Nitto NT421Q Tire Review

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‍About the Nitto NT421Q

As noted above, NT421Q is an ultra-high performance tire, specifically built for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs).

Featuring all-season traction, the Nitto NT421Q is designed to deliver exceptional handling, as well as a smooth and comfortable ride.

It’s also built to provide maximum safety levels, even when you are driving on wet and slippery surfaces or when moving at high speeds.

While it may not be an important factor for some people, it’s also worth mentioning that the Nitto NT421Q sports a stylish design.

It rocks a sporty, gorgeous asymmetric tread design. If you look at it closely, you will notice that its face has been divided into two sections.

The inner section has smaller tread blocks, featuring large open grooves while the outer one features larger tread blocks. So, if you value aesthetics when you are purchasing tires, then the Nitto NT421Q may be worth a look.

From the look of things, it appears as if this all-season, ultra-high performance tire, has all the bases covered. But what are its downsides? Does it perform well on snowy or slippery surfaces? Read on to find out more about this tire.

Key Features and Technologies

The NT421Q is the latest SUV and CUV tire from Nitto. And as you may expect, it has been outfitted with a wide range of unique and exclusive features.

First, Nitto has equipped the NT421Q with extra shoulder inserts. It features an additional circumferential rubber layer, which helps to enhance its strength while increasing the tire’s cushioning.

Thanks to the added circumferential layer, the NT421Q is able to absorb bumps and other imperfections on the road while delivering maximum rigidity. Apart from that, this feature also results in a more comfortable and safer driving experience.

Second, the NT421Q features Nitto’s revolutionary 3D multi-wave and 3D interlocking sipes. This technology enables the tire’s sipes to lock together when you apply brakes, thus ensuring the car stops within the shortest distance possible.

Also, as the sipes lock together, the tire will create a larger contact area with the ground, thus improving traction.

Third, the Nitto NT421Q comes with a sporty asymmetrical tread design, where its surface has been divided into two sections. The outer section features larger tread blocks while the inner area comes with smaller blocks, featuring larger open grooves.

This unique asymmetrical tread design helps to improve the tire's wet traction, stability, handling, as well as cornering on dry tarmac. Also, the unique tread design gives the tire an aesthetically appealing look.

Overall, these features are designed to provide traction, enhance the tire’s sturdiness, improve water evacuation, and help the tire to navigate wet and slippery conditions, without sacrificing handling.

Maintenance Indicators

Nitto has furnished the NT421Q with Intelligent Maintenance indicators, which help to show the tire’s level of tread wear.

These maintenance indicators have been fitted on the walls of the tire’s circumferential grooves.

With these maintenance indicators, the driver can monitor the tire’s tread wear rate. Also, they can help the driver to check whether the tire is wearing out uniformly or irregularly.

In case the maintenance indicators on the NT421Q are wearing irregularly, then it’s a sign that the wheels are not properly balanced or the vehicle is misaligned.

Simply put, the Intelligence Maintenance indicators on the NT421Q provide an easy means for the driver to check the condition of the tires, the wear rate, remaining tread depth as well as the overall condition of the vehicle.

How does the Nitto NT421Q Perform on Dry Tarmac?

Just like other all-season tires from this brand, the NT421Q doesn’t disappoint when it comes to dry tarmac.

It delivers reliable traction, as well as impressive cornering grip, even when you are driving your vehicle at high speeds.

Their great traction on dry tarmac and remarkable cornering grip can be attributed to the additional rubber inserts on the tire’s shoulder, which bolster the sidewalls, thus enabling the NT421Q to withstand high cornering forces.

Under normal circumstances, adding rubber inserts on a tire’s shoulders can compromise comfort levels. However, you will not experience such issues with the NT421Q.

The NT421Q continues delivering a sporty performance without affecting vehicle stability and ride comfort.

How does the Nitto NT421Q Perform on Wet and Slippery Surfaces?

Its performance on wet and slippery surfaces is equally impressive. In fact, its performance in these conditions is better than most of the other tires in its category.

Whether you are driving on wet terrain or you happen to encounter slippery surfaces, the NT421Q remains a capable performer.

The use of deeper and wider circumferential grooves helps to channel water away from its surface, thus reducing issues of hydroplaning.

Also, its higher sipe density helps the tire to deliver substantial amounts of grip and traction, even when you are rolling over slushy or icy surfaces.

So, if you are looking for an all-season tire for your SUV or CUV that can handle wet and slippery surfaces, then the NT421Q is a smart choice.

How does the Nitto NT421Q Perform on Snowy Roads?

Some all-season tires tend to lose grip, whenever they encounter snowy roads. But with the NT421Q, you don’t have to worry about loss of grip or traction on snowy roads.

The NT421Q has been equipped with advanced siping technology, which is normally used on dedicated winter tires. Thanks to this technology, the NT421Q will hold its own even when it encounters snowy conditions.

However, you should note that the NT421Q is not a winter tire. So, if the road is covered with more than 3 inches of snow, then there is a high chance it will lose traction and stability. Also, the vehicle’s handling will be negatively affected.

So, if you encounter such conditions or if you live in areas that experience heavy snowfalls, then it will be highly advisable to switch to a dedicated snow tire.

Is the Nitto NT421Q Good for Off-road Driving?

The NT421Q is not an off-roading tire. But considering its impressive performance in snowy conditions, it can also handle loose dirt well.

However, this tire is primarily designed for street driving. It’s more of a touring tire or a highway terrain tire.

So, if you are planning to be going for off-roading adventures using your SUV or CUV, then you should consider other tire options.

While the NT421Q may provide some light off-roading performance, it’s not built to handle such conditions.

And if you insist on using this tire off-road, then you run the risk of puncturing the tread or cutting a sidewall. You will also experience sub-par handling, poor cornering performance and serious traction issues.

Is the Nitto NT421Q Comfortable and Refined?

The NT421Q offers a refined, comfortable and quiet ride. Nitto has utilized its exclusive Quiet Serration technology, which helps to minimize road noise.

It helps to break up repetition and reverberation, which is usually experienced during highway driving, thus making the ride more comfortable and enjoyable.

Also, the NT421Q features a variable pitch tread block design, which helps to reduce road noise, making it one of the quietest tires in its category.

Furthermore, this tire absorbs bumps, shocks, small potholes and other road imperfections, resulting in a comfortable and refined ride.

Available Sizes

The Nitto NT421Q is available in a vast selection of sizes, ranging from 17 inches to 22 inches, with the exception of 21 inches. Some of the available sizes include:

17 Inch

•  245/65R17
• 235/65R17
• 225/65R17
•  225/60R17
• 235/60R17
• 275/55R17
• 255/60R17

18 Inch

• 265/65R18
• 265/60R18
• 235/65R18
• 235/55R18
• 235/60R18
• 255/65R18
• 255/55R18
• 245/60R18
• 225/55R18

19 Inch

·         265/50R19

• 255/50R19
•  225/55R19
• 255/60R19
• 255/55R19
• 235/55R19
• 235/50R19
• 245/55R19

20 Inch

• 275/60R20
• 275/40R20
•  275/50R20
• 275/45R20
•  275/55R20
• 265/50R20
• 245/50R20
• 255/50R20
• 255/45R20
• 255/55R20
• 235/55R20

22 Inch

• 285/45R22

Compatible Vehicles

The Nitto NT421Q can fit a wide range of vehicles like SUVs, CUVs, minivans, light trucks and minivans, among others. Some of the makes and models it’s compatible with include:

•  Buick Enclave
• Acura DMX
• Cadillac Escalade, XT5 and SRX
• Chrysler Aspen
• Dodge Durango and Ram 1500
• Chevrolet Trailblazer, Silverado, Avalanche, Traverse, Colorado, Suburban and Chevy Tahoe
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• GMC Yukon, Sierra and Acadia
• Genesis GV80
• Jaguar i-Pace
• Ford Expedition, F-250, F-150 and Explorer
• Infiniti FX45, FX37, FX35, QX80, QX56, and QX70
• Lincoln Aviator
• Lexus RX450h, RX350L, and RX350
• Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover
• Mazda CX-7 and CX-9
• Mercury Mountaineer
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Nissan Pathfinder, Murano, Titan, Titan XD, and Armada
• Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia
• Mercedes Benz R350 and ML350
• Porsche Cayenne
• Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas

The above list doesn’t include all the vehicles that the NT421Q. So, if you would like to install it on your car, you can check with your local tire dealer if it will fit.

Price Range

On average, the Nitto NT421Q costs approximately $120 to $270. However, the actual cost will depend on the tire size you’ve chosen and the outlet you are purchasing from.

For instance, if you are purchasing a Nitto NT421Q 17-inch from Priority Tire, then it will cost you approximately $160. And if you were to buy the same size from Tire Buyer, then you will spend around $124.

A 22-inch size on Tire Buyer goes for around $230 while the same size on Priority Tire will cost you around $265.

Nitto NT421Q Warranties and Guarantees

The Nitto NT421Q comes with a materials and workmanship warranty as well as a tread warranty.

The materials and workmanship warranty covers the tire for 5 years. Nitto will offer you a free NT421Q replacement if the tire is damaged within its first year or the first 25% of wear.

After that, the compensation will be done on a prorated basis, until the Nitto NT421Q reaches its final 2/32” of tread depth.

As for the tread warranty, the mileage covered will depend on the tire’s speed rating. For instance, the W-speed rated Nitto NT421Q comes with a 60,000-mile warranty while the H and V-speed rated sizes come with a 75,000-mile tread warranty.

Should You Buy the Nitto NT421Q?

If you are looking for a tire that offers dependable traction on wet surfaces, dry roads and light snow, then you should buy the Nitto NT421Q.

However, its price is on the higher end. You will spend an average of $800 if you install a set of Nitto NT421Q on your vehicle.

But as much as this tire may be slightly more expensive than some of the others in its category, you are assured of getting our money’s worth.

Most people who have already used this tire have indicated that it delivers the expected or projected tread life.

Nitto NT421Q Pros

• Great all-year-round traction
• Superb handling and cornering grip
• Quiet, comfortable and refined ride
• Outstanding hydroplaning resistance

Nitto NT421Q Cons

• A bit more expensive

Our Take

The Nitto NT421Q is one of the best tires in the touring, all-season category. It looks great and delivers minimal road noise as well as a comfortable driving experience, even when the vehicle is moving at high speeds. Overall, if you are looking for a set of ultra-high performance all-season tires for your SUV or crossover, then the Nitto NT421Q will be hard to beat.

Where To Buy Nitto NT421Q

Discount Tire Tire Buyer