Firestone Destination A/T2 vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires

Among the oldest tire manufacturers in the world, Firestone requires no introduction in the US, thanks to its legacy of rolling out exciting, high-quality tires for coupes, sedans, performance cars, minivans, SUVs, CUVs, 4x4s, and pickup trucks. Now a part of the Japanese tire giant Bridgestone, Firestone has a formidable lineup when it comes to off-road tires, and the Destination A/T2 is a solid contender from its portfolio.

Similarly, we pit it against the Ridge Grappler, a capable product from the fast-growing, enthusiast brand, Nitto Tires. Another Japanese tire manufacturer, Nitto, was established in 1949 and has a great portfolio of tires with presence in all-season, all-terrain, mud-terrain, rugged-terrain, UHP, highway-terrain, and racing categories. However, it’s important to note that the selection of an all-terrain tire is a crucial decision for light trucks and SUVs, requiring a tire that seamlessly transitions from comfortable highway performance to confident off-road capability.

While the Firestone Destination A/T2 is backed by a generous limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Nitto Ridge Grappler has its own capabilities that make it a worthy tire. So, which all-terrain tire should you opt for? Let’s do the Firestone Destination A/T2 vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires comparison on the basis of their performance in traction, handling, and longevity in our tire rating mechanism, SimpleScore.

Firestone Destination A/T2 tires

Introduced in August 2019, the Firestone Destination A/T2 is a revered all-terrain tire that offers long-term value, great wet handling, and consistent year-round use. The Firestone all-terrain tire features an aggressive shoulder pattern and a see-through void that not only helps in enhanced handling and stability but also improves water evacuation to boost wet handling and braking. Backed by a 55,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Destination A/T2 comes with full-depth interlocking 3D sipe technology that resists uneven wear and promotes uniform wear throughout its lifecycle.

With an 8.5 overall SimpleScore, the Firestone Destination A/T2 promises great year-round performance in dry, wet, and light snow conditions on and off the road.

Get Firestone Destination A/T2 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Nitto Ridge Grappler tires

Launched in 2016, the Nitto Ridge Grappler is a hybrid terrain tire that’s designed for SUVs, light trucks, and jeeps. The Nitto tire features lateral Z grooves with a zigzag tread pattern that helps it return solid grip, traction, control, and braking on different terrains. At the same time, shoulder grooves promote self-cleaning of mud, dirt, and debris through the alternating width and length of the Ridge Grappler’s shoulder grooves. With a symmetric tread design and aggressive lugs, the Nitto tire boosts uniform wear while offering great grip and traction on uneven surfaces. Lastly, the reinforced construction and solid sidewall design provide extra durability and maintain tire integrity on and off the road. Backed by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Ridge Grappler assures complete peace of mind.

Boasting an 8.2 overall SimpleScore, the Nitto Ridge Grappler provides consistent performance on different terrains.

Get Nitto Ridge Grappler tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Firestone Destination A/T2 vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires on traction

Traction is essential to hold the ground during movement. It becomes critical when the surface is wet and snowy, making it the most significant aspect of tire buying. The Firestone and Nitto all-terrain tires provide great grip and traction on paved and unpaved roads. Let’s analyse their traction performance.

Boasting a superb 8.6 traction score, the Firestone Destination A/T2 returns reassuring grip and surefootedness on smooth and rough roads. With increased surface and see-through voids, the Destination A/T2 clears water quickly from the surface to avoid the risk of hydroplaning and boost wet braking and grip. Meanwhile, the full-depth sipes offer extra biting edges for increased grip and traction on different terrains.

Securing a solid 8.2 in traction, the Nitto Ridge Grappler features a deep tread design that maintains surefootedness for improved performance in different conditions. While the solid shoulder and lateral grooves boost self-cleaning of mud and debris from the tread for consistent grip, the step block edges and staggered shoulder lugs of the Nitto all-terrain tire provide more biting edges for enhanced grip and traction.

With a better score, the Firestone Destination A/T2 opens its account with a win.

ADVANTAGE: Firestone Destination A/T2

Firestone Destination A/T2 vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires on handling

A precise steering response instils confidence in the driver and makes the drive safe and more fun. The Destination A/T2 and Ridge Grappler offer adequate stability and handling; however, one of the tires scores higher than the other. Let’s find out the better performer.

Achieving an 8.2 in handling, the Firestone Destination A/T2 features an aggressive shoulder tread pattern that not only accentuates its looks but also improves the steering response. Additionally, the continuous center rib with numerous sipes provides enhanced grip and maneuverability while driving on paved roads or rough patches. The flat footprint further aids in better interlocking of the tire with the surface for solid handling performance.

On the other hand, the Nitto Ridge Grappler surprises with its spectacular handling score of 8.6 out of 10. Delivering confident-inspiring drive, the all-terrain tire provides precise steering response, stability, and lane-changing on highways. Similarly, the reinforced block foundation reduces tread flex by providing enhanced rigidity to tread blocks, making the tire hold its integrity on both rough and smooth terrains.

Levelling the scores, the Nitto Ridge Grappler stuns the Firestone Destination A/T2 with a win in the handling section.

ADVANTAGE: Nitto Ridge Grappler

Firestone Destination A/T2 vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires on longevity

SUV and light truck drivers prefer tires that can resist cuts and chips and are long-lasting, making longevity a key parameter in tire selection. The Firestone and Nitto all-terrain tires score decently, but one of the tires achieves an incredible longevity score.

The Firestone Destination A/T2 has an ace up its sleeve when it comes to longevity, as it scores a phenomenal 8.9, assuring excellent wearability on different terrains. Backed by a solid 55,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Destination A/T2 features an advanced rubber compound that resists cuts and chips, while the full-depth interlocking 3D sipe technology limits uneven wear while promoting uniform wear throughout its lifecycle.

Scoring a modest 8.0 in longevity, the Nitto Ridge Grappler comes with an aggressive tread pattern that helps it distribute the driving pressure evenly across the contact patch to resist uneven wear. Meanwhile, stone ejectors allow quick expelling of stones, debris, dirt, and pebbles to safeguard the tire against damage and impacts. Additionally, the reinforced block foundation provides enhanced tread rigidity, assuring decent tread life.

Securing an excellent rating, the Firestone Destination A/T2 beats the Nitto Ridge Grappler comprehensively in the longevity department.

ADVANTAGE: Firestone Destination A/T2

When to use each

All-terrain tires are designed to offer consistent traction, grip, durability, and longevity in different driving conditions of dry, wet, and light snow. Some are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and can be used in harsh winter conditions of deep snow and ice.

The Firestone Destination A/T2 and the Nitto Ridge Grappler aren’t severe snow rated and are great for driving in changing weather conditions, including dry, wet, and light snow. While the Destination A/T2 balances on and off-road performance, the Ridge Grappler is tailored more towards off-road performance, reflected in its subsequent SimpleScores. If you want to explore extreme off-road conditions, a dedicated range of mud-terrain tires is best to go with.

Which one should you choose?

In a nutshell, the Firestone Destination A/T2 wins the traction and longevity sections while the Nitto Ridge Grappler takes the handling department in its kitty. However, both tires have unique characteristics, which should be considered before buying any one of them. Now, let’s take a look at their prices to ascertain which is ‘the’ deal you are looking for in terms of budget.

For the 265/60R18 size, the Destination A/T2 costs $253 per tire, while four tires cost $1012. Similarly, the Ridge Grappler costs $296 per tire, while four tires cost $1174 (a difference of $162 on four tires).

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Firestone Destination A/T2 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota RAV4
• Want an all-terrain tire with great traction (8.6 vs 8.2)
• Prefer a tire with reduced noise and vibrations
• Want a tire with a longer tread life (8.9 vs 8.0) and better mileage warranty (55,000 vs 50,000 miles)

Contrarily, you should go for the Nitto Ridge Grappler if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Lexus LX570, Nissan Titan, and Jeep Gladiator
• Want an all-terrain tire with great steering response (8.6 vs 8.2)
• Can pay more for a capable rugged terrain tire

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.