As an automobile enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the tire industry and the impact it has on our driving experience.
Today, I want to delve into the world of tires and explore the battle between two leading brands: Goodyear vs Nexen.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into their histories, examine their performances in dry, wet, and snowy conditions, analyze their mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and weigh their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll uncover which brand truly reigns supreme.
Let’s embark on this exciting comparison journey together!
Goodyear vs Nexen – Comparison Table
| Goodyear | Nexen | |
| Country of Origin | United States | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1898 | 1942 |
| Made In | mostly in Akron, United States, but the company also has factories in Venezuela, India, Turkey, and Malaysia | Richfield, OH, Korea, China, or the Czech Republic |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) | Nexen Tire Corporation (South Korea) |
About the Brands
1. Goodyear
The Goodyear brand, founded in 1898 in the United States, is a renowned tire manufacturer and a subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
It has a rich history that spans over a century.
Goodyear has consistently displayed a commitment to innovation, quality, and performance.
Throughout the years, they have developed groundbreaking technologies and patented tire designs that revolutionized the industry.
The brand’s success can be attributed to its dedication to providing reliable tires for various vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and aircraft.
Goodyear’s products have garnered a reputation for their durability, traction, and superior handling.
Over time, the company has expanded its global footprint, establishing a strong presence in numerous countries.
Today, Goodyear remains a trusted and respected name in the tire industry, continuously pushing boundaries to meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Commercial trucks
- Buses
- Motorcycles
- Racing cars
- Farm equipment
- Heavy earth-moving machinery
- Aircraft
- Bicycles
2. Nexen
Nexen Tire is a renowned tire brand founded in 1942 in South Korea.
It has a rich history spanning several decades.
Initially, the company operated as Heung-A Tire, manufacturing bicycle tires and tubes.
Over time, it expanded its product range to include passenger car tires, light truck tires, and more.
In 2000, the company changed its name to Nexen Tire Corporation.
Throughout its history, Nexen Tire has focused on innovation and technological advancements.
It has established itself as a global player in the tire industry, with a reputation for producing high-quality and performance-driven tires.
The brand has invested in research and development, resulting in cutting-edge tire designs and technologies.
Nexen Tire Corporation, the parent company, continues to prioritize customer satisfaction, safety, and environmental consciousness.
It operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and has a strong global presence, supplying tires to various markets worldwide.
With a commitment to excellence and a legacy of over seven decades, Nexen Tire remains a trusted choice for drivers seeking reliable and high-performing tires.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- High-performance cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Crossovers
- Light trucks
- All-terrain vehicles
- Commercial vans
Differences
1. Dry Performance
I’m going to compare the performance of two summer tires as they are the ideal type in dry weather.
I’m taking a look at the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 vs the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
In my opinion, as the one giving the dry performance rating from 1 to 5, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tire outperforms the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 in terms of dry performance.
With a rating of 4.5, the Goodyear tire has received highly positive feedback for its short dry braking distance, good handling speed, and remarkable dry traction.
Although the Nexen tire also offers good dry performance, its rating of 4.2 falls slightly short due to mentions of understeering behavior and average mileage.
Therefore, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 is the better choice for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady vs the Nexen N’Priz AH8.
In my evaluation, I would rate the wet performance of the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady and Nexen N’Priz AH8 tires equally at 4.3 out of 5.
Both tires possess features designed to enhance wet traction, such as tread patterns that aid in water evacuation and provide stability.
Positive feedback on handling and traction on wet roads from reviews supports their wet performance claims.
Therefore, I consider it a tie between these two tires, as they offer similar levels of wet performance.
3. Snow Performance
We all know that you need dedicated winter tires if you’re going to be driving on harsh winter conditions.
That’s why I’ll be comparing the snow performance of two specialized winter tires – Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus.
As the one giving the snow performance rating from 1 to 5, I would rate both the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT and Nexen Winguard Ice Plus tires with a score of 4.4.
This suggests that both tires offer reliable snow performance.
The Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT features Winter Reactive Technology and a directional tread design, while the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus has a dual V-shaped tread design and effective water and slush evacuation grooves.
Therefore, I declare a tie between the two tires as they demonstrate similar levels of snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Goodyear | Nexen | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Goodyear tires are expected to last anywhere between 30,000 to 65,000 miles on average. | On average, Nexen tires are expected to last around 45,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Based on my research, both Goodyear and Nexen tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, which suggests similar expected mileage.
However, when considering the average lifespan, Goodyear tires tend to last between 30,000 to 65,000 miles, while Nexen tires typically last around 45,000 to 60,000 miles.
This indicates that Goodyear tires may have a wider range in terms of longevity compared to Nexen tires.
Ultimately, it’s important to consider these factors when making a decision about which tires to choose.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Goodyear vs Nexen.
I’ll be using one of the biggest tire and wheel retailers in the US for this comparison – Discount Tire.
Here is a comprehensive table that showcases each brand has to offer:
| Goodyear | Nexen | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $75 to $1,027 /ea | $78 to $384 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Eagle RS-A goes from $75 – $299 /ea | N Priz AH5 goes from $78 – $142 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Eagle NCT5 goes from $317 – $1,027 /ea | Roadian AT PRO RA8 goes from $148 – $384 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Goodyear
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles | ❌ Goodyear tires can be more expensive compared to other brands |
| ✔ Goodyear tires are known for their high quality and durability | |
| ✔ Long history of producing specialized tires for racing |
Nexen
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good value for their price | ❌ Not as reputed as other premium tire brands |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and CUVs | |
| ✔ OEM supplier to big automakers such as Chrysler, Volkswagen, and Hyundai |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Goodyear:
- Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
- Assurance WeatherReady
- Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
Some of Nexen’s best tires are shown below:
- N’Fera RU5
- N’Priz AH8
- Roadian AT Pro RA8
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the comparison of dry performance, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 outperforms the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
In terms of wet performance, both the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady and Nexen N’Priz AH8 are equally rated.
For snow performance, both the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT and Nexen Winguard Ice Plus receive the same score.
When considering mileage warranty and average lifespan, Goodyear tires have a wider range.
Considering all factors, I declare Goodyear as the better pick overall.