Nitto Terra Grappler Review: All-Terrain Tire for All-Season Driving

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Dry

95%

Wet

90%

Snow

85%

Comfort

90%

Noise

90%

Treadwear

90%

Overall

90%

Pros

  • Excellent off-road traction
  • Refined on-road manners
  • Comfortable and quiet ride
  • Affordable price
  • Aggressive looks

Cons

  • Tire roar at higher speeds

The Nitto Terra Grappler has already made a name for itself as a brilliant all-season, all-terrain tire. It has since been replaced by the Terra Grappler G2 but Nitto is still selling the original Terra Grappler for hardcore off-road enthusiasts.

This review is for the Nitto Terra Grappler. Later on, we found out this tire is no different from the newer Grappler G2. There are some minor changes to the tread blocks, but both tires are virtually the same. And as an added bonus, the Grappler is selling at a lower starting price than the Grappler G2, so give this some consideration if you’re running a tight budget.

The Nitto Terra Grappler is an all-terrain tire designed for all-season driving. It is applicable to light pickup trucks, sport-utility vehicles, and off-road modified rigs.

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What are the main differences between the Nitto Terra Grappler and Grappler G2?

Nitto has improved on the minor shortcomings of the original Grappler when designing the Grappler G2. But the biggest difference is tire wear. Although the Terra Grappler is not bad in terms of wear, the Grappler G2 is constructed using a brand new low rolling resistance compound. This is the reason why the Terra Grappler G2 has a UTQG Treadwear rating of 600 while the Terra Grappler has a score of 500.

The second-gen Grappler is also fitted with improved coupling joints to further enhance even wear. The coupling joints are designed to improve tread block rigidity. In the meantime, the coupling joints in the original Nitto Terra Grappler are designed to improve off-road traction and on-road handling.

Both tires also feature dual sidewall designs so you can choose which side of the tire looks best in your vehicle. I don’t know about you, but this is a welcome feature that allows you to add a touch of customization in your ride.

Nitto Terra Grappler Review

What are the features of the Nitto Terra Grappler?

It looks chunky, and it looks mean. But from the inside, the Nitto Terra Grappler is engineered to deliver superior on-road and off-road performance. This tire is equipped with angled lateral voids in the shoulders. This feature is meant to channel water, mud, snow, debris away from the contact patch to provide better wet and snow performance. But this feature is also designed to improve forward stability as you drive in the street.

The shoulders are also equipped with chiseled lugs. The staggered layout improves traction and grip over loose dirt, mud, knee-deep snow, and deep sand. The treads are filled with high-density siping and lateral voids to further enhance all-season traction. Secure handling is ensured courtesy of the circumferential voids and rigid coupling joints.

Can it cope with rough and demanding terrain?

Yes! There’s no doubt the Nitto Terra Grappler is a tough and durable tire for mild to moderate off-road applications. But there are limits to what this tire can do. The best thing about this tire is it transitions gracefully from the street to rougher off-road terrain. It handles loose dirt, gravel, mud, and sand really well. In fact, it is one of the best all-terrain tires for serious off-road duty. However, when faced with tougher obstacles like thick mud, deep snow, or black ice, this tire struggles to find ample amounts of grip.

However, this is not the tire’s fault. If you demand a tougher tire for extreme off-road applications, the Nitto Trail Grappler and Mud Grappler are better choices. But when it comes to improving the off-road capabilities of your SUV or work truck, you can’t do better than the Nitto Terra Grappler.

How does it handle snow and ice?

It handles slippery snow and ice quite well. The full-depth sipes on the tread blocks are responsible for unearthing massive amounts of grip from the most demanding road surfaces. The Nitto Terra Grappler is also good for cold-weather driving, which is one of the true attributes of an all-season tire.

Is it refined and comfortable in the street?

The Nitto Terra Grappler is surprisingly comfortable in the street. It is also moderately quiet with a lesser tire roar than other A/T tires. But the refinement factor in the Nitto Terra Grappler is more oriented towards silencing road noise rather than providing supple comfort, which is not a bad thing to have in an all-terrain tire.

Is it good in the rain?

Absolutely. The Nitto Terra Grappler is well-equipped to handle a wet highway. It is also adept at forging over wet off-road terrain. This is not a sporty tire by any means, but it provides strong braking, responsive steering, and dependable handling in both on-road and off-road conditions. Interestingly enough, the Terra Grappler G2 feels exactly the same as the original Grappler in the wet.

You can see more Nitto Terra Grappler Review here: videos created by Blue TRD Jon

Should I buy the Nitto Terra Grappler?

If not for the presence of the Terra Grappler G2, the original Nitto Terra Grappler should be a solid and dependable choice for an off-road tire. But even with the improved second-gen Grappler, the original Grappler is still able to deliver the goods without upsetting the comfort, balance, and stability of your vehicle.

If treadwear is a major issue, I’ll personally choose the Terra Grappler G2. It is more equipped to resist early wear if you do most of your driving in the streets and highways. But if your truck or SUV is more inclined to go off-roading more often, the Nitto Terra Grappler remains a good and safe choice. It also happens to be more affordable than the Grappler G2, so this makes the decision of choosing between the two an easier one.

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