Mastercraft Stratus HT Review: Gliding Down the Highway in Luxury and Comfort

The Mastercraft Stratus HT is an all-season tire designed for crossover SUVs and light trucks.

Mastercraft Tire is owned by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and manufactures tires for the North American market.

The Stratus HT aims to provide a smooth, quiet ride while offering capable all-season traction for drivability in various weather conditions.

As an all-season highway terrain tire, it focuses more on on-road performance but has some light off-road capability as well.

The Stratus HT was introduced in 2018 as a replacement for the Mastercraft Courser CXT, updating the tread design and compound.

It competes with other mid-range all-season tires like the Michelin Defender LTX, Goodyear Fortera HL, and Continental CrossContact LX25.

This tire review will examine the key features and performance of the Mastercraft Stratus HT to see how it stacks up for crossover and light truck owners looking for a dependable all-season tire.

Key factors considered include wet and dry traction, comfort, treadwear, off-road handling, noise, price, and warranty terms.

List of Other Mastercraft Tire Reviews

If you’re interested in exploring other Mastercraft tire options, check out our comprehensive reviews of their various offerings.

Mastercraft’s commitment to quality and performance shines through in their diverse range of tires.

• Mastercraft Courser Trail HD Review
• Mastercraft Courser Trail Review
• Mastercraft Courser Quest Plus Review
• Mastercraft Courser MXT Review
• Mastercraft Courser CXT Review
• Mastercraft Avenger GT Review
• Mastercraft Stratus AP Review
• Mastercraft Stratus AS Review
• Mastercraft Stratus HT Review

Tire Specifications

The Mastercraft Stratus HT is available in a wide range of sizes to fit most trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.

Some of the key specifications include:

• Size options: The Stratus HT comes in diameters ranging from 15 to 20 inches. Rim widths vary from 6.5 to 9 inches wide. Overall tire diameters range from roughly 28 to 35 inches. There are over 40 different size configurations available.
• Load index: Load indices start at 100 for lighter loads and go up to 126 for heavy loads. Most common sizes have a load index of 112, which corresponds to a max load of 2,337 pounds per tire. Higher load ratings are available for heavier vehicles.
• Speed rating: Speed ratings vary from T (118 mph) up to V (149 mph). The most common rating is S which allows for speeds up to 112 mph.
• Tread pattern: The Stratus HT uses an all-season tread with independent tread blocks and deep sipes. The pattern has lateral and circumferential grooves to aid wet traction. It’s designed for year-round performance in most conditions.

So in summary, the Stratus HT covers a wide range of vehicle fitments with options for light and heavy loads.

The tread design balances on-road comfort with wet and wintry traction. Sizing accommodates both highway cruising and off-road adventures.

Performance of Mastercraft Stratus HT

The Mastercraft Stratus HT tire delivers excellent performance in dry and wet conditions thanks to its asymmetric tread design and rigid shoulder blocks.

The tires provide predictable handling and responsive steering through corners.

The large, interlocking tread blocks give the Stratus HT good lateral grip and stability when changing direction at higher speeds.

Drivers report that the tires feel planted and inspire confidence during abrupt maneuvers.

Braking distances are short due to the stiff shoulder blocks and zig-zagging intermediate ribs, which maximize the tire’s contact patch under hard braking.

The tires stop smoothly and progressively without chatter or fade. The rigid tread blocks also provide good braking traction on wet roads.

The asymmetric tread pattern is optimized for cornering, with extra sipes and biting edges on the outside of the tire.

This provides extra grip when the Stratus HT leans over in turns, enhancing traction and preventing slippage.

Drivers praise the tire’s high limits when pushed hard into corners.

Ride Comfort of Mastercraft Stratus HT

The Mastercraft Stratus HT tire provides exceptional ride comfort thanks to its advanced comfort tread design and shock-absorbing sidewall construction.

Noise Levels

These tires are exceptionally quiet, even at highway speeds. The tread pattern is designed to minimize noise on both pavement and gravel.

Owners report very low levels of road noise compared to other all-terrain tires. The serrated shoulder blocks help reduce noise while cornering.

Vibration

Vibration is also minimal with the Stratus HT. The rounded tread blocks don’t cause choppy vibrations like traditional aggressive mud terrain treads.

The consistent contact patch smooths out vibration on rough roads.

Even over harsh bumps and potholes, the advanced shock absorption keeps vibration to a minimum inside the cabin.

Shock Absorption

Shock absorption is a standout feature on this tire. The flexible sidewalls and added cushion between the belts helps dampen impacts over bumps and rocks.

The tread compound is formulated to remain flexible even in cold weather.

Together, these features provide a very compliant, comfortable ride quality even off-road. The tires absorb bumps extremely well without harsh impacts making it to the chassis.

Off-Road Capabilities of Mastercraft Stratus HT

The Mastercraft Stratus HT tire performs very well on gravel and dirt roads.

The aggressive tread pattern provides plenty of grip and traction in loose terrain, with multiple siping grooves to grab onto surfaces.

In muddy conditions, the Stratus HT digs in effectively to maintain forward momentum. The tire clears mud well enough to avoid excessive buildup in the tread blocks.

The staggered shoulder blocks have a self-cleaning design to shed mud as the tire rotates.

Overall, the tire’s robust off-road abilities make it a great choice for drivers who frequently need to traverse gravel, dirt, and muddy rural roads.

The deep tread depth and durable tread compound allow the Stratus HT to hold up well on abrasive surfaces without rapid wear.

Serious off-road enthusiasts may want a more specialized mud terrain tire, but the Stratus HT splits the difference nicely for mixed on-road and off-road driving.

Treadwear

The Mastercraft Stratus HT tire has a treadwear warranty of 50,000 miles.

This means that Mastercraft guarantees the tire will last for at least 50,000 miles before the tread reaches a wear bar indicator.

In terms of expected tread life, owners report getting anywhere from 40,000 to 60,000 miles on a set before needing to replace them.

For an all-terrain light truck tire, this is a very good treadwear rating.

The tread compound and symmetrical non-directional tread design help contribute to the long life.

The 50,000 mile treadwear warranty is for P-metric sizes used on light trucks and SUVs. For LT-metric sizes on commercial vans and heavy duty pickups, the warranty is 45,000 miles.

To get the full life out of the tires, proper tire rotation every 5,000-8,000 miles and alignment checks are recommended.

Also inspect tires periodically for any damage or irregular wear issues.

Overall, the Stratus HT offers excellent treadwear for an all-terrain tire. The 50,000 mile warranty gives peace of mind for long mileage.

And real world experience shows the tires can reach or even exceed the warranty coverage.

This makes the Stratus HT a great long-lasting value for light trucks, SUVs, and crossovers used for highway, all-terrain, and mixed on/off road driving.

Price

The Mastercraft Stratus HT comes in a wide range of sizes to fit different vehicles, and the price can vary quite a bit depending on the size you need.

Here’s a quick overview of the price range:

• Smaller sizes like P215/70R15 and P225/60R16 tend to run between $130 – $160 per tire. These are common sizes for compact SUVs and crossovers.
• Mid-size truck tires like P245/75R16 and P265/70R17 are typically priced from $160 – $220 per tire.
• Larger truck sizes like P275/60R20 and LT275/65R18 can cost anywhere from $180 – $280 per tire. The larger the tire, the more you’ll pay.
• Some specialized LT flotation sizes for full-size trucks and SUVs, such as LT305/55R20 and LT285/50R22, are over $300 per tire.

Keep in mind these are general price ranges and your specific tire price will depend on retailer, promotions, locale, and other factors.

Overall the Mastercraft Stratus HT is competitively priced against rival tires in its category.

The advanced hybrid design does come at a small premium over basic all-season highway tires.

Warranty

Mastercraft provides a warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the Stratus HT tire. The warranty coverage includes:

• Workmanship and materials defects for the first 50% of treadwear
• Flat tire coverage for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Road hazard protection for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first

The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, improper mounting/balancing, misapplication, improper maintenance, racing, off-road use, accident, fire, chemical corrosion, tire alteration, vandalism, or abuse.

To take advantage of the warranty, the original purchaser must present the tire along with original purchase receipt to an authorized Mastercraft dealer.

Once inspected, Mastercraft will decide to either repair, replace, or issue a prorated credit.

The prorated credit is determined by the remaining usable tread depth when the tire is presented for warranty.

The credit will be a percentage of the original purchase price, based on the tread depth remaining.

Overall, Mastercraft provides a fairly standard tire warranty to cover defects and road hazards for the Stratus HT.

Following proper maintenance and care, the warranty provides peace of mind for a set duration of miles and years.

Pros and Cons

The Mastercraft Stratus HT is an all-terrain tire that offers several advantages along with a few drawbacks:

Pros

• Excellent traction on wet, muddy, gravel, and snowy roads – the aggressive tread pattern grips well on loose surfaces
• Quiet and comfortable ride on pavement thanks to noise-reducing tread blocks
• Durable construction with tough sidewalls resistant to punctures
• Even treadwear with long life – can last up to 50,000 miles with proper maintenance
• Good stability and handling on highways and in rain
• Decent fuel economy for an all-terrain tire

Cons 

• Performance on sand and deep snow not as good as specialized off-road tires
• Braking distances slightly longer than highway tires on dry roads
• Prone to some tread noise on concrete or very smooth asphalt
• Higher rolling resistance decreases gas mileage compared to touring tires
• Rougher ride on extremely bumpy or uneven surfaces 

Overall, the Mastercraft Stratus HT provides a versatile blend of on-road comfort and off-road capability at a reasonable price point.

For truck and SUV drivers needing an all-terrain tire, it delivers quality traction and durability.

The minor tradeoffs in on-road handling are reasonable for the impressive performance off the pavement.

Conclusion

The Mastercraft Stratus HT is an excellent all-terrain tire that provides a smooth, quiet ride both on and off the road.

It’s an ideal choice for SUVs, pickups, and CUVs that are used for a mix of highway driving and moderate off-roading.

With its aggressive tread pattern and durable construction, the Stratus HT performs well on dirt, gravel, and muddy trails.

The tires have good traction in most conditions, aided by the angled center tread blocks.

The staggered shoulder lugs also provide extra grip and stability when cornering on loose terrain.

On pavement, the tire delivers a comfortable, stable ride. The serrated shoulder blocks reduce noise compared to more aggressive mud terrain tires.

The symmetric tread means the tire wears evenly. Owners can expect a tread life of 50,000 to 70,000 miles based on driving conditions.

The Stratus HT provides a good blend of off-road capability and on-road manners at a reasonable price point.

It’s a great option for anyone who spends time both on and off the beaten path.

With its well-rounded performance, durability, and smooth ride, the Mastercraft Stratus HT is easy to recommend for light truck and SUV owners.

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