Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires

Founded in 1900, Firestone is a popular American tire brand that makes tires for passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, commercial vehicles, and OTRs. It offers tires in different categories to meet the driving expectations of the drivers and these include all-season, winter, all-terrain, UHP summer, UHP all-season, all-weather, rugged-terrain, mud-terrain, and performance.

Yokohama, on the other hand, was founded in 1917 in Tokyo, Japan, and is well-known for its advanced technologies and tire designs. The tire manufacturer caters to passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, and commercial vehicles, and also offers temporary spare tires for a wide range of applications. Its tire categories are more extensive and include all-season, UHP, all-terrain, mud-terrain, UHP summer, UHP all-season, winter, highway, performance, all-weather, sport, racing, and commercial van.

Both of these tire manufacturers put in tons of effort and research to make tires that perform well and achieve the purpose they are intended for. The Destination M/T2 and the Geolandar M/T G003 are the two popular mud-terrain tires of these manufacturers that are built for use on SUVs, light trucks, and Jeeps, and assure outstanding off-road performance. But, if you’re looking for a set of tires that meets your off-roading preferences, which out of the two would you choose? To answer this, read our Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires comparison, and find out for yourself, which of these tires is better performing in traction, durability, and longevity areas as we have utilized our advanced SimpleScore rating system to simplify the tire selection for you!

Firestone Destination M/T2 tires

The Destination M/T2 is Firestone’s very popular mud-terrain tire that is capable of crushing nearly every off-road condition. The aggressive tread pattern of this tire is capable of forcing out mud and stones and can even be pinned with studs for better command in snowy conditions. For increased damage resistance, the Destination M/T2 comes with a debris shield and a unique tread block arrangement creating a good number of biting edges for extra hold of the surface in challenging conditions.

Overall, the Destination M/T2 achieves a SimpleScore rating of 8.3 mainly because of its solid traction, improved handling, and extended tread life.

Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires

The Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 comes with many great technologies and features that boost its off-road performance. The tire is engineered to deliver a crushing performance in off-road conditions and from casing to tread it is built durable to resist impacts and driving pressures. Off-road traction, durability, quiet ride, and longevity are the key strengths of this Yokohama mud-terrain tire.

Overall, the Geolandar M/T G003 gets an excellent SimpleScore rating of 9.1, thanks to its exceptional off-road traction, outstanding handling, and extended tread life.

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires on traction

While choosing the right mud-terrain tire, you must consider the traction performance as a priority. This is because, a better traction performance indicates a mud-terrain tire’s ability to perform in off-road conditions and tackle mud, sand, dirt, gravel, and rocks. When we compared the traction performance of both tires, we found that there was a significant gap in the scores of both the Destination M/T2 and Geolandar M/T G003.

With a traction score of 8.4, the Destination M/T2 comes with an aggressive tread design that features attack angles for better surefootedness in off-road conditions. With the mud and stone rejector technology incorporated and multi-edge 3-ply sidewall construction, the Destination M/T2 assures improved traction performance in challenging off-road environments. Additionally, this Firestone mud-terrain tire comes with 20% more biting edges that amplify its off-road performing ability, especially on muddy and wet surfaces. The tire can also be pinned with optional studs to boost the snow traction during off-road adventures.

The Geolandar M/T G003 is rated an excellent 9.7 SimpleScore rating in traction, which highlights that the tire has a great ability to crush the toughest of terrains. The optimized block-to-void ratio and sipes solid off-road grip to this tire, while the mud and stone ejectors also contribute to improved traction performance. The innovative tread pattern and triple-polymer compound of the Geolandar M/T G003 increase grip while driving in rough road conditions.

While both tires have many great features to promote better traction performance, it is the Geolandar M/T G003 that leads with a high traction rating and a bundle of many impressive technologies and features.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires on durability

Durability, in the case of mud-terrain tires, relates directly to its impact-resisting ability and capacity to handle rough surfaces. On the durability front too, there was a big difference in the scores of both tires.

Starting with Firestone mud-terrain tires (Destination M/T2), the tire scores an 8.3 SimpleScore rating in durability and is loaded with a bundle of features that boost its strength. The tread compound of the tire is sturdy and absorbs off-road vibrations and driving pressures. Likewise, the 3-ply sidewall construction is tough enough to resist chips, cuts, and tears. The aggressive upper lugs also boost the durability of the tire and the debris shield restricts trail debris from wedging between the rim and the tire, avoiding any chances of unwanted damage or air pressure loss.

Moving on to the Geolandar M/T G003, the tire scores a higher 9.4 SimpleScore rating for durability. This means the Yokohama mud-terrain tires are very good at shielding the tire from unwanted damage, and can handle the off-roading impacts very well. This Geolandar M/T G003 sports rock-solid GEO-Shield construction that can withstand even the most brutal trails. Additionally, the aggressive sidewall armor of the Geolandar M/T G003 protects the tire from side impacts.

Both, the Destination M/T2 and Geolandar M/T G003 have many great features boosting their durability standards, but it is the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 that leads.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires on longevity

For an enthusiast who wishes to buy either the Destination M/T2 or a Geolandar M/T G003, it is necessary to know which of the two lasts longer. And, while analyzing the longevity scores and features of these tires, the gap between the two tires was minimal. Let’s learn more about it!

Commencing with the Destination M/T2, the tire scores an 8.2 SimpleScore rating in longevity. It comes with a robust rubber compound and a 3-ply sidewall construction that helps in reducing the wear rate. Likewise, the aggressive upper lugs also increase the service life of the tire. The Destination tires also feature mud and stone rejector technology that protects the tire from damage by clearing debris and sharper objects that may cause damage and reduce the tread life. The flat footprint also improves the tread life of the Destination M/T2 by evenly distributing the driving pressures and assuring even wear.

Contrarily, the Geolandar M/T G003 outperforms with an impressive 8.5 SimpleScore rating on the longevity front. The long-lasting tread life is ruled by the tire’s features like a high-density tread compound that includes a triple polymer blend for better wear performance, a wider flat profile that distributes stresses more evenly across the tread for a longer tread life. Additionally, the GEO-Shield construction also boosts the Geolandar M/T G003’s tread life.

When comparing the longevity scores of the two tires, the Geolandar M/T G003 was slightly ahead of the Destination M/T2.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

When to use each

The Destination M/T2 and the Geolandar M/T G003 are made for off-road adventures and can tackle brutal trails. For enthusiasts who need tires for off-roading, these tires are a great choice as they can be used on mud, dirt, rocks, sand, and gravel. It is to be noted that none of these mud-terrain tires are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, and shouldn’t be used in moderate to severe winter weather conditions, in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the Destination M/T2 can be pinned with studs to drive with greater confidence and traction in light snowy off-road conditions.

The Destination M/T2 tires are available in 15- to 22-inch rim sizes, while the Geolandar M/T G003 can be used on vehicles with 15- to 24-inch wheels, offering fitment for bigger wheel-sized vehicles as well.

Which one should you choose?

While comparing the overall SimpleScores of the Yokohama and Firestone tires, we found that the Yokohama tires scored better ratings (9.1 vs 8.3 overall SimpleScore). However, these tires have slight differences which must be taken into consideration before making a purchase.

When it comes to price, the Destination M/T2 tire is offered at a starting price of at least $233.99 per tire, while the Geolandar M/T G003 is available at $212.99, which means a set of four Destination tires will cost you at least $935.96, while a set of four Geolandar tires will cost you at least $851.96.

So, based on the above details, you must consider the Destination M/T2 tires if you:

• Drive a compact SUV like the Ford Bronco, a big-sized pickup truck like the RAM 2500, or an off-road SUV like the Jeep Wrangler.
• Need studdable tires that offer better traction in snowy and icy conditions.
• Are okay paying extra to own the American ‘Firestone’ branded tires.
• Want tires that look appealing and are available in Outlined White Letter (OWL) options.

Contrarily, you can consider the Geolandar M/T G003 if you:

• Drive a heavy-duty pickup truck like the Ford F-350, a mid-size truck like the Toyota Tacoma, or a mid-size pickup truck like the Jeep Gladiator.
• Need tires that offer better traction performance (9.6 vs 8.4 in traction).
• Need tires that are more durable (9.4 vs 8.3 in durability).
• Need tires that offer long-lasting service (8.5 vs 8.2 in longevity).
• Need overall better tires at a comparatively lesser price.
• Need tires that are compatible even with big-sized 24-inch wheels.

After analyzing the above details, the Destination M/T2 vs Geolandar M/T G003 tires comparison appears to be reasonable. Both tires are good, however, the Geolandar M/T G003 has certain advantages over the Firestone tire. But, that doesn’t mean the Destination M/T2 is weak. It certainly is one of the most tried and tested mid-range mud-terrain tires and even comes with a studdable tread.

But, before buying either of these tires, you must ask yourself certain questions like:

• How and where do I drive?
• What’s my budget?
• Do I need a studdable tire or something that’s purely off-road specific?
• Does my vehicle have wheels measuring above 22-inch rims?
• Do I strictly prioritize longevity, durability, and traction during tire purchase?
• Or, is it okay for me to compromise on some of these areas and buy something globally known for off-road driving (Geolandars)?

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.