The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 is the newer third-generation replacement for the KO2. BFGoodrich says it improves wear performance, gravel-road durability, and snow traction while retaining the KO2’s rugged sidewall protection. For most new purchases, the KO3 is the logical starting point—but only after confirming the exact size and load specification.
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 is the newer, third-generation replacement for the KO2. BFGoodrich launched the KO3 in 2024 and claims improvements of 15% in wear performance, 20% in gravel-road durability, and better snow traction compared with the KO2. The KO3 also retains the KO2’s CoreGard sidewall protection and soft-soil traction.
For most people buying a new set, the KO3 is the better default—provided it is available in the vehicle’s approved size, load range, and service description. The KO2 still makes sense when it costs substantially less, is already performing well, or is available in a required fitment that the KO3 does not offer.
Disclosure: Product availability, fitment, and pricing vary by tire size and vehicle. Verify the complete tire specification before ordering.
#1 Best Overall
- LEGENDARY TOUGHNESS, MADE TOUGHER: The next evolution of all-terrain tires is here. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire raises the bar in toughness and durability. Again.
- ENGINEERED TO ENDURE: We engineered the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire with a new tread pattern and new all-terrain tread compound to provide durability and longevity, even on gravel.
- BUILT TO OVERCOME: Our CoreGard Technology, developed for racing in Baja, gives the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire excellent sidewall toughness. And the Advanced Deflection Design helps prevent sticks and stones from snagging and splitting the sidewall.
- DESIGNED TO DO IT ALL: Even in the worst of conditions, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire is made to grip. The serrated shoulder design and mud-phobic bars improve upon KO2 tire’s legendary mud and snow traction.
- THE BFG GUARANTEE: The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire is backed by a 50,000-mile manufacturer's treadwear limited warranty and a 6-year standard limited warranty
BFGoodrich KO2 vs. KO3 at a glance
| Category | BFGoodrich KO2 | BFGoodrich KO3 |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | Second-generation All-Terrain T/A | Third-generation replacement, launched in 2024 |
| Wear performance | Previous-generation compound and footprint | BFGoodrich claims 15% better wear performance than KO2 |
| Gravel durability | Rugged all-terrain construction | BFGoodrich claims 20% better gravel-road durability than KO2 |
| Snow capability | Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating in applicable U.S. fitments | Same severe-snow rating in applicable U.S. fitments, with claimed improvement in snow traction |
| Sidewall protection | CoreGard technology and split- and bruise-resistant sidewall rubber | Retains CoreGard, with a sidewall design derived from BFGoodrich Baja racing technology |
| U.S. mileage warranty | 50,000-mile limited mileage warranty | 50,000-mile limited mileage warranty |
| Best fit | Existing owners, lower prices, or specialized available fitments | New buyers wanting the latest design and improved mixed-surface performance |
The percentages in the table are BFGoodrich’s published comparative claims, not a guarantee that every vehicle will achieve exactly those results. Tire pressure, alignment, load, rotation practices, climate, road surfaces, speed, and driving style all affect tire performance and service life.
What changed on the KO3?
1. A new compound and optimized footprint
The KO3 uses a new all-terrain tread compound and an updated footprint intended to spread stress more evenly across the tire. That design is meant to encourage more uniform wear, particularly when the tire is used across pavement, gravel, and moderate off-road terrain.
Its full-depth 3-D locking sipes help stabilize the tread blocks as the tire wears. In theory, that allows the tire to preserve more of its tread behavior later in its usable life instead of relying only on the original tread pattern.
BFGoodrich’s 15% wear-performance claim is best treated as a controlled manufacturer comparison under its stated test conditions—not as a promise that a KO3 will last 15% longer on every truck or SUV. A poorly aligned vehicle, underinflated tire, heavy trailer load, or frequent aggressive driving can overwhelm the differences between generations.
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BFGoodrich says the KO3 delivers 20% better gravel-road durability than the KO2. The company attributes that improvement to changes in the compound and construction intended to reduce cutting, chipping, and tearing.
This is the KO3’s most relevant upgrade for drivers who regularly travel on coarse gravel, rocky access roads, forestry roads, or construction sites. It does not mean the tire is puncture-proof. Sharp rocks can still cut tread blocks or sidewalls, and road-hazard damage is generally handled differently from a manufacturing defect under a tire warranty.
3. Improved snow-oriented tread details
The KO3 uses full-depth sipes, snow and mud notches, redesigned shoulder features, and water-displacing voids to help maintain traction in wet, snowy, and off-road conditions. BFGoodrich specifically markets the KO3 as having better snow traction than the KO2.
Both tires carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe-snow rating in applicable U.S. fitments. That rating means the tire meets the relevant severe-snow traction standard; it does not make either tire equivalent to a dedicated winter tire on ice or packed snow. Drivers who regularly face freezing rain, glare ice, or prolonged winter conditions should still consider a true winter tire.
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What stayed the same?
CoreGard sidewall protection
The KO2’s CoreGard technology uses thicker, split- and bruise-resistant sidewall rubber along with an Advanced Deflection Design. BFGoodrich markets the KO2’s sidewalls as 20% tougher than those of its prior product comparison.
The KO3 retains CoreGard and uses a sidewall design derived from BFGoodrich’s Baja racing technology. BFGoodrich says the new tire maintains the KO2’s sidewall toughness and soft-soil traction while improving other areas of performance.
Neither tire is immune to sidewall cuts, punctures, cracking, or impact damage. Avoid treating a rugged sidewall as permission to drive faster over rocks or to use pressures below the vehicle or tire manufacturer’s limits.
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Both tires are designed to split their duties between highway driving and off-road use. That makes them more versatile than a specialized mud-terrain tire, but less optimized for quietness, wet braking, and fuel economy than a highway-terrain tire.
The KO2 has an established reputation for an aggressive tread and rugged construction. Depending on size, vehicle, pressure, and wear, it can produce more road noise and a firmer ride than a highway-oriented tire. The KO3 is intended to improve that compromise through its footprint and interlocking tread elements, not eliminate it. Tire Rack customer summaries report generally positive KO3 impressions for dry traction, ride quality, and noise, but those results can vary substantially between vehicles.
KO2 and KO3 fitment is not automatically interchangeable
Two tires can share a nominal size and still differ in load range, load index, maximum inflation pressure, section width, tread width, overall diameter, weight, and service description. A KO3 is not automatically the correct replacement simply because it carries the same size printed on a KO2’s sidewall.
Before purchasing, check the vehicle’s door-jamb tire placard and owner’s manual. Then compare the complete designation, including:
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- LEGENDARY TOUGHNESS, MADE TOUGHER: The next evolution of all-terrain tires is here. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire raises the bar in toughness and durability. Again.
- ENGINEERED TO ENDURE: We engineered the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire with a new tread pattern and new all-terrain tread compound to provide durability and longevity, even on gravel.
- BUILT TO OVERCOME: Our CoreGard Technology, developed for racing in Baja, gives the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire excellent sidewall toughness. And the Advanced Deflection Design helps prevent sticks and stones from snagging and splitting the sidewall.
- DESIGNED TO DO IT ALL: Even in the worst of conditions, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire is made to grip. The serrated shoulder design and mud-phobic bars improve upon KO2 tires legendary mud and snow traction.
- THE BFG GUARANTEE: The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire is backed by a 50,000-mile manufacturer's treadwear limited warranty and a 6-year standard limited warranty
- tire size, such as the full LT or P-metric designation;
- load range and load index;
- speed rating;
- maximum inflation pressure;
- original-equipment marking, if your vehicle requires one;
- approved wheel-width range;
- clearance at full steering lock and suspension compression; and
- whether the vehicle is used for towing or heavy payloads.
KO3 LT sizes currently include different C, D, and E load ranges, with maximum inflation pressures that can range from 50 to 80 psi depending on the exact size. KO2 sizes also have size-specific specifications. Do not select a tire based only on a label such as “33-inch” or “265 width.”
Oversizing can cause rubbing, steering or suspension interference, altered gearing, speedometer error, and reduced clearance. If you are changing from the factory size, confirm the modification with a qualified tire professional before ordering.
BFGoodrich lists KO3 across a broad range of truck, SUV, Jeep, and CUV fitments, while KO2 remains available in many applications. The exact size and OE-marked fitment mix changes by vehicle, so check Tire Rack fitment or another vehicle-specific catalog rather than assuming that every KO2 size has a direct KO3 replacement.
Warranty: equal mileage number, different question from actual life
In the United States, BFGoodrich lists a 50,000-mile limited mileage warranty for both the KO2 and KO3, along with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee for eligible purchases. The standard limited warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials for the original usable tread or six years from the purchase date, whichever comes first.
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Eligibility, registration, exclusions, purchase-channel requirements, and prorating rules apply. Confirm the current BFGoodrich warranty document before relying on a claim.
A 50,000-mile warranty is not a prediction that either tire will last 50,000 miles. Normal wear, alignment problems, incorrect inflation, overloading, racing, misuse, vehicle mechanical problems, and road hazards may be excluded or treated differently. The mileage figure should not be used by itself to rank KO2 against KO3 for expected service life.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which tire should you buy?
Choose the KO3 if:
- You are buying a new set and the KO3 is offered in the correct size, load range, and service description.
- You regularly drive on gravel or rough roads and value BFGoodrich’s claimed improvement in wear and gravel durability.
- You encounter snow but still want an all-terrain tire rather than a dedicated winter tire.
- You want the newest BFGoodrich all-terrain design and the price premium is acceptable.
After confirming the specifications, you can check KO3 fitment for your truck. Use a vehicle-filtered or exact-size listing, not a generic model page.
Choose the KO2 if:
- Your current KO2s are safe, evenly worn, and still have usable tread. There is no automatic reason to replace a serviceable set simply because the KO3 exists.
- The KO2 is substantially cheaper after installation, taxes, rebates, and availability are considered.
- The KO2 is available in the exact load range, OE marking, or specialized fitment your vehicle requires while the KO3 is not.
- You use your vehicle for moderate off-road driving and your existing KO2 setup already meets your needs.
If you are replacing an existing set, compare current KO2 pricing using the complete sidewall designation. A cheaper tire is not a bargain if it has the wrong load specification.
Consider neither tire if:
- The vehicle is used almost entirely on pavement and low noise, wet braking, and fuel economy matter more than off-road construction.
- You drive in serious mud, deep sand, or rock-crawling conditions where a more specialized tire may work better.
- You need the strongest possible winter-ice performance and should be using a dedicated winter tire.
- The proposed tire does not meet the vehicle’s required load rating or cannot clear the suspension and bodywork.
Installation and ownership checklist
- Verify the specification before ordering. Match size, load index, load range, speed rating, and OE requirements to the placard and owner’s manual.
- Install a complete matching set when possible. Mixing generations or tread patterns can change handling and traction. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s rules for four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive systems.
- Set pressure from the vehicle placard. Do not automatically inflate to the maximum pressure molded into the sidewall; that number is not necessarily the vehicle’s recommended cold pressure.
- Have the assembly balanced and the alignment checked. Uneven wear can quickly erase the benefit of a newer tread design.
- Rotate according to the vehicle and tire manufacturer’s schedule. Adjust the plan if the vehicle is heavily loaded, towing, or showing irregular wear.
- Inspect after rough-road use. Look for cuts, bulges, exposed cords, missing tread blocks, lodged stones, and sidewall damage. A road-hazard injury may require replacement even when tread remains.
- Measure tread rather than guessing. A tire tread-depth gauge can help track wear, but it does not replace a professional inspection for internal or sidewall damage.
- Carry appropriate inflation equipment. A digital tire-pressure gauge and portable 12-volt inflator are useful for checking pressure and airing up after permitted off-road pressure changes. They do not replace the placard’s recommended pressure or a proper repair.
- Use repair tools only as emergency equipment. An emergency tire repair kit may help with a suitable tread puncture, but sidewall damage, large punctures, bead damage, and uncertain cases require professional evaluation. Do not use a plug kit as a substitute for correct internal repair procedures.
Final verdict
The KO3 is an evolution of the KO2, not a completely different type of tire. It keeps the rugged all-terrain mission and CoreGard sidewall protection while adding a new compound, revised footprint, updated siping, and BFGoodrich’s claimed gains in wear, gravel durability, and snow traction.
Buy the KO3 when it fits your vehicle correctly and the improved mixed-surface performance justifies its price. Keep or buy the KO2 when it is safe and effective, materially cheaper, or the better match for a specific size or OE application. In either case, correct fitment, inflation, alignment, loading, and maintenance matter more than the generation number printed on the sidewall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BFGoodrich KO3 better than the KO2?
The KO3 is generally the better choice for a new set when it is available in the correct size, load range, and service description. BFGoodrich claims 15% better wear performance, 20% better gravel-road durability, and improved snow traction compared with the KO2. The KO2 can still be the better value when it costs less or is available in a required fitment that the KO3 lacks.
Is the KO3 better than the KO2 in snow?
Both tires carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe-snow rating in applicable U.S. fitments. The KO3 is marketed as having improved snow traction, but neither tire is a replacement for a dedicated winter tire on ice or in severe winter conditions.
Can I replace my KO2 tires with KO3 tires in the same size?
No. The KO3 is the third-generation replacement, but the correct replacement depends on the complete specification. Check size, load range, load index, speed rating, maximum pressure, OE marking, wheel compatibility, and vehicle clearance before ordering.
Do KO2 and KO3 have the same mileage warranty?
Both models carry a 50,000-mile limited mileage warranty in the United States, subject to the applicable terms and exclusions. That number is not a guarantee of actual tire life; inflation, alignment, loading, road hazards, climate, maintenance, and driving style affect wear.
Should I buy neither the KO2 nor KO3?
Consider a highway-terrain tire if your vehicle is used almost entirely on pavement and quietness, wet braking, and fuel economy are more important than off-road durability. Consider a mud-terrain, specialized sand or rock tire, or dedicated winter tire when your conditions are more extreme than a typical mixed-use all-terrain tire can handle.
The Bottom Line
For a new purchase, choose the KO3 if it is available in your vehicle’s exact approved specification. It is the newer successor, with BFGoodrich-claimed improvements in wear, gravel durability, and snow traction. The KO2 remains a sensible choice when it is cheaper, already working well, or available in a fitment the KO3 does not offer.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
