What is the quietest off-road tire?

There’s never been a better time to be in the market for capable off-road tires that won’t compromise your peace and quiet on the street.

These days, drivers of 4x4 trucks and SUVs really can have it all – true off-road capability, quietness on the street, and even reasonable fuel economy.

If you put a high priority on limited road noise from your tires, then it’s likely that the all-terrain tire category will provide the best tire fit. As compared to dedicated mud-terrain/off-road tires that put a heavy emphasis on off-road performance, all-terrain tires are engineered as true dual-purpose, on- and off-road options. In some cases, all-terrain tires are just as quiet as street-oriented (original equipment) 4x4 tires but offer far more capability and durability when pavement turns to dirt and rough terrain.

Worried all-terrains won’t be quite hardcore enough for your adventures and purposes? Check out our Mud tires for the street recommendations.

But if you’re just as concerned about on-road quiet as you are about tackling terrain, here’s a list of recommendations to get you rolling right for both environments.

Continental TerrainContact A/T

Continental racked up over 2-million miles and ran the tread off of 1,500 test tires to develop the TerrainContact A/T. Over that significant development timeframe, they honed performance in both on- and off-road driving environments and optimized quietness to the point that the TerrainContact A/T is no noisier than select Continental truck/SUV all season touring tires.

“The ideal all-terrain tire for CUV, SUV and Light Trucks with the durability to conquer dirt, gravel and grass while providing a quiet, comfortable ride on pavement. This tire strikes the perfect balance between off-road traction and on-road manners.” – ContinentalTire.com

TireBuyer.com user ratings verify the TerrainContact A/T as a capable off-road performer that doesn’t compromise on quietness, or any other area of on-road performance.

Other highlights: Up to a 60,000-mile treadlife warranty, sizes from 16" to 22" diameter, up to E/10 ply rating (only limited sizes and specs), 60-day Customer Satisfaction Trial.

Hankook Dynapro AT2 (RF11)

Street comfort and quietness are Hankook specialties and hallmarks of the tire brand. In any given tire category – including the most extreme categories for both on- or off-road performance – Hankook manufacturers some of the quietest options.

One of their newest releases, the Dynapro AT2 (RF11), is an effort to really dial in ride comfort and quietness from an all-terrain tire. The AT2’s “Step Block Edge Technology” helps the Dynapro AT2 make a major improvement in quietness over its predecessor, the Hankook Dynapro AT-M RF10.

“Step block edge technology acts as a sound barrier, which helps to reduce road noise that primarily emanates from the pattern groove.” – HankookTire.com

Other highlights: Up to a 60,000-mile treadlife warranty, sizes from 15" to 22" diameter, rated for Severe Snow Service (3PMSF/3 Peak Mountain Snowflake), up to E/10 ply rating, 30-day free trial.

Nexen Roadian A/T Pro RA8

Quietness is engineered at the core of the Roadian A/T Pro RA8. Its “multi-sequence tread design on the center and shoulder deliver optimal noise, wear and drainage performance” (NexenTireUSA.com).

Over 100 TireBuyer.com users have weighed in and verified the Roadian A/T Pro RA8 as a quiet and comfortable option for the road.

Other highlights: Up to a 50,000-mile treadlife warranty, Nexen Roadside Assistance Program offers free on-the-spot tire changes for three years, rated for Severe Snow Service (3PMSF/3 Peak Mountain Snowflake), sizes range from 15" to 22" diameter, 55 available sizes.

General Grabber A/TX

The latest generation of General All-Terrain Tires have also been optimized for quietness. Awesome Comfort Balance Technology in the Grabber A/TX involves the internal absorption of road noise.

“An absorption layer under the tread isolates the vehicle from road disturbances for a more comfortable, pleasant ride.” – GeneralTire.com

In addition to excellent comfort attributes, the Grabber A/TX delivers a Severe Snow Service rating and “studdability” for maximum traction on ice-covered and slick winter roadways.

Other highlights: Up to a 60,000-mile treadlife warranty, strong off-road design features like a five-row tread pattern, alternating shoulder scoops for exceptional rock traction, sidewall protection lugs. Sizes range from 14" to 20" diameter.

Cooper Discoverer A/T3 XLT

The XLT specification Discoverer A/T3 is the most hardcore of the new Discoverer A/T3 all-terrain tire group, but still delivers on quietness. If you put a priority on hauling/towing heavy loads, and/or durability in more extreme off-road environments, the Discoverer A/T3 XLT is a likely fit.

The Discoverer A/T3 XLT features Cooper’s Whisper Grooves technology, which creates a sound barrier at the tread level that directly reduces road noise.

Other highlights: Up to a 60,000-mile treadlife warranty, numerous LT-metric sizes, strong performance on wet roads, sizes range from 15" to 20" diameter. Rated 4.8/5 overall by over one-hundred satisfied TireBuyer users.

Want to explore more options? Check out the full lineup of All-Terrain Tires on TireBuyer.com.

Or give us a call at 866-961-8668 to discuss the quietest off-road tire options that are a fit for.