Putting the Dunlop Grandtrek AT22 and AT3G Tyres to the Test: Long Distance Driving, Off-Road Performance, and Fuel Consumption in Australia

Australia is a country of vast distances and diverse terrain, making it a popular destination for long distance road trips and off-road adventures. Choosing the right tyres for your vehicle is crucial for a safe and enjoyable journey, and it's important to consider factors such as fuel efficiency and design features. That's why Bob Jane T-Marts conducted a recent tyre test that compared the Dunlop Grandtrek AT22 and the Dunlop Grandtrek AT3G on two Isuzu D-Max utes to determine which tyre is better suited for long distance driving, off-road performance, and fuel consumption in Australia.

The Dunlop Grandtrek AT22 is designed for 4WD’s and SUVs and features a tread pattern that provides excellent steering response and traction on both wet and dry roads. The tyre has four circumferential grooves that enhance water evacuation, reducing the risk of hydroplaning, which makes this tyre a safe option on the bitumen. The AT22 also features a reinforced sidewall design to reduce the risk of damage during off-road use.

The Dunlop Grandtrek AT3G is designed for 4WD vehicles and features an aggressive tread pattern that provides exceptional off-road performance. The tyre has large shoulder blocks and multi-directional grooves that enhance traction in tough off-road conditions in Australia. The tyre's sidewalls are made from a 3-ply sidewall construction that enhances durability and resistance to punctures.

The tyre test evaluated both the AT22 and AT3G tyres on different types of terrain, including the bitumen, gravel tracks, beach sand, and off-road trails. The two Isuzu D-Max utes were driven on the same routes, with one fitted with the AT22 tyres and the other fitted with the AT3G tyres. The test covered roughly 3500 kilometers.

If the recent Goodyear comparison was anything to go by, the crew learnt that with premium tyres you cannot judge a tyres capability of its tread pattern as there are many more layers in the technology that make up the performance of a tyre. The Goodyear comparison resulted in a smaller than expected gap between the standard all-terrain and more aggressive all-terrain. However, the team could not help but form an initial perception that the AT3G’s aggressive tread pattern may just generate additional road noise and use substantially more fuel than the AT22.

The AT22 handled exceptionally well on road, particularly during the wet weather driving, the driver felt safe and confident on these tyres. The AT3G shone in the off-road conditions, and although capable and safe on the road, the tyre came into its own when it was run off the black top.

When the receipts were added up for fuel it was no surprise that the AT3G had a higher than expected fuel consumption. The difference between the two Dunlop tyres was noticeably more than between the two Goodyear tyres in a previous test. The Goodyear’s presented a fuel usage difference of a little over 5 litres of fuel between the tyres over the distance, whereas the AT3G’s used almost 20 litres more fuel compared to the AT22’s over a similar distance. This result demonstrates that you cannot make like for like comparisons across tyre brands. We ran two premium branded tyres, comparing an aggressive all-terrain against a balanced all-terrain and came up with very different results on the same cars and similar roads and conditions.

In conclusion, the Dunlop Grandtrek AT22 and AT3G tyres were put to the test on two Isuzu D-Max utes to determine their performance on different types of terrain and fuel consumption. Both tyres demonstrated excellent handling and off-road performance, but the AT22 tyres were more fuel-efficient than the AT3G tyres. By considering your priorities and the types of terrain you will be driving on, you can make an informed decision when choosing between the Dunlop Grandtrek AT22 and AT3G tyres.

If you’re looking for your next set of all-terrain tyres from Dunlop, contact any one of our Bob Jane T-Marts stores nationwide.