--- title: "The BFGoodrich KO2 Is Over. Here’s How the KO3 Compares" description: "BFGoodrich's incredibly popular all-terrain tire, the KO2, is finally being replaced with the BFGoodrich KO3." date: "2024-05-04" modified: "2024-05-04" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-bfgoodrich-ko2-is-over-heres-how-the-ko3-compares" categories: - "News" --- # The BFGoodrich KO2 Is Over. Here’s How the KO3 Compares ![]() The [BFGoodrich ]()KO2 is the most popular all-terrain tire on the market and for good reason: it's capable, durable, readily available, and relatively affordable. Good reader, even I—the man who would never willingly own any sort of off-roading vehicle—have owned a set of KO2s, for my wife's old WK2 Jeep[ Grand Cherokee](). However, there's now a successor to the beloved KO2 which is said to be improved in every single way: the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3. Improving the KO2 is a tall task, as there weren't too many complaints about it to begin with. However, that doesn't mean it can't be done. "We’ve done a lot of racing and research in the 10 years since we launched the KO2 tire, so a decade of data, feedback, technology, and experience went into the development of the KO3 tire," said Harold Phillips, BFGoodrich Global General Manager. There are three areas where BFGoodrich aimed to improve on the KO2 for the new KO3: treadwear, durability, and snow traction. ![]() ![]() ![]() To improve wear and increase longevity, BFGoodrich created a new tread pattern and new all-terrain tread compound for the KO3. It now features newly designed 3D-locking sipes that are designed to wear more evenly than before. However, the KO3 has the same mileage warranty as the KO2, at 50,000 miles. As for its durability, the KO3's focus was sidewall protection. To prevent pointy things from damaging the sidewall while off-roading, BFGoodrich redesigned the side sipes at the edges of the tread. They're now wider and deeper, which is said to help objects deflect off the tire, rather than stick into the side of it, damaging the sidewall. ![]() As for snow grip, the KO2 already had a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe snow rating, but a newly designed serrated shoulder and "Mud-Phobic" bars improve its traction in both mud and snow. I noticed that BFGoodrich didn't mention any noise improvement, which was my only complaint about the KO2s—they were *loud*. However, aggressive all-terrain tires are never quiet, so that's a minor complaint. Off-road enthusiasts will be happy to know that BFGoodrich isn't rewriting the playbook for the new KO3, just making minor improvements in key areas, making their favorite tire even better. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()