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Sumitomo Tires manufactures a comprehensive range of car tires in the United States and around the world.
The Sumitomo Encounter AT is an all-terrain tire for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks, and sets a new benchmark for all-season driving comfort and all-terrain toughness. Along with on- and off-road performance, the Encounter AT gives customers a 60,000 mile limited tread life warranty.
But is the Sumitomo Encounter AT the right all-terrain tire for your car? To find out, let's take a look at a Simple Tire review of the Sumitomo Encounter AT.
If you frequently travel on paved, gravel, or dirt roads, all-terrain tires may be the best option. All-terrain tires are a cross between highway tires and mud tires. This indicates that these tires are suitable for everyday driving, most weather situations, and some dirt or mud. Is Sumitomo Encounter AT a perfect all-terrain tire? Let’s learn their features and benefits.
Enhanced all-terrain traction: The Encounter AT has an all-terrain tread that offers traction on paved roads and on dirt, gravel, and rock. Additionally, it features 3D wave sipes which expand to boost traction in snow, mud, and other terrains.
Better all-season drivability: The tire has deep circumferential grooves to improve wet traction. In addition, it is also Three Peak Mountain snowflake certified and M+ S rated which means it has great winter traction and all-season drivability.
Reduced risk of hydroplaning: Deep circumferential grooves remove water from the tread to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
Optimized handling: A non-directional, five-rib tread pattern to boost stability, handling, and steering response.
Self-cleaning ability: To ensure consistent traction and prevent damage to the casing, the tire's shoulder lugs are designed with varied widths to push debris like mud, rocks, sand and other materials out of the tire.
Smooth ride: Tires’ optimized tread pattern reduces road noise and vibrations to offer a quiet and comfortable ride.
Have you found your all-terrain tire? Weigh the pros and cons of these tires before choosing.
Despite these pros and cons, the Encounter AT tire could be improved in a few areas, such as:
The Sumitomo Encounter AT is a medium-duty all-terrain tire that’s designed primarily for smooth, quiet, and four-season driveability. Pickup trucks, SUVs and CUVs can all use this tire. People adore this tire because of its low cost.
When comparing the Sumitomo Encounter AT tires to the Kenda Klever R/T KR 601 and Mastercraft Courser Trail HD, the Sumitomo Encounter AT tires provide superior tread life, traction, and handling. Because of their similar handling and traction, the Kenda Klever R/T KR 601 and Mastercraft Courser Trail HD have the same Simple score.
While the Courser Trail HD outperforms in terms of tread life, the Sumitomo Encounter AT tires outperform the Mastercraft Courser Trail HD in terms of handling and traction. The Kenda Klever is more expensive than the Sumitomo Encounter AT, while the Mastercraft Courser Trail HD is less expensive.
Overall, the Sumitomo Encounter AT is a good all-terrain tire with great handling, good traction and tread life.
Although Sumitomo Encounter AT is not used as any original equipment it can be used as a replacement tire for vehicles like:
overall rating
Would you buy again?
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4.9
4.6
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4
I posted an initial review in 2018, shortly after I put these on my 2014 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4x4. Now, 48,185 miles later (60,000 mi. warranty), both rear tires have evidence of broken/damaged belts. Wear marks showing on all four.These tires do not perform well in the mud/off-road as they don't "clean" themselves well. I will not be buying this model tire again.
Tires are excellent on my Silverado crew cab 4wd. Went up one size in tire. Now rides much better. Great traction in mud.
WORST TIRES I HAVE EVER BOUGHT! CAN NOT KEEP THEM BALANCED. Went back to my worn out Toyo's to get rid of the vibration.
Although I've only had these tires on my Honda Ridgeline AWD for less than a month, so far very happy. They replaced my 11+ year old OEM Michelin Defender LTX M&S tires which served me well. So handling and ride have obviously improved. They do have a slight road noise, but for an AT tire, I expected this and it is not problematic. The customer service at Simple Tire is outstanding to deal with, especially Ashley, with whom I worked. Ordered another brand, but wanted black walls. Those came in white lettered and Simple Tire took care of the exchange for another tire of my choice. Installed by Southern Tire Mart, who is affiiliated with Simple Tire. Sumitomo is not your everyday brand name (yet), but research their web-site. They are a Japanese tire company in business since 1909. They make Falken tires and Goodyear tires for sale in Japan. They have probably the best warranty out there: 65,000 miles down to 2/32 tread and up to 6 years from date of manufacture (or 5 years date of purchase) whichever is longer. They also have a 1 year limited road hazard free repair or replacement warranty and a 30 day free test ride. So what is not to like? One satisfied customer....David
These tires are Amazing they were affordable, Arrived Quickly, And superior In quality!! Thanks Simple tire, My new Dependable and Professional Tire Distributor!!
I live down a dirt road in NW Florida. With all the rain we've had, it's been a good trial for these tires. The county dumps more dirt on the roads after these heavy rains and when wet, it is a mess. These tires don't perform as well in this mix of mud as I would like, and probably due to tires not "cleaning themselves" considering this type mud. On the farm, on mildly wet dirt, and on pavement these tires work fine. A little road noise, but that's normal considering the more aggressive tread. Overall I like them. Big improvement over the OEM Firestones.
I can't comment really on tread life yet and I live in Florida so winter traction is not applicable. These tires are the roundest, smoothest tires I've put on both of my trucks. Both the A/T and H/T versions have performed awesome so far.
These tires ride great and are quiet. The price is awesome.
