The KO2 was the king of the all-terrain world for nearly a decade. It earned its place with Jeep owners, overlanders, and daily drivers alike thanks to its blend of durability, off-road grip, and respectable road manners. Now, BFGoodrich is back with the All-Terrain T/A KO3—an updated version of the tire that built their modern off-road reputation.
Get personalized content recommendations and answers drawn from our website. Simply type your question or topic of interest, and our AI assistant will help you find relevant articles, tips, and insights. You can also have a natural conversation to explore topics in more depth.
First Impressions
At first glance, the KO3 looks familiar but different at the same time. The tread pattern keeps the interlocking tread blocks and serrated shoulder design, but everything’s been tightened up a bit. There’s more siping, the shoulder lugs are a little more aggressive, and the compound feels stickier to the touch. On paper, the KO3 builds on what made the KO2 so good—adding improved wet traction, better snow performance, and more even tread wear.
Road Manners
Like the KO2, the KO3 is impressively quiet for an aggressive all-terrain tire. On the highway, there’s just a faint hum at speed—nothing that drowns out music or conversation. Ride quality is smooth, with no harshness or wandering. Sidewall stiffness feels about the same, offering solid steering response without feeling jarring over bumps or potholes.
Off-Road Performance
This is where the KO3 starts to pull away from its predecessor. Traction in loose dirt and gravel is excellent, and the revised shoulder blocks seem to bite better on uneven surfaces. In mud, the KO3 cleans out quicker than the KO2, and in the rocks, the tire feels a bit grippier, especially when aired down. BFGoodrich claims the KO3 uses a new tread compound designed to flex and conform better to rough surfaces, and out on the trail, that seems to be true. One can notice the tighter center while the outer blocks have larger voids. This will likely lend the tire to better mud performance allowing more grip from the outside tread blocks including the sidewall part of the blocks.
Snow and Wet Weather
The KO2 was always a solid snow tire for an A/T, but the KO3 gets the three-peak mountain snowflake rating on more sizes and seems to offer better traction in slush and ice. It’s not a dedicated winter tire, but for those of us who wheel in the colder months or live in variable climates, the added siping and tread compound make the KO3 a noticeable step up. Wet weather braking and cornering have also improved, with less tendency to slide under sudden stops.
Durability and Longevity
Too early to judge long-term wear just yet, but the KO3 carries over BFGoodrich’s proven CoreGard sidewall tech from the KO2. That means extra puncture resistance and solid protection against trail rash. The KO3 also uses an updated wear pattern to promote more even tread life—something KO2 owners will appreciate if they ran into the classic edge feathering over time.
KO3 vs KO2: What’s Changed?
| Feature | KO2 | KO3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tread Life | Proven, long-wearing | Promises better wear pattern and longevity |
| Off-Road Traction | Excellent | Slightly better in mud, rocks, and soft surfaces |
| Road Noise | Low for A/T | Same or slightly quieter |
| Wet/Snow Performance | Good, 3PMSF rated | Improved grip, more sizes with 3PMSF |
| Sidewall Strength | CoreGard tech | Same CoreGard with tweaks for better flex |
Final Thoughts
The KO3 isn’t a radical departure from the KO2—it’s a smart evolution. If you loved the KO2, you’ll feel right at home with the KO3. But if you always felt the KO2 was just a little stiff, or a little underwhelming in the snow, the KO3 addresses those concerns without sacrificing what made the tire a legend.
BFGoodrich took a “don’t fix what isn’t broken” approach—and just made it better. For Jeep owners looking for an all-terrain tire that can do it all and look good doing it, the KO3 is a worthy successor and strong contender for the best all-around A/T on the market right now.
We’ve loved the varied versions of this tire we’ve had on the jeepfan.com Jeeps over the years and this includes the KO2’s that are currently on the jeepfan.com 4xe. You can bet a set of KO3’s will be on there before you know it.
The KO3 is available in many sizes up to 39″
Leave a Reply