Nexen Tires Review - Brand Guide

‍About Nexen Tires

Launched in 1942, Nexen started as a smaller tire manufacturer based in South Korea. But with time, the demand for its products grew significantly, forcing the company to start looking for ways of expanding beyond South Korea.

And in 2005, Nexen launched its U.S branch. And in the same year, it was granted the patent for the technology for manufacturing rubber silicate stratified, nano-composite tires. A year later, Nexen managed to come up with a new set of winter and UHP tires, using the same technology.

With the growing demand for its tires, Nexen again opened an additional manufacturing plant in 2007, this time in Qingdao, China. This was followed by the opening of the third factory in 2012, in Changnyeong, Korea.

Today, Nexen has remained one of the leading tire brands globally, with an annual turnover of approximately $2 billion. It produces both replacement tires and OE tires for some of the leading major vehicle manufacturers.

Most Popular Nexen Tires

Nexen has a vast selection of tires, built for a wide range of vehicles and conditions. It manufactures passenger tires, performance tires, SUV and light truck tires, winter tires, and all-season tires. Some of the company’s most popular tires include:

Nexen NFera SU1

The Nexen NFera SU1 is an ultra-high performance tire, built to deliver reliable performance across different terrains and conditions. It’s built for a wide range of performance vehicles such as sports sedans, sports coupes and sports CUVs.

According to Nexen, this tire is adequately equipped to handle extreme conditions, whether you are cruising in desert terrains or you happen to encounter a sudden storm.

Features

Nexen has outfitted this tire with several features, designed to enhance its traction and grip, steering response, braking performance, high-speed cornering as well as overall handling.

The NFera SU1 comes with Nexen’s exclusive 4G Tread Compound technology. Its tread compound has been molded into an asymmetric tread pattern, designed to deliver reliable wet and dry traction, all year round.

Nexen has also provisioned this tire with large shoulder blocks, which work together with its unique rib blocks to deliver accurate handling and top-notch steering response. Also, these two features help to enhance the tire’s cornering stability. The tread blocks are also quite stiff, to give this tire enhanced grip during high-speed cornering.

This UHP all-season tire also comes with three larger circumferential grooves, which play a vital role in evacuating water from the tire, thus helping to reduce aquaplaning risks. It also features optimized sipes throughout the tread blocks. So, if you happen to encounter wet or slippery conditions, this tire will get your vehicle through without any issues.

The NFera SU1 also features an optimized tread pattern. According to Nexen, this optimized tread pattern will help to reduce road noise. Hence, you are assured of enjoying a comfortable ride, on and off the highway.

Sizes and Fitment

Nexen produces the NFera SU1 in several sizes. The sizes range between 15 inches and 20 inches. Some of the vehicles that this tire can fit include:

• Cadillac Escalade and SRX
• Ford Escape, Expedition, and F-150 Lightning
• BMW X5 and X3
• Toyota Tundra and Tacoma
• Chevrolet Suburban, Trailblazer, Silverado, and Avalanche
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Porsche Cayenne
• Mercedes-Benz ML320, R500, ML63, ML500 and GL550
• Land Rover LR2 and Range Rover
• Jeep Cherokee
• Dodge Ram SRT-10, Ram and Durango

Pros

• Great dry and wet traction
• Precise and fast steering response
• Comfortable and quiet ride
• Outstanding high-speed stability

Cons

• Poor snow traction

Verdict

When it comes to budget tires, you can never be sure whether you will get a quality one or one that will disappoint. But, this is not the case with the Nexen NFera SU1. While it may be a budget tire, it performs as advertised. It delivers decent dry and wet traction, outstanding steering response, top-notch braking and cornering as well as a comfortable ride. Overall, it’s a good choice for drivers who need an affordable, but reliable ultra-high performance tire.

N’Priz AH5

The N’Priz AH5 is a standard, all-season touring tire designed to deliver reliable traction and great handling in all weather conditions. And as a touring tire, the N’Priz AH5 is also built to deliver a smooth and comfortable ride. It’s built for drivers of sedans, coupes, crossovers, minivans and other passenger vehicles.

Features

Similar to other Nexen tires, the N’Priz AH5 comes equipped with several outstanding features, to ensure it will deliver on its objectives.

Nexen has outfitted it with an all-season tread compound, formed into a symmetric tread pattern. The tread compound and the symmetric tread pattern combine to deliver great dry traction as well as top-notch cornering stability.

The N’Priz AH5 also comes with sturdy, outside shoulder blocks as well as a continuous center rib. These two features combine to deliver enhanced steering response and extra cornering grip as well as straight-line tracking throughout its speed range.

To ensure safe driving in wet conditions, Nexen has provisioned this tire’s tread with four wide and deep circumferential grooves. These grooves help to evacuate water from the tire, thus reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

Nexen has also optimized this tire’s tread, to reduce excessive road noise. And thanks to this design, you will enjoy a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride.

Sizes and Fitment          

This tire is available in approximately 45 different sizes, ranging between 14 inches to 17 inches. And as earlier mentioned, it can fit a vast selection of vehicles. Here’s a list of some of the vehicles that the N’Priz AH5 can fit:

• Dodge Intrepid, Caravan and Avenger
• Toyota Sienna, Camry and Corolla
• Chevrolet Cavalier, Cruze, Astro and Malibu
• Honda Odyssey, Accord and Civic
• Volkswagen Jetta
• Buick Roadmaster and Enclave
• GMC Acadia
• Nissan Sentra and Altima
• Ford Taurus and Fusion
• Hyundai Sonata
• Saturn Outlook and Vue

Pros

• Superb wet and dry traction
• Quiet and comfortable ride
• Friendly price
• Great handling

Cons

• Poor traction in deep snow

Verdict

Nexen pulled all the stops when manufacturing this tire. It delivers the type of outstanding performance that you would normally find in a premium all-season touring tire. Its dry and wet traction is exceptional, the handling is great, the steering response is fast and accurate and the ride is comfortable. The only issue that you will encounter with this tire is its poor performance in deep snow. And considering that it’s not a dedicated winter, then that’s understandable. Overall, it will be a decent choice for drivers who are looking for a reasonably-priced all-season touring tire.

Nexen Roadian A/T Pro RA8

As its name suggests, the Nexen Roadian A/T Pro RA8 is an all-terrain tire, built to tackle extreme off-road terrain while delivering a smooth and comfortable on-road ride. So, if you frequently find yourself driving through challenging terrains and conditions such as loose sand, dirt, and muddy trail, then this tire is specifically meant for you. It will take you where most of the other all-terrain tires will struggle.

Features

Nexen has utilized its proprietary tread compound on this tire. This advanced tread compound has then been formed into a symmetric tread pattern, featuring a staggered center rib. These features help the tire to deliver reliable on-road and off-road performance.

The Nexen Roadian A/T Pro RA8 also comes with dual tread blocks, which help to eject mud, dirt, gravel and other types of debris from the tire. It also comes with extra biting edges, which help this tire to deliver superior traction in wet conditions, slippery surfaces and challenging terrain.

This all-terrain tire also sports wide shoulder blocks, designed to enhance its handling and steering response during off-road rides. It also features an optimized tread design. So, despite its aggressive looks and rugged tread pattern, this tire will still deliver a comfortable on-road ride.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Roadian A/T Pro RA8 sports the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. Hence, it has been tested and certified for use in extreme winter conditions and terrains. Hence, if you happen to come across deep snow during your daily rides, you can rely on this tire to get you to your destination safely.

Sizes and Fitment

The Roadian A/T Pro RA8 is available in 57 sizes, ranging between 15 inches and 22 inches. It’s also available in LT and non-LT versions. Some of the vehicles that can fit this tire include:

• Jeep Commander, Cherokee and Liberty
• Dodge Ram, Durango and Dakota
• Isuzu Trooper
• Ford Edge, Explorer, Escape and Sport Trac
• Nissan Frontier, Titan and Murano
• Honda Pilot and CR-V
• Toyota Tundra, Highlander, 4Runner and Sequoia
• GMC Sierra and Envoy
• Mercury Mountaineer and Mariner
• Chevy Silverado, Trailblazer, Tahoe and Avalanche

Pros

• Top-notch wet and dry traction
• Reliable off-road performance
• Decent ride quality
• Pocket-friendly price

Cons

• Average fuel efficiency

Verdict

Nexen may not be the first name that comes to mind when it comes to all-terrain tires. But, it outdid itself with the Roadian A/T Pro RA8. Its performance is almost at the same level as the renowned names in the all-terrain realm.

From grass to mud, light gravel to dirt, this tire delivers a solid performance across challenging conditions and terrains. It also offers reliable traction and grip in severe wintry conditions. According to drivers who have used this tire, its performance in ice and snow is much better, compared to most of the other tires in its class.

And despite its rugged tread design, it still manages to deliver a smooth and comfortable on-road ride. Overall, this tire is a great option for drivers who encounter diverse terrains.

Nexen Tires Warranties and Guarantees

Nexen stands behind its tires with the industry’s best warranties and guarantees. Its tires come with a workmanship and materials warranty, mileage treadwear warranty, road hazard warranty as well as a customer satisfaction guarantee. Let’s take a deeper look at what’s covered under each of these warranties and guarantees.

Workmanship and Materials Warranty

All tires from this brand come with a workmanship and materials warranty. So, if your Nexen tire becomes unserviceable or it’s removed from service due to defects caused by workmanship or materials, Nexen will replace it with a comparable new one. The company will replace the tire either with a new one, free of charge or do the replacement on a prorated basis.

Free Replacement

If the tire is removed from service during its first 2/32-inch of its original usable tread or within 12 months from its purchase date, the company will replace it with a comparable new one, free of charge.

Prorated Replacement

If it becomes unserviceable outside the free replacement window, Nexen will still replace it. But, the replacement, in this case, will be on a prorated basis. Hence, you will be required to contribute a certain amount towards the tire’s replacement.

An authorized Nexen tire dealer will determine the amount you will contribute towards the tire’s replacement by multiplying the percentage of the original usable tread remaining on the tire by its current price.

You will also be required to cover the tire’s mounting and balancing costs, as well as applicable taxes and miscellaneous service charges.

Coverage under the materials and workmanship warranty extends for five years from the tire’s date of manufacture.

Mileage Tread Wear Warranty

Some Nexen tires come with a mileage treadwear limited warranty. Under this warranty, if an eligible tire wears out uniformly across its tread surface without delivering the warranted mileage, Nexen will replace it with a comparable new one.

Tire coverage offered under this warranty is done purely on a pro-rated arrangement. So, you will be required to contribute a certain amount towards the tire’s replacement. The amount you will contribute will depend on the mileage the tire has delivered. An authorized Nexen tire will calculate that amount by multiplying the percentage of the warranted mileage the tire has delivered by its retail price.

For instance, you may have purchased the Nexen N'Priz AH5, which comes with a mileage warranty of 50,000miles. Unfortunately, the tire’s tread may wear out prematurely, after it has delivered only 25,000 miles, which is 50% of the warranted mileage.

Assuming you had bought this tire for around $100, then your prorated charge will be $50. You will also pay for the tire’s mounting and balancing charges, as well as applicable taxes and miscellaneous service fees.

Road Hazard Warranty

Nexen also stands behind most of its tires with a road hazard warranty. This warranty is designed to protect the buyer from non-repairable damage, which may be caused by various road hazards like potholes, nails, glass, and other elements that may cause bruising, impact breaks or cuts.

Nexen tires that are eligible for this tire will be replaced free of charge if they become unserviceable from a covered hazard during their first 2/32-inch of the original usable tread or 12 months from the purchase date, whichever comes first.

You will be responsible for the tire’s mounting and balancing charges. Also, you will be responsible for applicable state and federal taxes as well as other service fees. Tires removed from service due to accident, vandalism, mechanical issues, or unauthorized use will not be replaced, regardless of when the damage occurs.

45-Day Customer Satisfaction Guarantee

Like other reputable tire brands, Nexen tires also come with a customer satisfaction guarantee. So, if you purchase a set of Nexen tires but you are not fully satisfied with them for any reason, you are free to return them to their original place of purchase, as long as you do it within 45 days or have not covered more than 500 miles, whichever comes first.

Upon returning them, the dealer will replace the tires with a comparable new set. But, the tires should be undamaged to qualify for this guarantee. Also, you will be required to produce proof of purchase when returning the set.

Roadside Assistance

All Nexen tires sold in the U.S are also eligible for roadside assistance service for three years or 36 months after purchase. After purchasing a set of Nexen tires, you will get a toll-free phone number, which you will be using to access this service. In case you happen to get a flat tire, an authorized tire professional will be sent to your location to change the tire for you, free of charge.

However, you will need to have a working spare tire. In case you don’t have one, towing services will be provided to the nearest Nexen tire dealer or a secure and safe location. The towing services are also free.

Why Buy Nexen Tires

As earlier mentioned, Nexen is a midrange tire brand, which competes with the likes of Kumho Tires, Sumitomo, Falken, Cooper, Firestone, Toyo, Nitto, General Tire, and Kelly Tires, just to name a few.

As you can see, the competition is quite stiff in this category. So, why go for Nexen tires instead of the other brands in this range? Well, here are a couple of reasons why you should consider buying Nexen tires.

High-Quality Tires

Nexen is renowned for making affordable, yet high-quality tires. And this explains why it has been chosen as the OE tire supplier for various vehicle brands like Jeep, Hyundai, KIA, Volkswagen, Dodge, Fiat, Chrysler, Mercedes, and Mitsubishi, among others.

The fact that these leading automakers choose to fit their vehicles with Nexen tires at the factor is enough proof that they trust the quality of its tires.

Solid Warranties and Guarantees

Nexen stands behind its tires with some of the best warranties and guarantees in the industry. Most of the company’s tires are covered by the Total Coverage Warranty.

The Total Coverage Warranty features solid warranties and guarantees such as materials and workmanship warranty, treadwear mileage warranty, customer satisfaction guarantee, road hazard coverage and roadside assistance service. With Nexen, you are covered every mile along the way.

Focus on Innovative Technologies

Nexen has always been at the forefront when it comes to tire technologies. Over the years, this tire manufacturer has consistently come up with various innovative technologies such as the patented nano-technology.

Its Green Hive concept tire is also one of its kind in the tire industry. Also, Nexen is committed to undertaking ongoing research and development, to ensure its future tires perform at the highest levels.

Industry Recognition

Over the years, Nexen has managed to scoop a couple of industry awards. For instance, one of its tires, the Winguard Sport 2 won the Good Design Award in 2018. This tire earned this award due to its outstanding performance, exceptional stability, and excellent grip in harsh wintry conditions.

The company has also won various IDEA, IF Design, Dot Design, and G-Mark awards, due to its tire innovations and designs. With Nexen, you will be purchasing a tire from a brand that has gone out of its way to deliver some of the best products in the industry.

Nexen Tires Pros

• Affordable, high-quality tires
• Solid tire warranties and guarantees
• Highly reliable tires

Nexen Tires Cons

• A limited selection of winter tires

Our Take

Whether you are looking for all-season touring tires, summer performance tires, ultra-high performance tires or winter tires, you can never go wrong with a Nexen tire. Its tires perform exceptionally well, they are durable and affordably priced. They also come with solid warranties and guarantees, to protect you against loss. So, would we recommend this tire brand? Absolutely.