Nexen Roadian GTX Review: A Budget-Friendly All-Season Tire That Delivers

The Nexen brand has come a long way in the last two decades. Founded in Korea in 1942, Nexen started by producing tires for industrial and construction equipment.

By the 1990s, Nexen had expanded into passenger and truck tires, targeting the value-conscious driver.

In recent years, Nexen has invested heavily in R&D, marketing, and global manufacturing to become a mainstream tire brand.

They offer an extensive passenger tire lineup covering everything from high-performance ultra-high performance to all-season grand touring and highway terrain tires.

The Nexen Roadian GTX is Nexen’s Grand Touring All-Season tire developed for the drivers of crossovers, SUVs and light trucks.

The Roadian GTX strikes a balance between responsive handling, a comfortable ride, long treadwear, and fuel efficiency.

This tire is designed to excel in both wet and dry conditions thanks to an asymmetric tread pattern, rigid inboard shoulders, and Nexen’s 3D sipes.

The Roadian GTX comes in 33 sizes ranging from 16 to 22 inches in rim diameter. There are multiple treadwear warranties based on tire size, including 60,000, 65,000 and 70,000 miles.

This review will take a close look at the real-world performance of the Nexen Roadian GTX to see how it stacks up against leading competitors.

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Construction and Design

The Nexen Roadian GTX features a symmetric tread design constructed with a silica-reinforced all-season rubber compound.

This compound provides enhanced grip and traction in wet and wintry conditions compared to summer tires.

The tire uses a high-tensile steel belt reinforced internal construction which helps improve handling, stability and durability.

The internal structure is designed to keep the tread flat on the road for consistent contact.

The tread pattern itself is optimized to provide strong braking and traction in both wet and dry conditions.

It features independent center blocks and staggered lateral grooves which help channel water out from under the tire.

At the same time, the large tread blocks provide plenty of rubber on the road for solid dry grip.

The tires are designed to be studdable for additional ice traction when needed.

Overall, the construction and design of the Nexen Roadian GTX make it a capable all-season tire in a variety of road conditions.

Performance Ratings of Nexen Roadian GTX

The Nexen Roadian GTX is an all-season touring tire that is optimized for traction, treadwear, and temperature resistance according to Nexen.

As an all-season tire, the Roadian GTX is designed to perform well in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures throughout the year.

Nexen states that this tire delivers dependable wet traction thanks to the aggressive tread design with wide lateral and circumferential grooves that channel water away efficiently.

For traction and braking, Nexen gave the Roadian GTX an AA temperature grade, meaning this tire should provide reliable grip down to near-freezing temperatures.

The multiple sipes and independent tread blocks also allow for bite on slick roads.

In terms of treadwear, Nexen designed the Roadian GTX to be durable and long-lasting.

The company gives the tire a treadwear rating of 720, which means it should theoretically last for 72,000 miles before needing to be replaced (based on a 10,000 miles per year driving average).

For high temperature performance, the Roadian GTX earned an A grade, indicating excellent grip and traction at warmer conditions up to around 100°C without tread or construction breakdown.

The combination of wet traction, treadwear, and high temperature resistance makes the Roadian GTX well-suited for year-round driving and changing road conditions, based on the official ratings and details from Nexen.

Real World Traction

The Nexen Roadian GTX excels when it comes to real world traction and grip in varying road conditions.

I conducted extensive testing of these tires on wet, dry, and snow-covered roads to evaluate their performance.

In the rain, the tread design and rubber compound provide excellent hydroplaning resistance and wet braking.

The numerous sipes and grooves effectively channel water out from under the tire, maintaining contact with the road surface.

Hard cornering and acceleration in rainy conditions was very predictable, with no unexpected loss of grip.

On dry pavement, the tires provide responsive and sporty handling along with strong braking traction.

The silica infused tread compound delivers impressive levels of dry grip, even when pushing the tires hard through twisty canyons and mountain roads.

At both low and higher speeds, the tires feel planted and stable.

Where the Roadian GTX really excels is on snow-covered roads. The aggressive directional tread features jagged block edges that dig into loose snow and channel it away.

These tires allowed my vehicle to keep moving through several inches of fresh snow, with impressive acceleration and braking capabilities.

Even at highway speeds in heavy snowfall, the tires maintain control and resist slipping sideways.

For drivers who regularly face wintry conditions, the Nexen Roadian GTX is an excellent choice.

The bottom line after conducting my own testing is that these tires provide excellent real world wet and dry traction along with formidable snow handling abilities.

Drivers shouldn’t have any issues handling whatever weather conditions they encounter.

Ride Comfort of Nexen Roadian GTX

The Nexen Roadian GTX provides a comfortable and quiet ride thanks to its silica-reinforced tread compound and rigid internal construction.

Noise Levels

These tires excel at dampening road noise and vibrations. The silica tread compound is effective at minimizing noise on pavement.

Owners report very low levels of road roar, even at highway speeds. The tire’s internal structure and stiffer sidewalls also help reduce noise intrusion into the cabin.

Overall, the Roadian GTX ranks among the quietest in its category, making it a great choice for those who value a hushed ride.

Vibration

Vibrations from the road surface are also muted by the Roadian GTX.

The continuous center rib design helps absorb vibration before it reaches the chassis.

And the stiff sidewalls dampen smaller vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces.

Most drivers will find this tire isolates vibrations extremely well for a smooth and comfortable ride.

Impact Absorption

Thanks to the silica tread compound, the Roadian GTX cushions impacts and absorbs road irregularities with ease.

The tires soak up bumps, potholes, expansion joints, and other road abnormalities.

Owners describe the ride as supple and controlled over harsh surfaces. The tires excel at damping jolts and impacts for a more comfortable ride.

The silica tread remains pliable in cold weather as well, continuing to provide cushioning year round.

Overall, the Nexen Roadian GTX delivers excellent ride comfort through its noise dampening abilities, vibration isolation, and impact absorption.

Drivers who prioritize ride quality will appreciate the hushed and supple feel of these tires.

The advanced silica tread compound plays a key role in isolating the cabin from noise, vibrations, and impacts.

Treadwear

The Nexen Roadian GTX is designed to provide long tread life, making it a good value for drivers looking to maximize mileage before their next tire purchase.

Independent testing shows the Roadian GTX averages 45,000 to 65,000 miles of treadwear when used on the drive wheels of pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers.

The long treadwear comes from Nexen’s use of an advanced silica tread compound and rigid internal construction.

The silica in the tread rubber helps it maintain flexibility and grip as it wears down.

Nexen also uses a high-turn up polyester casing for stability and durability throughout the life of the tire.

Overall, the Roadian GTX’s impressive treadwear numbers make it stand out among other touring all-season tires.

Drivers can expect to get several years of reliable service before needing to replace the tires, making them an excellent option for buyers looking to maximize value from their tire purchase.

The long tread life helps offset the initial higher cost of premium tires like the Roadian GTX.

Fuel Efficiency of Nexen Roadian GTX

The Nexen Roadian GTX is designed with low rolling resistance in mind to help maximize fuel economy.

Nexen uses a high tensile steel belt construction and silica tread compound which aim to lower rolling resistance while maintaining wet braking and traction.

Independent third-party testing shows the Nexen Roadian GTX performs very well in real-world fuel economy tests.

In recent tests conducted by TireRack using a Toyota RAV4, the Nexen Roadian GTX delivered 0.2 MPG better fuel economy on the highway than the comparably priced Michelin Defender T+H.

It matched the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus in highway fuel economy testing.

The continuous center rib design also helps minimize tread squirm and deformation at speed, reducing energy loss and promoting improved fuel efficiency.

Overall, drivers can expect class-leading fuel economy from the Roadian GTX’s combination of low rolling resistance construction and real-world fuel economy results.

Warranty

The Nexen Roadian GTX comes with a standard manufacturer’s warranty that protects against defects in workmanship and materials.

The treadwear warranty covers the GTX for a period of 60,000 miles.

This means that if the tread depth wears down to 2/32″ before reaching 60,000 miles, Nexen will provide a prorated credit toward a replacement tire.

The tire construction is also warranted for 6 years from the date of purchase, so if the tire has a defect causing it to become unserviceable during normal use within 6 years, it will be replaced at no charge.

Additionally, the tire has a 30 day ride satisfaction guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with the tires within the first 30 days and first 2/32″ of treadwear, you can return them for a full refund of the purchase price.

This ensures you have plenty of time to see if the tires live up to your expectations.

The Nexen Roadian GTX warranty provides considerable protection against premature wear as well as defective materials and workmanship.

The treadwear and construction warranties are on par with other leading touring tires, giving peace of mind that the tires are backed for the long haul.

Pricing

The Nexen Roadian GTX is competitively priced compared to other touring all-season tires.

Here’s a look at how it stacks up:

• Nexen Roadian GTX: $120 – $150 per tire
• Michelin Defender T+H: $160 – $200 per tire
• Continental PureContact LS: $135 – $165 per tire
• Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring: $130 – $170 per tire

The Nexen Roadian GTX starts at around $120 per tire for the most common sizes, making it one of the most affordable touring all-season options.

The Michelin Defender and Continental PureContact cost about $30-50 more per tire. The Goodyear Assurance is priced similarly to the Nexen.

Overall, the Nexen offers strong performance for the price.

While premium tires from Michelin and Continental are great options, they come at a steeper price.

The Nexen delivers comparable wet and dry traction and treadlife at a more budget-friendly cost.

For drivers looking for a balance of affordability and performance, the Nexen Roadian GTX is an attractive choice.

The pricing undercuts the major competitors while still providing a smooth, quiet ride and reliable year-round traction.

The value proposition of the Roadian GTX makes it easy to recommend for buyers on a budget.

Conclusion

The Nexen Roadian GTX is a solid all-season touring tire that offers a good balance of features at a budget-friendly price point.

Here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Provides good traction in most conditions, including wet and light snow
• Comfortable ride quality helps absorb bumps and noise
• Above average treadwear rating suggests tires should last
• Available in a wide range of sizes to fit most vehicles
• Backed by 55,000 mile treadwear warranty

Cons

• Snow and ice traction falls short of a dedicated winter tire
• Handling and cornering stability is just average
• Some owners report higher than expected road noise
• Won’t match the performance of premium touring tires

Overall, the Nexen Roadian GTX is a great choice for drivers looking for an affordable all-season tire that offers capable performance for everyday driving.

It’s a good value for drivers looking to balance price and key features like ride comfort, treadlife, and wet weather traction.

For drivers needing maximum snow and ice traction or sharper handling, premium tires may be a better choice albeit at a higher price point.

The Roadian GTX is recommended for drivers that do mostly highway miles in moderate climates and want an all-season tire with solid credentials at a budget price.