Yokohama Tyres New Zealand — Complete Brand Guide & Reviews

Overall Brand Rating: 8.8 / 10

Yokohama Rubber Co. is one of Japan’s most respected tyre manufacturers, founded in 1917 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The brand brings over 100 years of Japanese precision engineering to tyre development, with a particular focus on the convergence of performance and environmental responsibility. Yokohama’s Advan brand is a household name in the enthusiast driving community globally — particularly in Japanese domestic market motorsport — while the Geolandar 4×4 range has built a strong following among NZ off-road and lifestyle vehicle owners.

In New Zealand, Yokohama occupies a compelling position: a genuinely premium brand (OEM supplier to Toyota, Lexus, Subaru, and Nissan) at prices that sit below the European premium brands (Michelin, Continental, Pirelli). The Advan Sport V107 ($570) directly competes with the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 ($426+) at a similar price point, while delivering Japanese build quality and a distinctive performance character.

Why NZ drivers choose Yokohama: Premium engineering, Japanese reliability reputation, strong Geolandar 4×4 range for NZ rural use, and competitive pricing versus European premium brands.

Yokohama’s Key Strengths

• 100+ years of innovation: One of the oldest tyre manufacturers still operating — consistent engineering excellence
• OEM credibility: Factory-fit to Toyota GR Yaris, Lexus IS/RC, Subaru WRX, Nissan GT-R, and other performance vehicles
• Advan performance lineage: The Advan brand has supplied tyres to JGTC/Super GT motorsport for decades
• Geolandar dominance: The Geolandar range is one of the most comprehensive 4×4 tyre families available in NZ
• BluEarth leadership: Class-leading fuel efficiency in the eco tyre segment
• EV commitment: Advan Sport EV V108 specifically engineered for the demands of electric vehicles

Full Yokohama NZ Model Range

Passenger Car Tyres

SUV & 4×4 Tyres

The Advan Family — Motorsport DNA on New Zealand Roads

Yokohama’s Advan brand has supplied tyres to Japanese Super GT and Formula Nippon motorsport, creating genuine on-track knowledge that filters into road products.

Advan Sport V107 — the flagship:

The V107 is Yokohama’s answer to Michelin’s Pilot Sport 5 and Pirelli’s P Zero PZ5. It uses an Orange Oil compound — a Yokohama innovation that uses orange peel oil as a plasticiser, improving wet grip while maintaining dry performance. Independent European tests consistently rate the V107 as a strong performer in the UHP class:

• Strong wet handling with competitive wet braking
• Precision dry handling that reflects Advan’s motorsport heritage
• EU Label A wet grip — highest possible rating
• OEM on Toyota GR Supra, Lexus LC500, Nissan GT-R

Advan Sport EV V108 — the electric vehicle specialist:

Yokohama’s most advanced tyre engineering. The V108 is specifically engineered for EVs:

• Load-reinforced construction handles the additional weight of EV battery packs
• Low rolling resistance compound extends electric range by up to 8% vs standard tyres
• Acoustic foam inner liner reduces road noise amplified by EV’s silent powertrains
• Optimised for instant torque delivery — resists wheelspin under the immediate acceleration of electric motors

Advan Fleva V701:

A more accessible entry into the Advan performance family. The V701 delivers genuine Advan performance character — responsive handling and good wet grip — at a more approachable price than the V107.

The Geolandar Family — Yokohama’s NZ Favourite

The Geolandar range is Yokohama’s most important product family for New Zealand. Japan and New Zealand share similar geographical conditions: mountainous terrain, coastal environments, mixed sealed and unsealed roads. Yokohama has engineered the Geolandar specifically for these conditions.

Geolandar AT G015 — our top NZ pick:

The G015 is the most balanced Geolandar for NZ conditions. It handles:

• Tarmac highways: lower noise than typical AT tyres, competitive wet grip
• Gravel roads: stone ejector technology prevents damage on NZ’s unsealed rural roads
• Light off-road: mud and rock traction for track access and farm roads
• 4×4 towing: reinforced construction handles trailer loads

The G015’s sidewall features an owl design (outlined white letters) — distinctive on ute and 4×4 fitments common in NZ.

Geolandar CV G058:

Yokohama’s all-season highway crossover tyre. Designed for SUV owners who want year-round capability without sacrificing on-road refinement. Relevant for South Island drivers who face occasional snow or ice but spend most of their time on tarmac.

Geolandar HT G056:

The premium highway terrain option — quieter, more refined, longer tread life than the AT G015. Ideal for SUV owners who rarely leave tarmac but want the confidence of a dedicated 4×4 tyre.

The BluEarth Family — Japan’s Eco Expertise

Yokohama’s BluEarth brand focuses on fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility. The BluEarth tyres consistently deliver strong EU Label ratings for rolling resistance.

BluEarth ES32: Entry-level eco at $265 — one of the most affordable quality eco tyres in NZ with a decent wet grip rating. Strong choice for Corolla, Jazz, or Fit owners replacing OEM fitments.

BluEarth A AE50: The premium eco option — balances fuel efficiency with noticeably stronger wet grip and handling than the ES32. A step up in performance that justifies the extra cost for higher-mileage drivers.

NZ-Specific Verdict by Region

Auckland and North Island

Best picks: Advan Sport V107 (performance), BluEarth A AE50 (everyday), Geolandar AT G015 (4×4)

Auckland drivers benefit most from the Advan Sport V107’s EU Label A wet grip in the city’s year-round rain. For everyday drivers, the BluEarth A AE50 at $320 delivers genuine eco performance with strong wet grip — a compelling package for high-mileage Auckland commuters. The Geolandar AT G015 is the ideal tyre for lifestyle property owners in the Waikato, Northland, and Bay of Plenty regions where sealed and unsealed roads mix.

Wellington

Best picks: Advan Sport V107, Geolandar AT G015 (4×4)

Wellington’s motorway demands and persistent rain suit the Advan Sport V107’s wet performance credentials. The tyre’s Orange Oil compound maintains grip across the temperature ranges Wellington drivers experience — from cold southerly winter days to warm summer northerlies.

South Island

Best picks: Geolandar AT G015 (rural), Geolandar CV G058 (all-season SUV), BluEarth ES32 (urban budget)

The Geolandar AT G015 is the standout choice for South Island rural and semi-rural drivers. The Geolandar CV G058’s all-season capability is valuable in Canterbury and Otago, where temperatures regularly dip close to freezing. For Christchurch and Dunedin urban drivers, the BluEarth ES32 provides reliable performance at an accessible price.

Yokohama vs Key Competitors

Where to Buy Yokohama Tyres in NZ

• Tyroola NZ — tyroola.co.nz — Full Yokohama range, nationwide fitting
• Hyper Drive — hyperdrive.co.nz — 250+ fitting locations
• Tyrepower NZ — tyrepower.co.nz — 100+ locations
• Beaurepaires — beaurepaires.co.nz
• Yokohama NZ dealers — yokohama.co.nz — find your nearest dealer

Sources

1. Tyroola NZ — Yokohama tyre listing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/yokohama/ — accessed 2026-05-31
2. Yokohama Rubber Co. — corporate history — yokohama.co.jp — accessed 2026-05-31
3. Advan Sport V107 — EU Label data and specifications — yokohama.eu — accessed 2026-05-31
4. Geolandar AT G015 — product data — yokohama.com — accessed 2026-05-31
5. tyrereviews.com — Yokohama tyre ratings — accessed 2026-05-31

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