Nankang Tires Review: Top Pick for Budget Buyers – Solid Choice and Quality
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Because performance tires wear so quickly, those who are passionate about automobiles are always looking for more affordable options. Even if they are only used a few times on the track, performance tires can lose their ability to be driven legally on the street. Additionally, the cost of replacing a few sets of performance tires on a regular basis might be rather high.
Thankfully, businesses like as Nankang make performance tires aimed towards enthusiasts that are accessible to anyone on a budget. In addition, if the word Nankang sounds unfamiliar to you, allow me to provide you with a little history lesson on the topic.
In reality, Nankang is the largest tire manufacturer in Taiwan, which is a country with a relatively low number of tire manufacturers overall. 1940 was the year that saw the birth of the company. In addition, the business asserts that it was the first to create the radial tire, which is a claim that has been contested.
Now, I’m not going to enter into that issue, but considering the reason that Nankang is listed there, it lends prominence to the company. Despite this, you shouldn’t blindly put your faith in Nankang just yet, especially considering how saturated the market is with low-quality tires sold at low prices.
To your good fortune, you have arrived just in time to acquire information regarding Nankang tires. In this evaluation of Nankang tires, I will not only cover the spectrum of performance tires but also models that provide a comfortable ride on the street as well as tires designed specifically for SUVs and trucks.
Because the company manufactures motorhomes, recreational vehicles, trailers, and agricultural equipment, the answer is “yes,” the company is quite large. However, I will limit my discussion in this post to tires designed for passenger cars and performance vehicles.
Top 5 Best Nankang Tires Review
1. Nankang SP-9 Cross-Sport
Best SUV Touring Tire
Nankang’s SP-9 Cross-Sport is one of the company’s most popular tire models, and the primary reason for this success is the current surge in popularity of SUVs and crossover vehicles. The Taiwanese maker of these tires aspires to provide drivers of these cars with a tire that offers an optimal combination of performance, traction, comfort, and tread life with this model. The treadwear warranty on the tire is good for 50,000 miles, which is a fantastic deal considering the price.
The SP-9 Cross-Sport is a really pleasing option when used in actual life. The tires have just the right amount of responsiveness to make for a fluid driving experience, and they provide an excellent grip on the road when it is dry. The wet handling is a step or two behind the current standard, but it is still enjoyable.
Having said that, I would have preferred shorter stopping distances when it was raining or snowing outside. To speak on a more positive note, the ride itself is quite smooth, and there isn’t a significant problem with noise, at least not until you reach highway speeds.
Pros
- Cheap to buy
- Very good handling on dry roads
- Good handling on wet roads
- A 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Smooth ride
Cons
- Wet braking could be better
- Snow traction isn’t impressive
- Noise-performance isn’t overly impressive
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2. Nankang AS-1
Best All-Season Ultra-High-Performance Tire
The Nankang AS-1 delivers one of the most thrilling experiences behind the wheel at a price that is very reasonable. These tires have a very responsive and accurate steering feel when used. Additionally, the tire offers a high level of comfort on a variety of surfaces, and the cornering grip is exceptional considering the cost.
However, despite the fact that the AS-1 is an all-season tire, you shouldn’t plan on using it in conditions that are particularly harsh during the winter. In addition, the wet braking performance isn’t particularly outstanding, and despite the 40,000-mile treadwear warranty, several owners have complained of accelerated treadwear.
Pros
- Responsive and direct steering
- Very good cornering grip and strong braking
- Comfortable ride for a performance tire
- A 40,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Cheap to buy
Cons
- Subpar snow traction
- Wet braking isn’t impressive for the category
- Some owners report accelerated treadwear
3. Nankang NS-2R
Best Race-Track Tires
The enthusiast community favors the Nankang NS-2R tire the most out of all of the brand’s offerings. This is especially the case for people who drive older or less powerful sports cars and don’t want to spend a lot of money on tires but yet want higher levels of grip on their vehicles.
When it comes to lightweight vehicles, such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Nankang NS-2R proves to be an excellent tire to drive on. The steering is direct and responsive, the car grips well in corners, and the stopping distances are rather short.
However, in cars with a lot of power, losing traction during heavy acceleration could be a problem. In addition to this, NS-2R is not the ideal option for driving while it is raining.
Pros
- Excellent cornering grip and strong braking
- Very responsive and quick steering
- Much cheaper than the competition
Cons
- Subpar wet performance
- Traction issues on very powerful cars
4. Nankang SP-7
Best Performance SUV Tire
Customers that drive SUVs and crossovers equipped with more potent V6 or turbocharged engines are the target market for the SP-7. The tire is able to perform well in day-to-day activities thanks to its solid general handling and reactivity, which are present whether the road is dry or wet.
Despite this, the Nankang SP-7 isn’t particularly quiet or comfy, and its treadwear warranty of 40,000 miles isn’t particularly noteworthy either. In addition, despite the fact that it is an all-season tire, the tire is not the optimal selection for use in icy circumstances.
Pros
- Excellent handling and braking on dry roads
- Usable in wet conditions
- Responsive and quick steering
- Very cheap to buy
Cons
- Somewhat noisy on the highway
- Snow traction could be better
- The treadwear warranty could be longer
5. Nankang AT5 Conqueror A/T
Best All-Terrain Tire
If you spend the majority of your time driving on hardpacked surfaces, the Nankang AT5 Conqueror A/T will provide you everything you need and more. Even in wet conditions, the traction on dirt and gravel is very good, and this does not negatively affect the traction on the road. However, drivers who wish to engage in intense off-roading, such as driving in mud or rock-crawling, should go elsewhere for their tires because this model is not the ideal option.
Pros
- Excellent traction on hardpacked surfaces
- Very good on-road dynamics
- Safe in wet conditions
- Usable snow traction
- Good 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t work very well in mud or over large rocks
- Could be quieter on the highway
Nankang Tires Review: Buying Guide
The inventory of tires offered by Nankang is rather extensive, and customers may choose from a wide range of sizes. The company’s goal is to manufacture sizes that are suitable for not only contemporary automobiles, crossovers, SUVs, and trucks, but also more vintage motor vehicles.
In contrast to many other types of inexpensive tires, the Taiwanese company offers both summer and all-season tread compounds for their tires. On the other hand, although Nankang does not sell winter tires in North America, the company does sell these kinds of products in Europe and the United Kingdom.
1. Nankang Tires Positive Aspects
Well-Engineered, Developed, and Researched Tires
A great number of businesses that manufacture low-cost tires also acquire the design of the items. These businesses do not come up with their own designs for the tires; rather, they purchase a rubber material and a prototype before going on to manufacture the tire. Typically, not enough research and development time is put into these designs, which ultimately leads to subpar functionality.
The good news is that Nankang is not like that kind of company. The Taiwanese company is equipped with a research and development division, and it also designs its own models. The fact that these tires are tested before they are sent onto the road is a positive development, which, unfortunately, is a luxury that is not afforded to producers of very inexpensive tires.
Budget-Friendly Prices
This gets me to my next point, which is the cost of Nankang tires. Nankang tires can cost up to two times less than premium-grade tires of the same size and style. That is not a trivial matter, particularly for proprietors who are looking to save money on tires.
Having said that, you can descend quite a bit lower down. Products of considerably lower cost can be found under the Lionhart and Lexani brand names. However, there is a pretty large performance gap between these firms and Nankang, and if I had to choose between the two, I would absolutely go with the products that come from Taiwan.
Very Good Performance Overall
When compared to luxury tire manufacturers like Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, Goodyear, and Continental, Nankang tires aren’t even in the same league as budget brands like Goodyear and Continental. Higher-quality tires are produced by a variety of manufacturers, including Cooper, General, Kumho, and Hankook. You are getting the point.
Despite this, Nankang continues to manufacture tires that are capable of delivering a secure ride in the vast majority of environments. You won’t feel unsafe on wet pavement, and some all-season tires even perform well on snow-covered roadways. Dry handling is very superb, but you’ll still feel comfortable on wet pavement.
These are not unimportant details, and it is imperative that one always puts one’s safety first.
Good Treadlife for the Price
Of course, Nankang does not manufacture the tires on the market that have the longest lifespan. However, considering the cost of the tires, the treadlife is actually rather satisfactory. I’ve talked to a lot of Nankang owners, and they all seem to be really happy with how long their tires survive. In addition, the company uses innovative tread compounds, which are guaranteed to have a longer lifespan than less expensive rubber.
2. Nankang Tires Negative Aspects
Still not a Match for Premium Tires
If you have the financial means, I believe that purchasing tires of top quality should always be your first choice. The performance of these tires is outstanding across the board, and there are no significant drawbacks. On the other hand, businesses who are focused on saving money will have to make concessions midway between the stages of conception and manufacturing.
The products that Nankang produces are of a very high quality, which suggests that the company is skilled in the work that it does. However, you still cannot directly compare them to premium tires in the same way. The difference will be significant in some categories, the most common of which are categories such as handling and braking.
I want to make it clear that there is a justification for the high price of premium tires, and that justification is the fact that these tires excel in virtually every category. I don’t want to give the impression that Nankang tires are of poor quality because I know that’s not the case.
Treadwear Warranties Could be Longer
There aren’t any innovative treadwear companies in Nankang, like there is, for instance, in the case of Mastercraft, which is a manufacturer that excels in this field. Even the all-season touring tires that Nankang sells come with a treadwear warranty that is good for 50,000 miles, which is about par for the course in 2020.
You shouldn’t put too much stock in the guarantee because with appropriate maintenance, such as rotating the tires every 6,000 miles, you may extend the treadlife of your tires significantly. However, it is beneficial to have an understanding of Nankang’s position in comparison to that of other tire producers.
Conclusion
Nankang is an interesting choice for a tire manufacturer, particularly for those looking for high levels of performance at relatively competitive costs. This is especially true for drivers who are passionate about their vehicles, as the Nankang performance tires offer a significant price advantage over their premium counterparts.
You also shouldn’t expect the same performance because it is evident that it won’t be the same. Despite this, Nankang has found a way to develop tires that are both usable and affordable, ensuring that the owners of these tires will be pleased with their purchase. In addition, I believe that to be a successful outcome.