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On-test: 5,000km of real-world driving
It’s been a few thousand kays now since I first fitted the Kumho Road Venture AT52s to the 105 Series ‘Cruiser, and I’ve given them a pretty mixed diet since. Between a full run up to Fraser Island, plenty of daily commuting over the Great Divide, and towing car trailers around with a few silly projects, they’ve seen a bit of everything. And it’s given me a chance to really see what they’re like beyond those shiny first impressions.
Honest tyres that do what they say
Let’s call it how it is: these tyres do exactly what they say on the box.
Kumho pitch the AT52 as a touring-focused all-terrain, and that’s exactly what it is. Not a mud-tyre with some manners. Not a pseudo-highway terrain with a tough guy appearance. A proper all-terrain that favours touring comfort and long-haul usability without falling to bits the moment you leave the bitumen.
What stood out most over the last few thousand kays is just how composed they are. The 105 is full-time 4WD so it’s already fairly stable, but where it would occasionally get a bit busy in the steering through big sweeping bends (especially in the wet) it now feels much more planted. The wet weather grip has noticeably improved compared to the old AT51s it had before.
And that’s not just cornering confidence. There’s a general sense of calm on the road. They’re quiet, impressively so. With the roof top tent up on the rack and the 1FZ happily chewing through unleaded up front, you can barely hear any tyre noise. Admittedly that’d be more impressive in a modern dual cab that’s quieter out the gate, but they’re still noticeably quiet.
They run smooth too – no rumble through the wheel, no hum through the seat. Just a smooth, fuss-free drive, exactly what you want when you’re loaded up and punching out big touring kays.
Fraser Island, Fire trails and a bit of everything
Off-road, they’ve performed pretty well too.
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I’ve had them on Fraser’s soft sand, up some inland tracks, and down a few rough and rutted local trails. They’re not an extreme tyre, and I wouldn’t expect them to behave like one, but for this kind of work, they’ve handled it with ease.
They bag out nicely at low pressures, self-clean well when you’re in mud or soft loam, and the side-biters add a bit of extra bite when needed.
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To be fair, they don’t have the same aggression as the Kumho RT I’ve been testing on my Ranger, but that’s kind of the point. The AT52 doesn’t pretend to be an RT. It trades off that last 20% of off-road brute force in favour of refinement and wet grip, and that’s a very deliberate balance. It’s why choosing the right 4×4 tyre is so important – different boots for different feet.
Tyre Life is the standout so far
If there’s one area that’s impressed me even more than expected, it’s tread life.
The Cruiser hasn’t exactly been on rock-hopping duty, but even after 5000km of mixed use (some of it heavy towing), the tread blocks still look brand new. No chipping, no tearing, no uneven wear.
Kumho reckon the AT52s use a new wear-resistant compound with a fancy carbon black and polymer blend, and I’ve got to say, it seems to be doing its job at making the tyres last.
I’m usually a bit sceptical when I read marketing blurbs about “20% longer life” or “cut-and-chip resistance”, but in this case, the compound feels tough, and the wear so far backs it up.
Final thoughts: Underrated, understated, and worth a look
All up, I’ve been genuinely impressed.
Kumho aren’t always the first name that comes up when people talk 4X4 tyres, maybe because they don’t lean into the flash and hype as hard as some others, but that’s kind of what I like about the AT52. It doesn’t shout. It just gets on with it.
They’re a great all-terrain option for anyone doing real-world touring and daily duties. Comfy, quiet, good in the wet, and still totally capable when the bitumen ends.
They’re not a hardcore off-road weapon, and they’re not trying to be, but if your 4X4 has a coffee machine stashed in the back and your idea of fun involves long distances, remote campsites and the occasional corrugation, they’ll be right at home.
They’re the sort of tyre you don’t really think about once they’re on, and honestly, that’s one of the best compliments you can give.
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