Kumho RT review: First thoughts on the rugged terrain tyre

It’s always exciting when you get the chance to test something brand new, so we are keen to get into this Kumho RT review. There’s no pre-conceived bias, no years of online chatter colouring your opinion. Just you, the car, and the fresh set of rubber underneath. So, when the opportunity came through to put Kumho’s first foray into the “RT” segment through its paces, I jumped at it. This Kumho RT review covers my initial impressions after a couple thousand kays of mixed driving.

The Kumho RT is Kumho’s answer to a growing niche. It’s a tyre that sits between All-Terrain and Mud-Terrain rubber. It’s designed to give you serious off-road bite and durability. But it avoids the on-road compromises that come with a full mud pattern. On paper, it sounds like the Goldilocks option for tourers. You get more than an AT but don’t need the full aggro of an MT. But does it deliver? That’s what this rugged terrain tyre test aims to find out.

Kumho RT51 review testing on outback touring tracks — For serious outback touring where you’re punching out big kays but want more strength than an AT the RT makes a lot of sense

What exactly is a rugged terrain tyre?

RT stands for “Rugged Terrain”. A tyre that aims to bridge the gap between an All-Terrain (AT) and a Mud-Terrain (MT). Think of it as the in-betweener: tougher, chunkier, and more aggressive than an AT. But without going full-noise into the heavy compromises of a mud tyre. The pitch is simple: you get more bite and durability off-road than an AT. But you keep enough civility on the blacktop. You’re not constantly paying for it in noise, wear, or wet-weather grip.

RT rugged terrain tyres fitted to Ford Ranger — Measuring in around 34in wrapped around King wheels the RTs fill the Rangers guards well

RT on-road impressions

Swapping them onto a Ford Ranger I’ve recently run both ATs and MTs on, it was clear pretty quickly where the RT sits. They’re definitely noisier and a little looser in the wet than the ATs. That’s not a criticism, it’s just the trade-off. Every tyre is a compromise. Where one shines, another falters. The RT sits not far behind an AT on-road. But the gap is noticeable enough. If road manners are your top priority, you’ll still lean towards the AT.

Kumho RT tyre tread pattern showing aggressive side biters — The RTs pack some aggressive side biters letting you hunt for more traction in the soft stuff

Kumho RT off-road performance

Where the Kumho’s really start to earn their keep is off the black top. I’ve got a test loop I like to use. A mix of fast, flowing dirt, corrugations, mud, ruts, and slippery sandstone. It’s a great leveller. The RT handled it with confidence.

I’ve found the offset centre block pattern gives plenty of lateral support when pushing hard. The car felt planted instead of wandering or pushing wide. In the ruts, the RT really came into its own. With sandstone caked into the tread blocks, the rear axle articulated. The front tyres were hanging in the air. The Ranger just idled through. Not a hint of wheel slip, just easy forward momentum. The more aggressive tread than the AT showed why serious tourers are happy to go for the RT type patterns.

Now, if you’re heading for serious soup, Tassie backcountry bog holes or the Ellis Track, you’ll still want the outright aggression of a mud tyre. But in every other direction, the RT makes a smarter compromise.

Kumho RT51 review comparing performance to all-terrain and mud-terrain tyres — While on-road performance drops off a little compared to an AT, the RT gains a lot of ground on an MT off-road

Who should buy the Kumho RT?

After a couple thousand kays, my first thoughts are this: the RT is a tyre for the in-betweeners.

If you’re running a 79 on 37s and your weekend joy is throwing rooster tails of mud, this isn’t the tyre for you. On the other end of the spectrum, if your life is mostly beach runs, fire trails, and the weekday commute, you’ll want something a little more refined.

But if you sit in the middle, the Kumho RT makes a lot of sense. Someone who wants stronger off-road performance than an AT. Without stepping all the way up to a mud tyre. And with Kumho pricing it competitively, it’s likely to be a popular new option. The rugged terrain segment is only getting hotter.

This is an early assessment based on initial testing. We’ll be keeping the RTs on long-term. We want to see how they handle wear, puncture resistance, and durability over extended kilometres. Check back for our full long-term Kumho RT review once we’ve put some proper distance on them.

Want to get your hands on a set? The Kumho RT is available now through Kumho dealers Australia-wide. Pricing varies depending on your tyre size and vehicle fitment.