BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires

BFGoodrich vs Yokohama: Which mud-terrain tire is right for you?

BFGoodrich is a legendary American tire maker with an incredible range of off-road and high-performance tires. The 150-year-old tire maker has been at the forefront of designing aggressive tread patterns for challenging trails. Similarly, the Japanese tire manufacturer, Yokohama, has been around for more than 100 years and is among the world’s largest tire makers. Both tire brands excel in rolling out off-road products that offer great value and ultimate performance.

Among their pool of tires, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 from BFGoodrich and the Geolandar M/T G003 from Yokohama are engineered for extreme off-road operations. The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is expert at rock crawling while being extremely grippy on slick granite, mud, and soft soils. Conversely, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 is an expert ‘excavator’ for traversing deep mud and dirt-filled roads while delivering high-mileage longevity.

Both tires come with reinforced construction and robust sidewall design for uncompromising durability in the toughest road conditions. Their cut-and-chip-resistant rubber compound keeps them protected when crossing sharp rocks, gravel, and in aired-down conditions.

So, which one is a better option for your 4x4, SUV, or light truck? Let’s compare the two off-road tires on the basis of their performance in our SimpleScore. It’s our in-house tire scoring system that rates each tire on a scale of 0 to 10 for traction, durability, and longevity. Without further ado, let’s compare the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires to help you make an informed decision.

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires

Designed for SUVs and light trucks, the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is a dependable mud-terrain tire that offers incredible grip, traction, and durability in challenging terrain conditions. It comes with Linear Flex Zone for enhanced flexing for outstanding grip in aired-down conditions.

The Baja Champion comes with an advanced Krawl-TEK rubber compound that further aids in delivering reassuring grip on rocky and slippery surfaces. The Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is packed with Baja T/A KR3 desert racing-inspired technology, Coregard Max Technology, to deliver strong traction, durability, and decent tread life.

With an 8.8 overall SimpleScore, the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 returns phenomenal traction, excellent durability, and an impressive service life.

Get BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires

Introduced in 2017, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 is an excellent choice for SUVs, pickup trucks, and Jeeps. Featuring aggressive looks, the Yokohama tire is optimized to deliver reduced noise and vibrations on paved roads, while the high-void ratio and large tread blocks mean crushing off-road performance.

Thanks to its reinforced construction, the Geolandar M/T G003 assures a longer service life and improved resistance against cuts and chips. The wide groove of the Yokohama means quick outflow of water, mud, and dirt for consistent grip and traction.

With an exceptional 9.2 overall SimpleScore, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 promises incredible grip, traction, stability, and durability.

Get Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires on traction

When it comes to crushing off-road terrain, traction is what keeps a vehicle going. This makes it the most critical aspect of mud-terrain tires. The BFGoodrich and Yokohama tires are phenomenal in this regard and secure incredible scores here. But which one wins the race? Let’s find out.

Boasting an excellent 9.4 in traction, the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 features mud-phobic bars on its shoulders, which expel compacted mud out of the footprint for consistent grip in deep mud and dirt conditions. Its Traction-Armor Sidewall Sculpture, Linear Flex Zone, and notched shoulder provide effective grip and traction on loose soil, rocks, and in deep mud. Lastly, the use of massive tread blocks under its ‘Terrain-Attack’ tread design enables it to bite into the surface from any angle of approach.

Achieving an exceptional traction score of 9.6, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 features an aggressive tread design that comes with a balanced void ratio and deep grooves that provide incredible grip and traction on the most challenging roads. Whether it's rocky or muddy, the Yokohama tire’s large tread blocks and open shoulder pattern push mud, water, and dirt out of the footprint for superior grip throughout the year.

Both are incredible here, but the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 is slightly better at braking, traction, and off-road grip.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires on durability

Durability is at the core of mud-terrain tires after traction. A weak tire won’t last much in unpredictable road conditions when it encounters sharp rocks and debris, along with impacts. Both tires are simply outstanding in the durability department. Let’s do their durability analysis to know which one is better.

Securing a superb 9.1 in durability, the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 proves that it’s a tough tire to breach. It is laced with CoreGard Max technology (used in racing events) for strong sidewall design and reinforced construction. This technology reduces impact damage remarkably. Additionally, the cut- and chip-resistant rubber compound and pinch shock design make it 20% tougher than its predecessor.

The 9.4 durability score of the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 is a testament to the fact that it comes with superior endurance capability. Its Geo-Shield technology provides superb resistance against punctures, cuts, abrasions, and snags, which are common when you tackle sharp rocks, gravel, mud, and debris. Meanwhile, its tough rubber compound and reinforced sidewall pattern further create a fortress too strong to breach.

Fighting for the battle of excellence, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 is tougher than the BFG and wins the durability round too. It’s 2-0.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 vs Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires on longevity

Mud-terrain tires are not great when it comes to offering service life considering the challenging trails they are subjected to. The Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 and Geolandar M/T G003 are quite impressive in this aspect; however, one tire beats the other by a comprehensive margin to win the ultimate round of this comparison.

The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 secures a fine 8.0 SimpleScore in longevity and promises great tread life considering that it’s a mud-terrain tire. Thanks to its advanced rubber compound and reinforced construction, the tread blocks are strong enough to resist impacts and damage; however, on highways, the tire wears faster due to a high void ratio. Just like most mud-terrain tires, the BFGoodrich tire does not come with any limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

Contrarily, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 scores an impressive 8.6 in longevity. Thanks to its tough Geo-Shield construction, the tire limits punctures, cuts, and impacts while ensuring a longer service life. The tough rubber compound and robust carcass guarantee even, gradual wear on and off the road. Like the BFG tire, it also lacks a mileage warranty.

The Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 continues its exceptional performance and beats the BFG mud-terrain tire yet again in longevity. It’s a clean sweep.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

When to use each

Mud-terrain tires are designed to offer superior grip, traction, and durability in challenging, off-road conditions. Their tough carcass and reinforced sidewall pattern keep them going in deep mud, rocks, gravel, and even in snow. The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 and Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 are strong tires for enthusiasts looking for high traction and tough construction.

For drivers who want a longer service life from their mud-terrain tires along with excellent traction and durability, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 is a better option. Folks who can compromise on the tread life part for an American legend may opt for the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3.

However, it is to be noted that both tires lack the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification, which means they cannot be used in moderate to severe winter weather conditions of deep snow and ice.

The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is available in 15-22 inch tire sizes, while the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 is a perfect fit for vehicles demanding 15-24 inch rim options.

Which one should you choose?

To sum it up, the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 is an overall better mud-terrain tire (9.2 vs 8.8) than the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3. However, do check out individual traits of these tires and see which one better aligns with your driving needs and budget.

That said, let’s compare the prices of the LT265/70R17 121/118Q E tire size. The cost of each BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is around $320, which brings the price of four such tires to $1280. On the other hand, one Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 costs around $286, which means four such tires would cost you approximately $1144.

Based on SimpleScore, you should buy the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Ford F-250, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Want a mud-terrain tire in the range of 15 to 22 inches
• Prefer an off-road tire with more sophisticated looks

On the other hand, you may go for the Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Ford Ranger, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ram 1500
• Want a set of mud-terrain tires with exceptional traction (9.6 vs 9.4)
• Prefer a highly durable set of mud-terrain tires (9.4 vs 9.1)
• Want a set of mud-terrain tires with an impressive tread life (8.6 vs 8.0)
• Prefer an affordable and capable mud-terrain tire

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.