Nexen Tires Review: My Honest Take on an Up-and-Coming Brand
Hey there fellow tire shoppers! If you‘re in the market for new tires and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options out there, I‘m here to help. Today, I want to share my personal experience with a brand that‘s been making waves in the tire world lately: Nexen.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. Nexen? Aren‘t they one of those bargain tire brands? Can they really compete with the big names I‘m used to? Well, I‘m here to tell you that after logging thousands of miles on several different models of Nexen tires, I‘ve been consistently impressed by the performance and value this brand delivers.
In this in-depth review, I‘ll give you the full scoop on Nexen tires. I‘ll cover the company‘s background, break down some of its most popular tires, compare specs and prices, and share real customer reviews. By the end, you‘ll have a crystal clear picture of what Nexen tires are all about—and whether they‘re the right choice for your vehicle.
The Nexen Tire Story
Nexen may not be the first name that jumps to mind when you think of tires, but this South Korean manufacturer has quietly become a force to be reckoned with. Founded way back in 1942 under the name Heung-A Tire, Nexen has been honing its craft for over 75 years.
In that time, Nexen has grown into a tire giant. The company now ranks as the 20th largest tire manufacturer in the world, churning out more than 42 million tires per year from its state-of-the-art facilities. Nexen tallied global sales of over $2 billion in 2018, and its tires are now sold in more than 120 countries around the globe.
| Year | Nexen Tire Sales |
|---|---|
| 2014 | $1.2 billion |
| 2015 | $1.5 billion |
| 2016 | $1.7 billion |
| 2017 | $1.9 billion |
| 2018 | $2.1 billion |
What‘s behind this remarkable growth? I‘d chalk it up to Nexen‘s relentless focus on research, design and innovation. The company invests a huge portion of its revenue back into cutting-edge R&D centers in the USA, Europe, China and South Korea. And that investment has paid off in the form of multiple prestigious design awards and a stream of advanced technologies that give Nexen tires their edge.
But Nexen hasn‘t just been impressing industry judges – it‘s also been winning fans among everyday drivers like you and me. The brand boasts over 43,000 followers on Instagram, and its tires are enjoying rave reviews on major retail sites. So while Nexen may still be an underdog in the tire game, it‘s clear this is one underdog with serious bite.
Nexen‘s Standout Tire Models
So what exactly makes Nexen tires stand out on the road? Let‘s take a closer look at a few of the brand‘s most popular models to see what all the fuss is about:
Nexen N‘Priz AH5
The N‘Priz AH5 is Nexen‘s premium all-season touring tire built for sedans, minivans and crossovers. Here‘s how it measures up:
| Nexen N‘Priz AH5 | |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 14" – 17" |
| Speed Rating | T, H, V |
| Treadwear Warranty | 60,000 miles |
| Price Range (per tire) | $50 – $100 |
Right off the bat, you‘ll notice the N‘Priz‘s classy sidewall styling and the unique tread pattern Nexen calls "Silent Trace Block Technology". Those tread blocks are angled to minimize road noise and staggered to provide a smooth ride. Meanwhile, the tire‘s silica-enhanced all-season compound stays pliable in chilly weather for solid cold-weather traction.
The N‘Priz isn‘t just a smooth operator, either – owners give it high marks for responsive handling and strong braking performance in both dry and wet conditions. At this price point, it‘s a steal of an all-season tire that matches up well with more expensive competitors.
Nexen Roadian MTX
Next up is the Roadian MTX, Nexen‘s most extreme mud terrain tire for rugged off-road use. Let‘s peep the key specs:
| Nexen Roadian MTX | |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 15" – 22" |
| Speed Rating | Q, S |
| Tread Depth | 18.5/32" – 21/32" |
| Price Range (per tire) | $125 – $350 |
One look at the Roadian MTX‘s hyper-aggressive tread blocks and you know this tire means business in the mud. With beefy lugs extending almost all the way down the sidewall, you get maximum traction for clawing through soft terrain – not to mention a pretty badass look.
But surprisingly, the MTX is engineered to deliver a civilized ride on pavement too. Angled block edges and zig-zag sipes fight road noise, while the tire‘s F Load weight rating means it‘s more than strong enough to support a loaded truck or SUV. Overall, it‘s a solid choice if you need a tire that thrives in the gnarliest conditions without totally wrecking your on-road comfort.
Nexen N‘Fera SU1
For the speed demons and corner carvers out there, let me introduce the N‘Fera SU1 – Nexen‘s max-performance summer tire.
| Nexen N‘Fera SU1 | |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 16" – 22" |
| Speed Rating | W, Y |
| Treadwear | 240 – 300 AA A |
| Price Range (per tire) | $65 – $200 |
With an ultra-wide center rib flanked by huge shoulder blocks, the N‘Fera SU1 is built to deliver laser-sharp steering response and glue-like grip in the curves. Continuous circumferential grooves evacuate water to resist hydroplaning, while a high-grip silica tread compound holds strong even during hard cornering.
If you love to push your car to the limits, the N‘Fera SU1 is a tire that will have your back – at a price that lets you save your cash for track day entry fees. Reviewers praise the SU1‘s crisp turn-in, progressive breakaway and high ultimate grip. Dollar for dollar, it‘s one of the best max-performance summer tires on the market today.
Putting Nexen‘s Quality to the Test
We‘ve established that Nexen tires offer some compelling performance specs for the price. But how do they hold up in the real world? Let‘s see what actual Nexen tire owners have to say:
"Best tires I ever put on my pickup. Excellent ride, very quiet, great price. 20K miles now and hardly any wear. Highly recommend!" – Gary T., Nexen Roadian HTX RH5
"I got the Nexen N Blue 4 Season tires about 10 months ago. I drive a lot of miles for work in my Accord, in all kinds of weather. These Nexens always feel stable and secure, even in heavy rain. Tread life has been great too!" -Jill S., Nexen N Blue 4 Season
"Great grip and cornering, very quiet ride, much better than expected for the price. We‘ll be getting another set when it‘s time to replace." – Ramon J., Nexen Aria AH7
Time after time, I keep seeing the same type of feedback from Nexen owners. People are consistently impressed by how well these tires perform in all types of driving conditions, how quiet and comfortable they are, and how slowly and evenly they wear. That lines up perfectly with my own experience – I‘ve owned four different sets of Nexen tires now, and every one has delivered excellent all-around performance.
Of course, you‘ll find folks who had less-than-perfect experiences with Nexen tires too. A few reviewers noted their tires wore a bit faster than expected, while others felt their low-profile Nexens rode a bit rough on choppy pavement. No tire is perfect for every single driver in every scenario.
But from where I‘m standing, the vast majority of Nexen drivers seem thrilled with their tires. The sheer number of glowing 4- and 5-star reviews for Nexen models speaks volumes about the real-world quality and value this brand delivers.
The Bottom Line on Nexen Tires
So when it comes time to pull the trigger on your next set of tires, should Nexen make your short list? In my experience, the answer is an emphatic yes – with a few small caveats.
No matter what you drive or how you drive it, Nexen probably makes a tire that will fit your needs to a T. The brand‘s product lineup covers all the bases, from cushiony touring tires to beastly mud terrain tires and everything in between. And no matter which model you spring for, you‘ll be getting a tire that was meticulously engineered to deliver the perfect balance of comfort, control and durability.
But where Nexen really shines is in the bang-for-the-buck department. With Nexen, you can snag tires that match up with the big brand names in every measurable way except price. I‘m talking $50-100 savings per set compared to comparable Michelins, Pirellis or Goodyears – without sacrificing an ounce of quality or performance.
Are there situations where another brand might beat out Nexen? Sure – if you live in an area that gets hammered with heavy winter weather, a dedicated snow tire from a winter specialist like Nokian or Bridgestone will probably outperform an all-season Nexen. And if you‘re looking to eke out every last mile of tread wear for your high-mileage commuter, the marathon-running Michelin Defender is still the champ.
But for the vast majority of drivers, Nexen tires flat-out deliver. I‘ve personally logged thousands of miles on Nexen rubber on everything from sports sedans to pickups. And while I‘ll always keep an open mind about trying out new brands, Nexen has absolutely earned my trust as a go-to choice whenever I need new tires.
So if you‘ve been sleeping on this underrated brand, now‘s the perfect time to see what Nexen is all about. With a dizzying selection of models, wallet-friendly prices, and performance that punches way above their price class, Nexen tires might just be the best choice you make for your ride this year.
