Nitto Motivo Review: The Low-Profile Tire That Looks and Performs Like No Other

The Nitto Motivo is an all-season performance tire developed by Nitto Tire, a Japanese tire manufacturer that entered the North American market in the 1980s.

The Motivo is designed for coupes, sedans and CUVs, and aims to provide a balance of dry and wet traction, comfort, treadwear and year-round usability.

Nitto markets the Motivo as a grand touring all-season tire, meaning it is engineered for responsive handling and traction for enthusiast drivers who want a tire that can handle both dry roads and rainy conditions.

The symmetrical tread pattern and continuous center rib are crafted to enhance high-speed stability.

At the same time, wide lateral grooves and multi-angle sipes help channel water out from under the tread to resist hydroplaning.

The Motivo debuted in 2016 as a replacement for Nitto’s NT420S tire, upgrading to a modern asymmetric tread design.

It is offered in a wide range of popular sizes to fit sedans, coupes and crossovers from luxury makes like BMW and Audi to mass-market brands.

Nitto claims improvements in wet and dry handling, ride comfort and treadlife compared to the previous NT420S model.

Tire Overview

The Nitto Motivo is an ultra high-performance summer tire designed for sports cars and high-powered sedans.

It comes in a wide range of popular sizes to fit most sports cars and performance sedans on the market today.

The Motivo features an asymmetric tread design, with large outer shoulder blocks and more sipes and grooves on the inside of the tread.

This helps provide responsive and precise steering on dry roads while maintaining a wet weather grip.

The tread pattern is optimized for dry grip while still performing well in wet conditions.

The tire uses Nitto’s Triple Polymer Silica tread compound which utilizes three different types of silica in the rubber for maximum dry grip and handling. The stiffer sidewalls enhance steering response and cornering.

Overall, the Motivo is intended to be an ultra high-performance summer tire focused on responsiveness, grip, and handling for sports cars and performance sedans.

The asymmetric tread design provides precise steering and traction across various conditions.

Dry Traction of Nitto Motivo

The Nitto Motivo tire excels when it comes to dry traction and performance. Independent testing shows it earns among the highest ratings for braking and handling on dry roads.

The asymmetric tread pattern features large inboard tread blocks that deliver exceptional grip and traction during hard cornering and acceleration.

Test drivers report the Motivo feels planted and stable when pushing the limits on dry pavement.

Stopping power is also a highlight. The silica-enhanced tread compound and lateral grooves resist heat buildup during heavy braking.

Short stopping distances were recorded during brake testing. The Motivo’s rigid internal construction prevents tread squirm, enhancing braking grip and control.

While optimized for performance, the Motivo still provides responsive steering and handling at slower speeds.

The responsive tread blocks engage well during routine driving maneuvers. Test drivers describe a connected, nimble feel whether driving casually around town or aggressively on curvy roads.

Overall, the Motivo sets a high bar for dry traction and handling among grand touring all-season tires. Drivers seeking sharp response and high limits on dry roads will be impressed.

Wet Traction of Nitto Motivo

The Nitto Motivo excels when it comes to wet traction and resisting hydroplaning thanks to its asymmetric tread design.

The outside shoulders feature large, interlocking tread blocks that help squeeze water out from under the tire.

This prevents hydroplaning and allows the Motivo to maintain contact with the road surface even in heavy rain.

Testers found the Motivo’s wet braking performance to be among the best in its category.

The tire delivers short braking distances on wet pavement without any unexpected slides or loss of control. Hard braking while turning is also handled safely and predictably.

The Motivo’s cornering ability on wet roads is confidence-inspiring. The stiff outside shoulder tread blocks remain stable when cornering at speed in the rain, allowing the tire to hold its line through turns.

The steering response stays sharp, and there is no sudden loss of grip when cornering on wet surfaces.

Overall, drivers can feel secure in the Motivo’s abilities on wet roads. Its hydroplaning resistance, wet braking, and wet cornering abilities are all extremely impressive for the ultra high-performance all-season category.

Drivers report a feeling of being “locked in” on wet pavement thanks to the Motivo’s excellent wet-weather traction.

Comfort and Noise of Nitto Motivo

The Nitto Motivo provides a comfortable and quiet ride thanks to its unique tread design and silica-infused compound.

The asymmetric tread blocks are arranged in a way that minimizes noise on the road.

Independent testers have noted that the Motivo rates very well for overall ride comfort, absorbing imperfections in the road while maintaining responsive handling.

Compared to other performance summer tires, the Motivo scores well when it comes to noise ratings.

There is minimal road noise, even at higher speeds. The serrated shoulder blocks help reduce noise from cornering.

Overall, drivers report a smooth and quiet ride with the Motivo, without the loud droning or high-pitch whine found in some high-performance tires.

The silica-infused tread compound contributes to lowering noise levels both inside and outside the vehicle.

The Motivo provides a balance of comfort, quietness, and performance. Drivers don’t need to sacrifice a smooth ride for traction and grip.

The asymmetric tread pattern and silica compound deliver an exceptionally quiet and comfortable experience behind the wheel.

Nitto has engineered the Motivo to handle both spirited driving and daily commuting needs.

Treadwear

The Nitto Motivo is an ultra high-performance summer tire, so treadlife is not its strongest attribute.

However, the tread compound and design enable decent treadwear for the category.

Owners report getting around 20,000 to 30,000 miles out of a set before needing replacement.

This can vary substantially depending on driving style and conditions. Aggressive driving will wear them down much quicker.

Nitto provides a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is about average for tires in this category.

This means if the tread depth wears down to 2/32″ before reaching 30,000 miles, Nitto will provide a prorated refund based on the remaining tread depth.

This provides peace of mind that the tires should last a reasonable amount of miles if used as intended.

Overall, while maximum treadlife is not the priority, the Motivo offers respectable durability for a high-performance summer tire.

Drivers looking to maximize longevity may want to consider a grand touring all-season tire instead.

But for those wanting an ultra high-performance summer tire, the Motivo delivers adequate treadlife.

Off-Road Capability of Nitto Motivo

The Nitto Motivo is not designed as a hardcore off-road tire. It’s more focused on all-season performance for daily driving and occasional light off-road use.

However, thanks to its tread design and construction, it can still handle some off-road conditions better than an average all-season tire.

The Motivo features an asymmetric tread pattern with independent shoulder blocks that help provide grip and traction on loose surfaces like gravel and dirt.

The shoulder blocks have sipe lines to enhance grip on edges. The continuous center ribs promote stability and prevent squirming on uneven terrain.

While testing on graded gravel roads and dirt trails, the Motivo performed adequately well. The tread blocks provide decent bite without getting clogged up with debris.

The tire is able to find traction even on loose surfaces without excessive wheel spin. Direction changes and light off-road maneuvers can be done with confidence.

Compared to dedicated off-road tires, the Motivo lacks the same level of traction and grip on rugged terrain.

The tread blocks are not as aggressive and the tire is not as ruggedly built. But for light off-roading and occasional gravel or dirt road driving, the Motivo offers suitable traction and handling.

Drivers who only go off-road occasionally will find the Motivo meets their needs. It provides a good balance of on-road comfort and light off-road capability.

Snow Traction of Nitto Motivo

The Nitto Motivo performs very well in snow and ice conditions thanks to its asymmetric tread pattern and sipe technology.

The outside shoulders feature large, interlocking tread blocks that provide plenty of biting edges for acceleration, braking, and cornering on snow-covered roads.

Inside the shoulders, Nitto utilizes multiple sipes (thin slits in the tread blocks) to create additional biting edges.

The sipes flex open when encountering snow and ice, gripping the surface. This provides excellent braking traction and stability when cornering on slippery surfaces.

During braking tests on packed snow, the Motivo stopped shorter than many all-season tires. Test drivers reported very little skidding or sliding during hard braking maneuvers.

The tire also accelerates smoothly from a stop, with minimal spinning on snowy roads. The tread design prevents packed snow from getting lodged in the treads, helping maintain traction.

When testing on icy roads, the Motivo provided a reassuring grip and control when cornering.

The stiff outside tread blocks remain stable, reducing the chance of sliding wide on turns.

Drivers reported feeling confident driving on snowy highways and backroads with these tires.

Overall, the advanced siping technology and asymmetric tread of the Nitto Motivo allow it to perform at a very high level on snow and ice.

Drivers in regions with frequent winter weather will appreciate the impressive snow and ice traction.

Price

The Nitto Motivo has a mid-range price point compared to other ultra-high-performance summer tires.

Prices can vary depending on the tire size you need, but here are some typical retail prices:

• 215/50R17: $112 per tire
• 225/45R18: $137 per tire
• 245/40R19: $167 per tire

You can often find discounts of 10-15% on tire retailer websites, especially during seasonal sales events.

The lowest prices are usually found on online tire stores like TireRack.com and DiscountTire.com.

Expect to pay roughly $100-175 per tire, with increasing prices for larger wheel diameters and wider tires.

While not the cheapest ultra high-performance tire, the Motivo delivers excellent wet and dry traction along with sporty handling and a comfortable ride.

For drivers wanting a balance of performance, grip, and value, the Motivo is a great choice in its price range.

The advanced silica tread compound and asymmetric tread design allow it to compete with more expensive tires.

Conclusion

The Nitto Motivo is an impressive ultra high-performance all-season tire that balances sporty handling with all-weather traction.

It performs well in dry and wet conditions, providing responsive steering and short braking distances.

The asymmetric tread pattern helps reduce road noise for a quiet, comfortable ride.

Overall, the Motivo is ideal for drivers looking for a tire that can handle both spirited driving and varied weather conditions.

It works well on performance coupes, sports sedans, and even sports trucks. The Motivo provides a good blend of traction, comfort, and treadwear at a reasonable price point.

For drivers seeking a UHP all-season tire, the Nitto Motivo is highly recommended. It delivers an engaging driving experience along with the capability to tackle wet roads and light snow. The Motivo is a great choice for year-round performance and safety.