For most drivers of light trucks and SUVs that spend most of their time on hard pavement, all-season tires like the Waterfall Eco Dynamic make the most sense all the way around. They’re a versatile solution that delivers solid, reliable traction in wet, dry, or light wintry weather along with low noise, handling that’s predictable and direct, compliant ride quality and long, even wear. Of course, there are all-season light truck tires at every price point imaginable, and in most cases, price and quality are directly correlated with each other, but sometimes you run across an all-season tire that’s affordable but can far exceed expectations in performance and value. That’s what you get with the Waterfall LT-200. This is a tire that’s designed around premium-level materials and performance at a surprising price and is a great choice as a replacement tire for a wide variety of light trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.

So what is it about the tire that makes it a standout among affordable all-season tires? Let’s go in for a closer look at this Waterfall LT-200:

Features and Benefits

Here are just a few of the pluses to look for with the Waterfall LT-200:

• Block Stabilization Technology enhances cornering performance and braking by tying tread blocks together for added rigidity
• Resists hydroplaning on wet pavement with four wide circumferential grooves and angled/lateral grooves to evacuate water from the tire’s contact patch
• Smart Tire Technology boosts fuel economy and cuts emissions with lower rolling resistance
• The casing and belt package was redesigned to cut overall tire weight by 5%
• Stepped shoulder design enhances steering response and handling in wet or dry conditions
• Advanced tread formulation is engineered for long, even wear properties and confident traction in wet conditions
• A dense network of sipes adds hundreds of extra biting edges to multiply surface area and traction on wet or snowy roads
• The tread pitch is computer tuned to keep road noise low by canceling certain frequencies and resonances
• Backed by a 45,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty
• Solid center rib boosts straight-line stability and road manners as well as steering response

Pros and Cons

So, is this Waterfall tire the right choice for your ride and budget? Before you decide, let’s take a look at the tire’s pros and cons:

PROS:

• Low noise and refined ride quality
• Handling is secure and neutral
• Excellent grip on wet or dry pavement
• Generous warranty coverage

CONS:

• Poor traction in heavier snow
• Not good in mud or off-road driving
• Some drivers report more noise on certain pavement surfaces

SimpleTire’s view on Waterfall LT-200 tires

As tire technology evolves, we’re seeing more and more affordable all-season tires that are loaded with advanced features, materials, and designs that you used to only see on much higher-priced tires, and the Waterfall LT-200 is a perfect case in point. The Waterfall LT-200 is packed with materials and design elements that at one time you’d only expect to see on far more expensive premium tires, and performance to match.

Things like lighter weight and lower rolling resistance, stepped shoulders, and silica-enhanced tread formulation used to be exclusive to those premium tires, but the LT-200 from Waterfall comes in at a far lower price than you might think. Ride quality is refined and forgiving, as well as being quiet and suppressing road noise on most pavement surfaces. Road manners are pretty civilized too – the Waterfall Eco Dynamic doesn’t get jittery and squirrelly over irregular pavement. Braking performance is positive with a secure, safe feel and short braking distances and handling is responsive, if maybe not up to the standards of a performance tire. A 45,000 mile warranty is rather remarkable for a tire at this price point, too (considering how many less-expensive tires don’t have a mileage warranty at all). According to our SimpleScore system, the numerical values for this tire’s performance break down as 7.6 for traction, 8.0 for handling, and 7.5 for longevity, with a composite SimpleScore of 7.7.

All in all, we think that the Waterfall Eco Dynamic presents exceptional value in an all-season tire for light trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. It’s a great replacement tire for older vehicles where you need quality tires, but don’t feel like emptying your checking account to do it.

Vehicles the Waterfall LT-200 is a replacement tire for

• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Dodge Durango
• Ford Freestyle
• GMC Acadia
• Honda Ridgeline
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Jeep Compass
• Kia Rio
• Mazda CX-90
• Nissan Murano
• RAM 2500
• Toyota Tundra
• Volkswagen Tiguan