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Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Tire Review

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July 23, 2023

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8.7Expert Score

Exceptional

On-/Off-Road All-Terrain

Off-road performance

8.5

Wet Performance

8.8

Dry performance

9.1

Comfort performance

8.7

Treadwear performance

8.8

Winter/snow performance

8.1

All-terrain, all-season tire performance has become a priority for most drivers. Competing tire manufacturers are continually finding ways to balance highway driving and off-roading.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is one of the tires targeting the SUV and light pickup truck market segment. They are a durable brand that seeks to satisfy the driving needs of the broad customer base.

This review highlights the specs of the Discoverer AT3 XLT tires, technological advancements adopted to improve their performances, driving behavior on different roads, and a recommendation on the suitability of the tires. The tires are available in multiple sizes with rim sizes between 15 and 20 inches.

What are the features of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT? 

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is one of the all-terrain tires tailored for multi-season traction and comfort. It utilizes some of Cooper’s futuristic technologies that extend its durability, increase its performance, and balance off-roading and highway driving experiences.

The treads use silica-based compounds that enhance the tire’s wear resistance. Uniform tread wear is guaranteed, thanks to the Even Wear Arc Technology. It optimizes the tire’s footprint, balances contact pressure, and enhances handling.

Cooper continues to impress when it comes to ride quality and comfort. The company utilizes Whisper Grooves that ensure maximum reduction of noises. The design of the tread patterns assures year-round traction.

Rugged Traction Shoulders, well-positioned stone ejectors, and wide lugs protect the tires against puncturing and provide additional contact surfaces to permit navigation on rocky roads, mud surfaces, and loosely packed roads.

The tire’s defense against hydroplaning has been boosted using deep circumferential grooves with additional lateral channels that evacuate water from the road surfaces. These channels alongside the full-depth sipes increase the biting edges providing sufficient traction on wet and slippery roads. Snow Groove Technology makes it easy to navigate snowy roads.

Discoverer AT3 XLT tires use a blend of two-ply polyester casings, nylon reinforcement (single-ply), and strong steel belts, which extend the durability and stability of the tires.

How long does the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT tire last? 

Cooper Tires provides an impressive warranty for the Discoverer AT3 XLT tires. The tires have a limited treadwear warranty of 60,000 miles or up to 6 years after purchase. 

The uniformity warranty covers the first 2/32″ of the tire’s tread wear. On top of that, the company covers all costs for replacement or repairs due to manufacturing material defects. The inoperability of the tires due to poor workmanship is covered up to 6 years from the date of purchase.

Like other tire brands, Cooper uses the standard tread wear indicators on their tires. They are small strips of rubber that fit in between the grooves. Tires are due for replacement whenever the treads and the indicators flash.

Off-road performance

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT tires are among the best all-terrain tires that perform well for off-roading. When driving on gravel or dirt roads, the tires offer a firm grip on the road and retain the handling at suitable levels. On these surfaces, drivers can negotiate corners with ease.

When driving on muddy roads, the Discoverer AT3 XLT tires post impressive results. The tires are generally stable, grip on the muddy surfaces well, and handling is modest. Drivers need to be cautious as they venture into deeper muds as the performance of the tires drops drastically.

Driving on rocky surfaces is not a problem for the Discoverer AT3 XLT tires. The tread pattern ensures maximum grip, and the debris ejectors keep the grooves clean. The tire’s casing and tread are made from high-strength materials that protect the tires against puncture, cuts, and abrasion.

Wet performance

The Discoverer AT3 XLT tires have deep grooves, optimized tread patterns, and sufficient water evacuation channels. All these features play a crucial role in improving wet traction capabilities. At moderate speeds, the tires respond well to steering controls, and braking occurs within short distances. 

Driving in heavy rain comes with safety concerns for most drivers. That’s not the case when driving on Discoverer AT3 XLT tires. They have deep grooves and well-positioned channels to protect the vehicle against hydroplaning. Overall, the tires are easy to handle, even when driving under heavy rain.

Dry performance

The Discoverer AT3 XLT tires come with several accolades that make them good tires for highway driving.

The tread pattern provides sufficient traction and makes the tires very stable even when driving at high speed. Sufficient surface contact facilitates quick braking and effortless acceleration. 

When it comes to cornering, the tires are a little unreliable. They do not respond ideally to steering controls and can turn the driving to be a bit cumbersome. 

Comfort performance

Although Cooper has tried to minimize noise levels in most of their products, the Discoverer AT3 XLT tire feels a bit noisy. It performs better than most all-terrain tires but is not the best in the category.

The large tread blocks trade off comfort at the expense of off-road performance. The tires are likely to transfer road vibrations and shocks to the internal compartments of the vehicle. Such conditions reduce the quality of the ride.  

Winter&snow performance

The Discoverer AT3 XLT tire is a safe tire that cuts through the thin snow. It is manufactured using advanced rubber compounds that withstand cold winter conditions. The Snow Groove Technology guarantees optimum traction to facilitate safe handling on light snow.

The deep grooves, sipes, and optimized tread block design ensure that the tires have sufficient biting edges to enhance traction over deep snow and ice.

Are Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT good? 

The Discoverer AT3 XLT tires are a decent, affordable choice for drivers with a more substantial bias on off-roading. The tires have above-average highway performance and are an excellent alternative for any driver shopping for all-terrain tires.

Tire sizes & specifications