AKRON—The Bridgestone Dueler A/T 693 scored highest in comparative tests of all-terrain tires for sport-utility vehicles conducted by Consumer Reports magazine.
Test results, published in the magazine's November issue, ranked the Bridgestone Dueler A/T 693 No. 1 among a competitive field that included the Kelly Safari AWR, Dunlop Radial Rover, Cooper Discoverer A/T, Firestone Wilderness AT II and Goodyear Wrangler AT/S, in that order. CR described the Dueler A/T 693's performance as "excellent dry cornering," but gave a "stiff ride" and proved "noisy on a coarse pavement."
The Kelly Safari AWR, which placed second, was called "very good overall," offering "excellent dry cornering" and "very good ice braking without ABS." It was ranked just ahead of the Dunlop Radial Rover, whose collective scores about equalled those of the Kelly Safari but left the Dunlop in third place due its higher price tag.
The Cooper Discoverer A/T was described as "very good for winter weather," combining "good" dry and wet cornering with "good" wet braking capability but delivering the "worst" dry-braking performance in the group."
The Firestone Wilderness AT II (different than the Wilderness AT recalled by the manufacturer last August) was described as "good overall, with excellent dry cornering, but notably worse in wet braking without ABS." The Wilderness AT II was said to be the most fuel-efficient of the group.
Goodyear's Wrangler AT/S, scored about even with the Firestone Wilderness AT II. The magazine described the Wrangler AT/S as "a good overall performer at a high price," adding that it demonstrated "excellent dry cornering" ability and "very good" ice braking performance without ABS but at the cost of a "stiff ride."
The tests were conducted on tires sized P225/75R15, installed on a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
CR pointed out that most manufacturers now recommend use of all-terrain tires on SUVs. The publication warned that switching from the all-terrain tires to all-season tires could increase the likelihood of the SUV rolling over—especially when steered abruptly.