When it comes to vehicle performance, a lot of people seem to forego tires. Tires do play a significant part in the performance.
Most people seem to forget that. And today, we are going to look at two different brand and their offerings, brands that are synonymous with the word ‘performance’, and review them in detail.
So, welcome to our Nitto vs. Toyo tires review article. We have sorted out the best from each and pitted them against one another, and processed it all into this handy guide. Sit back and give it a read.
Table of Contents
Nitto vs Toyo Tires Comparison Table
TOPICS | TOYO TIRE | NITTO TIRE |
---|---|---|
QUALITY OF TIRES | Toyo tires have wide shoulder blocks, stone ejectors on the outside tread and a tighter center section provides greater mileage than mud-terrain tires. | The Nitto Tire is among the most popular tires in the marketplace. It’s a hybrid tire, which implies it has both all-terrain and mud-terrain qualities. |
WARRANTY | Toyo tires come with a 45K mile warranty (may vary by size) | Nitto comes with a full manufacturer’s warranty (which varies by size). |
NOISE | It has an outside tread and tighter center section, which helps in reducing road noise. | The Ridge Grappler is constructed on an all-terrain tire basis in particular. The plus is that if the tread isn’t as aggressive as some other hybrid tires, you didn’t believe as much road noise. |
COMFORT COMPARISON | Toyo tires provide an attractive tread design, excellent handling, and a smooth ride. | Nitto tires provide a smooth, comfortable ride. It performs admirably in all weather conditions and is tough and durable. |
Nitto Tires
Nitto tires are synonymous with three words: JDM, spec, and cars. JDM or Japanese domestic market cars left an everlasting impression in the world of tuning.
But what was available to the markets beyond the borders of Japan were the tires they use – Nitto tires.
But that is the ‘90s. What about today? Well, since then, Nitto has become a hallmark in the world of tires, known for its quality, durability, and, of course, the most important bit: cornering abilities.
The people at Nitto have pretty much perfected every tire they put up for the audience, be it for the track or for the road.
Regardless of whether you are concerned with the performance, or on the flip end, mileage, it is guaranteed that Nitto has something to sate your needs.
Another feature that Nitto has up in its sleeves is its pricing strategy. Their premium tires are usually priced lower than what their competitors are offering.
So, you can rest easy knowing you are getting the best possible value when you are getting something from Nitto.
Recommended Nitto Tires to Buy
So here we have set about the top 3 Nitto tires that are definitely worth your attention.
We have categorized the top few selections and then filtered them down according to their features, safety ratings, etc. Have a go.
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 Traction Radial Tire – 285/70R17 116T
We begin our Nitto tires recommendations list with the Grappler G2 Traction Radial Tire.
It is quite the step up from the original Terra Grappler, a second iteration if you will. Trust us when we say this, the upgrade is not merely just cosmetic.
Let us start off with the tire technology. Nitto implemented their latest tire technology into the Grappler G2.
What does that equate to? The previous Terra Grappler was best known for its off-road prowess.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 has it all nice and covered now. It gives a very nice balance of load haulage performance and the daily commute, driving the country roads or even the rural.
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 has managed to blend in the versatility we all look for in the all-terrain tire format.
And we have covered versatility, let us now talk a little about the tread life. That new tire technology also helps to greatly improve tread life.
The pattern itself is similar to the old gen, sipes that are full of depth and increased traction.
PROS
CONS
Related Guide: Best Sand Tires Review
Nitto Trail Grappler M/T All-Terrain Tire – 295/70R17 121P
Next up, we have a tire that combines the best of the worlds of Nitto’s Mud Grappler and the Terra Grappler.
Let us acquaint ourselves with the Trail Grappler M/T, an all-terrain tire from Nitto, giving all the truckers that confidence they need to take their trucks across all manners of terrain.
Let us delve into the compound. The compound in the tread is rather thick and is rated for all-terrain and all-season use.
We get a fairly good degree of cushioning on rough surfaces, with that they have added in a better puncture resistance profile.
So yes, to say that you can go off-road with these tires would be a gross understatement.
Coming to the tread themselves, the blocks have more of a “bite”. They grip a whole lot more, and you can observe an increase in lateral stability. That is for the more discerning observers.
We usually do not come across this level of quietness in an all-terrain tire. Oftentimes, it gets hard to discern the difference between the level of quietness offered by a highway-going tire and this Trail Grappler M/T, it is just that good.
PROS
CONS
NITTO NT555 G2-275/40ZR17 102W XL
So we managed to cover a blend of Nitto tires that should cover most of all aspects we set about this review article for.
Now, we could not complete this review with a summer tire offering from Nitto, that too, a high-performance one.
So, here we are presenting the NT555 G2-275/40ZR17 102W XL from Nitto.
The G2 is, for all intents and purposes, a moderate update over the original NT555.
And the OG NT555 is a very successful tire series, and we could see it still in operation all around if you look close enough.
The G2, well, let us just say that is made to deal down some serious traction onto the road.
This is a premier tire option, especially if you have a high-power sedan or a coupe.
The tire is composed of a silica-based tread compound that gives it a higher degree of stiffness, increasing your traction and cornering, while allowing for better acceleration as well.
And the real difference between the OG NT555 and the NT555 G2 really comes down in the steering response.
There is increased grip in the corners, courtesy of large tread blocks. With twin center ribs as standard, the NT555 G2 really pumps out stellar steering response.
PROS
CONS
Related Comparison: Nitto Trail Grappler vs Ridge Grappler
Toyo Tires
In the simplest possible terms, the quality of a tire is a huge measure for other dependent measures such as safety, performance, and comfort.
And the household brand Toyo is synonymous with all those key measures, offering the best-in-class levels of those key metrics to the one driving on the road and the occupants.
Toyo tires have a long history of going above and beyond what is necessary to bring along the best of the best to the end customers.
65 years of illustrious history in all the right segments really helps to prove the point, with over 45 of those years being spent in the US. Impressive? Oh yeah, it is.
And it is not just in the States; you would see them in use all around the world, both on and off the track, in all manners of vehicles. Speaks a ton about their reliability.
Recommended Toyo Tires to Buy
It is pretty much the same scenario as with the Nitto tires. We filtered through the best offerings by Toyo and selected the top three according to set criteria. Have a glance.
Toyo Tires Open Country A/T II 6 Ply Radial Tire
What sets the Toyo Open Country A/T II apart from its predecessor is its refinement in certain quarters.
Sounds vague? That was highly intentional. A/T tires are generally purpose-built to provide the best possible traction in the roughest of scenarios. But on-road refinements? Let us have a look.
Like we have mentioned before, the Open Country A/T II offers an almost unbeatable level of refinement over its predecessor.
It is one thing off-road. But on-road, it is very, very silent for an A/T tire. Toyo does not implicitly market this tire as a hybrid, but gosh, that on-road treatment is absolutely stellar.
That is not all. It is also quite a looker. Looks mean and aggressive, with the looks taken up a notch compared to other A/T tires.
The sidewalls are tougher, and the tread design is an open one, translating to extra cornering stability and improved handling on pavement. Both dry and wet.
Their off-road abilities are pretty good too. The ability is further brought forward by a collection of blocks that eject all manner of stone and debris, of course, deeper grooves.
PROS
CONS
Related Guide: KO2 vs KM3 Tires
Toyo Tire Open Country M/T Mud-Terrain Tire
We had to include something for all the light-duty trucks and SUVs out there.
It can get quite tough to find your way through the market for mud tires. But these Open Country M/Ts have you covered.
Honestly, there is nothing that has not already been absolutely established about these tires.
These tires have been out for a while now and are now essentially the staple when it comes to providing that best possible mix of solid performance all round, in both road, trail and weather conditions.
Let us talk about the tread design. The design is aggressive, to say the least. This is further complemented by blocks, which are hook-shaped.
The shoulder blocks are also scalloped, which should help get rid of moisture and other debris.
And the casing is made of a three-ply polyester, with good turnup ratios. This alone ensures high durability, longevity, and also a fair amount of strength thrown in for good measure.
And this also boosts the max load-carrying capacity of the vehicle. The three-ply polyester is also a key player in boosting the tire’s overall tread life.
PROS
CONS
Related Guide: Toyo Open Country AT3 Vs AT2 Vs RT Vs MT
Toyo Proxes S/T All-Season Radial Tire
To finish off the review list, we have yet another good one from Toyo, the Proxes S/T All-Season Radial Tire.
This is an entry-level performance tire that is also all-season, meant for use with light-duty trucks and SUVs.
Since this is from Toyo, you can expect even this entry-level tire to have class-leading performance.
The tire is composed of all-season rubber compounds, giving you superior traction in almost any weather.
Appropriately sized grooves for running off any moisture, while the stiff blocks help increase load capacity for your vehicle.
Better handling capability is almost guaranteed with a set of these Toyo Proxes S/Ts.
And the compound used also helps increase the overall tread life and is soft around the road debris, so you feel less of the road whilst inside your cabin.
The channels will help draw away moisture and should also ward off any ice formation. Mud tract performance should be stellar as well.
In dry weather, expect nice cornering. The sidewall is made to maintain the tires’ girth during steering change, thus, helping keep more contact on the road.
The tread itself is directional, so you should see resistance against any and all hydroplaning.
PROS
CONS
Difference Between Toyo and Nitto Tires?
Okay, so we are going to play out the comparisons a little differently this time around.
We are going to pit tire against the tire and draw comparisons instead of making generalized differentiation from the offerings as a whole.
Because let us face it, that is not quite fair. So here are the differences in each segment.
Mud Performance
Here the main competition would be between the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 and the Toyo Open country ATII.
For all-around performance, between the two of these, the ATII’s are the way to go.
But if you are looking to opt for the smoothest mud performance, the Nitto Terra Grappler takes the icing.
Off-Road Performance
Nitto Trail Grappler is more rugged than the Toyo Tire Open Country. However, the Toyo Open country vibrates a lot less than the Nittos.
The Open country is more likely to be fuel efficient because of this too. And the Nitto Trail grappler has better-wet traction than the Toyo Tire Open Country. So you are better off with the Nittos.
Pricing
Generally speaking, Toyo tires are made to last a lot longer than their competitors.
And that longevity comes at a premium. You should be willing to spend a little more if you want to get into Toyo’s lineup of tires.
Conclusion
And cut! We are at the end of our Nitto vs. Toyo tires review guide. By now, we reckon you should be able to choose a tire from between the two that best suits your criterion.
Hope you had a swell time going through this article. We will catch you in the next one. Peace.