BFGoodrich KO vs KO2: A 2021 Analysis

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a tire that needs no introduction.

This is the second generation of one of the most widely used tires by off-road enthusiasts, not only for its outstanding off-road performance but also for its unique styling.

If you own an SUV, pickup truck, Jeep, or any type of off-road vehicle, this review will be invaluable to you since we will analyze in detail the performance of this tire in all types of terrain conditions.

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TL;DR: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

Are you ready to explore one of the best all-terrain tires on the market? First, let’s take a look at its main pros and cons.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

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PROS

  • Time-tested quality and durability

CONS

  • Not currently available in the market

Best For:

The BFGoodrich KO was aimed at off-road enthusiasts who required a tire with adequate city/highway performance.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

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PROS

  • Amazing wet and dry grip
  • Severe snow service rated
  • Spectacular off-road performance
  • Superior to the previous generation KO

CONS

  • Its Treadwear performance is slightly inferior to that of the All-Terrain T/A KO

Best For:

Ideal for drivers of off-road vehicles, pickup trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps looking for a tire with unsurpassed off-road performance yet can be used in the city/highway without noticeably affecting ride quality or fuel economy.

Performance Ratings: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

Tire ratings are only as reliable as the number of miles reported by drivers. Fortunately, in the case of the two tires, we’re reviewing today, both have enough mileage to be confident in their figures. On the one hand, we have the BFG KO with over 45 million reported miles. On the other hand, we have the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with a whopping 16+ million reported miles. 

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This is going to be a comparison between two off-road titans. All categories will be important; however, if you wish to jump to any of them, please do so using the links below. 

Dry Performance: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

Dry Performance Ratings

BFGoodrich KO2

BFGoodrich KO

Dry Overall

9.1

8.5

Cornering Stability

8.9

8.2

Dry Traction

9.3

8.9

Steering Response

8.9

8.3

The tread design of the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 undoubtedly offers superior performance over the previous generation. Traction, cornering stability, and steering response all benefit significantly from the KO2’s latest generation tread.

In fact, the BFG KO2’s high scores leave behind some complaints about the BFGoodrich KO’s dry handling.

If you intend to use your Jeep, SUV, or pickup truck as a multi-purpose vehicle (on-/off-road), there is no doubt that the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 will not disappoint.

Wet Performance: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

Wet Performance Ratings

BFGoodrich KO2

BFGoodrich KO

Wet Overall

8.6

8.0

Hydroplaning Resistance

8.8

7.9

Wet Traction

8.5

8.1

When it comes to off-road tires, wet performance is crucial, especially when used on roads and highways. The aggressive design of off-road tires can sometimes be detrimental to wet grip. Fortunately, this is not the case with the KO2 or KO. Both tires offer excellent resistance to hydroplaning and wet traction.

Once again, the improved design used by BFG has paid off by making the All-Terrain T/A KO2 a tough opponent in this category.

If you are concerned about wet performance, you should know that the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is one of the best options available on the market today.

Off-Road Performance: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

Off-Road Performance Ratings

BFGoodrich KO2

BFGoodrich KO

Off-Road Overall

9.0

n/a

Dirt

9.4

n/a

Sand

8.9

n/a

Mud

8.7

n/a

Rock

9.1

n/a

Unfortunately, off-road performance ratings were not in use when the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO was recalled. That said, it is worth mentioning that the All-Terrain T/A KO made its mark in the off-road world as one of the best of its kind. You’ll be pleased to know that this legacy has continued with the KO2. BFG’s vast experience in off-road racing has allowed it to incorporate a compound specially designed to meet all kinds of challenges.

Likewise, KO2’s thicker upper shoulder sidewall armor and reinforced internal structure give it the robustness needed to challenge the toughest trails on the planet.

If you are looking for one of the best off-road tires in the world, then the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 should be at the top of your list.

Snow / Ice Performance: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2 (Optional)

Snow / Ice Performance Ratings

BFGoodrich KO2

BFGoodrich KO

Snow / Ice Overall

8.7

7.7

Light Snow Traction

9.2

8.5

Deep Snow Traction

8.9

7.7

Ice Traction

7.9

6.9

Possibly one of the few weaknesses of the BFG KO had to do with its performance in snow. In this regard, BFGoodrich has achieved a significant breakthrough with the improved tread version of the KO2. While the snow/ice performance of the KO was not bad, it was not outstanding as in other categories.

To that end, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is definitely a more “balanced” tire as it achieves ratings on par with the best in its segment. Moreover, its performance is so good that the KO2 is rated as a Severe Snow Service tire.

If you live in an area where snow-covered roads are common, then the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 will give you traction second to none.

Comfort Performance: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

Comfort Performance Ratings

BFGoodrich KO2

BFGoodrich KO

Overall Comfort

8.3

8.1

Ride Quality

8.5

8.2

Noise

8.1

7.9

No one expects off-road tires to excel in the comfort category. However, both the BFG KO and KO2 do a good job keeping noise levels and ride quality at quite acceptable levels. Considering the unique features of the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, such as its all-terrain pattern with interlocking tread blocks, this is quite an achievement.

In our opinion, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 provides a more than adequate driving experience for both city and trail use, which is a benefit hard to find these days.

Treadwear Performance: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

Treadwear Performance Rating

BFGoodrich KO2

BFGoodrich KO

Treadwear

8.2

8.5

Although the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 uses a greater amount of sidewall material and features an internal structure with twin steel belts plus BFGoodrich’s TriGard, 3-ply polyester cord sidewall ply construction, it fails to beat its predecessor in this category. This is not to say that the KO2 is inferior in terms of durability; we just want to note that it is the one area where it failed to beat the venerable All-Terrain T/A KO.

That said, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 has a standard warranty of 50k miles or 6 years, which attests to its amazing tread life.

Warranty: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

Warranty Type

BFGoodrich KO2

BFGoodrich KO

Treadlife Warranty

6-year warranty or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

n/a

Uniformity Warranty

One year of use or the first 2/32″ of wear.

n/a

Workmanship / Materials Warranty

6-year warranty and free tire replacement for the first year, 2/32″ wear, or 25% wear.

n/a

Road Hazard Warranty

Unfortunately, BFGoodrich does not offer a road hazard warranty on this tire.

n/a

Tire Rack Road Hazard Warranty

Refunds of up to $40 for repairs per tire per occurrence

Refund of the original purchase price or replacement purchase price (whichever is less) when the tire suffers non-repairable damage (valid within the first 2 years of use).

n/a

In addition to its excellent ratings, the BFGoodrich KO2 offers one of the most comprehensive warranties in its segment, which is another plus to consider when purchasing your next set of tires.

Specs & Options: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

The All-Terrain T/A KO2 is one of BFG’s most successful tires. So it is not surprising that it has an astonishing market coverage. Basically, this tire is available in every size you can imagine, from 15-inch wheels to 22-inch wheels. In terms of available tire widths, it is available from 215 to 325. This wide market coverage is similar to what the BFG KO enjoyed when it was still available.

While these tires are aimed at off-road enthusiasts, their distinctive “white letter” version has always been a favorite for giving an out-of-the-ordinary look to show cars and trucks for everyday use.

As for the UTQG rating, it’s worth remembering that off-road tires are not required to meet this classification. If you want to know more about the meaning of the UTQG, we suggest you read this article.

Photo credit: autoguide.com

Reviews: BFGoodrich KO vs KO2

As previously mentioned, the All-Terrain T/A KO was one of the best off-road tires of its kind. Evidence of this is the countless positive comments that revolve around them. Throughout this review, we have seen how the second generation of this tire has lived up to all expectations.

Among the aspects most mentioned by users of the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 are its extraordinary look, its amazing performance in snow, mud, sand, and civilized behavior on highways.

This is evidenced by the high percentage of drivers who report using the All-Terrain T/A KO2 in combined off-road/highway conditions. We were also pleased to find a huge number of reviews from drivers with over 70k miles driven. All of this confirms what all the ratings point to, that the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is one of the best options currently available.

If you are looking for an outstanding tire for your pickup truck, SUV, Jeep, or 4×4 vehicle, then the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 will not disappoint.

Quick Recap

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BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

Dry

8.5

Wet

8.0

Off-Road

N/A

Snow / Ice

7.7

Comfort

8.1

Treadwear

8.5

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BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Dry

9.1

Wet

8.6

Off-Road

9.0

Snow / Ice

8.7

Comfort

8.3

Treadwear

8.2

End of the Road

Throughout this review, we have seen how the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 outperforms its predecessor in every way. Considering the amazing performance of the BFG KO, this is quite a feat. That’s why we have no hesitation in singling out the All-Terrain T/A KO2 as one of the best alternatives for off-road adventure enthusiasts who need a tire that can also handle the city.