Goodyear Wrangler HT Review: How the New All-Terrain Tire Stacks Up

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Are you in the market for a versatile tire that can handle both your daily commute and weekend adventures? Look no further than the Goodyear Wrangler HT. This all-season tire is designed to meet the diverse needs of pickup truck, SUV, and crossover owners who demand performance on the highway and light off-road capability.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the Goodyear Wrangler HT’s features, performance, and value proposition. From its advanced tread design to its impressive durability, we’ll explore why this tire has become a popular choice for drivers seeking a balance between on-road comfort and off-road readiness.

Whether you’re navigating city streets, cruising down the highway, or venturing onto unpaved roads, the Wrangler HT aims to deliver a quiet, comfortable ride without sacrificing traction and handling. Join us as we examine how this tire performs in various conditions, from dry pavement to wet roads and even light snow.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of the Goodyear Wrangler HT’s strengths and limitations, helping you decide if it’s the right tire for your vehicle and driving needs. So buckle up and let’s hit the road with the Goodyear Wrangler HT!

Overview of the Goodyear Wrangler HT

The Goodyear Wrangler HT is an all-season tire designed for drivers of pickup trucks, SUVs, and crossovers who need a versatile tire that can handle both on-road and light off-road conditions. Positioned as a highway terrain tire in Goodyear’s lineup, the Wrangler HT aims to strike a balance between on-road comfort, off-road traction, and long treadwear.

With its symmetric tread pattern and durable construction, the Wrangler HT is engineered to provide a quiet and comfortable ride on paved roads while also offering reliable traction on loose surfaces like gravel or dirt. The tire’s tread compound is optimized for all-season performance, providing enhanced grip in wet conditions and reasonable traction in light snow.

Goodyear markets the Wrangler HT as a versatile option for drivers of light trucks and SUVs who need a tire that can handle the occasional off-road adventure without sacrificing on-road manners. While not designed for extreme off-roading, the Wrangler HT’s rugged construction and tread design make it a capable choice for drivers who occasionally venture onto unpaved roads or encounter mild off-road conditions.

Tread Design and Construction

The Goodyear Wrangler HT features an advanced tread design and construction that prioritizes durability, traction, and longevity. The tread pattern is meticulously engineered with a symmetric, multi-rib design that provides excellent stability and handling on both dry and wet surfaces.

The tread compound is a proprietary blend of high-quality rubber compounds and silica, which enhances tread life and improves traction on various terrains. This compound is optimized for even wear and resistance against cuts, chips, and abrasions, ensuring that the tire maintains its performance over an extended period.

The tire’s internal construction incorporates two steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped nylon, providing enhanced strength and stability. This robust construction helps maintain the tire’s shape and prevents premature wear, even under heavy loads or demanding conditions. Additionally, the polyester casing offers excellent resistance against impacts and punctures, further contributing to the tire’s durability.

Overall, the Goodyear Wrangler HT’s tread design and construction combine advanced engineering and high-quality materials to deliver exceptional traction, handling, and longevity, making it a reliable choice for various driving conditions and terrain types.

Handling, Braking, and Dry Road Performance

The Goodyear Wrangler HT delivers impressive dry road performance, striking a fine balance between capable handling and a comfortable ride. The tire’s tread compound and optimized siping provide excellent grip on dry pavement, allowing for precise steering response and confident cornering abilities.

Braking distances on dry roads are remarkably short, thanks to the tire’s advanced tread design and rubber compound. The Wrangler HT inspires confidence when you need to make an emergency stop, providing reliable traction and stability during hard braking scenarios.

Cornering grip is another area where the Wrangler HT shines. The tire’s tread pattern and construction work in harmony to minimize tread squirm, ensuring a planted feel and predictable handling characteristics when navigating tight turns or winding roads. Even when pushed to its limits, the Wrangler HT maintains composure, making it a capable and reassuring choice for spirited driving on dry tarmac.

Tread Design and Construction

The Goodyear Wrangler HT features an advanced tread compound and design optimized for hydroplaning resistance and wet traction performance. The symmetric tread pattern incorporates deep, sweeping grooves that effectively evacuate water from under the tire’s footprint. This helps prevent hydroplaning and maintains solid contact with the road surface, even in heavy rain or standing water conditions.

The tread blocks are designed with a high void ratio, which enhances wet grip by increasing the number of biting edges that can engage with the road. Additionally, the tread compound incorporates specialized polymers and silica, providing exceptional wet grip and braking capabilities on slick surfaces.

During wet braking scenarios, the tread design channels water away from the contact patch, while the compound maximizes friction against the road. This synergy results in shorter stopping distances and improved control when braking on wet pavement or in rainy conditions.

Overall, the Goodyear Wrangler HT’s tread design and construction prioritize hydroplaning resistance, wet traction, and wet braking performance, ensuring enhanced safety and confidence when driving in inclement weather.

Mud, Dirt, and Light Trail Performance

The Goodyear Wrangler HT is designed as an all-terrain tire, suitable for light off-road use on unpaved surfaces like dirt roads, gravel paths, and moderately challenging trails. Its tread pattern features deep, interlocking tread blocks and wide grooves to provide traction in loose soil, mud, and over obstacles.

While not intended for extreme off-roading, the Wrangler HT can handle its share of adventures on mild trails. The tire’s reinforced internal construction and durable compound allow it to resist punctures and cuts from rocks and debris encountered on these surfaces. The tread design also provides reasonable mud evacuation capabilities, preventing excessive clogging and loss of traction.

However, it’s important to note that the Wrangler HT is primarily an on-road, highway-terrain tire. Its off-road abilities are limited compared to dedicated off-road or mud-terrain tires. For extremely challenging conditions like deep mud, steep inclines, or rock crawling, a more specialized tire may be necessary. But for light-duty off-road excursions and exploring unpaved backroads, the Wrangler HT can provide reliable performance and added traction beyond what a typical all-season tire can offer.

Ride Comfort and Noise

The Goodyear Wrangler HT delivers a comfortable and quiet ride, especially considering its all-terrain capabilities. On the highway, the tire provides a smooth and composed driving experience, with minimal road noise entering the cabin. The tread pattern and specialized rubber compound work together to reduce vibrations and harshness, resulting in a more relaxed journey.

Even when driving over rougher surfaces or unpaved roads, the Wrangler HT manages to absorb most of the impacts and irregularities, providing a surprisingly plush ride for an all-terrain tire. The advanced tread design helps to minimize the typical loud roar often associated with aggressive off-road tires, making it a more pleasant choice for daily driving.

While some road noise is still present, especially at higher speeds, the overall noise levels are well-controlled and never become intrusive or fatiguing. The combination of ride quality and quietness makes the Goodyear Wrangler HT a great choice for those seeking a balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort.

Treadwear and Durability

The Goodyear Wrangler HT boasts impressive treadwear and durability, making it a reliable choice for drivers seeking a long-lasting tire. With a tread life warranty of 60,000 miles, Goodyear stands behind the tire’s performance and longevity.

In real-world conditions, the Wrangler HT has consistently demonstrated its ability to withstand the rigors of daily driving and harsh environments. Owners have reported excellent tread life, with many achieving well over 50,000 miles before needing a replacement. The tire’s durable construction and high-quality materials contribute to its impressive lifespan.

The Wrangler HT’s tread compound is designed to resist excessive wear, ensuring a consistent performance throughout its lifetime. Additionally, the tire’s symmetric tread pattern promotes even wear, further enhancing its durability.

Goodyear’s commitment to quality is evident in the Wrangler HT’s construction, which features a robust casing and reinforced sidewalls. These features not only enhance the tire’s durability but also provide added protection against potential damage from road hazards, curbs, and other obstacles.

Overall, the Goodyear Wrangler HT’s treadwear and durability are standout features, delivering exceptional value and peace of mind for drivers seeking a long-lasting, reliable tire for their vehicles.

Sizing and Fitment

The Goodyear Wrangler HT is available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate various vehicles, from sedans and crossovers to SUVs and light trucks. Popular fitments include sizes like 235/65R17, 265/70R17, and 275/60R20, which are commonly found on vehicles like the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Toyota 4Runner.

When it comes to sizing considerations, it’s important to follow the recommended tire size for your specific vehicle, as specified by the manufacturer. Deviating too much from the recommended size can potentially affect the vehicle’s handling, ride comfort, and overall performance. Additionally, pay attention to the load rating and speed rating of the tire to ensure it meets the requirements of your vehicle and driving conditions.

It’s worth noting that the Goodyear Wrangler HT is primarily designed for highway terrain and light off-road use, so if you plan on tackling more demanding off-road trails or carrying heavy loads, you may want to consider a more aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tire option from Goodyear’s lineup.

Price and Value

The Goodyear Wrangler HT strikes a nice balance between affordability and quality. Priced in the mid-range for an all-season highway terrain tire, the Wrangler HT offers excellent value for the money. Typically, you can expect to pay between $120-$200 per tire, depending on the size.

While not the cheapest option on the market, the Wrangler HT undercuts many premium tires from rivals like Michelin and Bridgestone. Yet, it delivers performance and durability that punches above its weight class. The tire’s long treadwear warranties of up to 60,000 miles also add to the overall value proposition.

For drivers looking for a capable all-terrain tire that won’t break the bank, the Goodyear Wrangler HT presents an attractive mix of quality and value. It’s a smart choice for budget-conscious consumers who still want a reputable brand and solid all-around performance from their tires.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent tread life and durability, with many owners reporting over 60,000 miles of use
• Provides a comfortable and quiet ride, even on rougher road surfaces
• Affordable price point, offering good value for the performance
• Capable all-season traction in dry, wet, and light snow conditions
• Stable handling and responsive steering, inspiring confidence

Cons:

• Tread may wear more quickly on vehicles with higher torque or that are heavily loaded
• Not intended for extreme off-road use or deep mud/snow
• Ride can feel a bit firm or harsh, especially on very rough roads
• Traction in heavy snow or ice is limited compared to dedicated winter tires
• Road noise may increase as tread wears down over time

Comparison to Competitors

The Goodyear Wrangler HT faces stiff competition from other prominent all-terrain and highway terrain tire models in the market. One of its closest rivals is the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3, which boasts a similar tread design and construction tailored for a balanced on-road and off-road performance. While the Wrangler HT excels in highway comfort and noise reduction, the Dueler A/T Revo 3 offers slightly better traction and grip on loose surfaces like mud and gravel.

Another notable competitor is the Michelin LTX A/T 2, known for its exceptional treadwear and durability. While the Wrangler HT holds its own in terms of longevity, the LTX A/T 2 may have a slight edge, especially in more demanding off-road conditions. However, the Wrangler HT strikes a better balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability, making it a more versatile choice for those who frequently switch between different terrains.

The Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail also deserves mention as a formidable rival in the all-terrain tire segment. It offers impressive off-road performance and traction, particularly in challenging mud and rock conditions. However, the Wrangler HT outperforms the Wildpeak A/T Trail in terms of on-road comfort, noise levels, and overall highway manners.

When it comes to pricing, the Goodyear Wrangler HT sits in the mid-range category, making it a more affordable option compared to some premium competitors like the Michelin LTX A/T 2. This value proposition, combined with its well-rounded performance and Goodyear’s reputation for quality, makes the Wrangler HT a compelling choice for those seeking a balance between capability and affordability.

Owner Reviews and Feedback

The Goodyear Wrangler HT has received generally positive reviews from owners, with many praising its durability, traction, and overall performance. Many owners have reported getting excellent mileage out of these tires, with some reporting over 60,000 miles of use before needing to replace them.

In terms of traction and handling, owners have noted that the Wrangler HT performs well in various conditions, including rain, snow, and light off-road use. The tires provide a confident grip on the road, and many owners feel secure driving in inclement weather.

However, some owners have criticized the Wrangler HT for its noise levels, particularly on rougher surfaces or at higher speeds. While not excessively loud, some owners have found the tire noise to be more noticeable than they would have liked.

Another common complaint from owners is the potential for cupping or uneven wear, particularly if the tires are not rotated regularly or if the vehicle’s alignment is not properly maintained. This issue can lead to a rougher ride and shorter tread life.

Overall, the majority of owners seem satisfied with their Goodyear Wrangler HT tires, citing their durability, traction, and value as standout features. While there are some minor complaints regarding noise and potential wear issues, many owners have reported positive experiences and would recommend these tires to others.

Recommendation and Conclusion

The Goodyear Wrangler HT is an excellent all-season tire choice for pickup truck and SUV owners seeking a balance of on-road comfort, off-road capability, and long treadwear. Its rugged yet quiet performance makes it a versatile option suitable for daily driving, towing, and light off-roading.

For those primarily focused on highway driving and seeking maximum comfort, the Wrangler HT delivers a smooth, stable ride with low noise levels. Its all-season tread compound provides reliable traction in wet and light winter conditions. However, for extreme winter environments with heavy snow and ice, a dedicated winter tire may be a better choice.

If you frequently venture off the beaten path or encounter muddy or rocky terrain, the Wrangler HT’s aggressive tread design and reinforced construction offer capable off-road performance. While not as extreme as a dedicated off-road tire, it strikes a nice compromise for those who split their driving between paved and unpaved surfaces.

Overall, the Goodyear Wrangler HT is a well-rounded and durable tire that excels in its versatility. Its long treadwear, comfortable ride, and capable all-terrain performance make it an excellent value proposition for truck and SUV owners seeking a dependable all-season option.