Nankang NS2 review
The Nankang NS2 is a polarizing budget-tier tire that is frequently praised for its exceptional value and longevity, but criticized for inconsistent wet-weather performance and high road noise. While many users find them perfectly adequate for daily driving and dry conditions, a significant portion of reviewers report a lack of confidence in rain, leading to a divided consensus on safety and reliability.
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
65%By road tests
61.6%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 211 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Nankang NS2 is a polarizing budget-tier tire that is frequently praised for its exceptional value and longevity, but criticized for inconsistent wet-weather performance and high road noise. While many users find them perfectly adequate for daily driving and dry conditions, a significant portion of reviewers report a lack of confidence in rain, leading to a divided consensus on safety and reliability.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium brands
- Strong dry-weather grip and handling
- High tread life and durability
- Attractive, sporty directional tread pattern
Cons
- Poor wet-weather traction and high risk of aquaplaning
- Excessive road noise that often worsens with wear
- Inconsistent quality control (reports of cracking or separation)
- Harsh ride quality on certain vehicle setups
Worth knowing
- Users with high-torque or RWD vehicles frequently report traction loss in the wet, suggesting the tire struggles to manage power delivery in poor conditions.
- Owners of vehicles with stiff or lowered suspension setups often note that the tire's hard compound exacerbates ride harshness and noise.
- Drivers using low-profile sizes (e.g., 35-series) report that the lack of sidewall protection makes the tires vulnerable to pothole damage.
1 published test appearance
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2020 tire Market Overview Braking Test · 245/45 R18
45th of 49
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 44th of 49 | |
| Dry Braking | 36th of 49 |