When it comes to choosing the perfect tires for my vehicle, I’m always on the hunt for reliable brands that offer exceptional performance.
In this post, I’ll be delving into the world of Nitto vs Uniroyal, two tire manufacturers that have caught my attention.
We’ll dive into their fascinating histories, assess their dry, wet, and snow performances, explore their mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and uncover their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Let’s embark on this thrilling comparison journey together.
Nitto vs Uniroyal – Comparison Table
| Nitto | Uniroyal | |
| Country of Origin | Japan | United States |
| Year Founded | 1949 | 1892 |
| Made In | Bartow County, GA, China, Japan, and Malaysia | United States, with their main manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana |
| Parent | Toyo Tire Corporation (Japan) | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) & Continental AG (Germany) |
About the Brands
1. Nitto
Nitto is a renowned tire brand with its roots in Japan.
Founded in 1949, it is now a subsidiary of the Toyo Tire Corporation since the acquisition in 1979.
Nitto has built a solid reputation for producing high-quality tires that deliver exceptional performance and reliability.
Over the years, the brand has gained recognition globally for its innovative tire technologies and cutting-edge designs.
Nitto offers a diverse range of tires, catering to various vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks.
With a commitment to excellence, Nitto consistently emphasizes research and development to meet the ever-evolving demands of the automotive industry.
Today, Nitto tires are sought after by drivers who seek superior traction, handling, and durability.
With its Japanese heritage and affiliation with Toyo Tire Corporation, Nitto continues to be a trusted and respected name in the tire industry.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Light trucks
- Sports utility vehicles (SUVs)
- Crossovers
- High-performance cars
- Off-road vehicles
- Side by side vehicles
2. Uniroyal
Uniroyal is an iconic tire brand with a rich history that spans over a century.
Founded in 1892 in the United States, it quickly established itself as a leading manufacturer of high-quality tires.
The Uniroyal brand has been under the ownership of Continental AG since 1979, a result of their acquisition of Uniroyal Europe, previously recognized as Englebert.
In 1990 Uniroyal became part of the Michelin Group for North America, Colombia and Peru production.
This acquisition provided Uniroyal with access to global markets and cutting-edge technology, further enhancing its reputation for reliability and innovation.
Over the years, Uniroyal has built a strong presence in the automotive industry, delivering tires known for their superior performance, durability, and safety.
As a subsidiary of Michelin and Continental AG, Uniroyal continues to benefit from the parent company’s extensive resources and expertise, ensuring the brand’s continued success in meeting the evolving needs of drivers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- CUVs (Crossover Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Pickup trucks
- Minivans
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 Nitto NT555 G2 vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
As someone who has personally tested and evaluated the dry performance of both the Nitto NT555 G2 and the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2, I would rate the Nitto NT555 G2 slightly higher with a score of 4.5 out of 5.
The Nitto tire excels in cornering grip, steering responsiveness, handling, and acceleration in dry and hot conditions.
With its tapered tread blocks, it offers enhanced traction and stability.
Although the Uniroyal tire also performs well, I believe its rating of 4.0 reflects its balanced capabilities.
Therefore, the Nitto NT555 G2 emerges as the superior choice for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Nitto Motivo vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
Based on my research and personal wet performance rating, I would rate the Nitto Motivo tire slightly higher than the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
The Nitto Motivo earns a wet performance rating of 4.3 out of 5, showcasing good wet traction and handling.
Its all-season design and the addition of a silica rubber compound contribute positively to its wet performance.
The Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S, on the other hand, receives a rating of 4.2 out of 5, offering decent wet traction with its all-season compound and high sipe density.
Although both tires perform well in wet conditions, the Nitto Motivo edges slightly ahead in 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 – Nitto SN2 Winter vs Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3.
After conducting thorough research and evaluating the snow performance of both the Nitto SN2 Winter and Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 tires, I have given them respective ratings of 4.4 and 4.3 out of 5.
These ratings indicate that both tires offer reliable snow performance, with features such as silica-enhanced tread compound, symmetrical tread pattern, and enhanced traction.
While the Nitto SN2 Winter holds a slightly higher rating, the difference is marginal.
Therefore, it is safe to declare a tie in terms of snow performance between these two tires.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Nitto | Uniroyal | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | On average, Nitto tires can last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles. | Uniroyal tires are expected to last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles on average. |
Based on my research, both Nitto and Uniroyal tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 75,000 miles, which indicates their expected lifespan.
However, in terms of average lifespan, Nitto tires tend to last between 40,000 to 60,000 miles, while Uniroyal tires have a slightly longer average lifespan of 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
Therefore, Uniroyal tires generally have a higher chance of lasting longer on the road compared to Nitto tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Nitto vs Uniroyal.
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:
| Nitto | Uniroyal | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $97 to $1,447 /ea | $78 to $307 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Neo Gen goes from $97 – $352 /ea | Tiger Paw Touring A/S DT goes from $78 – $176 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Trail Grappler M/T goes from $279 – $1,447 /ea | Laredo A/T goes from $139 – $307 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Nitto
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks | ❌ Some of their tires can get very expensive |
| ✔ Generally considered to be of good quality, offering durability and reliability | |
| ✔ Solid performance tires |
Uniroyal
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good value for the money | ❌ They are mostly considered as a second-tier brand |
| ✔ Good traction | |
| ✔ Durable and long-lasting |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Nitto:
- NT555 G2
- Terra Grappler G2
- Motivo
Some of Uniroyal’s best tires are shown below:
- Tiger Paw Touring A/S
- Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2
- Laredo Cross Country Tour
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After carefully considering the key factors, I would declare Nitto as the better pick overall.
With superior dry performance, excellent cornering grip, and enhanced traction, the Nitto NT555 G2 outperforms Uniroyal.
Additionally, the Nitto Motivo shows slightly better wet performance.
Although both brands perform well in snow, the Nitto SN2 Winter holds a marginal edge.
While Uniroyal may have a longer average lifespan, Nitto offers a wide range of tire options and solid performance.
Therefore, Nitto emerges as the winner in this comparison.
