Nitto NT555: A Comprehensive Review of High-Performance Summer Tires
Pros
- Gorgeous tread design
- Can be paired with NT555R drag radials
- Solid dry traction
- Comfortable ride
- Affordable price
Cons
- Mediocre wet performance
- Tire roar at higher speeds
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The Nitto NT555 is a mystery to solve. Although we all know that summer tires are intended to perform very well in dry conditions, the Nitto NT555 is not like other summer tires. It manages to be good (but not spectacular) in dry tarmac while maintaining enough stickiness to withstand wet roads. This is a really impressive feat. Therein is the crux of the matter.
I am in no way implying that the Nitto NT555 is an inferior tire in any way. In point of fact, it provides an excellent blend of grip in both wet and dry conditions, ride comfort, and a lengthy tread life. Even when there is only a light covering of snow, it still provides performance that is suitable for all seasons. There are, however, better tires to think about purchasing if you need unrelenting quantities of dry grip for high-horsepower applications.
On the other hand, the Nitto NT555 does have one thing going for it. In comparison to other possibilities, such as the Bridgestone Potenza RE050 or the Goodyear Eagle F1, this one happens to be a more wallet-friendly choice. Because of this, the Nitto NT555 is an excellent option to consider if you want to get the most out of your money in terms of performance.
What are the features of the Nitto NT555?
Nitto built the NT555 with an innovative tread compound thanks to the use of that compound. This strikes the perfect balance between dry traction and longer wear, making it excellent. The Nitto NT555 may be categorized as an ultra-high performance tire, however unlike the Nitto NT05, which is a more extreme model, it does not make as large of a compromise in terms of comfort, fuel economy, or road noise.
When you take a closer look at the Nitto NT555, you will see that the contact patch on the tire is significantly larger. Because there is a greater amount of rubber that is really in contact with the road, this design is intended to improve braking, cornering, and acceleration. Even under the most difficult driving conditions, the tire’s tread blocks are designed to be extremely stiff, allowing them to keep their flat contact patch with the road at all times.

How does it behave in the dry?
The Nitto NT555’s lack of dry traction is the one aspect of this tire that I find most frustrating. Do not misunderstand me; I am not implying that this tire does not provide the essential levels of grip when driving at high speeds. If, on the other hand, you drive a modified muscle car or a European sports sedan such as the BMW M5 or the Mercedes-AMG E55, the Nitto NT555 will spend the majority of its time spinning, screeching, and searching for grip on the road. If we were talking about a performance tire that could be used for driving in all kinds of weather, this wouldn’t be a problem at all. However, given that the Nitto NT555 is a summer tire designed for use in ultra-high performance applications, I had naturally anticipated that this tire would provide a higher level of grip and control.
How is it in the wet?
The Nitto NT555 has an adequate level of performance when used in damp conditions. If you’re looking for something to use as a point of reference, this tire performs marginally better in the rain than the Nitto NT05 does. On the other hand, things take a turn for the worst while you’re driving quickly through the pouring rain on the highway. The Nitto NT555 is one of a kind due to the absence of a conventional continuously running center rib. This also implies that it only has two wide circumferential grooves to disperse water, but it has a tiny central groove in the middle that serves the same purpose as the other grooves. Even though some tires have four circumferential grooves to improve traction and stability in wet conditions, the Nitto NT555 does not suffer from this deficiency in any way.
Consider it in this way: everything is determined by the speed at which you are traveling. Extremely high performance can be achieved with the Nitto NT555 even at relatively high speeds. However, it has very poor wet and dry grip, which makes it very difficult to drive aggressively in either condition. It’s important to remember that we’re discussing a street tire here, not a racing tire, so it should be fine for the kind of driving that you do on a regular basis.
Is it good for snow or winter driving?
It is going to rely on the current temperature as well as the amount of snow that is on the road. The Nitto NT555 is more than capable of handling driving in light snow, thin ice, or cold weather in general. These conditions can be found when driving. However, if you are driving in an area that experiences extremely low temperatures, heavy snowfall, and black ice, you will be safer if you have a set of appropriate winter tires.
How about comfort and refinement?
The Nitto NT555 offers a higher level of comfort and refinement in comparison to the NT05. Due to the firmer tread blocks, it is able to absorb bumps and shock rather effectively. To be completely honest, the tire makes a fair amount of noise, despite the fact that it offers a compliant ride for a summer tire. If you drive at a slower speed, the sound of the tires isn’t nearly as distracting, but as your speed increases, the noise level will increase.
However, the level of comfort and general NVH adjustment will be largely determined by the vehicle’s category. On the other hand, if you want a tire that is comfortable in every weather, you should search elsewhere. This is likewise the case if the sound of the tires making noise at even the slightest suggestion of speed bothers you.
I was anticipating the Nitto NT555 to include a compromise of this nature. Comfort and refinement are not missing, but there is room for improvement taking into account that this tire is designed to be used on the street. However, this will not be an issue for you if you are driving a Ford Mustang or a Chevrolet Camaro.
More Nitto NT555 Review videos can be seen here; these films were created by 714SALEEN.
Should I buy the Nitto NT555?
The fact of the matter is that there are more desirable alternatives available, although at a higher cost. Considering how reasonably priced it is, the Nitto NT555 is a good option for a summer tire, yet it is not the most effective tire in terms of its overall performance. In the event that you own a tuned muscle car or sports car and are in need of a tire that can harness the power of the motor, the Nitto NT555 will not meet your needs.
However, when it comes to drivability on the street as well as all-weather stability and calmness, the Nitto NT555 should be on your list of options. In addition to that, it features a tread design that has a sporty aspect to it, which will enhance the personality and stance of your vehicle.