Best P-Metric All-Terrain SUV Tires: 7 Listings Compared

The best P-metric all-terrain SUV tires are the ones that match the size and load rating on your SUV placard while adding more tread for dirt, gravel and light snow. The Falken Rubitrek A/T is the best-known name on this list, and the Prinx, Cosmo, Mastertrack, Atturo and Crosswind listings are lower-cost alternatives.

Disclosure: some links are Amazon affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

P-metric (P) tires are built for passenger vehicles, SUVs and light pickups. They usually ride softer than light truck (LT) tires but carry less load, so they are not the best choice for heavy towing. Several listings below do not show the P prefix in their titles, so confirm the exact size and type on the listing.

Best P-metric all-terrain SUV tires at a glance

Category

Product

Why it made the list

🏆 Best-Known Name (265/75R16)

Falken Rubitrek

Best-known name here; listing shows 265/75R16

💰 Budget Option

Cosmo El Tigre

Lower-cost option; size varies by listing

❄️ Also Consider (verify snow rating)

Atturo Trail Blade

Listing mentions 3PMS; verify on the sidewall

📏 20-Inch Option

Prinx HiCountry

20-inch option from a value brand

📦 Set of Four (265/70R17)

Mastertrack Badlands

Set of four, 265/70R17

🔁 Alternate Falken Listing (265/70R17)

Falken Rubitrek

Second Falken listing, 265/70R17

🎨 Dual-Sidewall Style

Crosswind Rugged Traxx

20-inch size with dual-sidewall styling

P-metric or LT: which do you need?

  • P-metric (P prefix): designed for passenger cars, SUVs, crossovers and light-duty pickups. Typically a smoother, quieter ride.
  • LT (light truck): stronger construction for heavy loads and towing, usually a firmer ride.
  • Not sure? Use the size and load index on your door-jamb placard or in the owner manual. Do not go below the load index your vehicle requires.

Fit and safety checklist

  • Match size, load index and speed rating to your placard.
  • Look for the 3PMSF symbol on the sidewall if you need severe-snow capability; do not assume it.
  • Replace all four tires if you have all-wheel drive, since large tread differences can stress the drivetrain. Check your owner manual.
  • Heavier all-terrain tread can lower fuel economy and add road noise.

Cosmo El Tigre AT

Listed as an all-terrain tire for roads, job sites and unpaved tracks with reinforced shoulder ribs and deep tread. Check the size on the listing.

Good fit if: you want a low-cost all-terrain option. Watch out: the title does not show P or LT, so check which it is for your size.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Cosmo El Tigre

Falken Rubitrek A/T (265/75R16)

Listed as an all-terrain radial in 265/75R16 with an aggressive tread for dirt, gravel and wet pavement.

Good fit if: you want a well-known A/T for a 16-inch SUV or truck. Watch out: this and the 265/70R17 listing below share one product image, so confirm the size on the listing.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Falken Rubitrek A/T

Atturo Trail Blade A/T (also consider)

Listed as a durable all-terrain tire for work or play. The listing text mentions 3PMS winter performance and long tread life; the URL also mentions a bias construction, so confirm the details before you buy.

Good fit if: the listing matches your size and shows a 3PMSF mark. Watch out: we could not confirm P-metric construction, so treat it as an also-consider option.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Atturo Trail Blade

Prinx HiCountry A/T2

Listed as an A/T2 all-terrain tire for SUVs, Jeeps and light trucks with Pattern Noise Simulation. The URL shows a 60-series size on a 20-inch wheel. The listing advertises a limited tread warranty; read its terms.

Good fit if: your SUV uses 20-inch wheels. Watch out: confirm the width on the listing; the URL shows only the 60-series.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Prinx HiCountry A/T2

Mastertrack Badlands AT (265/70R17, set of 4)

Listed as a set of four Badlands AT tires in 265/70R17 for SUVs and light trucks. The listing advertises a limited tread warranty and a road hazard warranty; read the terms.

Good fit if: you want four tires in one order. Watch out: confirm size and load index for your vehicle.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Mastertrack Badlands

Falken Rubitrek A/T (265/70R17)

Listed as an all-terrain Rubitrek A/T in 265/70R17 with an aggressive tread and heat-diffusing sidewall design.

Good fit if: you need 265/70R17. Watch out: compare it with the Mastertrack set in the same size.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Falken Rubitrek A/T 265/70R17

Crosswind Rugged Traxx

Listed as a rugged-terrain tire for Jeeps, light trucks and SUVs with a crossed-horn tread and dual sidewall styling. The URL shows a 55-series size on a 20-inch wheel. Read any warranty terms on the listing.

Good fit if: you want the dual-sidewall look on 20-inch wheels. Watch out: rugged-terrain tread can be noisier than a mild all-terrain.

Sentiment chart built from summarized buyer comments (not our own testing): Crosswind Rugged Traxx

Listed sizes at a glance

Product Image Listed size Notes
Cosmo El Tigre AT
Cosmo El Tigre AT all-terrain SUV tire
Check listing Budget option
Falken Rubitrek A/T
Falken Rubitrek A/T, one of the best P-metric all-terrain SUV tires listed
265/75R16 Best-known name
Atturo Trail Blade A/T
Atturo Trail Blade A/T all-terrain SUV tire
Check listing Verify 3PMSF mark
Prinx HiCountry A/T2
Prinx HiCountry A/T2 all-terrain SUV tire
60-series, 20-inch Check width
Mastertrack Badlands AT
Mastertrack Badlands AT all-terrain SUV tire
265/70R17 Set of 4
Falken Rubitrek A/T
Falken Rubitrek A/T, one of the best P-metric all-terrain SUV tires listed
265/70R17 Alternate listing
Crosswind Rugged Traxx
Crosswind Rugged Traxx all-terrain SUV tire
55-series, 20-inch Check width

Before you order

  • Confirm size, load index and quantity on the exact listing.
  • Have a tire shop check mounting and alignment.
  • Need more load capacity? See our best LT all-terrain tires.

P-metric all-terrain tire FAQ

What is a P-metric tire?

A P-metric tire is a passenger-vehicle tire, marked with a P before the size, such as P265/70R17. It is designed for cars, crossovers, SUVs and light pickups and usually rides more softly than a light truck tire.

Can I use P-metric tires for towing?

Only within your vehicle and trailer limits. P-metric tires generally carry less load than LT tires, so heavy or frequent towing is a reason to consider LT sizes. Check your owner manual and tire load index.

Are all-terrain tires good in snow?

They can help in light snow, but not all models are rated for it. Look for the 3PMSF symbol on the sidewall of your exact size, and consider winter tires if you see regular snow or ice.

Will all-terrain tires hurt fuel economy and noise?

Often a little. More aggressive tread adds rolling resistance and road noise compared with highway tires. The effect varies by model and by how aggressive the tread is.

Do I need to replace all four tires?

Usually yes for all-wheel-drive vehicles, since differences in tire circumference can stress the drivetrain. Check the tread-difference limits in your owner manual or ask a tire shop.

Wrapping up

Start with the size and load index on your placard, then compare the listings above that match it. The Falken Rubitrek A/T is the best-known option, while the other listings trade brand recognition for lower cost or specific sizes. Confirm size, P or LT type and any 3PMSF marking on the exact listing before you order.

This roundup is reader-supported. When you click through links we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.

Sharing Is Caring:
About the Author

Brian Keller founded Backpack-and-Gear to make gear shopping less of a guessing game. He sets the site’s editorial standards, decides which categories get covered, and edits buying guides before they go live. His own writing leans toward packs, travel kit, and the trade-offs between budget and mid-range gear.

Leave a Comment