Firestone Transforce AT2 Review: The All-Terrain Tire That Doesn’t Compromise on Comfort

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The Firestone Transforce AT2 is an all-terrain tire designed for drivers who demand versatile performance on and off the road. This tire combines rugged off-road capabilities with a comfortable on-road ride, making it an excellent choice for pickup trucks, SUVs, and other adventure-ready vehicles.

One of the standout features of the Transforce AT2 is its advanced tread design. The tire’s aggressive tread pattern features deep, interlocking tread blocks and wide grooves, providing exceptional traction on various surfaces, including mud, gravel, and rocky terrain. Additionally, the tire’s reinforced sidewalls enhance puncture resistance, ensuring durability during off-road excursions.

While its off-road prowess is undeniable, the Transforce AT2 also delivers a smooth and quiet ride on paved roads. Firestone’s engineers have incorporated noise-reducing technologies into the tire’s construction, minimizing road noise and enhancing overall comfort during daily commutes or long-distance travels.

With its versatile performance and durable construction, the Firestone Transforce AT2 is an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts, off-road adventurers, and anyone seeking a tire that can handle both on-road and off-road challenges with confidence.

Tire Construction and Design

The Firestone Transforce AT2 is engineered to deliver exceptional performance both on and off the road. Its advanced construction features a high-turn up casing ply to enhance durability and resistance against impacts from off-road hazards. The tire utilizes a twin steel belt reinforcement system that provides strength and stability, while also promoting even treadwear.

The tire’s tread compound is a proprietary silica-enhanced rubber compound that promotes long treadlife and improves traction on wet surfaces. The tread pattern features an aggressive, interlocking tread design with deep, wide grooves that enhance off-road traction and self-cleaning capabilities. The tread blocks are siped for improved grip on loose surfaces and in winter conditions.

The sidewalls of the Transforce AT2 are reinforced with two high-strength steel belts, providing resistance against punctures and cuts from off-road obstacles. The tire’s lower sidewall is designed with a rugged, high-density compound that protects against abrasions and impacts. The upper sidewall features a stylish serrated design that enhances the tire’s aggressive, all-terrain appearance.

On-Road Performance

The Firestone Transforce AT2 delivers impressive on-road performance for an all-terrain tire. On dry pavement, the tire exhibits excellent grip and traction, allowing for confident acceleration and braking. The tread pattern and compound provide reliable dry handling, with precise steering response and minimal wandering, even at highway speeds.

In wet conditions, the Transforce AT2 maintains commendable traction and hydroplaning resistance. The deep, multi-angled grooves and sipes effectively evacuate water from the tread area, ensuring a secure footprint on slick surfaces. Braking distances are reasonable in wet weather, and the tire provides a reassuring sense of control during lane changes and cornering.

The tire’s on-road handling characteristics are noteworthy for an all-terrain design. The Transforce AT2 delivers responsive and predictable steering input, with minimal vagueness or wandering. Cornering grip is surprisingly adept, inspiring confidence during spirited driving or emergency maneuvers. However, it’s essential to remember that this is still an all-terrain tire, and its on-road handling capabilities may not match dedicated highway tires.

Ride comfort is another strong suit of the Firestone Transforce AT2. The tire’s construction and tread design effectively absorb road irregularities, resulting in a smooth and comfortable ride quality, even on rougher surfaces. Road noise is well-controlled, contributing to a pleasant driving experience, especially on longer journeys.

Off-Road Capabilities

The Firestone Transforce AT2 is designed to handle a variety of off-road terrains with confidence. Its aggressive tread pattern and specialized compound provide excellent traction and durability in challenging conditions.

Mud Traction: The tire’s deep, widely spaced tread blocks and open shoulder design allow for impressive mud evacuation, ensuring reliable grip and forward momentum in muddy environments. The tire’s self-cleaning capabilities help prevent mud from packing in the treads, maintaining consistent performance.

Rock Crawling: The Transforce AT2’s reinforced tread compound and robust sidewall construction offer excellent resistance against punctures and cuts when navigating over rocky terrain. The tire’s stiff tread blocks and aggressive shoulder lugs provide reliable traction and stability when crawling over obstacles or traversing uneven surfaces.

Sand Performance: The tire’s unique tread pattern, with its alternating shoulder blocks and siped tread elements, enhances its sand-driving capabilities. The tire can maintain forward momentum and resist excessive sinkage, making it a reliable choice for beach driving or desert adventures.

Durability: Firestone has engineered the Transforce AT2 with a robust construction, featuring a two-ply polyester casing and a two-ply steel belt package. This design ensures exceptional durability and resistance against impacts, cuts, and punctures, prolonging the tire’s lifespan even in demanding off-road conditions.

Treadwear and Durability

The Firestone Transforce AT2 is engineered to deliver impressive treadwear and durability, even under demanding conditions. With its advanced tread compound and rugged construction, this tire is designed to withstand the rigors of off-road adventures while providing a long-lasting performance on the highway.

One of the standout features of the Transforce AT2 is its impressive treadlife. Firestone rates this tire for up to 60,000 miles of treadwear, which is an excellent rating for an all-terrain tire. This longevity translates into a lower cost of ownership and fewer tire replacements over the life of your vehicle.

To further bolster confidence, the Transforce AT2 is backed by Firestone’s impressive warranty coverage. The tire comes with a 6-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, as well as a one-year buy-back protection period. This level of coverage demonstrates Firestone’s commitment to quality and their confidence in the durability of this tire.

Notably, the Transforce AT2’s tread pattern and construction contribute significantly to its resistance against chips and cuts. The tire’s robust shoulder lugs and reinforced sidewalls provide excellent protection against off-road hazards, such as rocks, branches, and other debris. This resilience ensures that the tire can withstand the toughest terrains without compromising its structural integrity or air retention.

Furthermore, the Transforce AT2’s advanced tread compound is formulated to resist tearing, chipping, and excessive wear, even under heavy loads or challenging driving conditions. This durable compound contributes to the tire’s overall longevity and helps maintain its off-road capabilities throughout its lifespan.

Noise and Comfort Levels

The Firestone Transforce AT2 strikes an impressive balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort. While most aggressive all-terrain tires tend to generate significant road noise and vibration, the Transforce AT2 delivers a surprisingly smooth and quiet ride.

On paved surfaces, the tire’s tread pattern and advanced noise-canceling technology work together to minimize cabin noise. Even at highway speeds, the interior remains pleasantly hushed, allowing for easy conversations and enjoyment of music or podcasts without excessive tire roar.

The tire’s well-engineered carcass and internal structure also contribute to a smooth ride quality. It effectively absorbs minor road imperfections, providing a comfortable driving experience on both city streets and open highways. The ride remains composed and controlled, without the jarring impacts often associated with more rugged all-terrain tires.

Transitioning to unpaved surfaces, the Transforce AT2 maintains its impressive comfort levels. Its flexible carcass and high-void tread design help mitigate vibrations and harshness, even when traversing gravel roads or moderately rough terrain. While some choppiness is inevitable on extremely rugged trails, the tire’s overall ride quality remains remarkably civilized for an all-terrain tire.

Additionally, the Transforce AT2’s robust construction and reinforced sidewalls help protect against potential discomfort from impacts or punctures when venturing off the beaten path. This added peace of mind further enhances the overall driving experience, whether on or off the road.

Sizing Options and Fitments

The Firestone Transforce AT2 is available in a wide range of sizes to fit various vehicles and applications. From compact SUVs and crossovers to full-size pickups and heavy-duty trucks, this all-terrain tire has a size to meet your needs.

For light trucks and SUVs, the Transforce AT2 is available in popular sizes like 235/75R15, 265/70R17, and 275/65R18. These sizes are suitable for vehicles such as the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Toyota 4Runner.

If you drive a full-size pickup or heavy-duty truck, you’ll find sizes like 275/65R18, 285/70R17, and 325/60R20 to accommodate vehicles like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado.

For those who need a more aggressive off-road setup, the Transforce AT2 also comes in larger sizes like 35×12.50R17 and 37×12.50R20, perfect for lifted trucks and off-road enthusiasts.

Firestone recommends the Transforce AT2 for a variety of applications, including daily driving, towing, hauling, and off-road adventures. Its versatile design makes it a great choice for those who need a tire that can handle both on-road and off-road conditions with confidence.

Value and Pricing

The Firestone Transforce AT2 offers excellent value for an all-terrain tire in its category. While not the most budget-friendly option on the market, it strikes a nice balance between cost and performance. Typically, you can expect to pay between $150 to $300 per tire, depending on the size and your location.

Compared to some of its premium competitors like the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 or the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac, the Transforce AT2 is more affordable while still delivering reliable all-terrain capabilities. It may not quite match the extreme off-road prowess of those tires, but it provides a compelling price-to-performance ratio for those who split their driving between on-road and moderate off-road conditions.

For the level of traction, durability, and versatility you get, the Transforce AT2 represents a solid value proposition. It’s a tire that won’t break the bank yet still offers the ruggedness and versatility that all-terrain enthusiasts seek. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an adventurer on a budget, the Firestone Transforce AT2 is worth considering for its well-rounded performance and reasonable pricing.

Professional Reviews and Ratings

The Firestone Transforce AT2 has received positive reviews from various automotive experts, publications, and consumer rating platforms. Many commend its well-rounded performance as an all-terrain tire, striking a good balance between on-road comfort and off-road traction.

Tire Rack, a leading online tire retailer, gives the Transforce AT2 a rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on over 100 customer reviews. Buyers praise its impressive treadwear, smooth ride quality, and capable off-road performance in mud and light trail conditions.

In their professional review, the experts at Tire Meets Road highlight the tire’s advanced tread design, which features deep grooves and biting edges for enhanced traction on loose surfaces. They also note its reinforced internal construction, contributing to its durability and resistance to punctures.

Consumer Reports, known for its rigorous testing, rates the Firestone Transforce AT2 as one of the top performers in the all-terrain category. Their evaluation commends the tire’s excellent hydroplaning resistance and responsive handling, making it a safe choice for various driving conditions.

While some reviewers mention slightly elevated noise levels compared to highway-terrain tires, the overall consensus is that the Transforce AT2 offers a compelling package for drivers seeking a capable all-terrain tire without compromising too much on-road comfort or treadwear.

Pros and Cons Summary

The Firestone Transforce AT2 offers a well-rounded performance for drivers seeking a capable all-terrain tire. On the pros side, it delivers:

Pros:

• Excellent traction and handling on various terrains, from pavement to mud and light trails
• Aggressive tread design with deep grooves for reliable off-road traction
• Reinforced construction for enhanced durability and resistance to punctures
• Stable and predictable handling, even at higher speeds on the highway
• Relatively quiet and comfortable ride for an all-terrain tire

Cons:

• Tread life may be shorter compared to some premium all-terrain tires
• Wet traction and hydroplaning resistance could be improved
• Limited size options, particularly for larger truck and SUV fitments
• Higher price point than some budget-friendly all-terrain alternatives

While the Transforce AT2 excels in versatility and off-road capabilities, it may fall slightly behind in certain areas like tread life and wet performance. However, its overall balanced performance makes it a compelling choice for drivers seeking a dependable all-terrain tire.

Comparison to Other All-Terrain Tires

The Firestone Transforce AT2 holds its own against some of the top all-terrain tires on the market. When compared to the popular BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, the Transforce AT2 offers similar off-road traction and performance, but with a slightly more comfortable on-road ride and lower noise levels. The Transforce AT2 also tends to be more affordable than the KO2, making it a cost-effective alternative.

Compared to the Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner AT, the Transforce AT2 provides better treadwear and durability, thanks to its more robust construction and advanced tread compound. However, the Trailrunner AT may have a slight edge in terms of off-road grip on extremely rugged terrain.

When stacked against the Falken Wildpeak AT3W, the Transforce AT2 offers a smoother and quieter on-road experience, while still delivering capable off-road performance. The Wildpeak AT3W is known for its exceptional traction in mud and snow, but it can be slightly noisier on the highway.

Overall, the Firestone Transforce AT2 strikes a well-balanced compromise between on-road comfort, off-road capability, and affordability, making it a compelling choice among all-terrain tires from top brands. While it may not excel in any one area, its versatility and value proposition make it a strong contender for those seeking a reliable all-around tire.

Who Should Consider this Tire?

The Firestone Transforce AT2 is an excellent choice for drivers seeking a versatile all-terrain tire that can handle a wide range of driving conditions. This tire is ideal for pickup trucks, SUVs, and other light trucks used for both on-road commuting and off-road adventures.

If you frequently travel on unpaved roads, dirt trails, or engage in light off-roading activities, the Transforce AT2 is an excellent option. Its aggressive tread pattern and sturdy construction provide reliable traction and performance on loose surfaces, mud, and rocky terrain.

Additionally, the Transforce AT2 is well-suited for those who live in areas with varying weather conditions. Its all-season capabilities ensure reliable performance in dry, wet, and light snow conditions, making it a practical choice for year-round use.

Drivers who prioritize a comfortable and quiet ride will also appreciate the Transforce AT2. Despite its off-road capabilities, this tire delivers a smooth and refined on-road experience, minimizing noise and vibrations.

Overall, the Firestone Transforce AT2 is an excellent choice for adventurous drivers who demand versatility, durability, and reliable performance in both on-road and off-road environments.

Final Verdict and Rating

The Firestone Transforce AT2 is an impressive all-terrain tire that delivers a well-rounded performance for both on-road and off-road driving. With its aggressive tread design and reinforced construction, it excels in providing excellent traction on mud, dirt, and rocky terrains, while still maintaining a comfortable and relatively quiet ride on paved surfaces.

Overall, the Transforce AT2 strikes a great balance between off-road capability and on-road manners, making it a versatile choice for truck and SUV owners who frequently encounter varying driving conditions. Its durability and treadwear resistance also contribute to its value proposition, ensuring a longer lifespan and reduced replacement costs over time.

Based on its performance, features, and value, we give the Firestone Transforce AT2 an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s an excellent all-terrain tire that we highly recommend for those seeking a reliable and capable option for their adventure-ready vehicles.