Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP vs Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 tires

Mickey Thompson was established in 1963 and is very popular among enthusiasts because of its performance-worthy range of tires. The brand has sponsored and participated in motorsport events like the NHRA, NMCA, and NMRA. Both, the performance and off-road range of tires offered by Mickey Thompson hold a high reputation in the American tire market and the manufacturer offers mud-terrain, all-terrain, all-season, track competition, UHP summer, and racing types of tires.

Yokohama, on the other hand, was founded in 1917 and makes tires that represent innovative designs and advanced technologies. Particularly for SUVs and light trucks, Yokohama’s range of tires is trusted by drivers for their commanding drives in varied climates and terrain conditions.

The Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP and the Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 are the two very popular all-terrain tires offered by these manufacturers. Both, the Baja Legend tires and the Geolandar AT tires are made for use on SUVs and light trucks and they are optimized for driving on paved roads and for occasional off-road use.

So, both all-terrain tires offer the best of both worlds. But, which out of the two tires should you consider for your vehicle? Let’s answer this question by comparing Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP vs Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 tires, using our SimpleScore rating system.

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP tires

First offered in the market in March 2022, the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP is an all-terrain tire that provides a balance of on-road performance and off-road traction. The tire sports a durable construction and is also optimized for outstanding handling and braking in wet conditions. Cut and chip resistance and long-lasting tread wear are also a few of the strong areas where the Baja Legend EXP delights enthusiasts. Mickey Thompson has also optimized the Baja Legend EXP tires for smooth and noise-free drives on paved roads.

Overall, the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP scores a great 8.2 SimpleScore rating, thanks to its long-lasting tread life, commanding on- and off-road handling, and solid traction performance in diverse terrain and weather conditions.

Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 tires

The Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 was introduced in April 2016, and like its counterpart, is an all-terrain tire that offers the convenience of driving on paved roads and off-road conditions. The tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and is officially approved for use in moderate to severe winter weather conditions in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. With Geolandar AT G015 tires mounted on your drive, you enjoy confident all-weather traction, long-lasting tread life, and off-road durability, and power your vehicle with the ability to switch between on- and off-road conditions.

Overall, the Geolandar AT G015 boasts an admirable 8.5 SimpleScore rating because of its impressive traction performance, better steering response, and extended service life.

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP vs Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 tires on traction

All-terrain tires are used on- and off-road, and therefore, they must be good at traction performance. When we compared the Baja Legend EXP and Geolandar AT G015 tires, we found that there was a marginal difference in their scores. Read on to find out which of these tires leads on the traction front!

The Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP scores 8.2 SimpleScore rating in traction. The tire features an aggressive-looking tread design that has multiple biting edges to maintain surefootedness on- and off-road. The “Baja Inspired” tread design along with a larger surface area and detailed elements assure great on- and off-road performance. The Sidebiters on the tire also boost traction performance, especially when the tire is used in off-road conditions. While the solid shoulder blocks increase traction performance in conditions like mud and dirt, the wider grooves force water out of the footprint for a commanding traction performance in wet conditions.

On the other hand, the Geolandar AT G015 scores an 8.6 out of 10 SimpleScore rating for traction. The tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for confident wet and winter traction and its Enduro Compound is optimized to remain flexible for increased grip in snow and rain. The triple 3D sipes of this tire maintain biting edges to provide year-round traction, while the circumferential grooves resist hydroplaning for increased wet weather performance. Likewise, the Edgetec Grooves of the tire also create additional biting edges for enhanced traction in snowy conditions.

While both tires come with advanced features and technologies that boost traction, the Geolandar tires score higher than the Baja Legend tires.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar AT G015

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP vs Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 tires on handling

Traction is important for any all-terrain tire but you can’t ignore the handling performance as it relates to steering response, ride control, and stability. When we compared the Baja Legend EXP and the Geolandar AT G015 tires, the difference between the scores was marginal.

Commencing with the Baja Legend EXP, the tire scores a great 8.3 SimpleScore rating in handling and gets a large surface area that provides increased stability. Its new-gen high tensile body ply construction provides smooth rides, while the T4 Silica-Reinforced Compound assures improved wet handling and braking performance. The optimized tread design of the Baja Legend EXP sports multiple sipes for increased stability in snow and wet conditions.

Contrarily, the Geolandar AT G015 scores an impressive 8.6 SimpleScore in handling, which confirms that the tire can offer good ride control and steering response in varied weather conditions and terrains. While the multi-pitch tread variation keeps the tread noise levels low for a pleasant driving experience on paved roads, the triple 3D sipes offer confident four-season traction. The Enduro Compound also assists in improved handling performance in rainy and snowy conditions. The wider footprint of the Geolandar AT G015 provides better stability and steering command, while the solid shoulder blocks absorb the cornering pressures.

In the handling area, it was Geolandar AT G015 that was slightly ahead of the Baja Legend EXP.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar AT G015

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP vs Yokohama Geolandar AT G015 tires on longevity

For a buyer choosing between these two tires, it is important to understand which of the two lasts longer. So, let’s discuss what we found while comparing the SimpleScores for longevity.

The Baja Legend EXP scores an 8.4 SimpleScore in longevity, indicating that the tire is optimized for longer wear. The sturdy inner construction and silica-reinforced tread compound of the tire provide solid cut and chip resistance to the tire and ensure long-lasting treadwear. The next-gen lightweight high tensile body plies also increase the durability for extended use. Similarly, the tread blocks of the tire are durable enough to reduce the wear rate. The Baja Legend EXP is also covered by a 50,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which means the tire is engineered and built to last for a good number of miles.

Talking about the Geolandar AT G015, the tire scores a slightly higher 8.5 SimpleScore rating. It features an optimized profile that is flat and wide and evenly distributes the weight to avoid premature or uneven wear. The Enduro Compound used in the construction of the Geolandar tire features proprietary polymers to reduce the wear rate and promote longevity. The tread elements also sport a similar level of sturdiness to resist the impacts and prevent cuts, chips, and tears, allowing the tire to last longer. The Geolandar AT G015 is covered by an up to 60,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, assuring peace to the drivers that the tire is built strong and can last longer.

Both tires are great when it comes to longevity, but a slightly higher SimpleScore allows the Geolandar AT G015 to surpass the Baja Legend EXP.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Geolandar AT G015

When to use each

The Baja Legend EXP and the Geolandar AT G015 tires are both made for on- and off-road use and can be used year-round in dry, wet, and light wintry conditions. However, the Yokohama tires discussed in this comparison are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and allow the drivers to confidently drive in moderate to severe winter weather conditions, on thick snow and ice.

While the Baja Legend EXP is available in 15- to 20-inch rim sizes, the Geolandar AT G015 is offered in 15- to 22-inch rim sizes. So, if you own an SUV or pickup with over 20-inch rim size, the Geolandar tires would stand as a suitable choice.

Which one should you choose?

While comparing the overall SimpleScores of the Baja Legend EXP and Geolandar AT G015, we found the Yokohama tires scored better (8.5 vs 8.2). However, these tires differ from each other in various areas, and therefore, you must consider buying either of them based on your driving preferences.

When it comes to price, the Baja Legend EXP will cost you at least $214.99 per tire, while the Geolandar AT G015 costs at least $144.99 per tire. This means a set of four Mickey Thompson tires will cost you at least $859.96, while a set of four Yokohama tires will cost you at least $579.96.

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Baja Legend EXP if you:

• Drive a compact SUV like the Jeep Cherokee, a heavy-duty pickup like the Ford F-350, or a mid-size truck like the Chevrolet Colorado.
• Need a tire that has an aggressive design
• Need a tire that’s backed by a 50,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty
• Need a tire that’s optimized for reduced noise levels
• Are comfortable paying extra

Conversely, you should prefer the Geolandar AT G015 if you:

• Drive a full-size pickup like the RAM 1500 or mid-size SUV like the Subaru Outback.
• Need a tire that offers better traction performance.
• Need a tire that’s better on the handling front
• Need a tire that lasts longer
• Need a tire that’s good for use even with vehicles having 21- and 22-inch rims
• Need a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified tire that can also be used in moderate to severe winter conditions
• Need a tire that’s better yet affordable and comes with an up to 60,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty

The Baja Legend EXP vs Geolandar AT G015 tires comparison looks completely fair as their scores in areas like longevity, handling, and traction are very close. However, before making a purchase, you must evaluate which tire fits your budget, aligns with your vehicle type, and meets your terrain and weather requirements.

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.