Not all tyres are built the same — the tread pattern and construction is tuned for very different jobs. Here's a rundown of the main categories you'll come across.
| Type | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger / touring | Everyday commuting | — |
| Highway terrain (HT) | SUVs on sealed roads | Limited off-road grip |
| All-terrain (AT) | Sealed + gravel mix | More road noise |
| Mud-terrain (MT) | Serious off-road | Noisy, wears faster on-road |
| UHP | Performance driving | Shorter tread life |
| Light commercial | Vans, utes, heavy loads | — |
Passenger / touring tyres
Designed for everyday sedans and hatchbacks, prioritising a comfortable ride, low road noise, and reasonable tread life.
Highway terrain (HT)
Built for SUVs and light trucks that mostly stay on sealed roads. Gives a quieter, more car-like ride than an all-terrain tyre while still handling light gravel roads.
All-terrain (AT)
A middle ground for SUVs and 4WDs that see both sealed roads and unsealed tracks. More aggressive tread than an HT tyre for better off-road grip, with some trade-off in on-road noise and comfort.
Mud-terrain (MT)
Aggressive, chunky tread designed for serious off-road use — mud, rocks, and loose terrain. Noisier and wears faster on sealed roads.
Ultra-high-performance (UHP)
Built for sports cars and performance sedans, prioritising cornering grip and steering response, often with a lower-profile sidewall.
Light commercial / TBR
Rated for higher loads than standard passenger tyres, built for vans, utes, and light trucks that carry heavier loads regularly.
Not sure which category fits your vehicle and driving? Search by your vehicle's make and model on our homepage and we'll show you what's suited to it.