Pirelli Scorpion ATR Review: The All-Terrain Tire That Delivers Exceptional On-Road Performance
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Pros
- Very good on-road stability and handling
- Safe handling and braking on wet pavement
- Quiet for an all-terrain tire, even at higher speeds
- Comfortable tide over uneven surfaces
- Good performance on hardpacked surfaces
- Excellent treadwear warranty and treadlife
Cons
- Snow traction and braking are far from impressive
- Off-road traction is lower than most competitors
- Unusable in deep mud or over large rocks
- Not as tough or durable as expected from an all-terrain tire
- Not a lot of sizes available
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Off-roading is a type of driving that is done in SUVs and trucks by a minority of its owners. In addition to this, people who do this typically spend 95% of their time traveling. However, despite the fact that most people only put these capabilities into practice 5% of the time, everyone appreciates the versatility of these cars.
In addition, there are a number of SUV and truck models available, all of which are suitable for light off-roading. Every car, truck, or SUV that comes equipped with an all-wheel-drive motor ought to be able to navigate both hard-packed ground and shallow muck. That is, of course, assuming you put on tires that are capable of giving you an adequate amount of traction.
Because of these advantages, most individuals decide to go with all-terrain tires. These tires are designed to give the driver with improved traction on conditions that are both slippery and loose, while at the same time causing minimal disruption to the on-road dynamics.
The Pirelli Scorpion ATR is a model that has been available on the market for tires for more than ten years, making it one of the most well-known all-terrain tire options. In its many years of production, the Scorpion ATR has garnered a reputation that is overwhelmingly favorable, particularly in regard to its on-road dynamics.
The truth is, Pirelli has already released a successor to the Scorpion All Terrain Plus. It goes by the name of the Scorpion All Terrain Plus. In addition, other companies that compete in this market have recently introduced newer models of all-terrain tires. These newer models all have tread compounds and tread patterns that are technologically advanced.
Because of this, the issue that unavoidably arises is whether or not the Pirelli Scorpion ATR is still a viable solution for drivers of SUVs and trucks in North America. In my assessment of the Pirelli Scorpion ATR, I will make an effort to respond to your question in as much detail as possible.
I’ll be discussing the on-road dynamics of the tire and, more specifically, how it stacks up against the more recent competitors in this evaluation. In addition to this, you will be able to acquire information regarding the treadlife, snow performance, and off-road characteristics of the tire, specifically in comparison to competing all-terrain tires.
Now, because of some changes that Pirelli made to its product lineup, the Scorpion ATR will no longer be in competition with its younger brother, the Scorpion All Terrain Plus. Both sets of tires can be purchased in a variety of sizes. The Scorpion ATR is mostly offered in LT-metric sizes and is intended to be used on vintage pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
On the other hand, the Scorpion All Terrain Plus is offered in a significantly wider range of sizes, including those that are suitable for more modern SUVs, trucks, and crossovers. Pirelli ensures that there is room on the market for both types of tires by acting in this manner.
As was to be expected, the cost of the more recent model is similarly higher. In spite of the fact that it is a luxury product, the Scorpion ATR has a price point that is more comparable to that of mid-level tires.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s take a look at the components that Pirelli incorporated into the Scorpion ATR to make it a feasible alternative for consumers who are looking for safe on-road dynamics as well as usable off-road traction.
What are the features of the Pirelli Scorpion ATR?
The manufacturer began with a silica-enhanced tread compound, which, at the time the tire was introduced to the market, was considered to be very cutting-edge technology. This allowed the business to accomplish all of these goals.
The compound is then molded into a symmetric all-terrain tread pattern that runs quietly. It is important to note that this tread design is not as aggressive as some of the other available choices on the market.
Straight-line tracking, a superb steering response, and high-speed stability are all provided by the tread pattern thanks to its practically continuous center rib and wide, solid shoulder blocks.
In addition, the interconnected independent tread blocks in the center tread region and the curved central grooves encourage even wear, increased traction on loose and slippery surfaces, and a quiet ride and acoustic comfort.
In addition, Pirelli utilized a sturdy carcass and reinforced sidewall area in order to provide increased resistance to damage such as cuts and chips. Shoulder blocks that were wider and more rugged were implemented by the designers so that the vehicles could perform even better off-road.
Pirelli’s tires have sweeping circumferential grooves and lateral shoulder grooves, both of which help with water evacuation and hydroplaning resistance. These features were designed to improve wet traction.
In addition to that, each individual shoulder block has small sipes that assist traction over slippery off-road surfaces as well as light snow. These sipes are independent of one another.
The Scorpion ATR, on the other hand, does not have the more current zig-zag or waved sipes that provide even better, more biting edges for improved snow traction and braking.
Internally, the Scorpion ATR is constructed much like the majority of other all-terrain tires. It has two-ply twin steel belts that are wound around a spirally-wrapped nylon cable for improved stability and safer handling.
In addition to that, Pirelli utilized polyester cords in order to make the sidewalls more rigid, which in turn improved the quality of the ride.

What are the maintenance indicators?
In its Scorpion ATR, Pirelli incorporated the standard tread wear indicators into its tires. This is a smart idea because these indications are very crucial for safety; they show the driver when the tire is no longer suitable for driving in wet circumstances.
Pirelli’s products are said to have a minimum tread depth of a 32nd of an inch, as stated by the company. If the tread depth of the tires is insufficient, the hydroplaning resistance of the tires will be significantly reduced, which may cause the vehicle to become absolutely dangerous when driven on wet surfaces.
You can, thankfully, determine how much tread is still on the tire by looking at the narrow rubber bars that are integrated into the tread pattern. These bars are recessed into the tread of the tire, and when the tread wears down, they become more noticeable.
When the tread reaches a depth of one-thirty-second of an inch, the thin rubber bars will be entirely flush with the tread pattern. At that point, you will need to get new tires or run the danger of significantly damaging the vehicle’s wet and snow traction.
Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about that happening anytime soon after you’ve had the tires replaced. Pirelli offers a fantastic treadwear warranty on the Scorpion ATR tire for 50,000 miles, despite the fact that the tire has been around for quite some time.
In addition, I have heard that the treadlife of the Scorpion ATR is satisfactory for a great number of users, particularly those who rotate the tires at each service period.
How does it behave on a dry tarmac?

Even though the Scorpion ATR has been around for more than a decade, it is still able to compete favorably with its more modern rivals when it comes to on-road driving.
The ATR, much like other Pirelli tires, offers excellent responsiveness on the road and does not give the impression of being in the least bit bulky. When driving on these tires, the experience is quite similar to that of driving on all-season highway tires.
In addition to this, the tire offers the driver superior stability, superb handling and cornering, and powerful braking performance.
There are undoubtedly more recent tires that deliver superior performance on the street, but the Scorpion ATR isn’t all that far behind. An outstanding performance here overall.
How is it over wet and slippery roads?
Even in damp situations, the Scorpion ATR demonstrates its superior performance. Even in conditions of extremely intense precipitation, the tire exhibited very good resistance to hydroplaning.
In addition, the tire offers the driver excellent traction on wet pavement, secure handling, and reduced stopping distances.
Again, you may get an all-terrain tire that is more suited for driving in the rain, but the Scorpion ATR performs exceptionally well considering its age.
With that being said, how is it on snowy roads?
Unfortunately, this is where the age of the Pirelli Scorpion ATR becomes most apparent. It is possible to use the tire when driving in snowy circumstances; however, you will need to pay a lot of attention to the road and go very slowly.
The performance of newer all-terrain tires, such as the Scorpion All Terrain Plus, is much improved when driving on snow and ice. The Scorpion ATR simply does not have the traction or stopping power necessary for safe driving in the winter months.
Is it suitable for off-road driving?
If you travel on terrain that is predominantly hardpacked, however, the Scorpion ATR will be an excellent choice for you. Although it’s not outstanding, it’s good enough that you can push it into the corners without having to worry about losing traction.
Having said that, grip in mud is noticeably inferior to that of the more recent competition, particularly tires with tread patterns that are more aggressive.
In addition, the Scorpion ATR does not have the same sense of stability as those other versions. For instance, it does not have any resistance to being punctured. Because of this, you won’t be able to navigate exceedingly tall and jagged rocks when driving your vehicle.
Is it comfortable and refined?
The Scorpion ATR combines startling levels of comfort with its already very dynamic performance on the road. The ride is comfortable for the most part, especially when traveling on the highway. Additionally, the tire does not generate a great deal of noise when traveling at greater speeds, and in this regard, it is comparable to the best all-terrain tires that are available today.
More videos of the Pirelli Scorpion ATR Review can be seen here, and they were produced by PirelliNorthAmerica.
Should I buy the Pirelli Scorpion ATR?
The Scorpion ATR might be a decent choice for drivers who do the majority of their driving on the road, but it is not suited for driving off-road. It’s possible that some motorists are willing to settle for this tradeoff, but they should be aware that there are more contemporary options that perform just as well on the road while also being significantly more practical for off-roading.
In addition to this, the Scorpion ATR is only offered in a limited number of sizes, which prevents the majority of SUV and truck owners from purchasing the product. Because of this, I won’t be able to give the Scorpion ATR my entire recommendation. There is already a product in the Pirelli range that is superior, and it is called the Scorpion All Terrain Plus. This tire performs better in practically every category.
If you are still considering getting the Scorpion ATR, it is imperative that you do so only after becoming familiar with its restrictions. It is not a terrible tire by any means, but neither is it an exceptional one.