions, providing superior handling and steering capabilities in snow and ice.
The Duratrac features TractiveGroove technology, which increases grip and traction in snow and ice. Goodyear also designed the Duratrac with self-cleaning shoulder blocks that expel debris, preventing snow from caking in the tire and causing accidents. More importantly, it boasts a Mountain Snowflake rating, showing that it is an excellent performer in winter.
The Cooper ST Maxx and BFG KO2 are also decent in winter conditions and have studded designs for better grip and traction in ice and snow. However, the Goodyear Duratrac remains the better winter performer and is the obvious choice for those who want a tire for braving winter season.
Noise Level
Often, driving in harsh terrain can increase road noise, so choosing a quiet tire is critical. All-terrain tires cannot compare to road tires in quietness, but you can find models with manageable noise levels.
The Cooper ST Maxx ranked worst in our comparison of noise among the three tires. From all indications, this tire’s super-aggressive tread is the culprit responsible for its excessive noise levels.
However, the Goodyear Duratrac is quieter, although road noise is sure to increase as your car speeds up. The angled shoulder blocks may, however, dampen the noise and make your ride manageable.
Once again, the BFG KO2 wins top honors – this time for its surprisingly quiet performance on the highway. The KO2 tire relies on a computer-designed tread that reduces road noise better than most all-terrain tires. Based on this fact, we’d recommend this model to buyers who want quieter rides from their AT tires.
Comfort Level
The comfort level of your tire plays a crucial role in the overall quality of your ride, making it a critical factor to consider when buying all-terrain tires. Although the three tires are decent on the pavement, their comfort level varies.
Cooper’s ST Maxx is our top pick in the comfort category, thanks to its excellent tread, which adapts to different road conditions. Regardless of the terrain — mud, snow, sand, gravel, or rock — the Cooper ST Maxx offers enviable ride quality to users.
In contrast, BFG KO2 and Goodyear Duratrac tires on this list are less comfortable to drive than Copper ST Max. However, rest assured that they don’t bring much stressful driving experiences for drivers. But in the end, if you want the best comfort, just go with Copper ST Max.
Treadwear Warranty
Cooper Tire is well-known for producing durable tires, and the ST Maxx is no different. Give or take, the average ST Maxx tire can last up to six years or can run 70,000 miles. This is an impressive statistic. However, the treadwear warranty of Cooper is limited. Cooper guarantees the materials and craftsmanship for the first 2/32 inch of tread wear on the ST Maxx. If you find defects during this period, you’re entitled to a free tire replacement. Meanwhile, the BFG KO2 tire is covered under a warranty of up to 50,000 miles — same as the Goodyear Duratrac.
Price
Cost is a significant consideration for most car buyers since they require replacement at intervals. A close look at prices shows that the BFG KO2 is the cheapest tire you can buy here and costs around $190. Conversely, the Cooper ST Maxx and Goodyear Duratrac are higher up the price ladder. While the starting price of Goodyear Duratrac ranges from $198 to $465, that of Cooper ST Maxx is from $249.
Final Thoughts
Best For Off-road
Best For Snow & Ice
Best For On-road
This article reviewed the Cooper ST Maxx, Goodyear Duratrac, and BFG KO2 — three all-terrain tires known for their durability, value, and performance.
After detailed review and analysis, the BFG KO2 remains our top pick, getting high marks for its affordability, quiet performance and superb on-road handling and steering capabilities.
The BFG KO2 is a worthy competitor to the ST Max x and offers better comfort and excellent off-road driving capabilities. Finally, Goodyear’s Duratrac is subpar in most categories, although the prime winter traction that this tire offers may appeal to some buyers.
Read more: General Grabber AT2 vs. Cooper Discoverer AT3 vs. BFG All Terrain KO2: What Are The Differences?
