Yokohama Geolandar X-CV Review: Unleashing Top Performance for Your SUV and Light Truck

The Geolandar X-CV from Yokohama is an all-terrain light truck and SUV tire designed for on-road comfort and off-road capability.

This tire aims to provide a quiet and smooth on-road ride, while still offering capable off-road traction and durability.

The X-CV is intended to be a versatile “cross country” tire that excels both on and off the pavement. Key features and benefits include:

• All-terrain tread pattern provides traction on dirt, gravel, and other loose surfaces, while minimizing road noise
• Reinforced casing enhances puncture resistance
• Stable, rigid tread blocks enhance handling and control on pavement
• Silica-enhanced tread compound improves wet grip and braking
• Severe snow service-rated for winter driving capability

With its blend of on- and off-road abilities, the Geolandar X-CV is designed to equip SUVs and light trucks for a wide range of driving adventures and conditions.

It aims to deliver a composed on-road ride paired with the traction to confidently venture onto unpaved paths less traveled.

List of Other Yokohama Tires

• Yokohama ADVAN Sport A/S+ Review
• Yokohama YK740 GTX Review
• Yokohama YK-CTX Review
• Yokohama Tornante Review
• Yokohama Geolandar X-CV Review

Tread Design of Yokohama Geolandar X-CV

The Geolandar X-CV features an aggressive tread pattern optimized for both on-road and off-road performance.

The tread consists of irregular blocks in various sizes and shapes, with large scoop-like slots to efficiently eject mud, gravel, and debris.

For on-road driving, the tread pattern provides ample gripping edges to deliver responsive handling and traction, even in wet conditions.

The irregular blocks help reduce road noise compared to more symmetrical all-terrain designs.

At the same time, the open slots allow water to escape from under the tire to avoid hydroplaning.

The aggressive tread really excels off-road, with the irregular blocks providing plenty of biting edges to grip rocks, dirt, and other loose surfaces.

The scooped design of the slots helps clear mud buildup. The tire can easily tackle dirt, gravel, snow, and other challenging terrain thanks to this highly versatile tread.

Overall, the X-CV’s tread represents a smart balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability.

Drivers don’t need to sacrifice responsive handling on pavement to get rugged traction off-road.

Traction of Yokohama Geolandar X-CV

The Yokohama Geolandar X-CV tire delivers exceptional traction in a wide variety of conditions thanks to its rugged tread design and durable construction.

In wet traction testing conducted by the manufacturer, the Geolandar X-CV earned a respectable B rating according to Uniform Tire Quality Grading standards.

The stable tread blocks and deep, winding grooves allow the tire to channel water out from under the contact patch to maintain grip on wet roads.

Drivers report very good wet weather handling with no hydroplaning issues.

The Geolandar X-CV really excels when taken off-road. The aggressive shoulder blocks bite into loose dirt and mud to provide excellent grip.

The sturdy internal construction prevents tread squirm for enhanced traction in turns and climbs.

Multiple international off-road racing victories prove the Geolandar X-CV’s strong grip and traction in rugged terrain.

With its combination of wet weather handling and off-road capability, drivers can feel confident in the Geolandar X-CV’s traction on or off the pavement.

The tread design provides multi-purpose grip without compromising on-road manners.

Ride Comfort of Yokohama Geolandar X-CV

The Yokohama Geolandar X-CV tire aims to provide a comfortable and quiet ride for drivers. The tire uses several technologies to reduce road noise and vibration in the cabin.

Noise Reduction

Yokohama designed the Geolandar X-CV with Comfort Core technology that incorporates a unique foam insert on the inner sidewall of the tire.

This insert absorbs vibration and road impacts, reducing the amount of noise that enters the cabin.

Drivers report the tire provides a notably quieter ride compared to other all-terrain and off-road focused tires.

The tread pattern also contributes to noise reduction.

The independent shoulder blocks help minimize noise generated as the tread contacts the road.

The stable shoulder blocks and intermediate ribs keep the tread more rigid, preventing distortion that can lead to increased roar at highway speeds.

Vibration Damping

In addition to sound absorption in the sidewall, the Comfort Core technology provides excellent shock dampening.

Small bumps and uneven pavement are not transferred through the tire as severely.

The foam insert effectively isolates and absorbs road impacts before they resonate through the tire structure.

The ribbed tread blocks offer a stable and rigid design that prevents distortion on the road. This helps maintain continuous contact for a smooth ride.

The independent shoulder blocks also dampen vibration as they can compress and react independently.

Overall, Yokohama succeeded in reducing cabin noise and vibration for all-terrain driving.

The Geolandar X-CV lives up to its name in providing crossover comfort for varying road conditions.

Drivers praise the comfortable daily driving experience from the noise and vibration reductions.

Handling of Yokohama Geolandar X-CV

The Geolandar X-CV performs very well when it comes to handling and steering response thanks to its rigid internal construction and sturdy sidewalls.

Cornering Ability

The X-CV demonstrates excellent cornering ability and grip when taking turns at speed.

The aggressive tread blocks provide plenty of lateral grip, allowing the tire to hold its line through sweeping curves without slipping.

The stiff sidewalls minimize body roll, giving the X-CV precise and predictable handling when cornering.

Drivers report the X-CV feels planted and stable when pushed hard into turns.

Steering Response

Steering feel with the X-CV is very responsive and linear. The stable tread blocks and stiff sidewalls translate steering inputs accurately without delay.

On center feel is solid with minimal wandering, giving drivers a connected feel with the road.

Quick left-right transitions demonstrate little flex, allowing the X-CV to change direction rapidly.

Overall the steering is very direct and instills confidence when driving at the limit.

Durability of Yokohama Geolandar X-CV

The Geolandar X-CV has a treadwear rating of 720, meaning the tire should last for around 75,000 miles before needing to be replaced.

This is an excellent treadlife for an all-terrain tire designed for both on and off-road use.

The construction quality of the Geolandar X-CV contributes to its durability.

Yokohama uses a specialized orange oil-infused compound in the tread rubber to maintain flexibility and traction as the tire wears.

An inner ply of jointless nylon offers strength and heat resistance without adding unnecessary weight.

Further enhancing durability is the tire’s rigid tread blocks and tough sidewalls. The tread blocks are designed to resist chipping and tearing when driving over rocky terrain or on gravel roads.

And the sturdy sidewalls use a 3-ply construction to prevent punctures and damage from debris.

Overall, the Geolandar X-CV provides long-lasting performance thanks to its heavy duty construction, flexible tread compound, and durability-focused design.

For drivers looking to get the most mileage out of their all-terrain tires, the Geolandar X-CV is an excellent choice.

Available Sizes of Yokohama Geolandar X-CV

The Geolandar X-CV comes in a wide range of sizes to fit most midsize SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks. Here are the key details on sizing options:

Width

Widths range from 215mm all the way up to 285mm, in 5mm increments. This allows you to get a properly fitted tire for your vehicle’s rim width. Going too narrow or wide can cause handling, noise, or wear issues.

Popular widths for midsize SUVs are 235mm, 245mm, and 265mm. Widths of 275mm+ are more common on trucks and full-size SUVs.

Diameter

Diameters range from 16″ to 20″ rims. The most common diameters are 17″ and 18″ for midsize CUVs and SUVs. Trucks often go up to 20″ or even 22″ rims.

The diameter impacts the tire’s overall height and clearance. It also affects the sidewall height, with lower sidewalls on larger rims.

Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio, given as a percentage, shows the sidewall height proportional to the width. So a 235/55R18 tire has a 55% as tall sidewall as the width of 235mm.

Lower aspect ratios like 45% or 50% give a sportier look but harsher ride. Higher aspects like 60% or 65% improve cushioning but can impact handling. The X-CV tries to balance with 55% to 60% aspects.

With the wide range of width, diameter, and aspect ratio options, you can equip the X-CV on most mainstream SUVs and light trucks. It covers all the major OE fitments.

Warranty of Yokohama Geolandar X-CV

Yokohama provides a limited warranty on the Geolandar X-CV tire. The warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials for up to 65,000 miles, whichever comes first.

This is a good standard warranty for a capable all-terrain tire like the Geolandar X-CV.

Some key points about the warranty:

• Covers defects in workmanship and materials for up to 65,000 miles or within 72 months from purchase date, whichever comes first. This is for P-metric sizes when used on light trucks.
• Mileage warranty is 40,000 miles for flotation sizes or when used on commercial vehicles.
• Warranty covers free replacement for the first 25% of treadwear, then pro-rated replacement cost until the end of the warranty term.
• Applies for the original owner with proof of purchase. Non-transferable if tires are sold.
• Exclusions for damage from road hazards, abuse, improper inflation, overload, etc.
• Normal wear and tear is not covered. Tread life will vary depending on driving conditions.

Overall, Yokohama provides a competitive limited warranty that’s on par with other top all-terrain tire brands.

The 65,000 mile coverage for P-metric sizes offers good protection during the expected tread life of the tire.

Pricing of Yokohama Geolandar X-CV

The Yokohama Geolandar X-CV is competitively priced, ranging from around $165 to $260 per tire depending on the size. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing:

• 215/70R16 size: ~$165
• 225/60R17 size: ~$185
• 235/55R17 size: ~$200
• 245/60R18 size: ~$220
• 265/70R17 size: ~$260

The Yokohama Geolandar X-CV sits in the mid-range for an all-terrain tire, making it a good value given its performance.

It’s more affordable than premium all-terrain tires from brands like BFGoodrich and Toyo, but priced higher than budget options.

Overall, the Geolandar X-CV hits a nice sweet spot between price and performance.

Conclusion

The Yokohama Geolandar X-CV is a capable crossover SUV tire that balances on-road comfort with off-road traction. Here’s a summary of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Excellent wet traction and braking performance
• Comfortable ride quality on-road
• Capable light off-road performance
• Quiet highway driving
• Durable tread life

Cons

• Snow and ice traction could be better
• Handling precision isn’t best-in-class
• Higher rolling resistance than some highway tires

Overall, the Yokohama Geolandar X-CV is a great option for crossover SUV drivers who spend most of their time on paved roads but also venture onto dirt, gravel, and light off-road terrain on occasion.

It provides a quiet, compliant ride on the highway plus enough traction for confident driving in rain or light snow.

For buyers prioritizing snow and ice performance or sharper handling, there may be better options. But for an ideal balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability, the Yokohama Geolandar X-CV is a tire worth considering. Test drives and research are recommended to determine if it’s the right fit for your driving needs.

FAQ