Nankang tires are renowned, especially in the US market. These tires are a great economical option for thrifty car owners. Whether you are driving light trucks, SUVs, sedans, or minivans, this Nankang Tire review will help you make an informed decision.
The brand has a high reputation for producing tires with excellent grip, traction, and durability. These attributes allow you to enjoy a comfortable driving experience. Also, the tires come in designs, sizes, and specifications to suit your needs.
Here are our top pick Nankang tires that we’re about to review:
Nankang Tires-Buyers Guide
Nankang was founded in the late 1950s in Taiwan. The brand has since produced many tires through various facilities scattered throughout its native country and China.
The Nankang brand currently boasts three tire manufacturing locations; Nankang (Taiwan), Hsinfung (Taiwan), and Jiangsu facility (mainland China). Each produces high-quality tires to satisfy global demand.
So, how do you go about choosing the right tires from Nankang for your vehicle?
Here’s a buying guide to help you find the perfect Nankang tires for your vehicle:
Consider the Quality
Nankang has engineered its tires to offer fantastic quality in terms of performance.
The brand boasts multiple quality assurance awards, including ISO certifications. This indicates high standards in Nankang tire production and a prerequisite to allowing them to sell the same products to E.U. member states.
Nantang also carries out extensive research to drive innovation in tire development. As a result, it produces quiet, safe, and comfortable tires for different types of vehicles.
Emphasis on Handling
Tire manufacturers recognize that superb steering control is vital for all tires. Handling is a significant performance trait that each tire must offer to increase vehicle maneuverability and improve safety while driving.
Nankang starts its handling-enhancing procedure by perfecting each tire’s tread design to increase traction on both wet and dry road surfaces.
This process is followed by optimizing the contact patch to enhance grip when negotiating corners at top speeds. All these features are incorporated in each model to provide you with precise control of your vehicle.
Check Durability
A good-quality tire should last about ten years or cover 50,000 miles before it is replaced.
If you’re a 4×4 driver or live in an area with few proper roads, durable tires will allow you to drive over rugged terrains, loose surfaces, and jagged-rocks without wearing them easily.
Look for a tire with a sturdy design that can withstand punctures and mitigate scuffling.
The same tire must have several durability enhancements, such as a 3-ply sidewall to increase structure firmness. Its shoulders should remain rigid or negate bruising to increase longevity. Likewise, its tread design must allow for self-cleaning with regular use to make it last a little longer.
Factor in the Price
High-quality doesn’t need to be expensive. This is the case with Nankang tires, which are more affordable than premium-grade tires.
This Taiwanese manufacturer does not go for ready-made designs as some tire making companies do. Instead, the company starts from scratch by researching, designing, and developing high-performance tires. Nankang tests their tires vigorously to assess their quality before they hit the road.
Since the company carries out the entire process from start to finish, it drastically cuts down the cost of producing each tire. That’s why Nankang tires can cost up to half the price of other brands.
Compare different brands based on their qualities and features with Nankang tires before making your final decision.
Nankang Tires Review
Below is a review of our best five tires from Nankang:
Our Overview
Nankang NS-2R P255/35R18 is rated one of the best race track tires among experienced motorists. This is true, especially when it comes to owners of less powerful or older versions of sports cars. The tire is a perfect fit for those looking to spend less money to acquire higher traction and grip levels.
This tire model has a section width of 255 millimeters, an aspect ratio of 35, radial construction, and a load index rating of 94. It only weighs 33 pounds.
The Nankang NS-2R P255/35R18 is a great choice for lighter vehicles due to its impressive response when hitting the road. This model can deliver enough grip, which results in short braking distances.
Like other tires under the Nankang brand, this one has issues with traction on very powerful cars. This problem comes about during hard acceleration. In addition to that, this tire is not suitable for driving in rainy conditions.
Pros:
- Offers outstanding cornering grip.
- It is very responsive.
- Affordable.
Cons:
- Wet performance is not impressive.
- Experiences traction issues on certain cars.
Our Overview
Nankang AS-1 Performance Radial-Tire 175/55R1577V provides one of the best exhilarating driving experiences. This tire from the Taiwanese manufacturer has a section width of 175 millimeters, an aspect ratio of 55, radial construction, rim diameter of 15 inches, and a load index rating of 77. These specifications combine to keep your car moving along different surfaces smoothly.
The tire offers quick and precise steering at different speeds. It allows your car to experience the most effective cornering grip, a feature that you won’t find in most tires. As if that is not enough, it ensures that your ride is comfortable over uneven surfaces, including rugged terrains.
Sadly, it does not do well in extreme winter conditions. Its wet braking is not as impressive as you would have expected. No wonder some car owners have come forward to report the tire’s accelerated tread-wear.
Regardless of these minor downsides, Nankang AS-1 Performance Radial-Tire 175/55R 77V is still one of the top-of-the-range tire brands you can rely on. Most importantly, it comes with a 40,000-mile warranty on tread-wear.
Pros:
- The tire is very responsive.
- Offers direct steering.
- Excellent cornering grip.
- Strong braking.
- Provides comfortable rides.
- A 40,000-mile tread-wear warranty.
Cons:
- Poor traction on snow.
- Wet braking is not as impressive as expected.
- There are reports of accelerated tread-wear.
Our Overview
When it comes to the best performance SUV tires, none beats Nankang SP-7 Radial-Tire 305/40R22 114V. Nankang designed this model to ideally suit crossovers and SUVs with powerful turbocharged or V6 engines. At least, you can tell that the tire is built for speed and maneuverability.
It has a 303-millimeter section width, an aspect ratio of 40, radial construction, a rim diameter of 22 inches, and a load index rating of 114. It weighs 43.2 pounds with a tread depth of 11 millimeters to enhance grip and traction on different surfaces.
The tire handles everyday tasks well, including good overall handling of your car and quick responsiveness, on both wet and dry surfaces. Its 40,000-mile tread-wear warranty assures you of good extended performance.
Nankang SP-7 Radial-Tire 305/40R22 114V is not overly comfortable or quiet while on the highway. Again it is not the best choice for extreme winter conditions.
Pros:
- Delivers excellent braking on dry surfaces.
- Very affordable.
- Large tire width.
Cons:
- Noisy.
- Provides minimal snow traction.
Our Overview
Nankang built its AT-5 Conqueror A/T All-Terrain Radial-Tire 275/65R18 116T to deliver high performance at a budget-friendly rate. The tire has several features that make it versatile and ideal for driving on difficult terrain.
Its specification entails a section width of 275 millimeters, an aspect ratio of 65, radial construction, a rim diameter of 18 inches, a load index rating of 116, and a tread depth of 13 millimeters. Each of these specifications ensures that you achieve excellent traction, a good grip, and high performance.
The tire’s high directional tread pattern and high-performance tread compound increase stability and enhance grip on dry road surfaces. It’s dual circumferential grooves play an active role in increasing cornering power and lateral traction.
Furthermore, the tire’s large voids and circumferential grooves enhance traction on wet surfaces such as wet pavements while improving hydroplane resistance.
Special high-tech silica compound is fully integrated into this tire to provide superior grip, traction, durability, and stopping performance on a wide range of surfaces. The serrated sidewall design and rugged shoulders also increase traction in addition to extending the tread-wear time.
The two-in-one pitches combine with the variable width tread to lower outside road noise. These two features also improve your car’s overall ride quality.
Nankang AT-5 Conqueror A/T All-terrain Radial-Tire 275/65R18 116T comes in a wide range of sizes to suit different vehicle types. Each size has a reinforced 3-ply sidewall to deliver additional impact protection while increasing abrasion resistance. Nankang includes a 50,000-mile tread-wear warranty to give you confidence in this tire.
Pros:
- Traction or handling on different surfaces is above average.
- Provides good cornering performance.
- Excellent value for your money.
- Quick control.
- Efficient steering response.
- A 50,000-mile tread-wear warranty.
Cons:
- Some owners have complained of their poor performance on wet, ice & snowy roads.
Our Overview
Are you looking for a balanced blend of traction, comfort, performance, and tread life for your SUV or crossover? If yes, look no further than Nankang Cross-Sport Season Radial-Tire 225/60R16 98V.
This durable tire weighs 26.1 pounds and has a section width of 225 millimeters, an aspect ratio of 60, radial construction, a rim diameter of 16 inches, and a load index rating of 98. These specifications make it one of the most popular tires designed to deliver responsiveness and a fluid driving experience.
The tire grips a wide range of surfaces nicely to help you enjoy a smooth ride. Its sipes boost wet grip while reducing uneven tear and wear. Plus, the angled blocks provide a lateral grip when braking.
Nankang Cross-Sport Season Radial-Tire 225/60R16 98V gives your vehicle an optimized footprint for quiet rides and everlasting comfort. The tire comes with a 50,000-mile tread-wear warranty.
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Handles dry or wet roads well.
- Comes with a 50,000-mile tread-wear warranty.
- Provides a smooth ride.
Cons:
- Poor traction on snowy surfaces.
- Noise performance is below expectation.
Nankang Tires Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Types of Vehicles Will Nankang Tires Fit?
The tire can fit on many vehicles, including:
- Chrysler PT Cruiser
- Chevrolet Cobalt, Imparem Malibu
- Dodge Charger and Caliber
- Honda Accord, CRV, Civic
- Ford Edge, Focus, Fusion
- Mazda 3, 6, CX-7
- Volkswagen Golf
- Toyota Camry, corolla
- Nissan Altima, Sentra
What are the Most Popular Nankang Tire Models?
Two models stand out from the rest when it comes to popularity.
They include:
- Nankang-AS-1 tire: It is a high-performance and all-season tire model
- Nankang Conqueror: This series tackles off-road terrain better than other tires.
What Are the Most Common Tire Sizes Nankang Produce?
Nankang’s standard tire sizes are 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 and 24 inches.
What Warranties Should I Expect From a Nankang Tire Manufacturer?
Two major warranties that come with Nankang tires at the time of purchase. They are:
Standard limited warranty: It is only applicable to tires sold and used in the US Territories, Mexico, and Canada. The warranty covers only the original tire purchaser, and it isn’t transferable.
Standard limited mileage warranty: This warranty applies to tread-wear on Nankang tires up to five years following their first installation. It can either be a 50-000-mile tread-wear warranty or a 40,0000-mile tread-wear warranty depending on the model of the tire you purchase.
Final Verdict
Nankang tires exude value. For their price, they have great features, display exemplary specifications, and can take your vehicle to extreme limits without compromising your safety.
Their performance is something to behold, thanks to their great tread patterns and siping influence on braking. With that in mind, our final verdict as the best Nankang tire rests with the Nankang NS-2R P255/35R18, which displays exceptional performance at an affordable price.
