Upgrade Your Crossover or SUV with Nitto NT421Q: A Comprehensive Review of the Ultra-High Performance All-Season Tire
Pros
- Superb all-season traction
- Performs admirably in wet, slippery, or snowy roads
- Aggressive tread design
- Comfortable and quiet ride
Cons
- It’s a pricier alternative
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The Nitto NT421Q represents the next generation of tires designed specifically for compact SUVs, crossovers, and CUVs. However, in contrast to robust SUV tires, which typically come with a bumpier ride and a higher volume of noise, the NT421Q is overly smooth. Nevertheless, it maintains a lively handling and an aggressive appearance throughout.
It seems as though the Nitto NT421Q has thought of everything, which is commendable on their part. But what are the negative aspects of it? Is it suitable for driving in the snow or during the winter? In this evaluation, we will talk about the numerous advantages of the Nitto NT421Q as well as the potential disadvantages, of which there are just a few in this instance.
What are the features of the Nitto NT421Q?
The distinctive tread design not only gives the tire an appearance that is more menacing and reminiscent of racing, but it also serves a purpose. When driving on dry asphalt, the outer edge of the tire, which has the larger blocks, is intended to assist stability, traction, handling, and cornering. In the interim, the performance of the inner blocks has been optimized to be better in the rain and throughout the winter.
Additional shoulder inserts are incorporated into the construction of the Nitto NT421Q. A supplementary layer of rubber has been put around the tire’s circumference to provide additional support and cushioning. Because of this, the tire is capable of delivering maximum stiffness while simultaneously absorbing a significant number of bumps. Driving conditions will consequently improve in terms of both safety and comfort as a direct consequence of this development.
In addition to that, Nitto has included their exclusive 3D multi-wave and 3D interlocking sipe designs in this particular tire. When the brakes are applied or you start moving again after coming to a complete stop, this function causes the many sipes to lock together. Because the sipes are fusing together, the tire is producing a wider contact patch, which results in an increase in traction. This not only ensures safe and secure handling, but also robust cornering performance in any conditions.

What are maintenance indicators?
There are some tires that do not have maintenance or wear indicators installed. However, the Nitto NT421Q includes intelligent maintenance indications that may be used to provide a visual representation of the treads’ current state. Additionally, this serves as an early warning indicator against problems with the suspension and alignment of the vehicle before the issue becomes more severe. If the indicators are wearing out in a manner that is not uniform, this may indicate that there is an issue with the camber or suspension alignment. Checking the condition of the tires and the rest of your vehicle in this way is a pleasant and uncomplicated way to do it.
Is it good for off-road driving?
The Nitto NT421Q is not in any way designed to be used off-road. However, tires that are terrific in snow are typically good in loose soil as well, and the Nitto NT421Q is no exception to this rule. However, this tire is designed to be used primarily on the road. You can think of it as a touring tire or a H/T (highway terrain) tire, but with sportier performance, and you won’t be too far off the mark. You are looking in the incorrect place if you have modified your crossover or SUV so that it can be driven off-road.
How does it behave in dry tarmac?
The wet drip levels are even better than the dry ones! It provides performance that is superior to that of standard touring tires while maintaining the same level of ride comfort and vehicle stability. Without losing a beat or flinching in response, the Nitto NT421Q will cheerfully comply with even the most clumsy steering inputs.
At higher speeds, though, things take on a new character. The Nitto NT421Q provides a higher level of dry grip when compared to the Nitto 420S, but it is not intended for precision driving at high speeds. Even though you shouldn’t drive a crossover like you would a sports car, there are some crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) that are high-performance and require ultra-high performance tires in order to have outstanding handling. If this is the case, then the Nitto NT421Q does not live up to expectations.
How is it over wet and slippery roads?
The Nitto NT421Q is an all-season tire, so it should come as no surprise that it performs fairly well even on surfaces that are wet or slick. Because of the one-of-a-kind asymmetric tread design, the NT421Q only has three circumferential grooves to help remove water from the tread. However, because it has a higher sipe density in addition to larger open grooves, it is able to find tremendous levels of traction even while rolling over surfaces that are slippery or slushy.
With that being said, how is it in snowy roads?
When driving in snowy or icy conditions, the Nitto NT421Q proves to be a godsend. This tire is more than capable of propelling your CUV or SUV over mild snow thanks to the smaller inner blocks that combine with bigger open grooves and 3D locking sipes. However, if the roads are blanketed with snow that is at least 3 inches deep, the tires will start to lose their capacity to maintain their traction and stability. If you reside in an area that receives a consistent amount of heavy snowfall over an extended period of time, you should seriously consider investing in a set of snow tires.
Is it comfortable and refined?
Yes! This is the kind of CUV/SUV tire that practically begs to be driven for the entirety of a workday. Even at speeds that are higher than the norm, it provides exceptional comfort and lower levels of road noise. The capability of the tire to absorb shocks and bumps without causing the vehicle’s serenity to be disrupted contributes significantly to the excellent ride quality. This is very helpful information on the development of CUV tires in the future. If it is possible for touring tires for sedans to provide an experience similar to riding on a cloud, then the Nitto NT421Q can provide the same level of comfort for your crossover SUV.
More Nitto NT421Q Review content may be found on this page, including videos produced by 4 Wheel Online.
Should I buy the Nitto NT421Q?
The response to this question is an unequivocal affirmative! However, there is a catch once more. The Nitto NT421Q is not exactly the most cost-effective alternative that is currently available. A set of Nitto NT421Q tires can readily be purchased for $550 or $650, depending on your preferences. However, it is not the case that you do not get your money’s worth in terms of the features and benefits that are provided. When it comes to the best crossover and SUV tires that money can buy, this tire is at the very pinnacle of the food chain.