4WD Tyres NZ: Complete Guide to Off-Road & All-Terrain Tyres
Choosing between all-terrain (AT), mud-terrain (MT), highway-terrain (HT), and rugged-terrain (RT) tyres? This comprehensive guide covers everything: performance ratings, lifespan, noise levels, and which type suits NZ conditions — from Coromandel mud to Central Otago gravel.
Shop All 4WD Tyres →The Four Types of 4WD Tyres: HT, AT, RT & MT Explained
Not all 4WD tyres are created equal. Each type is engineered for different conditions — and choosing the wrong one means you're either sacrificing grip where you need it or paying for capability you'll never use. Here's what each type does best.
Highway-Terrain (HT)
Best for: SUVs and 4WDs that rarely leave sealed roads. Quiet, comfortable, fuel-efficient.
Road/Off-road split: 95% / 5%
All-Terrain (AT)
Best for: Mixed use — weekday commuting, weekend adventures. The sweet spot for most Kiwi 4WD owners.
Road/Off-road split: 70% / 30%
Rugged-Terrain (RT)
Best for: Serious off-road with reasonable highway manners. More aggressive than AT, more civilised than MT.
Road/Off-road split: 50% / 50%
Mud-Terrain (MT)
Best for: Serious off-road use — deep mud, rock crawling, farm tracks. Trades highway comfort for maximum traction.
Road/Off-road split: 30% / 70%
4WD Tyre Comparison: HT vs AT vs RT vs MT
| Factor | HT | AT | RT | MT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway comfort | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Off-road traction | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Mud performance | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Gravel roads | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Wet tarmac grip | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Road noise | Quiet | Moderate | Noticeable | Loud |
| Tread life | 60-80k km | 50-70k km | 40-60k km | 30-50k km |
| Fuel efficiency | Best | Good | Moderate | Worst |
Best 4WD Tyres for Your Driving Style
Be honest about how you actually use your 4WD — not how you imagine using it. Choosing tyres for the 10% of driving you might do someday costs you comfort and money on the 90% you do every day.
Daily Commuter + Occasional Gravel
School runs, supermarket trips, occasional bach visits on unsealed roads.
→ All-Terrain (AT)
Mostly Highway + Family Road Trips
Long-distance touring, towing the caravan, comfort matters most.
→ Highway-Terrain (HT)
Farm Work + Regular Paddock Access
Daily farm use, muddy gateways, stock work. Need to get through when it's wet.
→ Rugged-Terrain (RT)
Serious Off-Road + 4WD Club Trips
Regular track days, rock crawling, river crossings. Off-road performance is the priority.
→ Mud-Terrain (MT)
Hunting + Remote Backcountry
Access to remote huts, steep terrain, unpredictable conditions.
→ Rugged or Mud-Terrain
Beach Driving + Fishing Access
90 Mile Beach, Muriwai, river mouths. Soft sand requires aired-down tyres.
→ All-Terrain (AT)Which 4WD Tyre Do You Need? 5 Quick Questions
Answer these honestly — not based on how you imagine using your 4WD, but how you actually use it. The right tyre saves you money and performs better.
4WD Tyre Specifications: Speed Ratings, Load Index & Ply Ratings
Understanding these numbers helps you choose tyres that are safe and legal for your vehicle. Here's the quick reference for 4WD and LT tyres.
Speed Ratings (4WD/LT Tyres)
| L | 120 km/h | Off-road MT |
| M | 130 km/h | Temporary spare |
| N | 140 km/h | Light truck |
| P | 150 km/h | Light truck |
| Q | 160 km/h | LT/4x4 (common) |
| R | 170 km/h | LT/heavy duty |
| S | 180 km/h | AT tyres |
| T | 190 km/h | AT/HT tyres |
| H | 210 km/h | HT/SUV tyres |
Load Index (Common 4WD)
| 104 | 900 kg | Light SUV |
| 108 | 1,000 kg | Mid SUV |
| 110 | 1,060 kg | Large SUV |
| 112 | 1,120 kg | Ute/4WD |
| 115 | 1,215 kg | Heavy 4WD |
| 118 | 1,320 kg | Commercial |
| 120 | 1,400 kg | Heavy duty |
| 121 | 1,450 kg | Max load |
Ply Ratings (LT Tyres)
| 6PR | Load Range C | Light off-road, standard 4WD |
| 8PR | Load Range D | Heavy loads, commercial |
| 10PR | Load Range E | Maximum load, serious off-road |
Balancing Beads (Off-Road Tyres)
| 30-31" | 30/9.50R15, 31/10.50R15 | 4 oz |
| 32-33" | 32/11.50R15, 33/12.50R15 | 6 oz |
| 35" | 35/12.50R15, 35/12.50R17 | 6-8 oz |
| 37"+ | 37/12.50R17+ | 8 oz |
| Metric LT (235-285mm) | ||
| 235-265 | 235/75R15 – 265/75R16 | 4 oz |
| 265-285 | 265/70R17 – 285/70R17 | 5-6 oz |
How Long Do 4WD Tyres Last? Lifespan by Type
Tyre lifespan depends on the type, your driving style, and how much is on sealed roads. These figures assume primarily road use — off-road driving wears tyres faster.
Predator 4WD Tyres: USA-Engineered Premium Performance
We're the exclusive New Zealand distributor for Predator Tyres — a USA-engineered brand built for drivers who demand the best. Every New Mutant tyre comes with a 4-year manufacturer warranty, road hazard protection, and 3-ply sidewall construction. These aren't budget tyres — they're performance tyres at mid-range prices.
USA Engineered
New Mutant X-AT
Best Seller
New Mutant RT Trail
Exclusive NZ
New Mutant X-RT
Maximum Traction
New Mutant X-MT
Winter Rated
New Mutant Arctic
Best On-Road MT
Roadcruza RA3200
Predator vs BFGoodrich vs Cooper: 4WD Tyre Comparison
We get asked this a lot: "Why should I buy Predator instead of BFGoodrich or Cooper?" Here's the honest comparison:
| Feature | Predator RT Trail | BFGoodrich KO2 | Cooper AT3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mileage warranty | 55,000 miles | None | 45,000 miles |
| Road hazard protection | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| Manufacturer warranty | 4 years | 6 years | 5 years |
| Sidewall construction | 3-ply | 3-ply | 3-ply |
| Price (265/70R17) | ~$280 | ~$420 | ~$350 |
| NZ distributor support | Direct (us!) | Third-party | Third-party |
Budget 4WD Tyres NZ: Anchee, Joyroad & Comforser
Not everyone needs the premium Predator range — and that's okay. We stock three other trusted brands that deliver excellent performance for budget-conscious buyers. Each has its own strengths depending on your driving style and terrain.
Anchee — Yokohama Engineering at Budget Prices
Developed in cooperation with Yokohama Rubber Company (world's 7th largest tyre manufacturer). Anchee gets access to Yokohama's advanced design, testing, and manufacturing technologies — meaning international safety and performance standards at a fraction of the cost.
Anchee AC858
Anchee Grandtrac MT1
Anchee AC828
Joyroad — Dependable Performance, Best Value
Delivers a winning combination of durability, traction, and value. Popular choice for drivers who want dependable performance without the premium price tag. All-season compound rated for year-round NZ use.
Joyroad Adventure
Joyroad MT200
Comforser — Versatility Across All Conditions
Internationally respected brand known for high-performance tyres for SUVs, 4WDs, and light trucks. Wide range of tread patterns that perform exceptionally well across both urban roads and off-road environments. Strong following in forestry and agricultural sectors.
Comforser CF3000
Quick Brand Comparison
| Brand | Best For | Key Strength | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Predator | Premium 4WD owners wanting the best | USA engineering, industry-leading warranty | $$$ (but competitive vs BFG/Cooper) |
| Anchee | Quality-conscious buyers on a budget | Yokohama technology at budget prices | $$ (our exclusive) |
| Joyroad | Maximum value, dependable performance | Best bang-for-buck in NZ | $ (lowest cost) |
| Comforser | Forestry, farms, serious off-road work | Directional tread, snow/mud specialist | $$ (specialty option) |
4WD Tyres for New Zealand Roads & Weather
NZ's mix of wet climate, variable terrain, and long distances between services means your tyre choice matters more than in many countries. Here's what to consider:
🌧️ Wet Weather Performance
NZ gets 600-1600mm of rain annually depending on region. On wet tarmac, aggressive mud-terrain tyres actually perform worse than all-terrains due to less surface contact. If you're doing highway kms in winter, the Predator X-AT (8.0 wet rating) is the safer choice over the X-MT (5.0 wet rating).
🛤️ Gravel Road Reality
NZ has over 45,000 km of unsealed roads. For typical gravel — not mud, just loose metal — all-terrain tyres are ideal. They shed stones well, resist chipping, and remain comfortable at gravel-road speeds. The RT Trail's optimised void-to-lug ratio handles everything from packed gravel to loose shingle.
⛽ Fuel Economy Matters
At $2.50+/litre, tyre rolling resistance adds up. Switching from an X-AT to an X-MT can cost an extra $500-1000/year in fuel for average mileage. Make sure the off-road capability is worth it for your actual use.
🔧 Remote Area Reliability
If you're heading bush where help is hours away, tyre reliability matters more than marginal performance gains. The 3-ply sidewall construction across all Predator tyres provides puncture resistance that keeps you moving.
4WD Tyre Pressure Guide: Road vs Off-Road PSI
4WD tyres need different pressures for different conditions. Running the wrong pressure is the #1 cause of premature tyre failure and poor performance.
| Condition | Recommended PSI | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Highway driving | 32-38 PSI (check door placard) | Optimal wear, handling, fuel economy |
| Gravel roads | 28-32 PSI | Better stone ejection, smoother ride |
| Soft sand | 16-20 PSI | Wider footprint, floats on surface |
| Mud | 18-25 PSI | Tyre conforms to terrain, better grip |
| Rock crawling | 15-22 PSI | Tyre moulds around rocks, more traction |
| Heavy load/towing | +3-5 PSI above normal | Supports extra weight, prevents flexing |
4WD Tyres NZ: Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Your 4WD Tyres?
Browse our full range of all-terrain, mud-terrain, highway-terrain and rugged-terrain tyres. Free North Island delivery, fitting from $35, and expert advice if you need it.
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Director of Tyre Dispatch and Manager of Traction Tyres Ltd. Exclusive NZ distributor for Predator Tyres and Anchee Tyres. Decades of industry experience helping Kiwi drivers choose the right tyres for their needs. Based in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty — serving NZ since 2007.
