BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO3 – The Legend Evolves
There aren’t many products that become legends in the off-road world, but BFGoodrich’s All-Terrain T/A KO2 managed it. It was the go-to tyre for anyone who liked their weekends muddy and their weekdays respectable. Tough as nails, long-lasting, and almost impossible to puncture — it was the tyre equivalent of a Land Rover Defender wearing steel toe caps.
So when BFGoodrich announced the KO3 earlier this year, interest levels spiked faster than diesel prices before a bank holiday. I was actually invited to the launch event in France, where journalists got to test them on a fleet of INEOS Grenadiers - talk about the perfect combo, but sadly, I couldn’t make it.
Still, I’ve been poring over the details and chatting with those who did, and the KO3 looks set to continue the legacy, albeit with a few modern tweaks.
KO2: The Tyre That Set the Benchmark
Before we get too giddy about the new one, it’s worth remembering why the KO2 was such a hit. It was, quite simply, the tyre that could do it all. It wasn’t quiet, mind you, on the motorway it hummed away like a drunk bloke singing Oasis, but off-road it was unstoppable. Sand, gravel, mud, snow… it didn’t care.
With strong sidewalls and a tread pattern that could grip a greased ferret, the KO2 became the default choice for everyone from overlanders and farmers to city dwellers who liked the idea of looking adventurous, even if their 4x4 never left the Waitrose car park. It wasn’t perfect, they could get a bit hard and slippy when they aged, and wet grip wasn’t its strong suit, but it was dependable, and we loved it for that. In fact, up until recently the KO2 was the only tyre I had fitted to my 4x4s - I was a total fan-boy!
Enter the KO3: Smarter, Tougher, Quieter
The KO3 isn’t a total reinvention; it’s more of a clever refinement. BFGoodrich say they’ve worked on the three things KO2 owners wanted most: longer tread life, better road manners, and improved snow and wet grip.
To achieve that, they’ve developed a new tread compound that’s more resistant to chipping and tearing - perfect for sharp gravel and rocky lanes, and they’ve reworked the tread blocks with full-depth 3D sipes. These sipes help maintain traction as the tyre wears down, and also improve grip on wet roads and in the slippy stuff.
Visually, it’s still a proper all-terrain tyre, chunky shoulders, aggressive sidewall lugs, and a stance that says “I climb kerbs for fun”. But look closely and you’ll see it’s a bit more sophisticated. The tread pattern is more evenly distributed, which helps reduce noise and wear, and the sidewall now features extra protection where it matters most, around that vulnerable mid-section that always seems to find the sharpest rock on the trail.
On-Road Manners
Let’s be honest: most of us spend far more time on the blacktop than we’d like to admit. The KO2 could handle tarmac, but you were always aware of its off-road DNA, there was a bit of rumble and a slightly vague feel through the wheel.
The KO3, on the other hand, has been noticeably tamed. Those who drove it at the launch described it as quieter, smoother and more predictable, especially at motorway speeds. That’s a big deal for daily drivers and long-distance tourers who don’t fancy feeling like they’re driving a rally truck every day.
In short, the KO3 behaves more like a modern SUV tyre on the road, without losing that reassuring stiffness that keeps you out of ditches when things get rough.
Off-Road Performance
Of course, all this refinement would mean nothing if it couldn’t back it up off-road, and thankfully, it can. Early reports suggest it’s every bit as capable as the KO2, if not better.
The new tread design clears mud more effectively, grips loose terrain confidently, and bites into rock and shale like a determined terrier.
Sidewall protection is beefed up, and the casing feels robust enough to handle low-pressure work without that unnerving “squirm” you get from some lesser A/Ts. It still carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, so it’s certified for winter use too. That makes it one of the few truly “fit-for-all-seasons” all-terrains around.
The Practical Bit
Availability will roll out in phases through 2025 and 2026, so depending on what you drive, you might have to wait a bit for your size. Prices aren’t silly, though, being a new release, they’ll likely sit a little above the KO2 for now.
If you do serious mileage, the extended tread life will more than offset the cost, and if you just want something that looks the part while handling green lanes and farm tracks on weekends, you’re getting a tyre that’s easier to live with every day.
KO2 vs KO3: The Verdict
Think of the KO3 as a natural evolution. It’s the same hardy, dependable all-terrain we’ve come to trust, but with a smoother edge. It’s a bit like your mate who used to spend every weekend at pay-and-play sites but now has a family, a Labrador, and an interest in good coffee, still tough, but a bit more civilised.
If you loved your KO2s for their indestructibility, the KO3 keeps that spirit alive while making your daily commute a bit more peaceful. If you were put off the KO2 because of noise or wet-weather handling, the KO3 might be the one that finally wins you over.
Final Thoughts
Missing the launch in France still stings a bit, driving INEOS Grenadiers shod with KO3s through the Alps sounds like my kind of homework, but judging by what I’ve seen and heard, BFGoodrich have nailed the tricky balance of evolution over revolution.
The KO3 doesn’t scream for attention; it just quietly gets on with the job of being one of the most capable all-terrain tyres you can buy. It’s tougher, lasts longer, and behaves itself on the road — which, let’s face it, is exactly what most of us want.
Now, if BFGoodrich fancy sending me a set to “test” on Deux Smurf, I promise I won’t miss the next invite.