What’s good about it?
- Excellent traction on dry roads
- Massive footprint
- Retains responsiveness in various terrains
- Nice traction, handling and grip on dry tarmac
- Remarkably low noise in all types of terrain
- Excellent snow traction even compared to other tires within the category (3PMSF)
- Retain smoothness and integrity of the ride over roads with minor and medium-size bumps, cracks and hollows.
- A 60,000 mile warranty and good treadlife
- A three-layer structure ensures high durability and performance
- Goof off-road performance in all types of weather and terrain
What’s bad about it?
- Excessive rolling resistance (due to a wide footprint)
- The tire skids when you push the throttle on wet roads
- Does not do well in the rain compared to its competitors
- Straight-line tracking leaves something to be desired
From the very beginning, Hankook (South Korea) has pursued the fundamental goal of developing and making long-lasting high quality tires available at an affordable price. Recently, the tire maker started to compete with whales like Pirelli, Bridgestore, Continental, etc. Finally, Hankook has got a good share in the all-terrain segment, giving competitors even more headache.
The tire’s durability has earned it enviable popularity in the USA, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere. Numerous SUV and truck drivers agree that it is really great for the price, even compared to many premium tires. The Dynapro continues to demonstrate excellent toughness, smoothness and durability in various types of terrain, and many drivers choose it for off-road driving.
The new Hankook Dynapro AT2 tire clearly demonstrates that the Korean tire maker has made great effort to improve it. Users feel satisfied with the tire’s performance and believe that competition has something to do with the success too. Leading tire makers, such as Goodyear, Continental, Bridgestone, Michelin, etc., have set new standards for their tires regardless of terrain type, weather, driving scenario, etc. These companies are placing a great emphasis on all-terrain and all-weather performance, road dynamics, comfort, and, most important, safety.
In this situation, the Dynapro A/T 2 has to be as good as or even better than tires made by these companies in many aspects. It is absolutely mandatory that a tire meets customers’ most common expectations concerning longevity, safety, performance and comfort, and demonstrates an attractive price/quality ratio.
The latter is the biggest challenge for every manufacturer, and Hankook is no exception. Buying a good thing at a lower-than-average price is a kind of universal goal of everyone. The Dynapro AT2 is available at a lower price than many renowned premium all-season tires made by Michelin, Continental, Goodrich, Goodyear, Bridgestone, etc. This is particularly important for SUV and truck owners and drivers, as these vehicle use pretty expensive tires.
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the most important qualities of the Hankook Dynapro AT. Particularly, we are going to focus on such characteristics as off-road traction, longevity, comfort, dynamics and safety. We are going to take a closer look at technologies and innovations implemented in the tire and how they work.
What is so special about the Hankook Dynapro AT2?
Hankook claims that the Dynapro AT2 demonstrates superb performance and competes with numerous premium quality all-terrain tires. Most important, it shows exceptional off-road traction combined with enviable on-road integrity and durability.
This has become possible thanks to the use of a specific type of rubber and tread. The tire features a symmetric pattern with the shoulders featuring rigid tie bars. This gives the tire an extra point in chip- and cut-resistance, fuel economy, smoothness of the ride and ease of handling.
The tire utilizes the aero Shoulder Technology with specially designed stepped block edges and features a tie bar in the shoulder block. Together, these create an impressive effect and reduce the tread growl and airborne noise. As a result, the driver and passengers enjoy a quiet and comfortable ride.
To boost traction on wet roads, the tire maker added silica to the rubber, which a kind of clings to the surface and ensures a better grip. On the other hand, the tire features open shoulders and broad grooves that improve its hydroplaning characteristics. Together, these factors make up superb traction and therefore safer riding on wet surfaces.
On top of that, the tire boasts a pattern of waved multi-directional sipes and grooves, as well as independent tread blocks, which improve traction on wet and snowy roads and off-road terrains. The tire has a SPMSF symbol, which stands for “Three-Peak-Mountain-Snowflake.” Unlike tires with the M+S (Mud and Snow) symbol, Dynapro AT2 does very well on ice and snow.
Finally, the tire has a tough anti-puncture internal structure featuring a three-ply casing. It has proved to be more effective than the two-ply construction against physical impact and sharp objects. In combination with two steel belts and two nylon cap plies, the innovative structure results in exceptional durability and highway performance.
Tread wear indicators
Tread wear indicators (TWI’s) are a common thing, and they differ from category to category. They reflect tread depth – a characteristic, which directly reflects a tire’s durability and influences traction and general performance. There are touring and highway tires that boast very good tread wear indicators.
A TWI is a narrow rubber bars that are set deep in the grooves. When the tire is new, the bars are not readily visible, and it takes a closer look to see these. However, they become more visible as the rubber wears down and the grooves grow shallow. Once the depth reaches the 2/32-inch point, the TWI bars become level with the rest of the surface. Now it is the right time to replace the tires and drive safely!
It is very important for a driver to regularly check tread wear indicators. As the rubber wears down, traction decreases. This is particularly visible on a rainy day and on snowed-up roads. As grooves lose depth, it stops channeling water and loses contact with the road surface. If you have purchased an all-terrain tire, particularly the Dynapro AT2, always check the indicators and be sure that tread depth is at least 2/32 inches.
With that in mind, you can go and buy the Dynapro AT2 tire right now. It is durable and impact-resistant: the three-layer casing protects it against punctures. You will not have problems even if you have to regularly drive across bumpy or rocky terrains. Always check your tires after each such drive and keep track of the TWI’s!
Most users say that the Dynapro AT2 does clear the 60,000-mile barrier, as Hankook provides the respective tread wear warranty (on P-metric and LT-metric)
What is the dry-surface performance?
Drivers say that the Dynapro AT2 has a great steering feel in all types of terrain. However, straight-line tracking does not seem to be its strong point, so please, be prepared to adjust your steering wheel.
On the other hand, the tire demonstrates superb traction and responsiveness. Like many premium-quality all-terrain tires, the Dynapro AT2 has a strong cornering grip and highway performance.
Does it do well on slippery and wet surfaces?
Although the Dynapro AT2 is said to be good on wet surfaces, its wet-road performance still has something to be desired. Particularly, it fails in traction during heavy rain, especially in heavier vehicles (trucks).
Also, many drivers complain about understeer at low speeds and say that things get much worse compared to many popular and high-quality all-terrain tires. The Hankook team is working hard to design and develop an affordable product with a better wet-road performance.
Does it do well on snowed-up roads?
Although the Dynapro AT2 is not a winter tire, it does quite well in moderate climates and on moderately snowed roads. It is not intended for driving in extreme winter weather.
With that in mind, you can drive in the city and countryside providing that you drive in a safe manner and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and guidelines. The tire demonstrates a god steering feel and short braking distances. Like most all-season tires, this one is not very good on ice.
What do off-roaders say?
Although the Dynapro AT2 cannot beat Goodyear of Goodrich, it does attract average SUV and pickup truck drivers. The tread pattern and construction have made it resistant to the off-road hardships and boosted its performance in muddy or waterlogged areas. It should be remembered, however, that the Dynapro AT2 is not for professional off-road drivers.
Do you drive comfortably with the Dynapro AT2?
Drivers say that the ride is quite smooth and stable, maybe somewhat stiff. Some drivers like it even better than when the ride feels soft. Tread grown is quite pronounced, but that is typical of all-terrain tires in general.
Would the Hankook Dynapro AT2 be the right choice for me?
If you are considering the possibility of buying the Dynapro AT2, please, weigh all pros and cons. Particularly, you must be aware of the tire’s weakest spot – lower than average wet traction. This won’t be an issue for drivers residing or working in dry or temperate climates. In this case, the Dynapro AT2 can be a money-saver. You will be ok if you drive in the city and occasionally in the countryside, and in a proper and safe manner.
Why is it better than its predecessors?
As follows from the above, Hankook has produced a new affordable kind of tire with some major improvements in the following characteristics:
- Comfortable ride
- Firmer grip on dry roads and good cornering grip
- Good steering feel
- Good snow traction and short braking distances
- Good off-road performance
Price and warranty
The Hankook Dynapro AT2 is available at $137.99 or more, depending on the dealer and size. Some dealers offer discounts, especially for those who buy a whole model-specific four-tire set.
The tire has a 30-day free trial period and comes with a 6-year (60,000 miles) tread life warranty, providing that you use same-size front and rear tires. The warranty (material and workmanship) is valid providing that:
- the tread depth is at most 2/32”;
- the 6 year period from the date of purchase has not expired yet;
- during the first year from purchase (with 2/32” of wear), a road hazard warranty is valid.
Tire Sizes
15″
235/75R15
16″
235/70R16
245/70R16
255/65R16
255/70R16
265/70R16
LT265/70R16
17″
245/65R17
255/65R17
265/65R17