Nexen vs Goodyear Tires: A Detailed Comparison

Every car owner desires a smooth and safe ride. Tires are one of the most important factors in achieving this, so it would be best to choose tires that have high-quality rubber and great tread designs.

This Nexen vs Goodyear comparison shows a matchup of two well-known brands today.

Nexen is the more affordable option while still providing a great level of performance. Goodyear, on the other hand, comes with a higher price but offers top-quality tires with advanced technology.

Overview of Nexen and Goodyear

1. Nexen Tires

Nexen is a South Korean tire brand founded in 1942, originally known as Heung-A Tire Company. After a few years, it became managed by Wonpung Industry and Woosung Group, and eventually changed its name to Woosung Tire in 1994.

In the year 2000, the company decided to change its name to the one we know today, Nexen Tire. Nexen is now one of South Korea’s leading tire brands due to its high quality tires and service.

The brand also made South Korea’s first V-shape directional tires and is known for its Green Hive design containing replaceable tread blocks.

2. Goodyear Tires

Back in 1898, Frank Seiberling decided to purchase an abandoned strawboard factory. Frank then officially founded Goodyear Tires and Rubber Company with his brother, Charles, initially selling carriage and bicycle tires, as well as horseshoe pads.

With the company’s continuous growth and development, Goodyear became one of the top tire brands today, competing alongside Michelin, Pirelli, and Bridgestone. Some of its popular designs include the Eagle Sport All-season, Assurance Maxlife, and Assurance ComforTred.

Goodyear produced America’s first synthetic rubber tire and created run-flat designs that did not require special wheels.

Differences between Nexen and Goodyear – Key Features Comparison

1. Performance

Are Nexen tires good? Can they compete with the other big brands like Goodyear? Well, in terms of performance, Nexen and Goodyear both provide quality drives in a variety of weather conditions.

I’ve been driving with a Nexen Roadian GTX in my vehicle for quite some time, and I’ve never had issues with it on dry roads. I’m also pleased with how well it handled the rain and snow.

Its rigid design has been great as well as it allows the tire to survive in different terrains. And because of its thicker tread blocks, it can easily support my SUV’s needs, especially when I’m carrying heavy loads.

I could say that its grip and handling characteristics are close to an all-season tire from Goodyear, such as the Assurance Maxlife, although the Assurance Maxlife gives a more on-center feeling, making it easier to control even during turns and sharp curves.

On winter roads, Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance offers better snow handling than Nexen’s Winguard Sport 2, though their braking is relatively similar.

In terms of tire ratings, the overall performance of Goodyear tires are still on top over Nexen tires.

• For instance, a popular Goodyear product, the Assurance WeatherReady, is ranked very highly in its category of grand touring tires. Other Goodyear models like Assurance Comfortdrive and Goodyear Excellence also appear on top-rated tire lists.
• In comparison, Nexen is nowhere to be found among drivers’ preferred choices. The most recommended Nexen option on Tire Rack is the Roadian AT Pro RA8, having an overall rating of 5.8, which is slightly above average.

Overall, I believe that Goodyear tops Nexen in this category. But don’t write off Nexen tires just yet, as their designs show promise in a few areas.

Related: How Long Do Goodyear Tires Last?

2. Durability

You can expect the products from these two tire brands to provide a lot of mileage. Some designs from Goodyear, such as the Assurance Maxlife and Assurance ComforTred, have a treadwear score of 840 and 700 respectively, which are above the market average.

On the other hand, Nexen tires are a bit less durable compared to its competitor. Among their most resilient tires is the Roadian GTX, which has a 680 treadwear rating. However, most of their designs have treadwear scores that only range from 300 to 440.

While Nexen tires have received many positive consumer reviews for their durability, we cannot deny that Goodyear is the more reliable option. So, Goodyear wins this category.

3. Noise and Comfort

Goodyear and Nexen both used noise reduction technologies in their tire models, so you can expect them to be quiet on the road.

Goodyear tires, such as the Assurance Comfortdrive, feature an optimized tread pattern that reduces any kind of noise from the tread, ensuring a pleasing experience on the road.

For Nexen, among their best designs are Aria AH7, N Priz AH5, and Roadian HTX RH5, all of which offer superb ride quality.

Although it is a close competition, I will give Goodyear a slight advantage because I experienced some unusual noises from Nexen tires, especially on road cracks and unpaved terrains.

4. Value for money

Here is a price list for some of the most popular tires from Nexen and Goodyear. The price varies depending on the tire size and the store you visit.

Nexen Tires

• Roadian AT Pro RA8: $140-$380
• Roadian GTX: $140-$235
• N Priz RH7: $175-$234
• Roadian HTX RH5: $221-$236

Goodyear Tires

• Assurance WeatherReady: $140-$258
• Assurance Comfortdrive: $154-$242
• Assurance Maxlife: $136-$242
• Eagle Sport All-season: $147-$272

Since Nexen and Goodyear are both well-known companies, you can count on them to provide comfortable, long-lasting tires with strong traction. While some Goodyear tires may cost a lot more than Nexen, you will receive premium technology and rubber, so it’s still a good deal.

Which tire is better?

Overall, I could say that Goodyear is a better option than Nexen. The level of traction and durability that you get from their designs is top-notch, making them a worthy investment.

While Nexen may not be better than Goodyear overall, they still have dependable tires that come with lower prices, so choosing them is also not a bad decision.

Conclusion

Both Goodyear and Nexen have distinct advantages that make them appealing to buy. Whichever tire you choose, I’m a hundred percent sure that neither of these brands will give you headaches.

I hope this Nexen vs Goodyear comparison was able to give the answers you were looking for. Please share this article with your friends so that they can select the right tire as well!

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