Firestone Destination X/T Tire Review and Rating

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Firestone Destination XT

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Dry
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Wet
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Snow
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Comfort
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Noise
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Treadwear
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Pros

  • 3PMSF rating resulting in excellent snow performance
  • Marvelous on the road
  • Superb for off-road
  • 50,000-mile treadwear warranty

Cons

  • Ice traction is slightly an issue
  • The noise can get quite loud on the highway

For the past decade or so, the truck and SUV segments have begun to increase in popularity. Owning a vehicle like that means that by default, you will be driving it on the road. As a bonus, you have the option to take it off-roading, something that a hatchback or a sedan won’t be able to do.

Your car can be as versatile as the tires you put on it. Many people don’t realize that the tire is one of the most crucial aspects of any car. It is responsible for safety as well as driving characteristics. Sure, the entire load doesn’t fall on the tire, but it is crucial. Think of it this way –to drive your truck on and off-road in various conditions, you’ll need a tire capable of delivering such performance.

In the US domestic tire lineup, Firestone is a company with a reputable name. Ever since it came to the market in 1900, the company has been building itself as a brand that offers excellent tires at an affordable price. In the late 1980s, the company was purchased by Bridgestone, which only improved the already good tires the brand had. Among the many tires Firestone has, the one I’ll be looking at today is the Destination X/T.

The tire is advertised as an all-terrain, all-weather tire. Yes, you read that correctly, all-weather instead of all-season, meaning that snow performance should be better. Without further ado, let’s see what the Destination X/T is like on paper.

What are the features of the Firestone Destination X/T?

Firestone advertises the Destination X/T as an all-terrain all-season tire, but in the website description, it says all-weather. In most cases, I would be inclined to go for the all-season tag, but not in this case. All-weather tires are better in snow conditions, and considering that this one has the 3PMSF rating, I’d say that it should perform like an all-weather one. Unlike M+S tires, the 3PMSF ones are designed to offer performance even in deeper snow.

Firestone Destination XT Tire Review

For improved wet performance, the Destination X/T features a slightly specific tread design with deep grooves and open shoulder blocks. The combination helps mainly with aquaplaning resistance as it enables the tire to evacuate the water more efficiently.

Another area where the tread design helps is with off-roading. Regardless if it’s a hard-packed surface or a mud patch, the Destination X/T shouldn’t have any issues finding traction. This should be additionally improved thanks to the staggered shoulder lugs. They are designed to offer additional biting edges that should help enhance off-roading performance.

When it comes to durability, Firestone used 3D sipes with interlocking technology that go to the full depth of the grooves. The result should be even tire wear throughout its lifespan. Plus, most of the performance will be there even when the tire reaches the end of its life.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

The Destination X/T’s performance on dry tarmac is excellent, especially when considering what kind of tire it is.

Traction with this tire is excellent, even if you have a heavy foot. Giving it too much gas will definitely spin the tire, but it will find traction quite quickly. In the corners, the levels of grip are marvelous to a point where I would even say that you can have some fun with it. To be fair, you won’t be driving your truck in that manner, but the grip is there if you want it.

Most people probably won’t be interested in the driving dynamics, but the ones that are will be happy to know that the Destination X/T impressed me. The feedback through the steering wheel is barely passable, but the steering sharpness is quite good. It won’t win any awards, especially when you start comparing it with road tires. In its class, it performs very well.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

Wet performance is also something the Destination X/T does very well. As long as you don’t expect your truck to drive like it’s on rails, you will be more than happy with the performance.

Wet roads are generally more slippery than dry ones, so you should expect some slip if you get too carried away. The Destination X/T will offer plenty of grip and traction for everyday driving regardless of how wet or slippery the road is. The performance also translates into good braking distances, which makes the tire very safe to drive.

Once it starts pouring, you’ll be pleased to know that the Destination X/T has excellent aquaplaning resistance. With the huge grooves and the open shoulders, the tire manages to throw the water to the sides. As a result, the blocks are constantly on the road.

How is it over snow?

The 3PMSF rating is doing its job, meaning that the Destination X/T has excellent performance on snow.

When compared with some M+S tires, this one is superior. Lose or hardpacked snow, slush, or any kind of winter “inconvenience” will not be an issue. It barely copes with deeper snow, and that’s about it. Keep in mind that despite the rating and tread design, it’s not a winter tire, and you shouldn’t expect that level of performance.

As for ice, it’s safe enough but far from the best. It will struggle to find traction to get going, and cornering grip won’t be as good as some of its competitors.

Is it comfortable and refined?

The comfort will mainly depend on the type of tire you get, but the Destination X/T is still a comfortable tire. The LT-metric models have sturdier construction, so they are slightly harsher. Overall, the comfort levels are very good, regardless of the surface, you’re driving on. It smooths out road imperfections without any problems, and the vibrations are pretty unnoticeable in the cabin.

Now we reach the noise levels, and if you’ve ever driven an off-road tire, you’ll probably know where this is going. The Destination X/T is not a quiet tire, and that’s the most significant tradeoff. You may be fine with the noise at slower speeds, but on the highway, it will get a bit intrusive.

Is it good for off-roading?

Oh yes, the Destination X/T is very good at off-roading. You can put it against any kind of terrain, and the tire will perform marvelously.

The tire will be able to find traction even in situations where you think that’s impossible. Sand, mud, rocks, you name it, the Destination X/T can tackle any obstacle with ease. One thing to keep in mind is that you need to plan the tire pressure accordingly.

With that said, for the most extreme off-roading scenarios, the Destination X/T will not perform as well as a proper off-road tire.

Is the Firestone Destination X/T ideal for sporty driving?

No, the Destination X/T isn’t a tire that is ideal for sporty driving.

For starters, the higher sidewalls mean that the tire will flex when cornering hard. The LT-metric models may flex less, but at the end of the day, the tire won’t like being driven hard

Even though I mentioned that the tire has reasonably sharp steering, it’s nowhere near as good as a high-performance tire.

Firestone Destination X/T Warranty

Some off-road tires don’t get a treadwear warranty due to the extremer circumstances in which they will be driven. Firestone decided to go against that and offer the Destination X/T with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. On top of that, the company also provides a 90-day try and buy, meaning that you can test the tires for up to 90 days before deciding if you’d keep them.

Firestone Destination X/T Pricing: Is it worth the money?

The Destination X/T is worth the money, despite the high price tag. It starts from $165, which is slightly less than some of the premium competition. When you factor in the performance you get, then the package makes more sense, and the tire is worth it.

Should I buy the Firestone Destination X/T?

Yes, you should buy the Destination X/T, but it’s not a tire for everyone.

To get the most out of it, you’ll need to have it fitted on a truck, and you’ll need to drive it off-road. The performance is always there throughout the year, and you will have no problem if you take it off-road. It is one of the many reasons why I’d gladly recommend this tire for anyone looking for that kind of versatility.

If you don’t do off-roading in your truck and don’t need that kind of performance, then I’d suggest going for a touring tire.

What Vehicles Will the Firestone Destination X/T Fit?

Here’s a sample list of cars that the Destination X/T will fit:

  • Chevrolet Silverado, Colorado
  • Ford F150, Ranger, Maverick
  • GMC Sierra, Canyon
  • Honda Ridgeline
  • Nissan Titan, Frontier
  • Ram 1500
  • Toyota Tundra, Tacoma

Tire Sizes for Firestone Destination X/T

15″

  • 30/9.5R15
  • 31/10.5R15
  • 33/12.5R15

16″

  • 215/85R16
  • 235/85R16
  • 225/75R16
  • 245/75R16
  • 265/75R16
  • 285/75R16

17″

  • 235/80R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 275/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 315/70R17

18″

  • 265/70R18
  • 275/65R18
  • 275/70R18
  • 285/65R18
  • 35/12.5R18

20″

  • 265/60R20
  • 275/55R20
  • 275/60R20
  • 275/65R20
  • 285/65R20
  • 285/60R20
  • 295/60R20
  • 285/55R20
  • 35/12.5R20
  • 305/55R20

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