The off-roading community keeps growing bigger and bigger. It’s been the major catalyst behind the ever-expanding market for SUVs and trucks. A leading contender in that space is the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT. It’s made to maintain strong traction on slippery or muddy terrains without sacrificing its on-road stability.
However, off-roaders still need some level of on-road capabilities from their vehicles. That’s made possible through all-terrain tires, claiming to be the ideal solution for all of your adventures — whether they’re on or off-road.
The Discoverer AT3 XLT seems to check all the right boxes, making it a well-rounded (no pun intended) choice if you’re in the market for an all-terrain tire.
In this article, we’ll go over some key aspects of the Discoverer AT3 XLT to help you decide if it’s the one for you. Let’s begin!
Pros
- Promising performance all year round
- Great for heavy-duty work like hauling or towing
- Grippy on gravel and dirt
- Strong off-road capability, even over rocks and shallow mud
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Works over rocks and
- Comfortable driving
- High-quality compound for durability
Cons
- The traction on ice isn’t ideal
- Get louder with wear and tear
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Overview
Cooper hasn’t cut any corners with the Discoverer AT3 XLT. It’s got more than everything you need from an all-terrain tire.
It’s made from an excellent quality silica-based shred-resistant compound. This means punctures, cuts, and chips won’t happen nearly as often. On top of that, the Durable Tread technology further extends its tread life.
There are several advanced technologies at play to solve common problems.
For instance, the design features Snow Groove Technology that improves snow traction with saw-tooth block edges. Moreover, AT3 XLT’s tread design features stone ejectors and rugged traction shoulders for excellent grip on paved surfaces.
Cooper has also taken thoughtful measures to quieten your ride. The Discover AT3 XLT features Cooper’s trademark Whisper Grooves which, as the name suggests, reduce tire noise.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Notable Features
- Treadlife warranty up to 60,000 miles
- 45-Day test drive
- Outstanding braking on wet roads, especially for an all-terrain tire
- Advanced tread technology for improved off-road performance, durability, and tire noise, etc.
Dry Tarmac Performance
As the AT3 XLT’s design is largely focused on improving its off-road performance, it can feel a bit less responsive while cornering.
The best word to describe it would be a ‘truckish’ feeling. Many offroaders might even like it, but not from a performance standpoint.
However, it makes up for it in the stability and traction department. Your SUV or truck will maintain its balanced feel even when you’re going fast. As a bonus, it brakes well too — with a much shorter stopping distance than most other tires in its class.
The area where the Discoverer AT3 XLT really shines is hauling and towing. It doesn’t lose stability even while performing such heavy-duty work on dry tarmac.
So, the next time you need to take your trailer with you on an overlanding journey, the AT3 XLT won’t let you down.
Performance on Slippery and Wet Roads
Short answer — impressive! It’s not in the highway tire league as those are specially designed to handle any on-road situation well. But for an all-terrain tire, the AT3 XLT is one of the best.
If you’re driving safely within the speed limits, you’ll feel decent grip and traction on wet roads.
Even in heavy rainfall, the traction on these tires is confidence-inspiring for the driver. This is where those deep grooves in the tread design really do their job.
As for the braking performance in wet conditions, these have shorter stopping distances than many competitors within the same price range.
Overall, you’re getting fantastic performance for the price from the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Behavior on Snow
The deep grooves on this tire’s tread pattern can bite through slush and snow quite well. You’ll have enough traction to get around in winter thanks to its all-season tread compound. It’ll stay soft enough to serve you well even in snowy conditions.
Moreover, the narrow zig-zag pattern design on the inside also helps with traction on snow. Again, it’s no match for a set of winter tires but it’ll get you by the snow season with decent performance.
Off-road Performance
The Discoverer AT3 XLT is one of the most effective all-terrain tires for off-roading activities. Cooper seems to have nailed the tread pattern on this one, and those aggressive grooves help a lot on slippery surfaces.
Offroading tracks mostly consist of shallow mud, and the AT3 XLT provides excellent traction and stability in those conditions.
The compound’s durability also makes it super easy to recommend to off-road enthusiasts looking for an all-terrain tire. It’s nice to know that you don’t have to worry as much about chips or cuts on your offroading sessions.
Comfort
All-terrain tires aren’t known for a luxurious or quiet drive. They generally offer decent offroad performance at the cost of on-road comfort. Fortunately, that’s not the case anymore. Most of the latest all-terrain tires are a lot quieter.
The Discoverer AT3 XLT is a great example. However, it’s not the quietest all-terrain option out there. It’s not too noisy on the highway even at higher speeds, besides a subtle tread growl due to the wide tread blocks. Most off-roaders won’t mind it.
The ride quality is comfortable as well, especially on well-paved roads. Potholes can sometimes feel a bit too shaky, so it’s not as refined as some of the other all-terrain options in class. But, slightly harsher ride quality is to be expected from a durably built tire with stiff sidewalls.
Keep in mind though, reviews are supposed to be nitpicky to make sure nothing gets missed out. Most passengers won’t even notice these ‘bumps’ as they’re so few and far between.
Conclusion
Cooper knocked it out of the park with this one. The tread on the AT3 XLT has to be the star feature as it solves so many problems with advanced technologies ingrained into the design.
On top of that, the top-quality silica-based shred-resistant compound makes the whole package so much better.
Thanks to its great performance and durability, we’re giving this one a 5 out of 5!
