Nankang AS1 review
The Nankang AS1 is widely regarded as a high-value budget tire that offers impressive dry-weather performance and longevity for the price. While many users find them to be a sensible alternative to premium brands for daily commuting, there is a significant divide regarding wet-weather safety, with several users reporting dangerous handling characteristics in rain.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
69%By road tests
66.7%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 19 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Nankang AS1 is widely regarded as a high-value budget tire that offers impressive dry-weather performance and longevity for the price. While many users find them to be a sensible alternative to premium brands for daily commuting, there is a significant divide regarding wet-weather safety, with several users reporting dangerous handling characteristics in rain.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money compared to premium tire brands
- Strong dry-weather grip and handling
- Excellent tread life and durability
- Effective rim protection features
Cons
- Poor wet-weather performance and traction
- Increased road noise, particularly as the tire wears
- Potential for quality control issues such as out-of-round tires
- Lack of confidence-inspiring feedback during spirited driving
Worth knowing
- Users with high-torque or rear-wheel-drive vehicles (e.g., Mercedes S-Class, BMW Z4) reported significant traction issues and snap-oversteer in wet conditions.
- The tire has demonstrated surprising durability and performance in specialized, lightweight racing applications like the Citroen C1 series.
- High-mileage motorway drivers report consistent tread life comparable to premium brands like Continental and Michelin.
2 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2020 ViBilagare SUV tire Test · 225/60 R18
7th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 7th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 8 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 4th of 8 | |
| Subj. Noise | 5th of 8 |
2019 Auto Zeitung Summer tire Test · 235/45 R18
10th of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 10th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 10th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 8th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 10th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 10th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 10th of 10 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 10 | |
| Price | 1st of 10 |