Nitto NT-SN2 review

What is it?

The Nitto NT-SN2 is a studless ice and snow tire designed for strictly winter purposes. 

The NT-SN2 can be fitted to wide variety of vehicles, including everyday coupes and sedans, minivans, crossovers, and even sports cars that experience winter use.

As compared to performance winter tires, and certainly any form of all season tire, studless ice and snow tires like the Nitto NT-SN2 provide next level performance in challenging winter conditions. 

If your winter commute regularly involves many inches of snow, slush, ice, and frigid temperatures, then a studless ice and snow tire is likely your ideal winter option. 

Is the Nitto NT-SN2 the one to have though?

Nitto NT-SN2 Strengths and weaknesses?

When it comes to tires, standout performance in any one are often comes with a compromise in another.

In exchange for the mega winter condition performance that the NT-SN2 delivers, you'll have to compromise some on dry road handling performance and attributes. The pliable tread compound that keeps the NT-SN2 rubber on the road in sub-zero temperatures doesn't work in its favor when roads are dry and temperature/conditions more mild.

However, for drivers in need of traction in the worst winter conditions, the loss of some dry road handling and traction is a concession worth making.

The NT-SN2 is designed to keep you out of the ditch when old man winter wreaks havoc, and in this area it succeeds.

Snow and ice traction is as advertised. The NT-SN2 will forge through many inches of snow without issue, especially if fitted to an all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive vehicle.

The NT-SN2 also responds well to mixed and slushy conditions, which are particularly hazardous. Ill-equipped all season and inferior snow tires have a tendency to follow the road buildup and wander. In contrast, the Nitto NT-SN2 and other quality studless ice and snow tires will displace that buildup and keep you tracking in your lane. (That's a good thing.)

While the NT-SN2 is at its best when facing winter road conditions, it also responds well to wet roads. 

Comfort isn't a problem either -- despite the chunky tread pattern the NT-SN2 does not produce unacceptable road noise.

Treadlife is a positive as well. The NT-SN2 will deliver many years of winter performance given typical mileage and storage during the warm months. 

How does the Nitto NT-SN2 compare?

It's fair to say that the Nitto NT-SN2 isn't without stiff competition. There are a handful of studless ice and snow tires that offer unimpeachable winter performance.

Prospective NT-SN2 buyers who want maximum winter capability should also consider both the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 and Michelin X-Ice Xi3.

We ran the X-Ice Xi3 on the MinimumTread Audi S4 for winter 2015-2016 and were thoroughly impressed. Actually, we found it to be a virtually faultless snow tire. (See our long-term Michelin X-Ice Xi3 review.)

However, the Nitto NT-SN2 has one clear advantage over both of these class leading alternatives: Cost.

The Nitto NT-SN2 is about $100 less per set than the Michelin in a common 17" tire size, for example.

So while it may be true that in a head to head fight for snow & ice performance supremacy (and on an all-around performance basis) the Michelin and Bridgestone hold an edge over the NT-SN2, it's also fact that the Nitto NT-SN2 is more budget-friendly.

In the same price tier as the Nitto NT-SN2 are the Continental WinterContact SI and Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c. Both of these snow tires should be considered as well.

We'd like to make it easy for you and declare a winner here, but the truth is we'd gladly fight a northern Michigan winter with any of them.

Nitto NT-SN2

Save 5% on the NITTO NT-SN2 with order code
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Some use restrictions may apply.

NT-SN2 Warranty?

- Treadlife Warranty: Varies based on speed rating
- Uniformity Warranty: First 1/32 Even Wear, 2 Tires Permitted
- Workmanship Material Warranty: 60 Month First 25% Free Replacement
For full Nitto NT-SN2 warranty details, see the warranty brochure here. 

Anything else to know?

The Nitto NT-SN2 has been on the market for a few years at the time of this article; it is tried, tested, and proven. And so while Nitto isn't nearly as renowned as Michelin and Bridgestone (Blizzak) in the snow tire realm, prospective buyers should not be hesitant on that basis.

Nitto NT-SN2 user approval is nearly unanimous, and many users have become repeat buyers.

The successor to the NT-SN2, the Nitto NT90W, is now available (see our Nitto NT90W review for more information). Head that direction if you want the latest and greatest studless ice and snow tire from Nitto. 

Studless ice and snow tire shoppers should at least consider the aforementioned Bridgestone and Michelin options; they're simply excellent, and the best available. But if the Nitto NT-SN2 savings bring you back, that's alright… The NT-SN2 certainly delivers sufficient wintertime performance, capability, and safety, and that's what snow tires are all about.

Want to learn more about the power of snow tires? See our article Snow Tire Information & Perspective. Also, in our long-term Michelin X-Ice Xi3 review we conducted winter condition testing against an all season tire. See the (very lopsided) results of that comparison here.
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