When choosing tyres for an all-wheel drive car with a high center of gravity, it is not enough to take into account the size, rim diameter size and speed ratings of tyres. You can read more about “Tyre Marking from A to Z” in the relevant article. It is necessary to build on the issue of selecting suitable off-road tyres from the expected operating conditions of the car. The adaptability of tyres for different types of road surfaces is the main issue here.

Off-road tyre marking takes into account the suitability of tyres for specific types of road surface.

Highway Terrain

Highway Terrain (or Half Terrain) class tyres are essentially reinforced road tyres designed specifically for off-road vehicles. Their tread pattern is largely borrowed from passenger cars. The only difference is that HT tyres have a higher profile, reinforced rigid sidewalls and a reinforced cord structure (in order to withstand the heavy weight of the car and high loads).

The Highway Terrain tyres have a classic shallow tread pattern and are adapted for comfortable rides on powerful
four-wheel drive car on asphalt roads.

Highway Terrain tyres are adapted for comfortable trips on asphalt roads with occasional outings on unpaved roads. It is designed for a quiet ride. Fans of fast driving should pay attention to off-road tyres with an additional HP (High Performance) designation, which are a priori suitable for dynamic high-speed trips. An even better option is to have specialized “high-speed” Sport Terrain tyres. Note that it is necessary to comply with the traffic rules.

"Rare birds" from the Sport Terrain category reveal the "racing" potential of powerful off-road vehicles.

Off-road conditions are contraindicated for HT tires – due to the low tread and insufficiently convex blocks, such tyres will immediately get stuck in the nearest mud. Road tyres for SUVs are supposed to be used in the city and on the highways. In other conditions, the tread of the Highway Terrain tyres quickly becomes unusable.

The HT and ST markings are more of a well-thought-out marketing idea. In fact, all off-road tyres with a classic tread pattern belong to the Half Terrain segment. Also in practice, the designation Sport Terrain is not often found. It is used if it is necessary to highlight the "racing" ambitions of a particular tyre model.

Highway Terrain Tyres)

All Terrain

Suitable for different conditions All Terrain tyres have an average driving performance – they will work well on smooth paved surfaces and on country roads. Class AT tyres confidently hold on to various types of roadway, they can be used without restrictions on the highway and on the ground, do not make noise on asphalt.

All Terrain tyres are the "golden mean" in terms of driving performance – they behave well both on asphalt and on unpaved surfaces.

The key character traits of All Terrain tyres are large blocks of tread pattern with a sparse seating, deep drainage channels with the ability to remove decent volumes of dirt, wide and powerful sidewalls. These tyres are ideal for rural areas with alternating different types of road surfaces.

Usually, AT tyre manufacturers advise using them in certain proportions on asphalt and off-road (50/50, 60/40, etc.). The vast majority of All-Terrain tyres are available as all-season. Tyres with this marking can be used on crossovers and "muscular" SUVs of any class. The driver will have to put up with only a slight increase in the noise level on the pavement and a deterioration in handling at high speeds. Contrary to the above, confident driving properties of AT tyres are provided on pebbles and country dirt roads.

All Terrain Tyres

Mud Terrain

The Mud Terrain marking is applied to all-terrain tyres that easily overcome even total off-road. Tyres in this class are designed to conquer dirt and unpaved roads. You will not find equal to them in cross-country ability. Only massive tractor wheels can compete with MT tyres.

The aggressive tread pattern of Mud Terrain tyres is made up of tall massive blocks at a great distance from each other, which increases the contact of tyre with a bad road. The sidewalls of MT tyres are equipped with powerful lugs, and the accumulated dirt is removed through large grooves and channels. Car with the Mud Terrain tyres behaves well on wet ground, willingly climbs steep slopes, easily cleared of water, dirt, pebbles and small garbage.

Mud Terrain tyres are recognizable from other types of tyres by their aggressive tread pattern with large blocks,
that determines their confident cross-country ability on total off-road.

The weak side of mud tyres for SUVs is not the best behavior on paved roads. Large blocks of rubber tread have poor contact with a homogeneous surface, worsen braking and cornering. In addition, on classic roads there is an increased level of noise and vibration with MT tyres. The maximum safe speed for Mud Terrain tyres is 150-160 km/h.

Tyres of this class are recommended to be used on all-wheel drive vehicles, which are prepared ahead of time for difficult off-road conditions. They will be appreciated by lovers of rides on clay, sandy and marshy soils, fans of conquering mountainous terrain, hunters and fishermen.

Mud Terrain Tyres

In matters of choosing the right off-road tyres, you can be guided by one simple rule: the more aggressive the tread of the tyre, the better it is adapted for off-road driving. At the same time, mud tyres do not behave well on asphalt and are very noisy. All Terrain tyres offer a reasonable compromise between ride comfort and off-road performance. Especially for asphalt roads, models from the Highway Terrain category will fit. And total off-road is conquered by Mud Terrain tyres.