Can Pirelli’s Scorpion XTM AT Performance Handle Death Valley’s Toughest Terrain?

Ever wonder what happens when you take a tire from Pirelli, a brand best known for race tires, and throw it into some of the toughest terrain on the planet? Well, I got the chance to find out. I took the Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT for a spin in Death Valley, and this tire had to prove its performance in some of the harshest conditions out there.

Real-World Testing in Death Valley

We didn’t stick to any easy, man-made trails (unless you count the road, I suppose). Nope. We put rubber to sand dunes, rocky roads, and everything in between. From Red Rock Canyon to Shoshone and the Badwater Basin – we took the Scorpion XTM AT tire through it all. The ground was tough, the heat was cranked up to 100°F, and the terrain was unforgiving. This was no vacation drive – this was real-world, all-terrain testing.

Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT performance: The Tread

When you first look at the Scorpion XTM AT, you’re sure to notice its bold, aggressive tread pattern. It's a sign that this tire is built for traction and stability, especially when you’re airing down to handle deep sand or rocky trails. I had the chance to test it out in a Ford Bronco Heritage Edition, a Jeep Wrangler, and a Rivian R1T. Each one performed impressively, but it was the sand where this tire really stood out. The traction felt solid, and I never felt like I was losing control, even in the deepest dunes.

Real On-Road Performance

This tire was built for the wild outdoors, but I was still surprised by how well it handled on the pavement. It was quieter than I expected for an aggressive off-road tire. I was impressed with how it performed on the road, even after putting it through some of the roughest off-road conditions.

The EV Version: Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT performance

Pirelli also developed a separate EV version featuring the company's "Elect" symbol. It’s designed to reduce rolling resistance. That means better range for your EV, so you don’t have to compromise off-road capability for efficiency. And both versions are built with chip-and-chunk resistance, so they’ll last longer, no matter where you drive.

Off-Road Guidance from Emily Miller

We didn’t just test this tire on our own. We had some serious off-road expertise from Emily Miller, founder of the Rebelle Rally, helping us navigate the trails. Emily’s been behind the wheel of some of the toughest vehicles out there, so I was thankful to have her in my ear for this one! 

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