Real test data, off-road insights, and daily-driving impact — from a former Bridgestone engineer.
The Yokohama Geolandar A/T is a highway-oriented On-Road A/T tire built for SUVs, crossovers, and light-duty pickups. Unlike competitors like the Toyo Open Country AT3 or Falken Wildpeak AT3W, which aim for a true 50/50 split of on-road and off-road performance, Yokohama positions the Geolandar A/T primarily for paved-road comfort and daily drivability. It’s also available in LT (Light Truck) fitments, which feature a more aggressive tread design than the P-metric versions, giving it added durability and towing stability for ½-ton trucks and above.
This dual-design approach makes the Geolandar A/T unique — P-metric sizes deliver smoother road manners, while LT versions add bite and toughness for drivers who need more utility. The trade-off is that it doesn’t match the off-road depth of category leaders, but for highway-focused drivers who want occasional dirt-road confidence, it strikes a practical balance.
In the sections ahead, we’ll break down how the Geolandar A/T performs across dry, wet, winter, and light off-road testing. You can also see how it compares against rivals in our All-Terrain Tire Decision Tool for quick recommendations by SUV, CUV, or truck class.
From my perspective as a former Bridgestone engineer, the Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 is an excellent choice for highway and city driving, offering strong traction in wet, dry, and snowy conditions with impressive handling for an all-terrain. While it isn’t the best for serious off-road use, it performs well on dirt trails. The trade-offs come on gravel, where it wears quickly, and in fuel economy, as buyers should expect a slight drop in MPG.
Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
Tire Decision Tool
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City and Highway Driving
Having experience with p-metric tires, we found that our city and highway driving experiences were highly satisfying. To provide a better understanding, let’s break down our experiences for wet, dry, and snowy conditions separately.
Dry Performance
Switching from regular all-season tires to the Yokohama Geolander AT, as expected, resulted in slightly inferior dry performance compared to all-season tires. To clarify, when I mention “dry performance,” I’m referring to the handling capability.
However, it’s important to note that the Yokohama Geolander AT is a relatively mild all-terrain tire. In comparison to our experiences with the Toyo AT3 or Falken Wildpeak AT3W, the Geolander AT felt more responsive. What pleasantly surprised me the most was its cornering stability. Even at high speeds, the tire maintained its shape exceptionally well. This can be attributed to its strong sidewalls and wider shoulder blocks.
For the LT (Light Truck) specification, Yokohama seems to employ a 5-rib design with narrower shoulder lugs. This design choice results in wider center and outer ribs, which contribute positively to the tire’s stability. Based on this observation, I expect similar performance characteristics from the LT sizes of the Geolander AT as well.
Wet Performance
Thanks to its ability to put a substantial amount of rubber on the ground, the Yokohama Geolander AT G015 delivers highly satisfying wet performance.
This isn’t solely due to improved wet traction but also enhanced hydroplaning resistance. Upon close examination of the tire’s tread, one can easily spot the full-depth and 3D siping. This design choice not only increases traction by providing numerous biting edges but also greatly improves hydroplaning resistance. The angled notches on the outer ribs effectively direct water to the shoulder slots, contributing to its impressive hydroplaning resistance.
Overall, the Yokohama Geolander AT G015 excels in wet performance for highway and city driving.
I’d like to add some thoughts regarding the LT (Light Truck) metric sizes:
LT sizes of this tire feature a tread that is 4/32” or 5/32” deeper, greatly enhancing hydroplaning resistance. Additionally, they boast a higher siped density, which leads to similar wet traction capabilities as their non-LT counterparts.
Note from the Expert: When it comes to rain, I always emphasize two things: compound grip and water evacuation. You can see the full details in my analysis, but if you take just one thing away, remember that an AT tire’s stiff nature makes achieving top-tier wet performance a constant battle. This is why the question, Are All-Terrain Tires Good in Rain?, requires a nuanced answer that balances tread design against rubber stiffness.
Snow Performance
The Yokohama Geolander AT G015, despite being a mild all-terrain tire, boasts a noticeably aggressive tread pattern compared to standard all-season tires.
Let’s dive into its performance in snow conditions. This tire excels in light snow thanks to its sectional outer ribs and siped pattern. The sectional outer ribs effectively prevent the tread from packing with snow, ensuring consistent traction. Additionally, the shoulder block notches create extra biting edges, contributing to excellent light snow traction.
However, it’s important to note that this tire is primarily designed for on-road use, which results in a shallower tread depth and less void area compared to more aggressive all-terrain tires. While it may not be the best choice for deep snow or slush, it can still provide traction in unexpected snowfall.
A noteworthy point is that the Yokohama Geolander AT G015 carries the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol, indicating that its compound retains flexibility even in temperatures below 45°F, enhancing its winter performance and cold-weather capabilities.
Note from the Expert: Our discussions often boil down to the core tradeoff. On one hand, you must understand why all-terrain tires are truly effective in deep snow, but not on ice. On the other hand, you face the 3PMSF Paradox—the hidden cost of that badge. The short answer is: The 3PMSF badge certifies traction, but it costs you durability. Dive into our full analysis on the critical 3PMSF rating for severe winter and off-road service, and its hidden costs, before you risk your rig on the trail.
Road Noise
The Yokohama Geolander AT G015 features a relatively low tread depth for its p-metric sizes, which is advantageous for reducing road noise. However, contrary to some other tests, I found that this tire may not be as quiet as some of its direct competitors, such as the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S or Firestone Destination AT2.
The tire incorporates deep notches that effectively disrupt the airflow within the tread, which is generally a noise-reducing feature. However, the shoulder blocks on the Yokohama Geolander AT G015 are quite aggressive compared to its competitors, and a significant portion of the tire noise seems to be generated by these sections.
It’s worth noting that despite the aggressive appearance of the shoulder blocks, they are not perfectly square. This design choice results in a narrower tread width on the road at certain tire pressures, contributing to a decent noise level for a tire with such an aggressive tread pattern.
Overall, the Yokohama Geolander AT G015 may not be the quietest highway-oriented all-terrain tire, yet it’s a decent contender in terms of noise performance.
Note from the Expert: For years, choosing all-terrain meant accepting noise—a true compromise for off-road grip. That’s why the question, Are All-Terrain Tires Louder than Highway Tires?, used to have a simple “yes” answer. Now, with the rise of on-road models, the core issue has shifted from noise to overall refinement. To fully understand which side of the comfort spectrum you’re buying into, you need to determine Are All-Terrain Tires Good for Daily Driving?—a question that depends entirely on the tire’s construction, not just the name.
Riding Comfort
In my opinion, the Yokohama Geolander AT G015 benefits from its wider shoulder blocks and variable pitch design, which contribute to its overall performance. The tire sidewalls are notably stiff, enhancing stability and control. Additionally, the variable pitch design ensures that there is always a sufficient amount of rubber in contact with the road surface, resulting in a decent level of riding comfort.
The tire’s inner structure includes an extra nylon layer, which enhances its uniformity. This feature plays a role in providing a smoother and more comfortable ride experience for drivers.
Treadwear
In terms of uneven wear, the Yokohama Geolander AT G015 performs admirably, largely due to its symmetrical pattern. However, its blocky tread design, while beneficial for traction, can have a negative impact on longevity.
Yokohama offers a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty for LT sizes and a 60,000-mile warranty for p-metric sizes, which is slightly lower than the industry average. This could be attributed, in part, to the tire’s higher rolling resistance.
Overall, the Yokohama Geolander AT wears well, but it may not last as long as tires like the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S or Falken Wildpeak AT Trail.
Fuel Efficiency
Based on information from AutoBild and various customer reviews I found online, the Yokohama Geolander AT G015 appears to have a higher rolling resistance, which is somewhat expected due to its notched tread design. While it carries a UTQG rating of 600 A B, similar to its competitors, and has a comparable weight, there are indications that the tire may wear out relatively quickly. Typically, quicker tire wear can contribute to higher rolling resistance.
If fuel efficiency is a top priority for you, I would suggest considering alternative tire options that may offer better fuel economy performance.
Off-Road Performance
I would advise against choosing the Yokohama Geolander AT if off-road performance is a top priority for you.
This tire excels on dirt surfaces thanks to its siped and cavitated pattern. However, when it comes to gravel, it appears a bit mild to me in terms of providing a robust gravel performance. It can handle some gravel, but if you spend a significant amount of time on gravel roads, this tire may wear out quickly.
For those seeking a more detailed off-road review, I recommend checking out this article: Expeditionportal Off-Road Review.
Note from the Expert: Every successful day on the trail is about preparation and physics, because tire longevity is earned, not given. Before you even start, you must master the critical link between tire pressure and load range for every rig to maximize your contact patch. Once moving, remember your ultimate off-road armor is your sidewall protection against the inevitable pinch flat. And finally, your traction on the obstacle is dictated by choosing the right aggressive vs hybrid tread pattern for your terrain. Master those three steps, and your rig will be ready for anything.
Tire Size Selection: The Basics You Can’t Skip
Even the best tread design can’t rescue a tire that’s built too weak. Back when I was testing tires at Bridgestone, I saw all-terrain models that should’ve performed but fell short — simply because the basics (size, load strength, and speed rating) weren’t matched to the vehicle.
P-Metric vs. LT (Light Truck) Tires
The first step is knowing whether you need LT or passenger tires. LT (Light Truck) tires are built with extra reinforcement and stiff sidewalls, designed for towing, hauling, or off-road use. Passenger (P-metric) tires are lighter, smoother, and tuned for daily comfort and fuel efficiency — but they’ll flex more under load.
Understanding Tire Load Range: XL vs. E-Load
Then comes the tire load index and load range — essentially your tire’s strength rating. Here’s where things split between passenger XL and LT E:
XL (Extra Load) is a passenger tire with reinforced sidewalls. It can handle a bit more pressure (~41 PSI) than a standard SL tire and is perfect for SUVs, crossovers, or light trucks that carry extra gear, passengers, or small trailers. XL tires ride softer and quieter than LT options, making them ideal for daily use.
E Load Range is an LT tire class built with a much thicker casing. E-rated tires can handle far more pressure (up to ~80 PSI) and heavier loads, which makes them essential for ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks towing trailers or hauling close to max capacity. The trade-off is weight, stiffer ride, more road noise, and a small drop in fuel efficiency.
Put simply: XL is for “extra luggage and family,” while E is for “truck bed full of bricks or a car trailer.”
Why the Tire Speed Rating Matters for Safety
Finally, don’t overlook the tire speed rating. It’s not just about top speed — it measures how well a tire handles heat and stress at highway pace. Lower ratings (like S) tend to ride softer and last longer, while higher ratings (H, T) feel more stable and responsive under sharp maneuvers. Heat build-up is the silent killer of tires, and speed rating is your safeguard.
Bottom line: Match your tire’s construction (LT vs P-metric), load range (XL vs E), and speed rating to your vehicle’s demands. Get those right, and everything else — off-road grip, winter traction, comfort — will finally perform the way it was designed to.
Conclusion
The Yokohama Geolander AT G015 is an excellent tire choice if your main focus is on-road performance and comfort. However, it may not perform as well in more severe off-road conditions.
A Quick Check List:
- LT sizes have stronger sidewalls. That feature makes them more durable. Yet, these tires offer a rougher ride. (LT vs P-Metric tires)
- XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, if you’ll go with p-metric sizes, they might be a better pick for hauling and towing( XL vs SL tires)
- Please pay attention to the load index & load range and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
- There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any additional questions or need further assistance, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. Have a safe and enjoyable ride!
For those who prefer to see whole market analyze:
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires-for-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-1-2-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-3-4-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-rt-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-tires-for-snow-plowing/
- https://tireterrain.com/on-road-all-terrain-tires-highway/
A couple of popular size analyses:
- https://tireterrain.com/best-35x12-50r20-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-285-70r17-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-275-55r20-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-275-65r18-all-terrain-tires/
Want to learn more about all-terrain tires:
- https://tireterrain.com/highway-tires-vs-all-terrain-vs-mud-terrain/
- https://tireterrain.com/all-season-vs-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/tire-load-index-and-load-range/
- https://tireterrain.com/lt-tires-vs-passenger-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-for-daily-driving/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-loud/
- https://tireterrain.com/how-long-do-all-terrain-tires-last/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-rain/
- https://tireterrain.com/off-road-tire-pressure-load-range-for-every-rig/
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