We purchased a new vehicle recently and found to my dismay that the tyres fitted were a brand I had never heard of. I have been driving for 57 years and have used all manner of tyres depending on my budget. However I have always purchased the best I could afford. Mainly for safety, not kilometres travelled.
For a vehicle that weighs almost 2 tonnes, one would expect the car to be shod with respectable rubber.
After our first “long” trip on these tyres, Nexen, of approximately 250km, I have come to the educated, ( by experience), opinion that these tyres are definitely not suited to the vehicle nor Australian conditions.
So if anyone out there is considering getting new tyres, please read reviews and ask questions.
Although the current tyres are only 8 weeks old and travelled 1200 odd km they are being changed as soon as my tyre outlet can get the ones in that I want.
While you may not have heard the Nexen brand before, it has been around for some time in Australia. It is a Korean company that started in the 1940s.
Nexen is well known in the automotive industry and fitted to new cars as original equipment. This includes for manufacturers such as Audi, Porsche, VW, Kia and Hyundai.
Also fitted to BMW - my iX1 has them.
To suggest the tyres are not suited.
Without details of the vehicle brand and model, and the NEXEN tyre model fitted it will be difficult for others to relate to the experience. To assist others to make an informed decision is it possible to share the observed deficiencies in the tyres as fitted to the purchased vehicle, and relevant vehicle details?
That is true> I have never heard of them. Wonder why? no advertising?? anyhow they are fitted to a 2025 Hyundai Tucson hybrid
Nexen has tyres that span from budget to premium high performance. Before changing yours out just because, see where they lie in the spectrum.
Last year I needed 2 tyres in regional SA. The only ones in town were Triangle. Never heard of them so did a Google and the ones in stock were highly reviewed. Others models not so well. I have been very happy despite expecting to ‘write them off’ ASAP when I got home. I would buy this Triangle model again yet they are inexpensive.
New Nexen tyres, from tyre fitters, are principally available in NSW, with a limited number of dealers interstate. In some states such as WA and VIC, they are only available on order through a wholesaler:
If one isn’t located in NSW, it is possible that the brand isn’t as well known as some of the other multinational tyre manufacturers.
When I last bought a car it came shod out of the factory with local tyres.
A Mazda, with Bridgestone tyres. Despite the name, always was a Japanese tyre maker.
So a Korean car, with Korean made, and widely used world-wide tyres, are a problem?
I agree, our last two cars were a Mazda and VW Jetta, not at the same time. We are a one car family. Both were shod with Bridgestone tyres. Not bottom end tyres either.
Further investigation reveals the Nexen tyres, that are on our car, are made on China, not South Korea as I thought.
Next, The tyre advertising states that these tyres, the one on the car, are good for 96.000km. Maybe good for European Autobahns, or American Free ways, BUT definitely here in Australia.
So I stand by my original comments
Many tyre manufacturers have plants around the world, including China. This includes Bridgestone, Michelin, Yokohama and the list goes on. They also have plants in a number of countries to meet local and export demands, as well as to produce price competitive tyres.
Unfortunately Australia no longer manufacturers new tyres, and imports its tyres from manufacturing plants overseas. Brands supply tyres from different plants depending on the models they make, whether they meet Australian Design Rules and sizings. Buying say a Japanese brand of tyre no longer guarantees it is made in Japan.
Notwithstanding this, manufacturing plants which operate in each countries would meet the same manufacturing standards no matter where the plant is located.
As your personal review of your tyres would you share:
The Nexen model and size.
How you came to your conclusion? Wet and/or dry handling? Traction? Ride quality? Road noise? Something else?
We get that you don’t like them, but without telling us WHY, this is a worthless post. If you are trying to warn others, then tells what you are warning us of! So far, all we get is that you haven’t heard of them, hardly a reason to avoid them.
I am not sure that I really appreciate your tone
I could not help to notice the tyres that came with the vehicle were NEXEN. For the next 4 weeks we just drove around Toowoomba, not venturing outside the city boundary. During this period all four tyres continually lost the same amount of air pressure, about 3 psi per week. We also noticed the tyre temperatures rose dramatically from 38 psi to more than 41 psi within a couple of kilometres from home.
I started investigating these tyres and reports. The reports and reviews were less than enthusiastic. Well, when a tyre of the same dimensions retails for less the $200-00 per tyre the doubts and suspicions start to arise as to its quality.
Last Thursday 12 December 2024, we drove from Toowoomba to Brisbane domestic airport and back, Approximately 160km.
Well, this was an interesting experience. First thing we noticed was the tyre temperatures rising. Secondly the vehicle steering became uncertain. To explain, the vehicle decided where it wanted to go, regardless of where we wanted to go. Finally, we arrived at the airport, a bit exhausted after fighting the car for about 2.5 hours. I will mention that with our previous car, that was written off, we experienced the same tracking from the fitted tyres as what we were having from the Tucson. The wheel alignment was checked, but the problem still existed. We replaced these tyres with Continental Conti 6 tyres and the problem went away. Amazing what a good tyre, or 4 will do.
We were not looking forward to the drive home to Toowoomba as the weather was now very windy and the rain was bucketing down. As a result, we were fighting for control of the Tucson. This had nothing to do with the lane keeping programme, just the tyres tracking in whatever groove the tyres were attracted to. On many bends the Tucson took us within centimetres of the guard rails. It did not make the journey home in pelting rain, peak hour traffic, and dusk very pleasant. In fact, it was awful.
Further research revealed these tyres are presumed/guaranteed for a life of approximately 96.000 km. This is way more than the average distance for good quality tyres. They may be suited for European autobahns or American free-ways. In my opinion they are way not suited to Australian roads
See reply to desperado. Tyre description: NEXEN ROADIAN GTX 235/60R18
I am sorry you may not appreciate my tone - no offence was intended. I wasn’t the first one to ask.
But now at least we know why you are not keen on these tyres: they don’t track well, and that is a good reason not to like them on your car at least. Certainly would be worth avoiding for that reason alone.
I don’t think the pressure increase (Temperature?) from cold is a problem; I would expect a 3psi increase at least from cold to hot.
I am also surprised that the unknown car brand would fit tyres which make their car so hard to drive - not a good advertisement. Since the car is new, what did the dealer say about this problem?
Tyre pressure increases as the tyre warms up from driving. lf they rise by only 3-5deg it means they are at the correct pressure
In the past, I had a rear wheel drive turbo sports car. It was diabolical to drive in the wet as there was just not enough grip with the OEM tyres. Bridgestone.
So I got some really ‘grippy’ tyres put on. That fixed the rear grip problem, but the front end was just weird. A real steering and tracking problem. I took it back to the tyre business to check the alignment had been done properly. It was to spec.
So sometimes tyres and their tread patterns and designs are just different. Some suit, some don’t.
I used to have a Toyota Soarer V8 (or LEXUS SC400). It had specific needs for tyres. If you did not put on appropriate - and quite expensive - tyres, then it tramlined which is what Macs is probably complaining about. This can actually be quite dangerous as the car tries to follow small imperfections in the road instead of going where you want it to go.
Tramlining with a 60 profile is quite rare though.
We had Nexen tyres on our previous car, an Hyundai Tucson. We had it for 7 years and no problems. We’ve also got them on our latest car, but have only done just over 1000km so to early to comment. If we buy any Toyotas with Grandtrek tyres we get rid of them quickly as the ones that came with our 80 Series, many moons ago, were rubbish. Supposedly good for offroad, but we had 2 destroyed in about 3000km.
Thanks to all who have commented, offered advice and their experiences. Much appreciated. I decided to do an unofficial review by visiting local tyre outlets,(not aligned to one supplier), pardon the pun,seeking their input. Conclusion, pretty well in line with the experience I have with my car and tyres.
So.now going to purchase a reputable set of tyres from a local tyre unaligned outlet.
