Toyo Open Country RT vs. Toyo Open Country MT vs. Nitto Trail Grappler: Who Wins The Comparison?

Are you in the market for an exceptional tire that can deliver excellent off-road performance? But still wondering what you should pick between the Toyo Open Country MT, Toyo Open Country RT, and Nitto Trail Grappler tires?

This trio is renowned for their impressive traction and handling in mud, snow, rock, sand, and gravel. However, the question is: which suits your needs best?

In this article, we will compare these tires’ performance in various areas and recommend the best model based on each performance criterion.

Toyo Open Country RT vs. Toyo Open Country MT vs. Nitto Trail Grappler: Comparison Table

Buying off-road tires can be a tough experience for the first time if you don’t know what models to choose. As each product has distinct features, you should compare key characteristics to make informed buying choices. 

This comparison table presents the most important information about the Toyo Open Country RT, Toyo Open Country MT and Nitto Trail Grappler. It will be useful for you to decide what model matches your needs:

Toyo Open Country RT vs. Toyo Open Country MT vs. Nitto Trail Grappler comparison table
The table shows the differences between Toyo Open Country RT vs. Toyo Open Country MT vs. Nitto Trail Grappler rated by different criteria

Toyo Open Country RT vs. Toyo Open Country MT vs. Nitto Trail Grappler: Detailed Analysis

The Toyo Open Country RT is a Rugged Terrain tire engineered for both extreme and regular driving situations. It combines the qualities of an all-terrain tire and mud-terrain tire, increasing its suitability for both off-roading and daily driving. 

Meanwhile, the Open Country MT and Nitto Grappler are Mud Terrain tires dedicated to navigating rough terrains. Compared to RT models, MT tires have lower mileage warranties and subpar on-road driving qualities. However, these tires are exceptional on off-road terrain and appeal to drivers who navigate extreme conditions. 

Toyo Open Country RT
Open Country RT

Best For On-road

Toyo Open Country MT
Open Country MT

Best For Off-road

Nitto Trail Grappler
Nitto Trail Grappler

Best Budget

Off-road Performance

The winner: Toyo Open Country MT

Driving off-road requires having durable tires resistant to cuts and capable of providing excellent traction in less-than-ideal conditions. Most tires on this list have these qualities, but one performs better than the others.

The Toyo Open Country MT shines on off-road terrain with its durable 3-ply construction and reinforced polyester casing. These tires wear slowly, so you can have more off-road adventures without having to change your tires repeatedly.

Although not as impressive as the Open Country MT, the Nitto Trail Grappler has decent off-roading capabilities. True to its name, the Nitto Trail Grappler can grip the most uneven trails, thanks to its aggressive tread block pattern. It also benefits from 3-ply sidewall construction, which improves its ability to resist abrasions from stones and other debris you may encounter while driving on rock, mud, gravel, snow, and sand.

Unlike its sibling, the Toyo Open Country RT has limited off-road credibility. This tire lacks the traction-boosting qualities of the Open Country MT as well as Nitto Trail Grappler, and is better suited to highway driving. Nonetheless, it still features a tough sidewall compound that should get you through deep mud, loose gravel, and sand.


On-road Performance

The winner: Toyo Open Country RT

The tires on this list receive more acclaim for off-road capabilities than their performance on the pavement. Nevertheless, you should assess each tire’s on-road performance before buying. After all, you’d want to drive to the off-road trail without getting stressed by an uncomfortable ride.

The Toyo Open Country RT is our top model in the on-road performance category. This tire features internal belts and polyester construction, which guarantee quiet and smooth rides every day. Based on these qualities, Toyo Open Country RT is the preferable option for driving on the highway.

The Nitto Trail Grappler offers some acceptable highway driving capabilities and even outshines the Open Country RT tire in rainy road conditions. Nitto engineered this tire with spaced blocks to expel debris from the tread, assuring you of stable traction throughout your ride. It can get noisy, though, so think carefully before your purchase.

Meanwhile, the Open Country MT is another model worth your consideration if you need a tire for on-road driving. But this tire is also notorious for vibrating at highway speeds, making it a less-than-ideal candidate for daily driving.


Snow & Ice Performance

The winner: Toyo Open Country RT

The Toyo Open Country RT is our top pick in the snow and ice performance category. It features open and scalloped shoulders, which improve traction in deep snow and ice and reduce the risk of accidents for winter drivers. In addition, the tire has deep sipes, helpful in removing snow and dissipating water on roads.

Toyo’s tires score another win in this category with the Open Country MT. This tire benefits from an aggressive tread and provides excellent grip and handling on snowy and icy roads. However, its winter performance is limited compared to the Open Country MT.

The Nitto Trail Grappler is not as ideal in winter conditions as the other two tires. But you may still consider buying it since it has sipes to reduce the likelihood of hydroplaning.


Noise Level

The winner: Toyo Open Country RT (Least Noise)

While most off-road enthusiasts hardly care about road noise, not everyone wants a noisy ride. Most off-road tires are usually loud on pavement, but some are quiet.

The Toyo Open Country RT has low road noise, which is impressive for a tire dedicated to off-road driving. It incorporates a unique polyester construction and rugged build, which reduce noise production and guarantee near-quiet rides when you want them.

The other two tires on the list—the Open Country MT and Nitto Trail Grappler—have average noise dampening qualities. If you buy any of the two, prepare to get noisier rides as the tires wear out.


Comfort Level

The winner: Toyo Open Country RT

If you plan to travel with your off-road tires, you should consider their comfort level. In our review, the Toyo Open Country RT has exceptional comfort-enhancing qualities and should be your first choice if comfort is important to you. The tire is designed to remain stable in uneven terrain and increase ride quality in different road conditions.

The Toyo Open Country MT has well-designed tread blocks that promise smooth rides on your trips. However, the Nitto Trail Grappler isn’t as impressive as the Open Country MT or the Open Country RT on the comfort level front, reducing its appeal to buyers.


Treadwear Warranty

The winner: Toyo Open Country RT

The Toyo Open Country RT tire is highly durable and promises long-term usage without needing replacement. Even better, they come with a 45,000-mile warranty protection plan that gives buyers peace of mind when buying.

In comparison, the other two tires have poorer warranty than the Toyo Open Country RT. So, if durability is a high priority, the Open Country RT tire remains your best option.

For example, the Open Country MT and Nitto Trail Grappler only offer buyers a limited warranty, not a specific mileage guarantee. Here is a breakdown of the limited warranty plan for buyers:

+ If your tire is worn less than 1/32 of an inch and it develops a defect, the manufacturer will replace the tire free of charge.
+ If your tire is worn less than 25% and becomes defective, the manufacturer will replace the product for free. However, the tire must be 60 months old or lesser.
+ If the tire’s wear rate exceeds 25% but is within the 60-month-limit, the manufacturer will replace the tire on a pro-rated basis.

Unlike the standard mileage warranty, it is harder to take advantage of a limited warranty due to the agreement’s complex terms. If you want to use your tires with peace of mind, a model like the Open Country RT with a simple mileage warranty is the better option.


Price 

The winner: Nitto Trail Grappler

While you want your off-road tire to be durable, it’s also critical that it should be affordable. Off-road tires wear out faster than regular tires, meaning replacement costs can quickly add up if you buy an expensive model.

For budget-conscious buyers, the Nitto Trail Grappler is the best choice. It starts from $271, which is less than the Toyo Open Country RT ($347).

The Open Country MT is the costliest model on this list, with a base price of $359. However, considering that this model has some really great features, paying top dollar for it may be a wise investment. 


Final Thoughts

Toyo Open Country RT
Open Country RT

Best For On-road

Toyo Open Country MT
Open Country MT

Best For Off-road

Nitto Trail Grappler
Nitto Trail Grappler

Best Budget

For better performance in uneven terrain and exciting off-road driving, the Toyo Open Country MT is an excellent option. However, if you want a long-lasting tire that offers superior ride comfort and quiet driving on all kinds of pavement, the Toyo Open Country RT is right up your alley. They produce low noise and can handle road obstacles well enough to improve the quality of your ride.

Read more: Toyo Open Country AT3 vs. RT vs. BFG KO2: A Head-To-Head Comparison
Read more: Continental Extremecontact DWS vs. Continental Extremecontact DWS06 vs. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+: Head-to-head Comparison

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