By: Krish Persaud
September 29, 2025
Choosing the right tire is one of the most overlooked decisions drivers make. You can spend all the money in the world on a great vehicle, but without the right rubber underneath, none of it matters. Tires affect everything: how confidently you brake in the snow, how safe you feel in the rain, how composed the car feels at highway speeds, and how quiet your daily drive is. Yet many buyers just take what’s available at the shop or pick the cheapest option without knowing what they’re getting.
We are not here to sell tires or chase brand hype. We mounted a set of Yokohama GEOLANDAR CV 4S tires in 235/50R19 to our 2025 Subaru Forester Sport and logged over 11,000 kilometres before writing this. What follows is based on real driving through winter, spring, summer, and now fall.
The GEOLANDAR CV 4S is an all-weather tire with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, certifying it for winter use under Canadian law. That puts it above a standard all-season, which hardens in the cold and struggles in snow or ice. Yokohama uses a high-silica compound to keep the rubber pliable in low temperatures. The tread is directional, with large shoulder blocks for cornering, wide grooves for water evacuation, and zigzag sipes for snow grip.
We had the tires installed in late winter and put them straight to work in mixed conditions. Performance in slush and shallow snow was strong. The Forester climbed hills without much throttle, stayed composed under braking, and handled snowy turns with confidence. Emergency stops didn’t upset the ABS. While a true winter tire still wins in deep snow or glare ice, the CV 4S is far more capable than a basic all-season tire and works well for southern Ontario winters.
Wet performance is where the CV 4S stands out. In heavy rain, the tread clears water quickly and resists hydroplaning. Steering stays accurate, grip remains consistent, and puddles don’t pull the vehicle off course. Even when changing lanes at highway speed, there’s no vague feeling. Through spring and summer, that wet composure has been a consistent strength.
On dry roads, the tire feels comfortable and stable. Ride quality is smooth without being floaty, and impacts are well controlled. The steering feel is what you’d expect from a touring tire with winter certification. Road noise is impressively low, with no hum or whine even on coarse asphalt. On long highway trips, cabin quietness has been excellent.
After 11,000 kilometres, treadwear is minimal and even. There’s no feathering or cupping, and the shoulders are wearing at the same rate as the centre. Fuel economy has been unchanged compared to the Forester’s stock all-seasons, which shows rolling resistance is well managed for a tire with this much grip.
Where the CV 4S earns its place is in versatility. Many Canadian drivers deal with unpredictable winters—some years heavy snow, others more slush and freezing rain. This tire handles that variability without the hassle of seasonal changeovers or the cost and storage needs of two full sets. In summer heat, it remains composed with no soft or greasy feel, which is a common weakness of winter-rated compounds. That balance makes it appealing to families and commuters who want a single solution.
Pricing runs between $310 and $350 CAD per tire at major retailers. That places it in the higher bracket for all-weather options. It isn’t a budget choice, but the winter certification, refined road manners, and year-round capability make the cost reasonable for those who want one set of tires to cover it all.
This tire won’t suit everyone. Drivers in harsher regions or those chasing sharper handling in warm, dry conditions may prefer dedicated seasonal sets. For most crossover and SUV owners, the Yokohama GEOLANDAR CV 4S delivers quiet confidence across four seasons with very little compromise.
