Utilizing an expertise of more than 45 years in tire manufacturing, Maxxis Tires offers a wide range of high-quality tires used on passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, caravans, ATVs/UTVs, karts, trailers, industrial equipment, and lawn & garden applications.

The Maxxis MU02 Zilla, Rear is an ATV/UTV type of tire designed for use on the rear axles of UTVs and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles. The tire is engineered for better acceleration, improved traction, responsive braking, high-speed performance, smooth rides, and solid durability. Being one of the top ten tire manufacturers in the world, Maxxis utilizes advanced technologies and innovative features to boost the tire’s abilities. Read this Maxxis MU02 Zilla, Rear review and find out what features the tire has, if it is a great buy for your UTV or SxS, and also check out our verdict based on SimpleScore.

Features and Benefits

ATV/UTV tires are optimized for off-road performance in conditions like dirt, sand, gravel, and mud, alongside providing required traction on different trail surfaces. Additionally, these types of tires are tough enough for any terrain and come with a high-flotation design that protects them from sinking. Now, let’s take a look at the features of the MU02 Zilla, Rear and find out how it benefits on the performance front.

• Quicker acceleration – The tire features a lightweight design and construction that provides quicker acceleration when you are required to sail through various terrains instantly.
• Better traction performance – The tread design of this tire is also unique and features multiple curvy tread blocks that bond the tire with the terrain. Additionally, the tread also features various siping cuts between these tread blocks that provide extra hold required to conquer trails. In various challenging conditions, including mud, the tire offers impressive traction performance.
• Great braking efficiency – For better ride control, it is not just the acceleration or traction performance that plays an important but also the braking efficiency as it provides greater confidence to the driver to stop or slow down the vehicle whenever required on instant command. Therefore, the manufacturer has also optimized the tread of the MU02 Zilla, Rear to help the drivers bring the vehicle to a halt in no time.
• Smooth rides – The continuous center tread of the MU02 Zilla, Rear provides smooth rides on trails, reducing the rolling resistance and optimizing the overall driving performance.
• High-speed performance and stability – The wider footprint of this tire and grippy edges ensure that the tire offers stable rides. Moreover, the design and tread compound area is also optimized to deliver high-speed performance to accomplish trail challenges right in time!
• Solid durability – Although the construction of this UTV tire is lightweight Maxxis has ensured that the durability standards aren’t compromised, and therefore, a reinforced 6-ply rating provides the much-required strength for the tire to withstand pressures and impacts in challenging conditions.
• Maximum self-cleaning – Maintaining surefootedness is very essential when you have to cruise through various terrains or chase the trails. To ensure that the tire doesn’t lose control and maintains contact with the surface, Maxxis has offered a unique self-cleaning tread design that doesn’t let mud, dirt, sand, or any other debris stuck in the contact patch area.

Some of the popular tire sizes of the MU02 Zilla, Rear include:

• 25x8.00-12
• AT27x11-12
• AT28x11-14

Pros and Cons

The Maxxis MU02 Zilla, Rear does have many impressive features but to help you make a well-informed decision, analyzing the pros and cons of this tire is also very important. So, let’s know the positives and negatives of this tire.

PROS:

• Specially optimized for use on the rear wheels of UTVs and SxS vehicles.
• Offers excellent traction performance in varied terrains.
• More durable than its competitors in the ATV/UTV tire category.
• Has a longer tread life than many other similar tires.
• Better acceleration and braking efficiency than the rivals.
• Optimized for smooth and stable rides at high speeds.
• Comes with a self-cleaning tread for enhanced grip and traction.

CONS:

• Doesn’t come with any limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
• Very limited sizes are available, which limits compatibility.
• Slightly more expensive than its peers.
• Not suitable for use in extreme winter weather conditions as it’s not a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified tire.

SimpleTire’s view on Maxxis MU02 Zilla, Rear tires

The Maxxis MU02 Zilla, Rear is a great rear axle choice for those UTV and SxS vehicle owners who are willing to pay a slightly higher price to own better quality. The tire offers excellent traction performance in various challenging terrains and scores an outstanding 9.0 out of 10 SimpleScore rating in the traction area. When it comes to durability too, it scores a 9.0 SimpleScore and assures the buyers that the tire can withstand the impacts and driving pressures. Similarly, the MU02 Zilla, Rear is also optimized for longer tread life and the score in this area is equal at 9.0.

Maxxis hasn’t left any stone unturned to make the tire a great choice on the acceleration and braking fronts and some elements also facilitate smooth and stable rides even at high speeds. The tread profile promotes self-cleaning to offer consistent grip and traction. However, the tire is not suitable for use in extreme winter conditions on thick snow or ice as it is not Three Peak Mountain Snowflake-certified. Like most ATV/UTV tires, this one also doesn’t come with a limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which could be a little disappointing for some buyers.

Since the tire is offered in very limited sizes, it might restrict the compatibility with many other UTVs or SxS vehicles on the market, therefore, if you’re considering the MU02 Zilla, Rear for purchase, do match your vehicle’s rear tire size with the available sizes.

The MU02 Zilla, Rear competes against the following tires in the country:

• Kenda Bearclaw HTR
• Carlstar AT489 XD
• Greenball Dirt Commander
• Deestone D930
• Kanati Mongrel
• Interco Swamp Lite
• Power King Terrarok A/T
• Vee Rubber Grizzly
• Duro DI2037

Vehicles the Maxxis MU02 Zilla, Rear is a good replacement tire for

The Maxxis MU02 Zilla, Rear is a great choice for use on UTVs and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles.