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Head-to-head Updated

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S vs Sumitomo Encounter AT — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 1 + 0 road tests and 688 + 26 owner reviews. How we score

Discoverer AT3 4S is ahead, 79–71

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Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
Tire ACooper

Discoverer AT3 4S

All-Terrain tire

± 7

Tests – · 1 test Owners 84 · 688 reviews

Best test result: #5 of 18 in 2022 Consumer Reports All Terrain Truck Tires (tested tread life (miles))

“Got some 225/75/16 Cooper Discoverer AT3 4s - Great fit on stock setup.”

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 81

    Dry

    Discoverer AT3 4S +9
    72
    Why this score
    SourceDiscoverer AT3 4SEncounter AT
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 76 (est.)≈ 71 (est.)
    Reviews found online8874

    Discoverer AT3 4S: 60% × 76.4 (est.) + 40% × 88.4 = 81

    Encounter AT: 60% × 70.6 (est.) + 40% × 74.4 = 72

    No road tests of dry for Discoverer AT3 4S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.41).

    No road tests of dry for Encounter AT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.41).

  2. 85

    Wet

    Discoverer AT3 4S +10
    75
    Why this score
    SourceDiscoverer AT3 4SEncounter AT
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 82 (est.)≈ 74 (est.)
    Reviews found online9177

    Discoverer AT3 4S: 60% × 81.6 (est.) + 40% × 90.6 = 85

    Encounter AT: 60% × 74 (est.) + 40% × 76.8 = 75

    No road tests of wet for Discoverer AT3 4S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

    No road tests of wet for Encounter AT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

  3. 73

    Snow

    Discoverer AT3 4S +5
    68
    Why this score
    SourceDiscoverer AT3 4SEncounter AT
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 72 (est.)≈ 69 (est.)
    Reviews found online7566

    Discoverer AT3 4S: 60% × 71.8 (est.) + 40% × 74.5 = 73

    Encounter AT: 60% × 69 (est.) + 40% × 65.6 = 68

    No road tests of snow for Discoverer AT3 4S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).

    No road tests of snow for Encounter AT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).

  4. 80

    Comfort

    Discoverer AT3 4S +13
    67
    Why this score
    SourceDiscoverer AT3 4SEncounter AT
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 72 (est.)≈ 68 (est.)
    Reviews found online8566

    Discoverer AT3 4S: 40% × 72 (est.) + 60% × 85.2 = 80

    Encounter AT: 40% × 68 (est.) + 60% × 65.6 = 67

    No road tests of comfort for Discoverer AT3 4S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

    No road tests of comfort for Encounter AT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 73

    Noise

    Discoverer AT3 4S +6
    67
    Why this score
    SourceDiscoverer AT3 4SEncounter AT
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Reviews found online8368

    Discoverer AT3 4S: 60% × 66.4 (est.) + 40% × 83.3 = 73

    Encounter AT: 60% × 66.4 (est.) + 40% × 67.9 = 67

    No road tests of noise for Discoverer AT3 4S or Encounter AT. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.

  6. 75

    Treadwear

    Discoverer AT3 4S +9
    66
    Why this score
    SourceDiscoverer AT3 4SEncounter AT
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests71≈ 66 (est.)
    Reviews found online8066

    Discoverer AT3 4S: 60% × 71.1 + 40% × 79.9 = 75

    Encounter AT: 60% × 66.4 (est.) + 40% × 66.1 = 66

    No road tests of treadwear for Encounter AT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 80

    Handling (owners)

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourceDiscoverer AT3 4SEncounter AT
    Reviews found online80–
Scores at a glance
CategoryCooper Discoverer AT3 4SSumitomo Encounter AT
Relative Score 79 71
Dry 81 72
Wet 85 75
Snow 73 68
Comfort 80 67
Noise 73 67
Treadwear 75 66
Handling (owners) 80 –

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

Discoverer AT3 4S

± 8

Encounter AT

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Discoverer AT3 4S

Pros

  • Exceptionally quiet and smooth on-road ride compared to typical all-terrain tires
  • Superb traction in wet, rainy, and deep winter snow conditions
  • Strong value and competitive pricing relative to performance and lifespan

Cons

  • Potential for accelerated tread wear under heavy off-road use or demanding mountain driving
  • Occasional reports of balancing issues or out-of-round tires requiring multiple adjustments
  • Minor fuel economy drop or increased rolling resistance when switching from standard highway tires
All owner themes in the Discoverer AT3 4S review

Tire B Encounter AT

Pros

  • Smooth and exceptionally quiet on-road ride
  • Great value and attractive price point
  • Aggressive, appealing sidewall and tread design

Cons

  • Polarizing winter and snow performance despite the 3PMSF rating
  • Inadequate mud-clearing ability in heavy or sloppy conditions
  • Occasional balancing difficulties reported by some users
All owner themes in the Encounter AT review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

Positive

Community sentiment for the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is predominantly positive, with drivers praising its quiet highway ride, strong traction across snow, rain, and dry pavement, and appealing appearance. Several owners note that while it handles light off-road duties and daily driving well, tread life occasionally falls short of mileage expectations. In addition, multiple posts highlight frustration and concern regarding availability and recent discontinuation across various sizes.

r/subaru ·130 upvotes ·2019-04-20

“New tires 👌 cooper discoverer at3 4s 215/70/16”
r/f150 ·23 upvotes ·2022-09-03

“New tire day. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. So far so good. They ride great and they’re really quiet.”
r/SubaruForester ·4 upvotes ·2022-12-02

“Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S discontinued, good alternative? I was hoping to replace my stock tires with the Discoverer AT3 tires since I hear really good things about them and they are a bit more aggressive. Seems like they are discontinued at all the normal tire shops online. So what are my alternatives for an AT style tire? Looking for 235/60R17 to put on Drag DR-31 rims. I live in CO so snow and some light off roading are things to consider. Read more”
Top themes
#Snow and wet traction#Quiet highway ride#Tread life and longevity#Discontinuation and availability#Comfortable ride quality#Mild off-road performance

Based on 27 community posts

Tire B

Sumitomo Encounter AT

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S B · Sumitomo Encounter AT
CategoryAll-Terrain tireAll-Terrain tire
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4SUV and 4x4
Sizes available1415
Rim diameters15″ – 22″16″ – 20″
Tread depth12 - 14/32″13/32″
UTQG620 A B660 A B
Treadwear warranty65,000 mi60,000 mi
SidewallBlack Side Wall - Raised Outline White LetteringBlackwall
Max pressure44 - 50 psi51 psi
Sizes in common11

Which one should you actually buy?

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

Sumitomo Encounter AT

Winner: Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S — better comfort, wet and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S scores 80 vs 67 on comfort.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S scores 85 vs 75 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S scores 81 vs 72 on dry.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S scores 75 vs 66 on treadwear.

Tire A · Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
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Tire B · Sumitomo Encounter AT
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Discoverer AT3 4S or Encounter AT?

Which is better in the wet, Discoverer AT3 4S or Encounter AT?

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, 85 vs 75 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Discoverer AT3 4S or Encounter AT?

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, 81 vs 72 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Discoverer AT3 4S or Encounter AT?

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, 73 vs 68 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Discoverer AT3 4S or Encounter AT?

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, 73 vs 67 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Discoverer AT3 4S or Encounter AT?

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, 80 vs 67 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Discoverer AT3 4S or Encounter AT?

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, 75 vs 66 on our treadwear score.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology