Nexen Roadian ATX vs Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires

When selecting all-terrain tires for your light trucks and SUVs, the Nexen and Nitto tire brands are likely to come to mind if you're eyeing the second-best inline AT options on the market, aside from top-tier brands. They manufacture all-terrain tires that balance rugged off-road capability with the daily demands of highway comfort, low noise, and maximum tread life. This comparison analyzes the Nexen Roadian ATX and the Nitto Terra Grappler G2, two tires known for excelling in this dual-purpose segment.

The Nexen Roadian ATX enters the contest emphasizing durability with reinforced 3-ply sidewalls and a superb up to 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. It is Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified, assuring reliable year-round performance and stability across varying conditions. The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 distinguishes itself with a refined on-road experience. Nitto utilizes a computer-analyzed variable pitch tread to significantly reduce road noise, making it one of the quietest all-terrain options for highway use. Its longevity is secured by reinforced coupling joints between tread blocks, backed by a mileage warranty of up to 65,000 miles.

So, which one to go for? Let’s stack the tires against each other and compare their traction, handling, and longevity traits based on our proprietary SimpleScore mechanism that gives 0 to 10 ratings to each characteristic based on different checks.

Nexen Roadian ATX tires

Introduced in June 2022, the Nexen Roadian ATX is a rugged all-terrain tire built with strong construction and advanced materials to provide exceptional on- and off-road performance. The Nexen tire’s special features ensure reliable grip and performance whether you're driving a pickup truck or an SUV. The Roadian ATX gives drivers the confidence to handle dry, wet, muddy, or slippery conditions, thanks to its sophisticated material and structural advancements. Importantly, it is severe weather certified (indicated by the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol), assuring reliable traction and performance in challenging winter conditions.

With such exciting features, plus the added benefit of a supportive tread life warranty of up to 70,000 miles, the Roadian ATX makes for a delightful ownership experience and earns a respectable overall SimpleScore rating of 8.8.

Get Nexen Roadian ATX tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires

A decade-old tire, the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 continues to ply on the streets due to its dependable all-terrain capability, engineered to confidently balance on- and off-road performance. Featuring coupling joints, the Terra Grappler G2’s aggressive tread pattern links the outer and center tread blocks, significantly improving tread rigidity for better stability. To ensure consistent grip, the G2 incorporates full-depth sipes that provide hundreds of biting edges, boosting wet and wintry traction throughout the tire's lifespan, even as the tread wears down.

For enhanced lateral grip, especially off-road, the staggered shoulder lugs extend down onto the sidewall. Additionally, Nitto has utilized a randomized and computer-tuned tread pitch to effectively minimize road noise, ensuring a quieter ride. Lastly, the Terra Grappler G2 offers a customizable look, featuring a plain sidewall on one side and a distinctive "lizard skin" texture on the other.

With an up to 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty and Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, the Nitto all-terrain tire achieves a fantastic 8.4 overall SimpleScore.

Get Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Nexen Roadian ATX vs Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires on traction

Traction is a critical factor, as both the Roadian and Terra Grappler G2 tires are engineered for balanced on- and off-road use. In our traction analysis, we closely examined the performance metrics and found that while the differences were marginal, one tire secured a slight advantage over the other.

With an 8.7 traction score, the Nexen Roadian ATX is built as an all-weather performer, confirmed by its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification on most sizes. This assures a superior grip in wet and light winter conditions. Its aggressive tread features deep grooves and emerging 3D sipes that actively improve traction in snow and slush as the tire wears.

Boasting an 8.6 in traction, the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 utilizes wide, continuous circumferential grooves and full-depth sipes that maintain strong wet-road grip and hydroplaning resistance throughout the tire’s life. Nitto’s specialized rubber compound is engineered to remain versatile, balancing dry-road performance with reliable wet traction.

With a slightly better score, the Nexen Roadian ATX nudges ahead of the Nitto in the traction tussle.

ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian ATX

Nexen Roadian ATX vs Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires on handling

Steering responsiveness and control are of the highest importance, whether you are driving on-road year-round or transitioning between paved highways and rugged trails. Our handling analysis showed that both tires possess similar capabilities.

Achieving an 8.6 in handling, the Roadian ATX offers great structural rigidity through its reinforced 3-ply sidewall construction that leads to a heavy-duty build, enhances stability, and puncture resistance, which is critical for vehicles that frequently tow heavy loads or venture onto rough, debris-laden trails. Furthermore, the dual sidewall design features aggressive shoulder lugs for extra off-road bite and customizable aesthetics without sacrificing on-road composure.

The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 scores an 8.6 in handling, which means it maintains great tread stability and highway comfort. The Nitto tire features coupling joints that reinforce the connection between the outer tread blocks, increasing block rigidity for better steering response and reducing uneven wear. Nitto also uses a variable pitch tread block arrangement to minimize road noise at highway speeds, focusing on a quiet, comfortable on-road experience for daily driving.

With scores levelled, the Nitto and Nexen tires’ handling performance ends in a tie.

ADVANTAGE: Tie

Nexen Roadian ATX vs Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires on longevity

All-terrain tires are engineered with tough rubber compounds for a longer service life. Both the Roadian ATX and Terra Grappler G2 return superior tread life, but one of the tires lends exceptional longevity performance. Let’s get to know the tread life winner.

Securing an exceptional 9.1 in longevity, the Nexen Roadian ATX features a tough rubber compound with 3-ply construction that resists uneven wear and promotes a longer, uniform wear throughout its lifecycle. The reinforced carcass not only limits punctures, abrasions, and cuts but also improves its load-bearing capacity on and off the road. The Nexen tire is backed by an up to 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

Boasting a superb 8.8 in longevity, the Terra Grappler G2 incorporates a new, advanced rubber compound that maintains the necessary adaptable all-terrain characteristics, while enhancing treadwear durability. The Nitto tire is backed by a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for Euro-metric sizes and a 50,000 mile warranty for LT-metric and flotation sizes.

With a superior longevity score, the Nexen Roadian ATX wins the longevity race.

ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian ATX

When to use each

All-terrain tires are designed to offer great maneuverability on paved roads while lending high durability in off-road conditions. Their reinforced construction and tough rubber compound allow them to resist cuts, chips, and punctures on and off the road. Unlike mud-terrain tires, they last long and offer a comfortable highway drive.

If you want an all-terrain tire that can offer a longer service plus superb on- and off-road traction, the Nexen Roadian ATX should be your choice. However, if you want a stylish all-terrain tire that can deliver solid handling, traction, and tread life, the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 should be your preference.

Which one should you choose?

To sum up, the Nexen Roadian ATX wins traction and longevity sections, while tying up the handling section with the Nitto Terra Grappler G2. Both tires have their own unique attributes, which should be considered before you make the final call. However, there’s one critical aspect that’s still pending to be compared: the price!

For the 235/75R17 size, the Nexen costs $200 per tire, while four tires cost $800. Similarly, the Nitto costs $183 per tire, while four tires cost $732 (a difference of $68 on four tires).

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Nexen Roadian ATX if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Dodge Durango, Kia Sorento, and the Toyota Tundra
• Want better grip and traction (8.7 vs 8.6)
• Prefer an exceptional tread life (9.1 vs 8.8)

Contrarily, you should go for the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Ford F-150, Toyota Sequoia, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Want an all-terrain tire with a customized sidewall design
• Want a more affordable yet capable all-terrain tire with equally matched traction and handling

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.