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Summer tire Summer High Performance tires Updated May 2026

Nokian Z review

The Nokian Z is generally regarded as a high-value performance tire that offers impressive longevity and dry-weather grip, often outperforming more expensive premium brands in terms of tread life. While most users praise its traction and predictable handling, some drivers of high-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive vehicles report a lack of confidence in wet conditions.

Relative score
84/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
84/100
7 reviews
Nokian Z
Scores

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

84%
Would buy again 90%
Dry
Overall dry
90%
Corner stability
83%
Dry traction
90%
Steering response
79%
Wet
Overall wet
80%
Wet traction
80%
Comfort
Overall comfort
80%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
87%
Handling
Overall handling
83%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 7 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Nokian Z is generally regarded as a high-value performance tire that offers impressive longevity and dry-weather grip, often outperforming more expensive premium brands in terms of tread life. While most users praise its traction and predictable handling, some drivers of high-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive vehicles report a lack of confidence in wet conditions.

Pros

  • Exceptional tread longevity compared to premium competitors
  • High value-for-money proposition
  • Predictable handling characteristics when approaching traction limits
  • Strong dry-weather grip and traction under power

Cons

  • Inconsistent wet-weather performance for high-output vehicles
  • Limited availability in certain markets
  • Potential for tail-end instability in aggressive cornering scenarios

Worth knowing

  • Users with high-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive vehicles reported significant wet-weather traction concerns.
  • Drivers transitioning from premium brands like Bridgestone noted superior mileage and value without sacrificing daily performance.