Nankang Sportnex CR S review
The Nankang Sportnex CR-S is regarded as a high-performance track-focused tire that offers exceptional dry grip, though it requires precise driving technique and proper heat management. While users appreciate its stiff sidewall and durability for spirited driving, it struggles with consistency during longer track sessions compared to premium competitors.
Owners rate it 16.3 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
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
63%By road tests
79.3%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 2 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Nankang Sportnex CR-S is regarded as a high-performance track-focused tire that offers exceptional dry grip, though it requires precise driving technique and proper heat management. While users appreciate its stiff sidewall and durability for spirited driving, it struggles with consistency during longer track sessions compared to premium competitors.
Pros
- Exceptional dry weather grip
- High structural rigidity due to stiff sidewalls
- Surprisingly low noise levels for a track-oriented tire
- Good tread longevity under mixed street and track usage
Cons
- Tendency to become greasy after a few laps on track
- Requires significant warm-up time to reach optimal operating temperature
- Harsh ride quality due to stiff sidewall construction
- Demanding handling characteristics that can lead to understeer if not driven aggressively
Worth knowing
- Lightweight vehicles like the ND Miata require active weight transfer and precise driving inputs to prevent front-end washout.
- The tire's stiff sidewall construction significantly increases the transmission of road imperfections into the cabin, regardless of vehicle type.
3 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2026 AutoBild Track Day tire Test · 275/35 R19
3rd of 5
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 5 | |
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 5 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 5 | |
| Dry Handling | 5th of 5 |
The BEST Streetable Track tires in 2026 Tested · 275/35 R18
1st of 5
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Handling | 3rd of 5 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 4th of 5 | |
| Dry Handling Long Run | 1st of 5 |
2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track tire Test · 275/35 R18
4th of 7
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|