Quick answer: BFGoodrich and Cooper are the two great American all-terrain names, and the fight comes down to the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 versus the Cooper Discoverer AT3. The KO3 is the tougher off-road benchmark; the Discoverer AT3 is the more road-friendly, keenly priced all-rounder. Both need the right LT construction and load rating for your 4WD.

How do BFGoodrich and Cooper compare?

Both brands are American icons of the all-terrain (A/T) world, and — interestingly — both are now part of larger groups. BFGoodrich has been part of the Michelin group since 1990, while Cooper became part of the Goodyear group in June 2021. Neither is made in Australia; both are imported. The centrepiece of any comparison is their flagship all-terrains, so that’s where we’ll focus.

	BFGoodrich	Cooper
Founded	1870 (Akron, Ohio)	1914 (Findlay, Ohio)
Now part of	Michelin group (since 1990)	Goodyear group (since June 2021)
Flagship A/T	All-Terrain T/A KO3	Discoverer AT3 (4S / LT / XLT)
Tougher options	Mud-Terrain T/A KM3	Discoverer S/T MAXX, STT Pro (M/T)
Signature build	Multi-ply LT sidewall	Armor-Tek3 three-ply construction (S/T MAXX)
Made in Australia?	No (imported)	No (imported)

For the standalone brand reviews, see whether BFGoodrich tyres are any good in Australia and whether Cooper tyres are any good in Australia.

KO3 vs Discoverer AT3: which is the better all-terrain?

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 arrived in 2024 as the successor to the legendary KO2, and it carries that reputation for serious off-road toughness — strong sidewalls, excellent traction on rock and dirt, and durable tread life. Australian reviews rate it very highly for off-road ability, with the usual all-terrain caveats around wet grip when new and some road noise. It’s the tyre for owners who genuinely head off the bitumen and want maximum sidewall protection.

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 (sold in 4S, LT and XLT variants) takes a slightly more road-biased approach. It’s quieter and more comfortable on the highway, offers strong value, and the AT3 LT has carried a substantial mileage warranty overseas — confirm the exact Australian terms before you rely on it. If most of your driving is sealed with regular gravel and touring, the Discoverer AT3 is easy to live with. For the pure head-to-head, see our dedicated KO3 vs Toyo Open Country A/T III shootout for another benchmark.

Which lasts longer and handles the outback better?

For genuinely harsh work — sharp rock, corrugations, remote touring — the KO3’s multi-ply LT construction and Cooper’s three-ply Armor-Tek3 S/T MAXX are the tyres built to survive. Both brands’ toughest options are designed to resist staking and sidewall damage where it counts. The key rule for either brand is construction and load rating: choose an LT (light-truck) tyre with a load index that clears your fully loaded weight, not just the placard minimum. Underspecifying the load rating is a common and dangerous mistake. Our guides to the best tyres for outback corrugations and LT vs P-metric tyres go deeper.

Which is better on the road?

Cooper’s Discoverer AT3 is generally the quieter, more comfortable highway tyre of the two flagships, which suits owners doing mostly sealed kilometres. The KO3 is more focused on off-road performance, and like most aggressive all-terrains it trades some road refinement for that capability. If quietness on the daily commute is your priority, the Cooper leans your way; if you want the toughest tyre for remote travel, the BFGoodrich does. Neither should tempt you to drop the load rating — see best towing tyres for a dual-cab ute if you tow.

Who’s cheaper?

Cooper typically offers the keener price for a comparable all-terrain, which is a big part of its appeal. BFGoodrich’s KO3 usually sits at a premium, reflecting its off-road benchmark status. As always, judge the two on cost per kilometre rather than the sticker, and get the fitted, out-the-door quote including fitting, balancing and the disposal levy.

Which should you buy?

Buy the BFGoodrich KO3 if you genuinely go off-road, tour remote tracks, and want the toughest sidewall and best dirt traction. Buy the Cooper Discoverer AT3 if you want a quieter, more comfortable, better-value all-terrain for a 4WD or ute that lives mostly on sealed roads with regular gravel. Both are excellent — the right pick is about how far off the bitumen you really go.

Bottom line: The KO3 is the off-road benchmark; the Discoverer AT3 is the value all-rounder. Match the tyre to your terrain, and never drop the load rating to save money.

What about the mud-terrain and rugged options?

If your driving is genuinely aggressive — deep mud, clay, serious rock — the flagship all-terrains give way to each brand’s mud-terrain (M/T). BFGoodrich offers the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3, while Cooper counters with the Discoverer S/T MAXX (a rugged hybrid on the three-ply Armor-Tek3 carcass) and the STT Pro mud-terrain. These deliver maximum traction and sidewall toughness, but they come with real trade-offs: more road noise, reduced wet grip on sealed roads, and shorter highway tread life. Most Australian owners are better served by a good all-terrain; only step up to a mud-terrain if your terrain genuinely demands it.

Frequently asked questions

Is BFGoodrich owned by Michelin?

Yes. BFGoodrich has been part of the Michelin group since Michelin acquired the Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company in 1990.

Is Cooper owned by Goodyear?

Yes. Goodyear completed its acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in June 2021. Cooper keeps its own Discoverer identity within the Goodyear group.

Is the KO3 better than the KO2?

The KO3 is the 2024 successor to the KO2, updated for improved wet and treadwear performance while keeping the KO2’s off-road toughness. It replaces the KO2 in the range.

Which is quieter, BFGoodrich or Cooper?

Between the flagship all-terrains, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 is generally the quieter, more road-focused tyre. All aggressive all-terrains are louder than highway-terrain tyres.

Prices, warranty terms and specifications are a 2026 guide only and change frequently — confirm current details with your retailer.