Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 vs Toyo Open Country Q/T tires

The fifth-largest manufacturer, Pirelli is based in Milan, Italy, and is among one of the oldest tire manufacturers in the world. The tire brand is known for its premium range of tires designed for use on passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, and commercial vehicles. On the other hand, Toyo was founded in 1945 in Tokyo, Japan, and offers many innovative and high-quality tires that are used on passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, and ATVs/UTVs.

Their Scorpion All Season Plus 3 and Open Country Q/T tires hold a high reputation and are tried and tested all-season tires by a large number of drivers in America. While the Scorpion AS Plus 3 is suitable for use on CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks, the Open Country Q/T is great for use on CUVs and luxury SUVs. The common thing between the two tires is that they both are suitable for year-round use in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions.

Undoubtedly, these tires are great on the performance part, but if you had to choose one of the two, which one should you consider, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 or the Open Country Q/T?

To answer this, we have utilized our advanced tire rating system, SimpleScore, and compared the traction, handling, and longevity scores of these tires in this Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 vs Toyo Open Country Q/T tires comparison.

Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 tires

Launched in May 2021, the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 all-season touring tire sports an advanced asymmetrical tread pattern and is engineered long-lasting use with excellent comfort. It can be mounted on CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks and provides outstanding year-round traction and performance in dry, wet, and light winter weather. Pirelli’s advanced engineering has also optimized the tire to provide high-end handling and ride control. Its 3D siping technology ensures improved handling performance and road grip in dry, wet, and light snow conditions. Pirelli has also covered the tire with an impressive tread life warranty.

With an overall SimpleScore of 9.6, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 assures a long-lasting service, superior traction performance, and outstanding handling response.

Toyo Open Country Q/T tires

Made for use on CUVs and SUVs, the Toyo Open Country Q/T is an all-season touring tire launched in September 2016. The tire sports an asymmetrical tread design and assures solid year-round performance in dry, wet, and light winter conditions, like its counterpart. Toyo has optimized the Open Country Q/T to offer an impressive tread life, quieter and comfortable rides, and confident handling and stability. Additionally, the tire sports an attractive design and is also backed by an attractive tread life warranty.

Overall, the Open Country Q/T boasts an admirable SimpleScore of 8.6, thanks to its extended tread life, responsive handling, and enhanced traction performance.

Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 vs Toyo Open Country Q/T tires on traction

For an all-season tire, its traction performance in dry, wet, and light wintry conditions must be good enough to offer a greater sense of surefootedness while driving.

Starting with the analysis of traction of the Scorpion AS Plus 3, the tire scores an excellent 9.7 out of 10 SimpleScore rating. Pirelli has incorporated the 3D sipe technology and multiple tread grooves for increased grip and traction to deliver a high-end driving experience. The tread of the tire sports full-depth sipes for increased traction throughout the tread life. There are also four wide grooves to force water out from the contact patch and prevent hydroplaning.

On the other hand, the Open Country Q/T though doesn’t as high as the Scorpion tire but maintains a decent 8.4 out of 10 SimpleScore rating in traction. Its tread also features four wide circumferential grooves for better water evacuation to boost traction. Then there are multi-wave sipes that increase light snow traction. The open lateral slits improve water drainage for better wet performance and the all-season tread compound ensures consistent contact with the surface to increase grip year-round.

When it comes to year-round traction performance, the Scorpion All Season Plus 3 has a noteworthy edge over the Open Country Q/T.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3

Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 vs Toyo Open Country Q/T tires on handling

Like traction, handling is also equally important in the case of all-season tires as it relates to steering response, cornering performance, lane-changing, high-speed stability, and acceleration. We found that there was a slight gap in the handling scores of these tires.

With a 9.4 SimpleScore in handling, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 assures outstanding controllability in varied weather conditions. It features patented 3D technology and an advanced tread pattern that boosts handling performance in dry and wet conditions. Likewise, its full-depth tread sipes also contribute to a consistent handling performance throughout the life of the tire. While the wider and flat profile ensures remarkable steering response and straight-line stability, the sipes and all-season compound offer in-time braking. Additionally, the shoulder blocks of the Scorpion AS Plus 3 are also optimized for enhanced handling performance.

Contrarily, the Open Country Q/T trails with slightly lesser but a great 8.7 SimpleScore in the handling area. While the multi-wave sipes take care of improved braking performance on wet and dry roads, the outer area of the asymmetric tread design enhances cornering, acceleration, and braking. The all-season compound of the tire also contributes to scaling the handling and braking efficiency of the tire.

While the handling of the Open Country Q/T is admirable, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 is way better with a higher SimpleScore rating.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3

Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 vs Toyo Open Country Q/T tires on longevity

A tire that wears quickly isn’t a great choice and therefore, we have unlocked which out of the Scorpion AS Plus 3 and the Open Country Q/T should be considered for a longer service.

Commencing with the Scorpion AS Plus 3, the tire scored a whopping 9.8 SimpleScore in longevity, registering its strength as a long-lasting tire. Its advanced rubber compound with solid durability and robust inner construction helps reduce the wear rate and tire deformation. Likewise, the asymmetrical tread design of this tire is tuned to avoid the chances of irregular wear and distribute the driving pressures across the profile. Pirelli offers the Scorpion AS Plus 3 with an exceptional 70,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which indicates that the tire is constructed and optimized for longer use.

Conversely, the Open Country Q/T achieves an 8.9 SimpleScore in longevity. The score isn’t as great as the peer but is good enough to prove that Toyo has engineered the tire well enough to serve for a longer period. The asymmetric tread pattern of this tire enables cross rotation to prevent irregular wear and the robust inner construction keeps the tire in shape for an even wear. A limited manufacturer tread life warranty of 65,000 miles signifies that the tire can last for a good number of miles.

When both tires are compared for longevity, it is the Scorpion AS Plus 3 that scores better than the Open Country Q/T and assures of longer use while driving in varied weather conditions.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3

When to use each

Both, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 and the Open Country Q/T fall in the touring all-season tire category and are suitable for driving in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions. It is to be noted that none of these tires is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and should not be considered for use in moderate to severe winter weather conditions, in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, both tires are designed and made for on-road driving and should not be preferred for driving in rough road conditions.

While the Scorpion AS Plus 3 is available in 17- to 22-inch rim size choices, the Open Country Q/T is offered in 16- to 22-inch rim sizes.

Which one should you choose?

When we analyzed the overall SimpleScore of both tires, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 scored higher and was ahead of the Open Country Q/T with an overall score of 9.6 versus 8.6. However, it must be learned that these tires differ in certain areas and have their strengths, which must be taken into consideration before purchasing either of these tires.

When it comes to pricing, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 is available at a starting price of at least $182.26 per tire, while the Open Country Q/T comes at a starting price of at least $136.21 per tire. That means a set of four Scorpion tires will cost you at least $729.04, while a set of four Open Country Q/T tires will cost you at least $544.84.

Looking at SimpleScore, you must prefer the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 if you:

• Drive full-size SUV like the Dodge Durango, a CUV like the Honda CR-V, a mid-size 3-row SUV like the Chevrolet Traverse, or a light truck like the Ford F-150
• Need a tire that offers better traction (9.7 vs 8.4 in traction)
• Need a tire that offers better handling performance (9.4 vs 8.7 in handling)
• Need a tire that has a long-lasting tread life (9.8 vs 8.9 in longevity)
• Want a tire that offers better tread life warranty coverage
• Are comfortable paying extra to get a better tire

On the other hand, you must consider the Open Country Q/T if you:

• Drive a mid-size luxury SUV like the Volvo XC90, a mid-size SUV like the Acura MDX, or a compact SUV like the GMC Terrain
• Want a value-for-money tire that assures great performance at a lesser price
• Need a tire that is backed by a good tread life warranty
• Need a tire that offers reasonably good traction, handling, and long-lasting service

The Scorpion AS Plus 3 vs Open Country Q/T tires comparison justifies their head-to-head stance in areas like traction, handling, and longevity, however, your tire buying decision should also be based on factors like what vehicle you drive, how and where you drive, your budget for tires, and how important are traction, handling, longevity, and warranty while buying tires.

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.