The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is better when it comes to affordable off-road all-season tires. The Toyo Open Country AT2 gives a longer warranty and is better at reducing road noise when driving. The Toyo Open Country AT2 is also the lightest of the three and is more resistant to tread wear. The BFGoodrich KO2 is better in terms of dry and wet grip and traction in snow and ice. The Toyo Open Country AT2 and the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 also have a greater load range than the BFGoodrich KO2.
But wait, there is more. There are a lot of factors that distinguish the three tires. Why not dig in and find out about Nitto Terra Grappler G2 vs. Toyo Open Country AT2 vs. BFG KO2?
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 vs. Toyo Open Country AT2 vs. BFG KO2: Quick Comparison
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2, Toyo Open Country AT2, and BFG KO2 tires have many differences. I will be covering them comprehensively later on. But let’s take a look at the fundamental differences below:
| Criteria | Nitto Terra Grappler G2 | Toyo Open Country A/T2 | BFG KO2 |
| Tread Warranty | 50,000 miles for LT-metric and floatation sizes.60,000 miles for hard metric sizes. | 65,000 miles | 50,000 miles |
| Least Road Noise(out of 10) | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
| Ride Quality(out of 10) | 8 | 8.2 | 8.6 |
| Traction on Dry Grounds (out of 10) | 8.6 | 8.5 | 9.1 |
| Traction on Wet Grounds (out of 10) | 7.7 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| Traction on off-road(out of 10) | 8.7 | 9 | 9.4 |
| Traction on snow(out of 10) | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.2 |
| Traction on ice(out of 10) | 7.1 | 7.7 | 8.0 |
| Low Treadwear(out of 10) | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Weight(235/80R17) | 45.3 lb | 44.0 lb | 47.7 lb |
| Load range | SL-XL | SL-XL | C-E |
| Features | 1. Coupling joints connecting center blocks with outer blocks 2. Full-depth sipes 3. Staggered shoulder lugs 4. Variable pitch tread blocks | 1. Polygonal blocks 2. Tie bars between blocks 3. Zigzagging sipes 4. Wear-resistant compound | 1. CoreGard technology 2. Protruding sidewall 3. Staggered shoulder blocks 4. Side-Biter lugs |
| Price per tire(235/80R17 120 R) | $180 | $195 | $230 |
This is a quick comparison between the three tires. Now, before getting into the details, I’m going to drop this post ‘can I fit 35 inch tires on 20 inch rims?’ so you can make use of it when you’re confused about the tire fitment.
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 vs. Toyo Open Country AT2 vs. BFG KO2 In-Depth Comparison
Still confused about which tires are better, Nitto Terra Grappler G2, Toyo Open Country AT2 or BFG KO2? Don’t you worry. I have covered all three tires in great detail in the sections underneath.
Tread Warranty
Toyo Open Country AT2 gives you a longer limited mileage warranty than the G2 or the BFG KO2. The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 gives the second highest tread warranty on their hard metric tires. BFG KO2 gives the least, along with LT-metric Nitto Terra Grappler G2.
Toyo Open Country AT2 offers a 65,000 miles warranty. BFGoodrich KO2, on the other hand, gives 50,000 miles.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 gives 50,000 miles warranty on their LT-metric and floatation-sized tires. For their hard-metric tires, Nitto Terra Grappler G2 gives 60,000 miles limited mileage warranty.
The AT2 also comes with a 500-mile or 45 days, whichever comes first, free trial period. The KO2, however, gives you a 60-day free trial period.
Winner: Toyo Open Country AT2.
Noise
The Toyo Open Country AT2 is less noisy to drive with than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 or the BFGoodrich KO2. The Toyo Open Country AT2 and the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tie in this regard.
In terms of how well they reduce road noise, I give the BFGoodrich KO2 7.8 out of 10. Whereas the Toyo Open Country AT2 gets 8.0 and the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 gets 7.8/10.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 incorporates variable pitch tread blocks which aid in noise reduction. This tire also features staggered shoulder lugs which create a block pattern. This, too, reduces road noise when you are driving on hard surfaces.
The Toyo Open Country AT2, on the other hand, also includes variable-pitched tread blocks. These blocks, when rotating, break up the sound waves and subsequently reduce noise. This tire also incorporates an open tread design which helps ensure a quieter ride. It also has sports closed shoulders which are known to reduce tire noise.
The BFGoodrich KO2 has staggered and serrated shoulder blocks that can reduce tire noise. It also has an interlocking tread design which can reduce tire flexing. The decrease in flexing of tire blocks can also reduce noise.
All three tires include design choices that make them particularly less noisy off-road all-terrain tires. But the Toyo Open Country AT2 is a little bit less noisy compared to the other two.
Winner: Toyo Open Country AT2.
Ride quality
The BFGoodrich KO2 is more comfortable than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2. the Toyo Open Country AT2 offers a slightly better ride experience compared to the Nitto Terra Grappler G2.
The users of Tirerack give the BFGoodrich KO2 8.6 out of 10 in terms of its ride quality. Whereas, the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2 get 8 and 8.2 respectively in this specific department.
The variable pitched block pattern on the tread of Nitto Terra Grappler G2 reduces vibrations. This not only reduces noise but also noticeably improves your ride quality. The staggered shoulder lugs also improve handling, making your ride more comfortable.
The Toyo Open Country AT2 has multi-wave sipes. These sipes in the tire tread increase the ride quality on rough and slippery surfaces. The tie bars between the blocks in the tread also enhance breaking. It also reduces uneven wear, which improves ride quality in the long run.
The BFGoodrich KO2 has a symmetric tread pattern which can make driving with them more comfortable. Like the Toyo Open Country AT2, the BFGoodrich KO2, too, incorporates tie bars in the tread.
The tie bars make the BFG KO2 very comfortable on the road. It also has numerous sipes which can drastically improve handling.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2 feel similar in terms of ride quality. But the BFG KO2 is better than either tire in this regard. Always balance your tires before use and align the wheels for added comfort.
Winner: BFGoodrich KO2.
Traction on Dry Grounds
The BFGoodrich KO2 is better than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2 when it comes to dry grip. The Toyo Open Country AT2 and the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 perform alike on dry terrain.
I rate the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2 similarly, at 8.6 and 8.5/10 respectively. The BFGoodrich KO2, however, gets a 9.1/10 due to its superior traction on dry grounds.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 has a large contact area owing largely to the balanced void ratio and its full-depth sipes. The formulation of its rubber compound also aids in traction on dry surfaces. The Toyo Open Country AT2, too, has great dry traction due to its multi-wave sipes open shoulders. The large interconnected blocks on the tread also help.
The BFGoodrich KO2, however, performs better if you are driving on dry ground. These tires, like the Toyo Open Country AT2, feature large blocks interlocked with tie bars in between. The BFG KO2 has numerous sipes and biting edges which aid in dry traction. The rubber formulation also plays an important part.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2, the Toyo Open Country AT2, and the BFGoodrich KO2, all three are surprisingly good at dry grip. But the BFGoodrich KO2 performs better than the other two in this case. The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is just a slight bit better than the Toyo Open Country AT2.
Winner: The BFGoodrich KO2.
Traction on Wet Grounds
The BFGoodrich KO2 has better wet traction than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2. the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is the second best of the three in this section.
I rate the BFGoodrich KO2 8.0/10 while the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 gets 7.7/10. The Toyo Open Country AT2, on the other hand, gets a 7.2/10.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is particularly good at avoiding hydroplaning due to its circumferential grooves and lateral voids. The full-depth sipes of the G2 also help channel out the water trapped in the contact patch.
The multi-wave 3D sipes of the Toyo Open Country AT2 also help it gain a better grip on wet surfaces. Moreover, the sipes help reduce block movement on the treads of the AT2.
The deep tread grooves also help channel out the water. But the Toyo Open Country AT2 often struggles to maintain grip on wet surfaces when cornering.
The BFGoodrich KO2, however, has a very good wet grip compared to the other two. Like the Nitto Terra Grappler G2, it has circumferential grooves and numerous sipes for channeling out water. The BFG KO2 also has a silica-infused rubber structure which helps in wet traction.
The BFGoodrich KO2 shows noticeably better wet traction when cornering compared to the Toyo Open Country AT2. The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is slightly less good in wet grip compared to the BFG KO2. But both Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the BFGoodrich KO2 are good tires when it comes to driving on wet surfaces.
Winner: The BFGoodrich KO2.
Traction Off-road
The BFGoodrich KO2 has better off-road performance than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2. The Toyo Open Country AT2 comes out second when it comes to traction off-road.
I rate the BFGoodrich KO2 at 9.4/10 while the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 gets 8.7/10. I also gave the Toyo Open Country AT2 9 out of 10.
The tread of the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 consists of large staggered shoulder blocks and alternating wide grooves. These features improve the self-cleaning ability of the BFGoodrich KO2 when driving in mud. The stone ejectors situated at the lugs on the shoulders also help when driving on rocky terrain.
The large blocks found on the Toyo Open Country AT2 also give it good traction on off-roads. The open tread block design and the aggressive sidewalls help the AT2 maintain grip both in dirt and mud. The wide evacuation grooves help the AT2 to channel out the mud from underneath.
Besides, the Toyo Open Country AT2 sports tapered claws on its treads for better off-road traction. The deep tread grooves help you drive through mud. It also has a center hook design that can help dig deep into mud. These features make the AT2 better than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2.
But the BFGoodrich KO2 is better than the other two tires in this section. The BFG KO2 has deeper grooves and sipes for driving on muddy grounds. The open shoulder blocks help it grip on loose and rough surfaces. In addition, the tough 3 ply sidewalls of the BFG KO2 help it avoid damage on rocky terrain.
While the Toyo Open Country AT2 is a very good tire for driving off-road, the BFGoodrich KO2 is better at it. The Toyo Open Country AT2 is a bit better than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 in this regard but both tires give comparable performance.
Winner: The BFGoodrich KO2.
Traction on Snow
The BFGoodrich KO2 gives better traction on snow than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2. The Toyo Open Country AT2, however, has better snow grip than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2.
I rate the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 8.5 out of 10 in terms of its ability to maintain grip on snow. The Toyo Open Country AT2 gets 8.9/10, while the BFGoodrich KO2 gets a score of 9.2/10.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is not specifically designed for driving on the snow. The large tread blocks and the wide channels of the G2 may not give you adequate grip on snow. The limited outer tread of the G2 makes driving on snow rather difficult.
The Toyo Open Country AT2, on the other hand, has very deep grooves for digging into snow. The open treads and its aggressive side walls also help you to drive on snow. Moreover, the tapered claw edges on its treads give you added traction in snow.
Furthermore, wide evacuation channels of the Toyo Open Country AT2 also help propel snow away from the center of the tire.
But the BFGoodrich KO2 is the best of the three when it comes to driving on snow. The shoulder design of the BFG KO2 gives great traction on snow. More so, The numerous sipes of the BFG KO2 also aid in this regard.
The Toyo Open Country AT2 is better than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 when it comes to driving on snow-covered lands. But the BFGoodrich KO2 is better than the other two.
Winner: The BFGoodrich KO2.
Traction on Ice
The BFGoodrich KO2 is better than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and Toyo Open Country AT2 when it comes to driving on ice. The Toyo Open Country AT2 performs much better on ice than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2.
I rate the BFGoodrich KO2 8.0/10 for its superior ability to drive on icy surfaces. The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2, however, get 7.1 and 7.7 out of 10 respectively.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 has aggressive treads, but the treads are not particularly optimized to give you proper traction on ice. It is not very good as a winter tire.
Whereas, the Toyo Open Country AT2 comes with dense 3D sipes that help it grip onto the ice. Likewise, The open treads and large blocks also help the Toyo Open Country AT2 in this regard.
But the BFGoodrich KO2 is better when it comes to driving on ice. Unlike the 3D sipes on the Toyo Open Country AT2, the 3D sipes on the BFGoodrich KO2 are multi-directional. This is good for traction on ice.
The interlocking tread also helps it maintain control on ice. The specially formulated rubber compound on the BFGoodrich KO2 remains flexible even in lower temperatures.
Winner: The BFGoodrich KO2.
Treadwear
The Toyo Open Country AT2 is better than the other two when it comes to tread wear resistance. The BFG KO2 is second best in regards to treadwear.
I rate the BFGoodrich KO2 8.3 out of 10 in this section. Whereas the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 gets 8/10 and the Toyo Open Country AT2 gets 8.5 /10.
The Toyo Open Country AT2 has tread wear-resistant structural material which improves its life dramatically. The Nitto Terra Grappler G2, on the other hand, has reinforced coupling joints in the treads to improve tire tread life.
The BFG KO2, on the other hand, is prone to uneven wearing. These tires need to be rotated every so often to improve their lifespan.
Winner: The Toyo Open Country AT2.
Weight
The Toyo Open Country AT2 is lighter than the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the BFGoodrich KO2. The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is lighter than the BFG KO2.
The weight of a BFGoodrich KO2 tire of 235/80R17 size is 47.7 lbs, the heaviest of the three. In contrast, the Toyo Open Country AT2 of the same size weighs 44 lbs. The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 235/80R17, however, weighs 45.3 lbs.
To know more details about how much does a tire weigh, check the linked page!
Winner: The Toyo Open Country AT2.
Load Range
The Toyo Open Country AT2 and the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 come with higher load ratings than the BFG KO2. The Toyo Open Country AT2 and the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 are tied in this case.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open Country AT2 come with load ratings SL, all the way to XL. The BFG KO2 tires, however, come with a load range of C to E. This means if you are planning on carrying heavy loads, go with Toyo Open Country AT2 or Nitto Terra Grappler G2.
Winner: The Toyo Open Country AT2 and the Nitto Terra Grappler G2.
Price
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is more affordable compared to the Toyo Open Country AT2 and the BFGoodrich KO2. The Toyo Open Country AT2 is still much more inexpensive than the BFG KO2.
The cost of a 235/80R17 120 R Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tire is $180 in Walmart. The price of similarly sized and rated BFGoodrich KO2 and Toyo Open Country AT2 tires are $230 and $195 respectively.
The price of these tires varies wildly depending on size, load rating, and speed rating. But for the same rating and size, the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires are cheaper than the other two.
Winner: The Nitto Terra Grappler G2.
Which is Better: Nitto Terra Grappler G2 vs. Toyo Open Country AT2 vs. BFG KO2?
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is better than the Toyo Open Country AT2 and the BFGoodrich KO2 in terms of affordability.
The Toyo Open Country AT2 is better in terms of the warranty they offer and in road noise reduction. The AT2 is also the lightest of the three for the same size, and load rating and has a better treadwear rating.
The BFGoodrich KO2, however, is better when it comes to dry, wet, and off-road traction. It also comes out on top regarding grip on snow and icy surfaces.
Both Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and Toyo Open Country AT2 are better than BFGoodrich KO2 in terms of the load range.
If you drive a Toyota Tacoma, know whether you can fit 35 inch tires on a 3 inch Lift Toyota Tacoma.
FAQs
Are Toyo and Nitto the same?
No, Toyo and Nitto tires are not the same but they are related. Although they are separate brands, they belong to the same company, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. (TTHA). Toyo acquired Nitto back in 1979. Nitto tires are aimed at the enthusiast performance market. In contrast, the Toyo tire brand is aimed more towards the general market.
Are Nitto tires Chinese?
No, Nitto tires are not Chinese. Nitto was founded in Japan back in 1949. But Nitto tires are also manufactured in China, Japan, and Malaysia, besides the USA. So, technically, some Nitto tires are manufactured in China. But Nitto is a subsidiary of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., which is headquartered in Cypress, California.
Is BFGoodrich a Michelin tire?
No, BFGoodrich is not a Michelin tire. BFGoodrich and Michelin are two distinct tire brands. But Michelin is the parent company of BFGoodrich. So the two brands share some tire technologies and are often manufactured in the same plant. But the two are different brands, despite belonging to the same mother company.
Conclusion
Now you know about Nitto Terra Grappler G2 vs. Toyo Open Country AT2 vs. BFG KO2. I hope that this article was helpful to you in determining which tire is right for you.
There are some key distinguishing factors between the three tires. But all three are great all-terrain tires and have their positive sides. They both have exceptional qualities that set them apart.
That is it for today. All the best and goodbye!
