Nitto Tires: Are They Worth It? (+13 Brands Compared)

Nitto (a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyo) is based in California and produces quality tires locally in North America.

How good are Nitto tires, and are they worth the money?

nitto tires

Why Buy Nitto Tires?

Excellent reasons to buy Nitto tires include the following:

  • Local manufacture.
  • Competitive pricing.
  • Reasonable performance and durability.

Nitto tires are not suitable for winter use, but if your climate doesn’t include severe snowy weather, you can enjoy budget-friendly driving all year round.

Most places with extreme winter weather swap out summer and winter tires, so your tire is the best for current driving conditions.

Why Are Nitto Tires So Cheap?

Nitto tires may be less affordable than other tires in some cases, but generally, you can expect budget-friendly tires from Nitto.

You get affordable prices because:

Limited Range

Nitto does not produce winter tires or tires for every vehicle under the sun.

Nitto concentrates on creating a budget-friendly limited range of tires suitable for most everyday drivers in typical driving conditions.

As a result, you get a good quality tire at an affordable price.

Subsidiary Company

Nitto benefits from the research and development expertise of its parent company Toyo.

Research is expensive, so a shared cost means savings that pass on to customers with more affordable tires but with proven innovations like asymmetric tread patterns and tire wear indicators.

Shared Plant

Nitto manufactures tires in the US but shares the plant with Toyo.

Manufacturing plant and technical changes are expensive, and sharing the cost with the parent brand keeps the cost low.

Nitto tires are not dirt cheap but more affordable than other, more established brands.

Nitto benefits from being part of a larger group of companies with shared costs.

Nitto Warranty vs. Actual Mileage

The Nitto tire warranty is limited to passenger cars and light trucks – not for commercial use.

You may get a free replacement or a prorated credit and must comply with usage requirements. You must rotate and maintain appropriately, and the tires must wear evenly.

Typically, you get coverage for 60,000 miles or five years, but it varies depending on the tire.

Across the range of tires, Nitto consistently scores four or more stars.

The reviews tend to concentrate on performance rather than durability, and the numbers commenting are low – typically fewer than five people per tire.

The tires are available online through Amazon, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

Example reviews from wholesaletires.com include:

They’ve significantly improved my vehicle’s cornering, and they perform well on wet and icy roadsMike G.

They are extremely comfortable with little to no shakeBrandon F.

Nitto Recommended Tires

Recommended tires for typical vehicles include:

Car TypeExamplesNitto Recommends
A compact Sedan is a typical small family car with a petrol engine of more than 1.2L or a Diesel of 1.5L.Hyundai Electra; Honda Civic; Audi A3; Toyota Corolla; Mazda 3.  Motivo; Neo-Gen; NT555G2; NT860.
Midsize Sedan – a large family car with internal dimensions of 110-119 cuft, including passenger area and trunk.Chevrolet Malibu; Volkswagen Passat; Subaru Legacy; Nissan Altima; Toyota Camry.Motivo; Neo-Gen; NT555G2; NT860.
Compact SUV or CUVHonda CRV; Nissan Rogue; Toyota RAV4.NT420V, NT421Q.
A midsize SUV is typically smaller than a full SUV with two or three rows of seats.Jeep Grand Cherokee; Chevrolet Equinox; Ford Explorer; Toyota Highlander.NT420V, NT421Q.
Full SUV – basic sports utility vehicle with seating for seven passengers.Jeep Wagoneer; Ford Expedition; Chevrolet Suburban; Toyota Sequoia.NT420V, NT421Q, Trail Grappler MT, Terra Grappler AT.  
Light Trucks – gross vehicle weight of 8,500lbsFord F150; Toyota Tundra; Dodge RAM 1500; Nissan Titan.NT420V, NT421Q, Terra Grappler AT.

The performance details for some of the tire types:

 MotivoNeo GenNT420VTerra Grappler G2
Driving conditionsAll seasonsAllseason performance tireAll SeasonAll terrain
Selling points.Tread optimized to reduce road noise. Alignment indicators.Asymmetrical tread pattern or enhanced grip. Reinforced inside shoulder for stability.Asymmetrical tread pattern or enhanced grip. Long tread life and even wear.  Tread pattern suits on and off-road driving. Full depth sipes for enhanced durability.
Price per tire$100 – $230$80 – $300$150 – $250$140 – $475
Rim Sizes17” – 20”15” – 22”20” – 24”17” – 24”
Warranty – treadwear.60,000 milesNo treadwear warranty. 6 month guarantee on uniformity.Limited wear out warranty.65,000 miles
Fuel efficiency (A-E)No EU Label. Motivo has a relatively high rolling resistance compared to other tires and is slightly less fuel efficient.No EU Label Temperature ranked A on UTQG.No EU Label.No EU Label
Wet Grip braking (A-E)No EU Label. Tread designed to minimize slip.No EU label. Deep grooves to resist aquaplaning. Traction rank AA on UTQGNo EU label. Tread reduces the risk of aquaplaning and provides traction in wet conditions.No EU label
Rolling noiseNo EU label. Tread design optimizes a quieter drive.No EU label. Reviews indicate the tire becomes noisier as the tread wears.No EU Label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.No EU label
Extreme snow.No – light snow onlyNo.No3PMSF winter rated
Ice traction.NoNoNoNo

Comparisons with Other Brands

Tire comparisons use NT240V for a compact SUV like the Toyota RAV4 and the Terra Grappler G2 for a light truck like the Ford F150.

#1 Nitto vs. Michelin

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Michelin Cross Climate 2 for compact SUVs: The Nitto tire costs between $20 and $100 less than the Michelin, but the Michelin tire offers enhanced performance across the seasons, and the Nitto tire is only available in larger wheel sizes.

 Nitto NT420VMichelin Cross Climate 2
Price$150 – $250$170 – $350
Rim Size20” – 24”15” – 20”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.60,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.B-C
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.B
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.69 dB
Suitability for SnowNo3PMSF rated.

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Michelin Defender LTX for pickup trucks: Both tires are all-terrain and cost the same. The Nitto tire has a 3PMSF rating, while the Michelin tire performs better in non-snowy conditions.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Michelin Defender LTX
Price$140 – $475$143 – $466
Rim Size17” – 24”15” – 22”
Warranty65,000 miles50,000 – 70,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No EU label, but the construction is more fuel-efficient than average.
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No EU label. Reviews indicate excellent wet grip braking.
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.No EU label. Tires have polyurethane foam to reduce noise levels.
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter ratedNot snowflake rated.

#2 Nitto vs. Goodyear

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Goodyear Assurance All Season for SUVs: The Goodyear tire costs less and has a similar performance to the Nitto rubber.

 Nitto NT420VGoodyear Assurance All Season
Price$150 – $250Under $100 to $200
Rim Size20” – 24”14” – 20”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.65,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No EU label, but has a low rolling resistance for good fuel efficiency.
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.UTQG rated A.
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.No EU label, but considered relatively quiet.
Suitability for SnowNoNo.

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT for pickups: The prices are comparable for the Nitto and Goodyear all-terrain tires, although the latter enjoys a slight performance advantage.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT
Price$140 – $475$170 – $350
Rim Size17” – 24”15” – 20”
Warranty65,000 miles60,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.Exempt class; will vary with loading.
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.Exempt class. Sawtooth design with sipes to increase traction.
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.Exempt class. Computer-optimized tread pattern reduces noise.
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter rated3PMSF winter rating.

#3 Nitto vs. Bridgestone

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Bridgestone WeatherPeak for SUVs: Prices are comparable, but the Bridgestone tire performs better, with excellent grip on wet and snowy pavements.

 Nitto NT420VBridgestone WeatherPeak
Price$150 – $250$160 – $270
Rim Size20” – 24”15″ – 20″
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.70,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.A
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.70 dB
Suitability for SnowNo3PMSF Snowflake rated for extreme snow.

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Bridgestone Dueler A/T for trucks: Both all-terrain tires come with comparable price tags for similar wheel sizes, but the Nitto tire enjoys a longer warranty and fit a broader range of rim sizes.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Bridgestone Dueler A/T
Price$140 – $475$300- $350
Rim Size17” – 24”16″ – 20″
Warranty65,000 miles60,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.D
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.72-73 dB
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter rated3PMSF snowflake rated.

#4 Nitto vs. Cooper

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Cooper Endeavor Plus for SUVs: With similar prices and performance, your choice between Nitto and Cooper will come down to research in your local area for the best price.

 Nitto NT420VCooper Endeavor Plus
Price$150 – $250$100 – $260
Rim Size20” – 24”16” – 22”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.65,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No EU label
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.No EU label
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.No EU label
Suitability for SnowNoNo

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Cooper Discoverer AT3 for pickups: Both are all-terrain tires that cost roughly the same, so your choice will be which brand gives you the best price when you need the tire change.

 Nitto Grappler G2Cooper Discoverer AT3
Price$140 – $475$197 – $400
Rim Size17” – 24”15” – 22”
Warranty65,000 miles65,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.D
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.73-75 dB
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter rated3PMSF snowflake rated

#5 Nitto vs. Continental

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Continental All Season for a compact SUV: The Nitto and Continental all-season tires competition sees the latter emerging the winner, with lower prices and a 3PMSF rating.

 Nitto NT420VContinental All Season
Price$150 – $250Starts under $100 to about $200
Rim Size20” – 24”13″ – 20″
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.No treadwear warranty.
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.B-C
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.B
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.71-72 dB
Suitability for SnowNo3PMSF Snowflake rated for extreme snow.

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Viking Contact7 for pickups: The Continental tire performs better than the Nitto equivalent for considerably less.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Continental Viking Contact 7
Price$140 – $475$110 – $160
Rim Size17” – 24”15″ – 22″
Warranty65,000 milesTwo years from date of purchase – not treadwear.
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C-D
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.D-E
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.71-72 dB
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter rated3PMSF snowflake rated.

#6 Nitto vs. Yokohama

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 for crossover SUVs: The Yokohama tire costs less and performs better. However, the Yokohama is a summer tire, whereas the Nitto tire will take you through the year.

 Nitto NT420VYokohama Advan Fleva V701
Price$150 – $250Starts under $100
Rim Size20” – 24”15” – 20”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.Limited warranty
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C-D
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.A
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.A-B (quiet)
Suitability for SnowNoNo

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Geolandar A/T G015 for pickup trucks: As both are good on and off road, the Yokohama rubber is a more affordable buy, while the Nitto costs more with potentially higher performance.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
Price$140 – $475$100 – $250
Rim Size17” – 24”15” – 22”
Warranty65,000 miles60,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.E
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.71 dB
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter rated3PMSF snowflake rated

#7 Nitto vs. Hankook

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Hankook Ventus S1 EVO3 for crossover SUVs: The Hankook tire costs the same as the Nitto option but performs better.

 Nitto NT420VHankook Ventus S1 EVO3
Price$150 – $250$150 – $250
Rim Size20” – 24”17” – 22”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.50,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.A
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.B
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.69-70 dB
Suitability for SnowNoNo

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Dynapro AT2 for trucks: These all-terrain tires come with comparable prices and performance, so you research will determine which gives you the best price.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Hankook Dynapro AT2
Price$140 – $475$250 – $300
Rim Size17” – 24”15” – 20”
Warranty65,000 miles60,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C-D
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.D
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.73 dB
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter rated3PMSF rated.

#8 Nitto vs. Pirelli

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Pirelli Scorpion Verde for SUVs: The tires’ cost and performance are similar. The Pirelli tire offers run-on-flat technology and uses more sustainable materials.

 Nitto NT420VPirelli Scorpion Verde
Price$150 – $250Under $100 to $240
Rim Size20” – 24”16” – 22”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.Manufacturer limited warranty.
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.B
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.71 dB
Suitability for SnowNoNo

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Pirelli Scorpion ATR for pickups: The prices and performance are comparable. The Nitto tire has a 3PMS rating, giving it an advantage over the Pirelli when it snows.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Pirelli Scorpion ATR
Price$140 – $475$150 – $250
Rim Size17” – 24”14” – 22”
Warranty65,000 miles50,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.D-E
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C-E
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.71-74 dB
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter ratedNo

#9 Nitto vs. Dunlop

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Sport Maxx RT2 for an SUV: Their prices are broadly similar, but the Dunlop rubber is a higher performer than the Nitto equivalent.

 Nitto NT420VDunlop Sport Maxx RT2
Price$150 – $250Under $100 to $300
Rim Size20” – 24”17” – 20”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.24 months or 24,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.B-D
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.A-B
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.Lower than 69 dB
Suitability for SnowNoNo.

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Grandtrek AT20 for a pickup truck: With their competitive prices, the advantage tilts towards the Nitto Terra Grapler with its more generous warranty and 3PMSF rating.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Dunlop Grandtrek AT20
Price$140 – $475Around $170 to $300
Rim Size17” – 24”16″ – 18″
Warranty65,000 miles24 months or 24,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C-D
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.B-D
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.A-B (lower than 69 dB)
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter ratedNo

#10 Nitto vs. Kumho

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Kumho Crugen HP71 for a crossover SUV: The Kumho tire costs slightly less and provides a marginally better performance.

 Nitto NT420VKumho Crugen HP71
Price$150 – $250Starts at $142
Rim Size20” – 24”16” – 22”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.65,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No details
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.Kumho scores 9/10 wet, 8.5/10 dry.
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.Kumho scores 9.5/10
Suitability for SnowNoKumho scores 8/10

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Kumho Road Venture AT52 for trucks: Prices and performance are comparable.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Kumho Road Venture AT52
Price$140 – $475Starts at $173
Rim Size17” – 24”15” – 20”
Warranty65,000 miles50,000 – 55,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No details
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.Kumho scores 7/10 for wet and dry.
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.Kumho scores 6/10
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter ratedKumho scores 8/10. Has 3PMSF rating.

#11 Nitto vs. General Tire

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the G-Max AS for SUVs: With comparable prices for similar rim sizes, the General Tire is the more appealing option with its warranty.

 Nitto NT420VGeneral Tire G-Max AS
Price$150 – $250$116 – $281
Rim Size20” – 24”16” – 22”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.50,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No EU label. Reviews indicate improvements in fuel efficiency.
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.No EU label. Reviews indicate excellent handling in the wet.
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.No EU label. Reviews indicate this it is relatively quiet.
Suitability for SnowNoNo.

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the General Tire Grabber HTS for pickups: The prices and performance are comparable. The General Tire is a simmer tire, whereas the Nitto tire is all season and has a 3PMS rating.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2General Tire Grabber HTS
Price$140 – $475$150 – $380
Rim Size17” – 24”16” – 22”
Warranty65,000 miles65,000 limited warranty
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.D
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.D
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.71-72 dB
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter ratedNo.

#12 Nitto vs. Toyo

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Celsius CUV for crossover SUVs: The prices and performance are comparable, but the Toyo Celsius CUV tire has a 3PMSF rating for greater adaptability in most conditions.

 Nitto NT420VToyo Celsius CUV
Price$150 – $250$140 – $290
Rim Size20” – 24”16” – 22”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.60,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.C-E
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.C
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.69-72 dB
Suitability for SnowNo3PMSF

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Open Country AT III for trucks: The Toyo is more expensive than the Nitto equivalanet, but it potentially performs better.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Toyo Open Country AT III
Price$140 – $475$200 – $700
Rim Size17” – 24”15” – 22”
Warranty65,000 miles65,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No EU label, but the AT Plus rates D.
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.No EU label, but the AT Plus rates D.
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.No EU label, but the AT Plus rates 70-74 dB.
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter rated3PMSF snowflake rating

#13 Nitto vs. Nexen

Comparing the Nitto NT420V with the Roadian GTX for SUVs: Similar cost, but Nexen performs better than Nitto across the various metrics.

 Nitto NT420VNexen Roadian GTX
Price$150 – $250Starts at $150
Rim Size20” – 24”17” – 22”
WarrantyLimited wear out warranty.70,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.Nexen rating 9/10
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label. Tread reduces aquaplaning risks and provides wet-weather traction.UTQG AA (best rating). Nexen rating 8/10
Rolling NoiseNo EU label. Variable blocks reduce road noise.Nexen rating 10/10
Suitability for SnowNoNexen rating 6/10

Comparing the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 with the Roadian MTX for pickup trucks: The Nitto tire enjoys a 3PMSF rating and a price advantage over the Nexen equivalent.

 Nitto Terra Grappler G2Nexen Roadian MTX
Price$140 – $475Starts at $257
Rim Size17” – 24”15” – 22”
Warranty65,000 milesNo treadwear warranty
Fuel Efficiency (EU grade A-E)No EU label.Nexen rating 6/10
Wet Grip Braking (EU grade A-E)No EU label.Nexen rating 8/10
Rolling NoiseNo EU label.Nexen rating 7/10
Suitability for Snow3PMSF winter ratedNo.

Alternatives to Nitto Tires

Nitto tires are one of the most affordable, but you can buy cheaper budget brands like Douglas, Kelly, and Uniroyal.

If you want a comparable tire and price, you can opt for Nexen, Toyo, and General Tire.

If you want a tire with better than average fuel efficiency, try Nexen, Hankook, and Dunlop.

Some Nitto tires have top-grade wet braking, and other brands that match this are Bridgestone, Dunlop, and Yokohama.

Can You Buy Nitto Tires Cheaper?

You get the best prices for Nitto tires online, but you may find it more economical to buy your Nitto tires as a complete package of tires, fitting and balancing rather than taking your tires with you for a fitting.

Conclusion

You may not be familiar with Nitto Tires as a brand, but they are dependable, no-frills tires that keep you safe on and off the highway (depending on the tire).

The durability and performance match better known brands, and you save money per tire.

References:

https://www.nittotire.com/