Kenda Klever A/T2 Review: On-Road & Off-Road Tested

The Kenda Klever A/T2 received overwhelmingly positive feedback for its consistent handling across on- and off-road conditions. In our annual test, this Kenda tire was composed enough to guarantee safe, comfortable rides, even for beginners, though we could still spot some glaring drawbacks.

We will dive deeper into its features and highlights in this review. Scroll down to learn more!

Kenda Klever A/T2 Specifications & Features

The Kenda Klever A/T2 promises great on-road comfort and confident off-road performance for 4×4, light trucks, and SUVs.

• The interlocking blocks and A-B tread pattern optimize lateral and off-road traction while reducing road noise.
• Numerous biting edges support aggressive performance across all weather and terrains.
• High sipe density promotes superior ice and snow traction.
• The strong, aggressive upper sidewalls protect the Klever A/T2 against abrasions, cuts, and tears.
• The footprint is computer-optimized to deliver excellent handling and wear under different load conditions. 

Kenda Klever A/T2 Review & Performance Test Results

Our team installed the 235/75R17 tire size version of the Kenda Klever A/T2 on our 2014 F-150 car model as part of the 2023 COR Wheels Tire Test.

1. Dry Performance: 8.4/10

Dry Traction: 8.7/10

The Kenda Klever A/T2 impressed us with its stable and confident dry traction. The interlocking tread worked well on both smooth asphalt and rough tarmac, so our F-150 did not slip or shudder when transitioning between different road textures (quite an impressive feat, considering it is a 2014 model). We also appreciated how the car rarely faltered during rapid speed changes, allowing us to go through long highway curves without excessive gliding.

The tire established excellent grip when going uphill and downhill; therefore, extra cargo of 400 to 500 lbs did not drag it down or dampen its contact patch. You will also have the same pleasant experience during sharp turns or skids; its center rib is so solid and well-supported that you don’t have to worry about possible collisions or over-reactions.

On another note, traveling longer than 3 hours (no rest or stop in between) still weakened the tire’s grip. We also encountered much more frequent slippage once the car revved past 65 MPH. 

Corner Stability: 8.4/10

We were pleased with the A/T2’s reliable traction when cornering. Except for occasional understeering/oversteering (quite common for most AT tires around corners), the tire maintained its sharp and confident performance like on straight roads. 

Therefore, handling gentle curves at 30 to 60 MPH, even with abrupt speed changes and downshifting mid-corner, was an easy feat. Hard braking made the car jostle slightly, but fortunately, our car remained balanced when we used gentle or moderate braking.

Nevertheless, tighter corners gave our car lots of struggle, worsening at speeds of more than 60 MPH. So, when navigating dangerous blind curves or sharp bends, remember to grip your steering wheel tightly. Reducing your cargo weight to less than 350 lbs can also assist your handling. 

Steering Response: 8.2/10

The A/T2’s steering response was quick and accurate, leaving little to worry about. We had no trouble in basic driving situations or when suddenly sidestepping roadblocks and overtaking vehicles. Better yet, gradual accelerations and higher speeds did not affect its responsiveness, smoothening our adventurous rides on highways and mountain passes.

However, ascending and descending steep slopes made the tire lose a lot of its steering flexibility. Though not dangerous or uncontrollable, the brief response delays might get extremely annoying for you over time.

2. Wet Performance: 8.4/10

Wet Traction: 8.3/10

Kenda did not pay much attention to wet traction when producing the Klever A/T2. Therefore, the clear lack of self-control in water 4 inches deep (and more) was disappointing but unsurprising.

To clarify, the tire still retained decent contact with the road. However, due to the thick water under the contact patch, this connection felt muted and very distant. As a result, the A/T2 shuddered even on straight roads and exhibited significant slippage around corners, forcing us to keep our driving speeds within the 25-30 MPH range.

On a brighter note, the tire handled water below 4 inches deep very well. This time, the tire-road connection felt sharper and stronger, making the A/T2’s reaction and steering response more predictable. Understeering and oversteering may still occur when you corner – but compared to deep-water traveling, the traction loss is easier to control now.

Hydroplaning Resistance: 8.5/10

Despite lacking specialized anti-hydroplaning features, the Klever A/T2 distributed water much better than expected. In deep water of 5 inches or less, the tire rolled quite smoothly, displaying no signs of heavy water pooling under the contact patch and easily breezing through straight and winding roads. But as mentioned, slippage is always on the horizon, so you should only drive at 30-35 MPH on flooded roads.

We encountered noticeable hydroplaning issues at high speeds while climbing steep slopes, wet highways, and wet bridges. But drifting is less likely to threaten you if you keep the speed at 30 MPH or less with a firm grip on the steering wheel. Again, water of 4-5 inches onward will pose more danger, so steer clear from these roads as much as possible.

3. Off-Road Performance: 7.9/10

Dirt Traction: 8.1/10

The Klever’s strong, aggressive upper sidewalls worked quite well on off-road gravel trails. Our tire rolled confidently over thick dirt and sharp debris without punctures or abrasions. Back-to-back speed changes between 35 and 65 MPH barely affected the tire’s balance. We also had a surprisingly enjoyable experience when going through tight corners (despite minimal steering input), allowing the F-150 to load 500 lbs with little problem.

On the other hand, you definitely have to watch out for potential slippage on deep ruts, especially at high speeds. The interlocking blocks and center rib still grip the road much better than other rivals, but they fall short of the brand’s advertisement.

Rock Traction: 7.7/10

We didn’t have high expectations for the Klever’s rock traction due to the lack of stone-ejecting features, but it turned out the tire could still perform decently. Despite more frequent shudders on riverbeds and extremely gritty textures (e.g., granite rock), it handled small rocks and pebbles the same way it did with dirt and gravel. 

Therefore, our steering and balance were consistent most of the time, and we could even rev up to 45 MPH or more around gentle corners or less twisty road sections.

It would be better if the A/T2 exhibited less slippage on sandstone trails. Apparently, the tire is still not strong enough to help you fight off both stones and sand particles simultaneously.

Sand Traction: 7.9/10

Like most AT tires, the A/T2 was not as grippy on sand as on dirt. But the great news is that the difference was not that noticeable, especially when we only traveled below 40 MPH on straight roads. The tire redirected loose, soft sand effectively, resulting in pretty solid/predictable traction that remained unaffected by heavy loads beyond 400 lbs.

Nevertheless, you should expect the tire to become much less confident on thick dunes, extreme sandstone trails, and dry riverbeds (mixing gravel and sand); higher speeds beyond 55 MPH only make them twice worse.

Mud Traction: 7.9/10

The A/T2’s performance on mud was the same as on sand. Nevertheless, as mud is generally stickier and much wetter than regular sand, we still faced unwanted slippage and gliding when handling gentle corners or going uphill. Underwater mud and clay pits compromised the contact patch, making it twice as hard for our F150 to maintain decent traction at higher speeds.

Therefore, avoid carrying more than 4 passengers in your car when going through such terrains; it is even better to travel alone and sidestep twisty road sections.

4. Winter/Snow Performance: 8.4/10

Light Snow Traction: 8.5/10

The Klever A/T2 was amazing in light snow conditions – thanks to the high sipe density and interlocking blocks that combine well with each other to stabilize the tire and create more biting edges. Our car clawed through snow just as aggressively as in off-road dirt, and even extremely cold weather did not stall our car mid-way like what we saw in other AT tire options. Snow chains even helped it become extra stable while ascending and cornering.

However, like on dry tracks, revving higher than 65 MPH still caused the tire to shake uncontrollably. You should also be extra careful when loading the car with more than 300 lbs of cargo, as it is much harder to recover from understeering/oversteering in cold, freezing snow than on well-paved roads during summer.

Deep Snow Traction: 8.3/10

Compared to our light-snow test, the Klever A/T2 was much less sharp and aggressive in deeper snow, especially when our car exceeded 50 MPH. Fortunately, the tire still behaved well and predictably, even around corners, and the shaking became less frequent with our consistent steering. 

You probably lose some balance when going uphill or when traveling on highways and wet bridges, but a couple of snow chains can easily help you regain confidence. 

Ice Traction: 8.4/10

While the tire showed weaknesses on icy mountain passes and long highway curves, its ice traction was still very reliable otherwise. 

It felt stable most of the time on thin or moderate ice buildups and straight roads – provided that the car did not travel beyond 50 MPH with gradual acceleration. Our cornering attempts were also surprisingly responsive due to the sidewall stability, and it did not take us much time or effort to pull to a stop after hard braking. 

You should still think twice before using this tire for extremely long adventures on ice, of course, but short to moderate traveling distances are totally manageable.

5. Comfort: 8/10

Ride Quality: 7.9/10

The Klever A/T2 is quite comfortable and cushioned in summer and dry weather; the tire rolled so predictably over sharp debris and large road bumps, and occasional vibrations or jostles were far from annoying. Even traveling on off-road trails and rocks did not result in too much shaking – quite impressive considering the absence of stone-ejecting features.

Nevertheless, handling deep water and thick snow or ice still dramatically compromises A/T2’s riding comfort, which gets twice as bad when your car loads heavy cargo. So, if you prioritize smooth rides, do not try any aggressive steering technique on these terrains. 

Noise Level: 8.1/10

Its tread noise was delightfully low during on-road driving conditions, and we barely heard anything once the car traversed regular, well-paved roads at 40 to 45 MPH. 

However, the same definitely did not apply to our off-road ventures: the A/T2 screeched loudly at both low and high speeds, worsening when ascending and cornering. Going through thick snow using snow chains is just as noisy if you frequently make steering adjustments.

6. Treadwear and Durability: 8.3/10

Thanks to the strong sidewalls, the Klever resisted cuts and tears much better than other Kenda tires we tested. It was also flexible despite temperature extremes (both hot and cold), adapting well to sharp turns and rough speed changes. 

Nevertheless, this is an on-road AT tire at the end of the day, meaning excessive off-road ventures might still put your car under severe treadwear issues after 4-5 years.

Kenda Klever A/T2 Pros & Cons

Conclusion

The Kenda Klever A/T2 decently balances on- and off-road comfort, and its traction in winter conditions is surprisingly competitive. Except for high-speed ascending or descending and heavy hauling or loading tasks, this all-terrain tire should be able to meet your demands for consistent, predictable traction all year round.