When you’re looking for tires and focusing on the budget category, you’ll find two common names- Michelin and Nexen. Under these two names, you’ll find several tires that can be perfect fits for your vehicle. This is a good thing, but it also creates confusion about which one to pick.
‘Nexen tires vs. Michelin’ is not a common debate but it should be. Still, many people are interested in this debate. I guess you’re too. Even if you’re not interested in the debate, you must be looking for an answer to the question- which one to pick- Nexen or Michelin?
That’s why I’m here to answer this query. In this article, I’ve discussed these two brands through a head-to-head comparison so that you can understand which you should pick. Also, I’ve talked about my favorite tires from these two brands. So, continue with me if you want to get the answer.
But before that, let me talk a bit about both brands.
Who Makes Nexen Tires?
Nexen Tires is a South Korea-based tire manufacturing company focusing on manufacturing tires for light trucks and passenger cars. It started its journey as Heung-A Tire Company in 1942. In 2000, it took the name Nexen Tire Corporation.
It has spread its network globally in more than 10 countries, including the USA, Italy, France, Germany, UK, Switzerland, Poland, etc. It has become possible because of the quality of the tires.
Its product lineup comes with more than 30 tires for the vehicles it targets.
Who Makes Michelin Tires
Michelin is a tire manufacturing company based in France that started its journey in the year 1889. With more than 130 years of experience in tire manufacturing, it is the second-largest tire manufacturing company.
Michelin produces a wide range of tires including passenger cars, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, motorsport, truck, aircraft, and so on. You’ll find tires for almost all types of vehicles under the brand Michelin.
Nexen Tires vs. Michelin- Head to Head Comparison
Michelin is comparatively older than Nexen in this industry. But Nexen offers some great options. Let’s see the head-to-head comparison between these two.
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Build Quality
Nexen tire is built following a specific quality under expert observation. With a deeply installed rim protector, it ensures strength and rigidity. It also has a rigid sidewall that has allowed it to last longer. For better handling, it comes with strong and perfectly placed shoulder blocks.
In the case of Michelin tire, ingredients have got priority. A special rubber compound with increased silica has made this a perfect tire for comfortable handling and accurate braking in all types of road conditions. It also increases durability.
On the point of build quality, you’ll find both as the winners. Through two different ways, both ensure comfortable handling, durability, and strength.
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Tread Design
To me, Nexen wins the podium when it is about tread design. You’ll know why.
Nexen has come up with several tread designs. If you see the Nexen tires, you’ll see that there are differences in the designs and those are attractive. Besides, these designs are the result of continuous research. So, these tires ensure excellent grip. Also, you’ll find these less noisy.
I’m not saying that Michelin tires are not excellent from the point of traction. Those are good and reliable too for almost all types of driving conditions. But looking at tread patterns, you’ll see the same old boring design in most cases.
So, if you’re looking for some difference in the tread pattern, Nexen is the one you can go for.
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Durability
Both have a great score when it is about durability. No matter it is because of design or material, Nexen and Michelin both offer tires that come with great durability.
So, I can’t choose a specific winner here. When looking for durability, picking something from these brands won’t disappoint you.
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Performance in Different Terrains
If you’re thinking about the performance in different terrains, you’ll find several options under both names.
Nexen offers tires typically for highway, street, and mud terrains. Michelin also has similar options to pick. Tires under both brands perform great on the terrains those are made for. So, you won’t find any specific winner here.
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Performance in Different Weather
You’ll find summer, winter, and all-season tires under the name of both brands.
If you look for the performance, you won’t find much difference. All those tires are made for maximum performance in the conditions those are made for. However, Michelin has more varieties compared to Nexen.
So, from this point, I think both brands are winners but Michelin offers more options.
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Price
When it is about price, it is tough to pick a winner. Both of these brands compete strongly in the budget range.
Nexen has several tires in the budget range which is lower than many other quality tires. On the other hand, you’ll find some Michelin tires a bit expensive. But for the budget customers, Michelin has a lot of affordable options too.
So, you’ll find options from both brands when you’re looking for some tires within the budget range.
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The Result
From the comparison, you can see that both Nexen and Michelin offer great performance within an affordable price range. So, you can’t just announce one as the winner. In the head-to-head competition, it is tough to identify a clear gap between these two.
Michelin has a long experience in designing and manufacturing tires. On the other hand, despite being one of the new players in the industry, Nexen offers some awesome tires.
So, if you’re confused between these two brands, explore options from both brands and pick the one that matches your preference most.
Top 2 Tires Review & Comparison from Nexen and Michelin
Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 All-Season Radial Tire
Nexen has designed and manufactured this tire to be a perfect performer for all-season and all-terrain performance. Though Nexen doesn’t offer dedicated off-road tires, Roadian AT Pro RA8 is a great performer when it is about off-road performance.
I love the sipe design here. The zigzag sipe design allows it to hold traction on off-roads. The wide sipe design and open outer shoulder allow mud and water to move out easily. Thus, the tire gets enough traction with the road.
There are sipes in the treads too. These sipes make sure that pebbles are not stuck in the tire. This is another reason the tire ensures better traction.
I haven’t used this for long, only around 1 year. But it was enough time to test this in several driving conditions as well as different terrains. It was great in almost every situation. On snow, it was a bit tough to handle, but when you’ll get the trick, handling it is easier.
Having these tires installed in my car gave me superior riding comfort. From speeding to braking, it was a perfect companion, I must say. The best thing about it is it was quiet in most cases. So, from the point of overall driving comfort, I’ll rate it 8 out of 10.
Considering the price, you won’t find many tires better than this. This is a true all-rounder tire that can help you with towing too. I don’t expect anything else from a tire less than two hundred bucks. For your SUV or CUV, this is a great option for sure.
Pros
Cons
Michelin Defender LTX M/S All-Season Radial Car Tire
This all-season car tire from Michelin is a perfect one if you’re looking for an all-rounder, especially for on-road performance. If your budget is more than two hundred bucks, you should try this.
This has become the best performer in all seasons because it is made with Michelin’s EverTread Compound. Because of this compound, the tire gets optimal traction with the road surface. No matter the road is dry, wet, or icy, the tire comes with maximum traction ability.
As a result, you can handle the vehicle better no matter what the weather is. Even when it is time to brake, you’ll be able to stop the car within a shorter distance compared to many tires of this range.
Experience of using this tire was satisfactory. Besides the tread compound, tread design also has an impact on traction and performance. The circumferential grooves allow water to move quickly. There are a lot of deep grooves between the treads. On each tread, you’ll find multiple sipes.
Michelin claims that having this tire installed in your vehicle allows you to save around 65 gallons of fuel throughout the total running period. I’ve used this for around one year and I found some differences in fuel efficiency. So, I think the claim is valid.
Strong tread blocks and synthetic material have made this tire one of the longest-lasting tires from Michelin. This is the reason I think it is worth spending more than two hundred bucks.
From driving comfort and other aspects, it should be on the top of your list.
Pros
Cons
FAQs About Nexen & Michelin Tires
Are Nexen tires made for performance driving?
Nexen has some options for performance driving. However, most of the tires from Nexen are designed and manufactured for regular driving. If you’re looking for daily driving tires, Nexen is there for you.
But the performance options from Nexen also come with great quality and reasonable price.
Does Nexen have off-road tires?
You won’t find any tire specially made for extreme off-roads from Nexen. In the Nexen product line, you’ll find tires specially for highway and muddy trails. Some of those are great on off-roads too.
In fact, Michelin also doesn’t have many tires made especially for off-road. Some regular Michelin tires perform great on off-roads. For extreme off-road tires, you’ll have to have a bigger budget and check other brands.
How many tires are in the market under the brand Michelin?
Michelin manufactures tires for a wide range of vehicles. So, they have a pretty wide product line. I don’t know exactly how many tires Michelin offers in the market. In fact, if you narrow down the question and ask about the number of tires made for passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks, answering the question is a bit tough.
Which is the best Nexen tire?
Nexen has several tires in its product line. Most of those are the bests in their field of performance. So, picking one is a bit tough.
Still, if you ask me, I think Roadian GTX is one of the best tires from Nexen. It is made for touring purposes for SUVs and CUVs. It ensures superior comfort with easier handling of the vehicle. It looks simple because of the minimalistic tread design, but its performance is great.
Which is the best Michelin tire?
Picking the best Michelin tire is tough because of the number of tires under this brand. With more than 100 years of experience, Michelin offers some great options. Among those, picking the best is tough, but I think LTX M/S2 is one of the bests that Michelin offers.
With a long tread life, this tire allows you to run around 70,000 miles. For SUV Crossovers and Light trucks, this all-season tire is a perfect choice. It comes with a long warranty of six years. With great fuel efficiency, it allows you to save some bucks.
If you own an SUV Crossover or light truck, you can go for this.
How many miles can Nexen tires go? What about Michelin?
Most of the tires from Nexen are made for running around 50,000 miles. You’ll find a bit of difference in some models, but the average is 50,000 miles.
In the case of most Michelin tires, 60,000 miles is the average limit. But you’ll find several options that come with a different number. In this case, you might count Michelin as the winner.
Which one is better- Nexen or Michelin?
Answering this question is tough. In the comparison article, you’ve already seen that both perform similarly on some points. Also, both come with some strengths and weaknesses. This is why I can’t announce one as the winner.
It all depends on your preference. The one that matches most with your preference is better than the other for you.
Final Verdict
The debate of Nexen tires vs Michelin doesn’t give us a single winner. You already know the reasons.
As a result, making the decision is a bit tough. However, this also allows you to have more options to choose from. So, let’s take this as an opportunity.
Investing in tires is an expensive investment and your safety is related to this. As a result, you should spend a huge time in research too. Having a wider option is a blessing in this case. So, I suggest taking some time and evaluating the options that are in your budget. This will help you to pick the best one for you.
It can be from Nexen. It can also be from Michelin.
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