Nitto NT05: A Comprehensive Review of High-Performance Summer Tires
Pros
- Exceptional dry traction
- Solid handling and stability
- Superior high-speed performance
- Ideal for drag or racing applications
- Can be paired with NT05R drag radials
Cons
- Mediocre comfort
- Expensive price
Check Price at Amazon.com at TireAmerica.com at TireRack.com at DiscountTire.com at TireBuyer.com at PriorityTire.com at SimpleTire.com
Do you know what’s even more difficult than picking out the perfect wheels for your vehicle? It will have to be selecting the appropriate tire mix, particularly when it comes to applications using staggered wheels. If you have wheels that are larger or wider in the back than they are in the front, obtaining tires that are built for such applications can be a difficult and time-consuming process.
You’ve come to the right place, as the Nitto NT05 puts an end to your search.
The Nitto NT05 is compatible with the NT05R drag radial tire, which can be purchased separately. Nitto put in a lot of effort to ensure that the tires’ tread designs and sizes were identical. If you drive a modified muscle car that has aftermarket wheels, this is the right accessory for you. Investing in both the NT05 and the NT05R for your car will not only increase the amount of grip and traction it provides, but it will also make your vehicle perform better when it comes to racing.
In this analysis, we will discuss the features of the Nitto NT05R as well as its many advantages. In addition to this, we are going to talk about the negatives of putting a set of high-performance drag tires on your everyday vehicle.
What are the features of the Nitto NT05?
Nitto’s objective, however, was to design the NT05 with the intention of delivering exceptional performance in high-horsepower automobiles. The NT05 features a bigger shoulder block as well as an extra-wide continuous center rib for increased stability. Because of the way it’s designed, a greater portion of the tire may make touch with the pavement. This not only improves the posture of your vehicle, but it also leads to enhanced dry traction and grip.
Both the uninterrupted center rib and the strengthened tread blocks contribute to the exceptional stability and rigidity of the tread. The Nitto NT05 is built with a tread compound that has been precisely designed, and it also has a reinforced internal construction for the highest possible level of stability and endurance.

What are the drawbacks of drag tires?
Nitto has not made it entirely clear if they consider the NT05 to be an all-season or summer tire. On the other hand, drag tires and racing tires are typically not the best choice for use on the street. Not only are drag tires more rigid and less refined than regular tires, but they also do not function as well in the wet as they do in the dry.
When traveling to the racetrack, full-on racing vehicles, and especially those that are equipped with drag radials, are typically towed or transported on trailers for practical reasons. This is due to the fact that racing tires are not built to be flexible enough to handle varying weather conditions. Because their tires are more likely to hydroplane or aquaplane in wet conditions, some are especially hazardous to use when the roads are wet.
However, the Nitto NT05 is not like the others. It’s true, this is a racing tire that was made specifically for the drag strip. The NT05, however, features two circumferential grooves that help in the water dissipation process. If you are attentive with the throttle and steering inputs, you should be able to handle a wet run with the NT05.
Be warned, though, that while it is sophisticated and comfortable enough to be driven on the highway, you shouldn’t put too much stock in those qualities. If your goal is to make your vehicle appear beautiful by installing racing tires, you should be prepared for the ride comfort and road noise to suffer because racing tires do not have the inherent refinement of other tires.
How does it perform in the dry?
The Nitto NT05 has the tenacity of a hungry lion when it comes to hooking up on the asphalt as long as the tires are hot enough. The tire is capable of responding to even the most minute steering corrections, which contributes to the vehicle’s strong handling. To provide insane amounts of grip, however, the Nitto NT05 needs to be heated or warmed up, just like summer tires do.
When you’re behind the wheel of a serious performance machine, you absolutely need to have stronger brakes and more stability. You can anticipate both of these improvements. It takes a lot of poking (or ridiculous amounts of horsepower) to disrupt the composure of the Nitto NT05, but this tire appears to scream for more when you attack a dead straight at maximum velocity. It takes a lot of prodding (or insane quantities of horsepower) to disrupt the composure of the Nitto NT05.
Is it really that bad in the wet?
In general, racing tires are not designed to perform well in the rain. The Nitto NT05, on the other hand, outperforms the majority of other racing tires when used in wet conditions. This is a proven fact. Keep in mind, though, that it doesn’t take much to shake these tires up on a wet highway, and this is especially true when the weather is colder.
So it’s not good in the snow?
Yes, you are accurate. Additionally, the Nitto NT05 is not a good choice for use in cold weather in and of itself.
How about comfort and refinement?
In light of the fact that the Nitto NT05 was designed with racing in mind, the vehicle’s level of comfort and refinement is surprisingly high. But if you’re hoping for a ride that’s as smooth and quiet as one provided by a touring tire, you’re going to be very disappointed.
On the other hand, this has absolutely nothing to do with the tire by itself. It is remarkable that Nitto was able to reduce the rigidity and the noise generated by the road while maintaining an exceptional level of grip. But if you really need to know, the Nitto NT05 is loud at speeds between medium and high, and the ride comfort is stiff while yet being compliant enough to prevent the need for a trip to the chiropractor.
You may find other Nitto NT05 Review films here, which were produced by Bryan.
Should I buy the Nitto NT05?
Yes, but only if a set of performance drag radials is what your vehicle desperately needs. In addition to this, the Nitto NT05 comes at a hefty price tag. For a set of Nitto NT05 tires measuring 19 inches, you may anticipate spending anywhere from $900 to $1200.
However, you can rely on the grippy compound of the Nitto NT05 when it comes to delivering enormous quantities of power and torque to the ground. Only the Yokohama Advan A052 and the Falken Azenis RT615K+ are better options in the aftermarket racing scene, making this one of the top choices available.