90
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
90/100
1 owner review
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Michelin XAS vs Nexen SB652 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
73/100
6 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin XAS — better wet, dry and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
XAS leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | XAS | SB652 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 72 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
XAS leads by 30
Why this score
| Source | XAS | SB652 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 60 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
XAS leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | XAS | SB652 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 88 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
XAS leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | XAS | SB652 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 78 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | XAS | SB652 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 67 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin XAS | Nexen SB652 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 90 | 73 |
| Dry | 90 | 72 |
| Wet | 90 | 60 |
| Comfort | 90 | 88 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 78 |
| Handling | – | 67 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
90
/ 100
Tire A
73
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Michelin XAS is highly regarded as a dependable, classic radial tire that maintains its reputation for reliability and performance in vintage applications. Users consistently praise its quiet operation and balanced grip across various road conditions, reflecting its historical status as a premium choice for classic vehicles.
Pros
- Excellent reliability and durability over long-term use
- Quiet operation across a variety of speeds and surfaces
- Consistent grip performance on both wet and dry tarmac
- Proven track record for heavy-load applications like towing
Cons
- Limited availability of specific vintage sizes
- Higher price point associated with the Michelin Classic line
Observations
- Proven capability for heavy-load scenarios, including towing caravans and fully loaded family vehicles.
- Highly regarded for use on classic family sedans and estate cars from the 1980s era.
The Nexen SB652 is widely regarded as a budget-friendly, comfort-oriented tire that offers predictable handling for daily driving. While users appreciate its affordability and ride quality, performance enthusiasts and those prioritizing wet-weather grip may find its capabilities modest compared to premium alternatives.
Pros
- Excellent value for money and low purchase price
- High level of ride comfort and compliance
- Predictable handling and feedback during spirited driving
- Improved dry braking performance compared to entry-level stock tires
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life, ranging from rapid wear under hard use to decent longevity on lighter vehicles
- Modest grip levels in wet conditions
- Not suitable for high-performance driving demands
- Aesthetic design is often described as unremarkable
Observations
- Owners of smaller, lighter vehicles like the Ford KA report a comfortable, 'floaty' ride quality.
- Drivers of vehicles without power steering or ABS appreciate the detailed feedback and predictable nature of the tire when approaching traction limits.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin XAS | B · Nexen SB652 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | All Season Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
90
/ 100
Michelin
73
/ 100
Nexen
Winner: Michelin XAS — better wet, dry and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin XAS scores 90 vs 60 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin XAS scores 90 vs 72 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin XAS scores 90 vs 78 on treadwear.
Tire A · Michelin XAS
Tire B · Nexen SB652
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin XAS also compared with
Nexen SB652 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.