SUV tires are a special breed of tires for a special type of vehicle. They provide a fine balance between functionality and comfort, which perfectly encapsulates the essence of SUVs and light trucks.
However, replacing them can prove to be more expensive as opposed to regular passenger cars. Fortunately, there are plenty of budget-friendly tire brands available in the market right now, and one of them is Nitto.
So, today, we’ll look at an SUV tire from their catalog in this Nitto Crosstek 2 review. We’ll also be looking to see what makes Nitto a good tire brand and discuss how the Crosstek 2 performs in a multitude of tests. Let’s begin!
Nitto Tires
Before we get down to the brass tacks of the Nitto Crosstek 2, let’s get to know the tire brand first. According to Tire Rack, Nitto was formed in 1949 in Japan. It started as a company that focused on providing tire sizes that were difficult to find at the time.
Fast forward to now, Nitto has become a fairly established brand in the tire industry, providing options for a whole range of consumers, from passenger and racing cars to light trucks, SUVs, and even side-by-sides.
It offers a large catalog of tires at a very reasonable price, contributing to a fairly high Nitto Tires rating from various automobile magazines and websites. But for now, we’ll set our sights on the Nitto Crosstek 2.
Nitto CrossTek 2
The Nitto Crosstek 2 is an SUV and light truck all-season tire from Nitto. It’s the successor to the Nitto Crosstek, which was a fairly average tire, according to a few Nitto Crosstek tire reviews.
However, considering its price, this makes Nitto Crosstek tires good for drivers on a budget. The newer version aims to capitalize on this strength while giving drivers a more performance-oriented experience.
And this is thanks to some newer Nitto Crosstek 2 specs, which significantly improved on its predecessor’s shortcomings. For starters, it features an asymmetric tread design that places emphasis on grip and longevity by improving the tire’s contact patch.
Meanwhile, three fairly wide circumferential grooves encircle the tread to increase aquaplaning resistance and ultimately improve the tire’s grip. It’s also able to adapt to wet weather through additional interlocking biting edges from the 3D Multi-Wave sipes.
These specialized sipes also have serrated walls, which reduce hums and growls coming from the tire by disrupting and breaking up the resonance of sound waves before it enters the vehicle’s cabin.
The Nitto Crosstek 2 mileage rating is also an admirable 620, so it’s very durable in terms of treadwear. Meanwhile, service indicators are uniformly placed at 6 positions on the tire’s shoulder ribs, so you can easily know if your tire requires some much-needed maintenance.
Now let’s see how this tire performs.
Performance and Features
For the Nitto Crosstek 2’s performance, we based it on various consumer reports from Reddit, as well as personal experiences.
1. Wet performance
In terms of wet performance, the Nitto CrossTek 2 was definitely more than capable of handling water-soaked pavements thanks to the 3D Multi-Wave Sipes. The tires had incredible bite all throughout, and aquaplaning was far from noticeable due to the circumferential grooves.
Although it still has a way to go before beating premium SUV tires like in a Nitto Crosstek 2 vs Michelin Defender LTX comparison, the tire is still a solid choice considering its reasonably low price point.
Read more: Michelin vs Nitto tires: which is better?
2. Dry performance
Surprisingly, the tire also did great when we tried it on dry surfaces. On dry tarmac, the Nitto Crosstek 2’s performance showed no glaring issues, as handling and grip felt tight and responsive. It even performed reasonably well on light off-road tracks.
While it’s definitely not an off-road tire and would absolutely get blown away in a Nitto CrossTek 2 vs Goodyear Wrangler comparison, the latter of which is a proper off-road tire, the Crosstek 2 was still quite serviceable on sand or grass.
3. Snow performance
Although the tire performed admirably well on wet and dry performance, it definitely struggled a bit when it came to snow. And it’s safe to say that the rubber wasn’t meant to replace proper winter tires anytime soon.
Even with its asymmetric tread design and flexible 3D Multi-Wave sipes, the Nitto CrossTek 2 had trouble maintaining traction on deeper snow. However, it was still quite stable on light snow when driving at lower speeds.
4. Comfort
When it came to riding comfort, the Nitto CrossTek 2 was a bit on the average side. Although it mostly contained noise from entering the cabin, sounds were still rather apparent, albeit with its noise reduction technology.
As for bumps and potholes, vibrations were mitigated enough that they weren’t annoying, though not enough to make you not notice them.
5. Durability, Care and Maintenance
Probably the Nitto Crosstek 2’s most definitive feature, the tire’s durability is surprisingly superb, even going on par with most premium brands when you make a Nitto tire comparison.
The Crosstek 2 will last for 40,000 to 50,000 miles, and coupled with its affordable price, you’ve got a tire that’s great for its value.
As for maintenance, Nitto tires require the same basic care given to all tires, such as proper inflation pressure, balancing, and rotation. Pay attention to the service indicators on the inside and outside shoulders of the tires. If you see one side more worn-out than others, it’s time for a checkup.
6. Price and Warranty
For an SUV tire, the price of the Nitto Crosstek 2 is very affordable at only $167.98 for a 235/60R18 size. At the same time, it has a mileage warranty of 60,000 miles for S and T speed-rated vehicles, while LT, H, and V ratings have 50,000 miles.
The Nitto Crosstek 2 price points may vary if you intend to get a smaller or larger size, but it’s totally clear that they’re not going to break your bank and are an absolutely great choice for drivers who are looking for tires with good performance on a budget.
Pros and Cons
- Great wet and dry performance
- Fairly comfortable for its price
- Durable
- Affordable
- Snow performance needs improvement
- Noise reduction can be improved
Conclusion
That concludes our Nitto Crosstek 2 review, and I hope we’ve shed some light on this solid SUV tire. While it’s not exactly the best option on the market or is considered a premium killer, it’s definitely a solid choice for drivers who are looking for a fine balance between performance and price.
