Kanati Terra Commander RTX vs Haida HD878 R/T tires

In the tire business for over 40 years, Kanati is a subsidiary of Greenball Corporation and has its headquarters in Anaheim, CA. The tire manufacturer makes solid tires for use on light trucks, SUVs, and ATVs/UTVs, and caters to the needs of off-roading enthusiasts. The performance-worthy tires of Kanati are offered at affordable prices, and its portfolio includes all-season, all-terrain, rugged-terrain, and mud-terrain tires.

Haida, on the other hand, is a Chinese tire manufacturer that has tires for a diversified range of vehicles, including passenger cars, light trucks, CUVs, SUVs, trailers, and commercial vehicles. Its portfolio is loaded with a variety of tires from categories like all-season, all-terrain, rugged-terrain, highway, winter, mud-terrain, and UHP summer. Haida tires are chosen by the drivers for their reliable performance and affordability, and for the enthusiasts too, they offer many capable tires.

Coming from the above two tire manufacturers, we have picked the Kanati Terra Commander RTX and the Haida HD878 R/T for comparison. They both are rugged-terrain tires and can be used on light trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. These tires can be considered as a cross of all-terrain and mud-terrains, which means they allow you to confidently drive your ride on paved roads and still manage to offer aggressive off-road performance. As compared to all-terrain tires, they are better performers off the road.

So, using our proprietary tire rating system, SimpleScore, let’s compare the Terra Commander RTX vs the HD878 R/T tires and find out how they fare against each other overall, and in areas like traction, handling, and longevity.

Kanati Terra Commander RTX tires

First, let’s talk about the Kanati Terra Commander RTX that made its debut in December 2020 and is suitable for use on SUVs, light trucks, and Jeeps. The tire is engineered to let you comfortably cruise on the highways and handle light off-road conditions. Kanati has used technologies and features to reduce the tread noise levels and keep the vibrations under control. There are features for increased grip and traction, solid durability, and better handling performance. Additionally, the Mud and Snow (M+S) rating provides confidence to the drivers for extra control and grip in muddy and snowy conditions. Thanks to the above features, the Terra Commander RTX earns an overall 8.1 SimpleScore rating.

Get Kanati Terra Commander RTX tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Haida HD878 R/T tires

In competition, we have the Haida HD878 R/T that was introduced in April 2019 and can be used on pickup trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs. This hybrid tire, like its competitor, is suitable for year-round use and has the ability to confidently let you transition from on-road to off-road. There are features in this rugged-terrain tire for enhanced on- and off-road traction, self-cleaning tread, damage resistance, and responsive handling. With a lot of good features on offer, the HD878 R/T achieves an overall SimpleScore rating of 7.7.

Get Haida HD878 R/T tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Kanati Terra Commander RTX vs Haida HD878 R/T tires on traction

Rugged-terrain tires are all about traction and surface-biting ability in rugged conditions and maintaining surefootedness on paved roads. That’s why the analysis of their traction performance becomes essential. We saw a significant difference in the traction scores of both tires, which confirmed that one of the tires was way better than the other. Here are the details:

Starting with the Terra Commander RTX, the tire gets an 8.0 SimpleScore rating in traction, which indicates its reliable on- and off-road performance. It features an optimized tread pattern with closely placed lugs for better surface contact, and there are stone ejectors that expel rocks and other debris for increased grip and traction while driving in rugged conditions. While the sipe lugs boost grip in rugged environments, the Mud and Snow (M+S) allows the tire to perform better in mud and snow. Additionally, the all-season rubber compound provides a solid grip on paved roads year-round.

On the contrary, the HD878 R/T scores a mediocre 7.4 SimpleScore in traction. This confirms that the tire can be a decent performer in varying terrains. The use of an all-season rubber compound allows the Haida HD878 R/T to provide year-round traction and grip, while the 3D tread pattern boosts the tire’s road gripping ability. The wider footprint with sharper tread block edges increases the tire’s biting ability, and the self-cleaning wide grooves eliminate mud and snow for enhanced traction performance.

No doubt, the HD878 R/T is a decent on- and off-road performer and offers reliable traction, the Terra Commander RTX is better and ensures commanding off-road traction and road grip.

ADVANTAGE: Kanati Terra Commander RTX

Kanati Terra Commander RTX vs Haida HD878 R/T tires on handling

Handling relates to steering response, lane-changing ability, cornering performance, stability, and braking efficiency. So, let’s check which of the two tires is better in this area.

The Terra Commander RTX is rated an 8.0 in the handling area and assures great steering response and controllability. The optimized rubber compound assists in seamless cruising on the highways as well as light off-road conditions, and the wider shoulder blocks along with aggressive sidewalls improve cornering performance and stability. The optimized void ratio helps reduce tread noise levels, while the sipe arrangement on the blocks increases the tire’s ability to maintain surefootedness and braking efficiency on wet and slick roads.

Comparatively, the HD878 R/T scores a good 7.5 rating in handling and can deliver good controllability in varying terrains and weather conditions. The advanced 3D tread design of the tire helps establish better contact with the surface for improved braking performance, and the wider footprint allows the tire to maintain consistent control and stability, both on highways and rugged terrains. The HD878 R/T’s shoulder tread pattern prevents the vehicle from skidding and helps maintain improved handling performance.

When both tires are compared, it is again the Terra Commander RTX that excels, leaving the HD878 R/T behind in the comparison race by 2-0.

ADVANTAGE: Kanati Terra Commander RTX

Kanati Terra Commander RTX vs Haida HD878 R/T tires on longevity

You wouldn’t want to buy a tire that wears fast, and therefore, the longevity analysis becomes more important. Here, let’s find out which of the two tires is better when it comes to serving longer and controlling wear rate.

The Terra Commander RTX tire achieves an 8.4 SimpleScore in longevity, assuring that the tires won’t wear too fast. The aggressive tread design of this rugged-terrain tire absorbs off-roading and highway driving pressures for long-lasting performance. The strong 3-ply sidewalls protect against wheel damage, and stone ejectors between the lugs prevent stone drilling, thus ensuring optimum damage resistance and long-lasting tread life. The backing of 45,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty is another assurance that the tire is built and designed to last for an extended period.

In competition, the HD878 R/T secures a 7.2 SimpleScore rating, comparatively lower than the Kanati tire. However, it has many features that contribute to increased service life. The unique wider pattern of the tire is engineered for even wear, and the special anti-collision sidewall design provides puncture and damage resistance for a long-lasting service. The tread doesn’t let stones or other objects get stuck in the contact patch area, thus avoiding the chances of stone drilling.

In the longevity area, it’s the Terra Commander RTX that strikes and surpasses the HD878 R/T in all three areas.

ADVANTAGE: Kanati Terra Commander RTX

When to use each

Both, the Terra Commander RTX and the HD878 R/T are made for driving in on- and off-road conditions, and they are built using an all-season rubber compound that provides traction and grip in dry, wet, and light snow conditions. The Terra Commander RTX is, however, Mud and Snow (M+S) rated and provides better traction and performance in muddy and snowy conditions. However, these tires are not Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and shouldn’t be used in moderate to severe winter conditions, when the temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are the one who wants to buy a set of tires dedicated to going off-road, then mud-terrain tires would be a better option over these rugged-terrain tires. Likewise, if you drive more on paved roads and very rarely go for off-roading adventures, then a set of all-terrain tires could be an ideal choice for your driving needs.

Coming to tire sizes, the Terra Commander RTX is offered in 17- to 20-inch rim size options, whereas the HD878 R/T from Haida is available in 16- to 24-inch rim sizes, offering a wider compatibility with SUVs, pickup trucks, and Jeeps.

Which one should you choose?

Based on the overall SimpleScore, the Terra Commander RTX is better than the HD878 R/T (8.1 vs 7.3). The Terra Commander tire also excels in all three areas (traction, handling, and longevity), and comes as a better option for enthusiasts. However, they both have their own unique attributes which must be compared before making a purchase.

As far as the prices are concerned, the Terra Commander RTX is offered at a starting price of at least $126 per tire, and the HD878 R/T is available at a starting price of at least $156 per tire. This means a set of four Terra Commander RTX tires will cost you at least $504, whereas a set of four HD878 R/T tires can be owned at a starting price of at least $624.

Looking at the SimpleScore, you should consider the Terra Commander RTX if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or the Jeep Wrangler.
• Want a set of tires that’s better in traction (8.0 vs 7.4) and handling (8.0 vs 7.5).
• Prefer a set of tires that’s better in longevity (8.4 vs 7.2).
• Want a set of better and more affordable tires.

On the other hand, you should choose the HD878 R/T if you:

1. Drive a vehicle like the Ford F-150 or the GMC Sierra 1500.
2. Want a set of tires that’s compatible with more vehicles on the market and comes in the rim size range of 16- to 24-inch.
3. Are comfortable paying more to buy a set of reliable rugged-terrain tires.

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.