For even better wet-weather performance, Goodyear's Wrangler Aquatred is designed to excel on wet roads while maintaining extremely low noise levels. A new generation of tires combines the smooth, quiet ride of a highway tire with the ruggedness of an all-terrain radial. The result is an all-weather design with better braking and traction, along with a quiet ride and long tread life. The aggressive tread design features blocks of rubber designed to dig into the dirt for improved traction. These tires excel in dirt and gravel and provide good performance in the mud, but turn in only mediocre performance in the snow.
Heavier construction protects the sidewalls and tread on all-terrain tires from punctures.
Performance on dry and wet roads is not on par with highway and all-season tires, and all terrains are noisier than highway tires, but manufacturers have narrowed this gap to almost esoteric levels. The softer rubber compound also wears more rapidly on the highway. As owners strive to make their SUVs handle more like cars, tire makers have responded with a new generation of low-profile performance tires. Short sidewalls offer improved handling response, while softer rubber compounds improve grip. Aggressive tread patterns with deep, wide grooves grip loose dirt and rocks.