Bridgestone Dueler AT 697 Review — Serious All-Terrain Capability for NZ 4x4s
Overall Rating: 9.0 / 10
Category: All-Terrain — High Capability
Price in NZ: From $441 per tyre
Best for: Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Land Cruiser — demanding NZ off-road use
Quick Verdict
The Bridgestone Dueler AT 697 is Bridgestone’s more capable all-terrain — positioned above the AT 002 for drivers who need greater off-road performance without crossing into rugged terrain territory. It features more aggressive tread than the AT 002, with deeper voids, reinforced sidewalls, and higher mud and rock capability — while maintaining adequate tarmac performance for daily use. For NZ Hilux and Ranger owners who regularly work in demanding terrain — steep hill country, river crossings, rocky backcountry — the AT 697 provides meaningful off-road capability beyond the AT 002 at a comparable price.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | All-Terrain (High Capability) |
| Load Range | C, D, E (varies by size) |
| Speed Ratings | R (170), S (180), T (190 km/h) |
| Available Rim Sizes | 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″ |
| NZ Price Range | $441 – $650 (varies by size) |
Performance Profile
Off-road: Meaningfully more capable than the AT 002 in mud, loose terrain, and rocky conditions. The deeper tread void ratio provides better self-cleaning in mud, and the more aggressive shoulder blocks deliver better traction on slopes and loose surfaces.
On-road: Adequate — louder and slightly less refined than the AT 002 as the trade-off for greater off-road capability. Highway use is manageable for daily drivers but the Dueler AT 002 is more comfortable for tarmac-priority use.
Load capacity: Available in E-range for heavy load and towing applications — important for Hilux and Ranger owners carrying full payloads.
AT 697 vs AT 002 — Which Bridgestone AT?
| Feature | Dueler AT 697 | Dueler AT 002 |
|---|---|---|
| Off-road capability | Higher | Good |
| Road noise | Higher | Lower |
| Tarmac comfort | Good | Better |
| Price | $441+ | $408+ |
| Best for | Demanding off-road users | Mixed daily/off-road |
Choose AT 697: Regular demanding off-road work — steep terrain, river crossings, rocky tracks.
Choose AT 002: Mixed daily driving with moderate off-road — more comfortable daily use.
NZ Road Conditions Assessment
Rural South Island: Excellent — South Island high-country stations, forestry access, and river access roads demand the AT 697’s greater off-road capability. The reinforced sidewalls protect against sharp South Island rock hazards.
Rural North Island: Very good — clay hills, steep farm tracks, and wet paddock access suit the AT 697’s mud and traction capability.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Greater off-road capability than AT 002 — for demanding NZ terrain
- Bridgestone quality and 160+ NZ store support
- E-range load capacity for heavy Hilux and Ranger use
- Reinforced sidewalls for NZ rocky backcountry
Cons
- Higher road noise and slightly less tarmac comfort than AT 002
- More expensive ($441 vs $408)
Sources
- Bridgestone Dueler AT 697 — bridgestone.com — accessed 2026-06-01
- Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/bridgestone/ — accessed 2026-06-01
Related Pages
- Bridgestone Dueler AT 002 — for mixed daily/off-road
- Bridgestone Tyres NZ — brand overview
- Best All-Terrain Tyres NZ — full comparison