Nitto Crosstek 2 Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 70%
Snow – 60%
Comfort – 80%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 90%
Don't know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
Whenever the time comes for a new set of tires, most people aim for those that offer solid performance combined with long life and high refinement levels. Touring tires are the most popular option because they offer these, each in a different manner. The best part about this category is that there are countless options.
In this segment, on top of the premium or mid-range manufacturers, there are also multiple models from each, meaning that you have a lot to choose from. We all know that the best performance comes from the premium options, leaving you with the mid-range ones if you want to save a few bucks.
The mid-range segment has plenty of companies, and the one I’ll be talking about today is Nitto. The company was a subsidiary of Toyo at a certain point, and today, it’s completely merged, with only a handful of tires still available under the “old” name.
One of those is the Crosstek 2, a highway all-season tire. The main selling point of this tire is the fact that it’s an affordable one. Does that mean the performance is compromised, or it’s a tire I’ll recommend.
Pros
- Solid dry performance
- The comfort and noise levels are surprisingly good
- Affordable even when compared to some mid-range models
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- It struggles over packed snow
- It struggles over packed snow
The Features of the Nitto Crosstek 2
The Crosstek 2 is an all-season highway tire, which is essentially a touring tire. As such, you can expect the features to be more towards refinement and longevity without compromising performance.
Speaking of performance, the tread pattern of the Crosstek 2 is designed to combat the high void areas and increase the stability of the contact patch. As a result, the tire should offer high traction levels on dry roads.
The high void area combined with the circumferential grooves is a feature designed to help the Crosstek 2 evacuate water. This should help keep the tire stable in harsh rain by increasing the aquaplaning resistance.
Since it’s an all-season tire, the Crosstek 2 features an all-season compound along with a design aimed at helping it deliver in these conditions. The result of this combination should be a tire capable of delivering performance in light snow conditions.
On the refinement side of things, Nitto worked on the design and implemented the groove walls with quiet serration. This should result in a quiet ride, thanks to its ability to eliminate certain tones.
Nitto Crosstek 2 in Dry Conditions
Despite being a mid-range tire, the dry performance of the Crosstek 2 is pretty decent. It’s not on a premium level, but it’s good enough.
In daily driving conditions, the tire does a solid job of providing traction. You won’t notice it slipping as long as you’re not accelerating too aggressively. Going around a corner isn’t’ a massive problem, and the grip levels will be enough to keep the understeer minimal. The braking distances aren’t class-leading, but they are short enough to be considered safe.
It’s important to note that the Crosstek 2 isn’t a performance tire, so I wouldn’t consider it to be a good option to push hard. There is some headroom, but keep in mind that the performance levels are below the premium models, meaning that you shouldn’t expect miracles.
The handling is also decent, but not something that will get people excited. It’s not the most responsive tire, even in this category and you’ll have almost no feedback through the steering wheel. The only thing worth mentioning is that the straight-line tracking is decent enough.
Nitto Crosstek 2 on Wet or Slippery Roads
There are some compromises with more affordable tires and with the Crosstek 2 that comes in the form of wet performance.
The tire isn’t terrible in these conditions but is noticeably behind its premium rivals. There is enough grip and traction for normal driving, but if you get a bit aggressive, the Crosstek 2 becomes a bit unpredictable. It doesn’t take much to reach the limits and with braking distances that are longer than the best-in-class models, you won’t be doing that too often.
One thing that the Crosstek 2 does well is aquaplaning resistance. Nitto’s tread design does a very good job evacuating water, ensuring the stability isn’t compromised.
Nitto Crosstek 2 in Snow
In winter conditions, this all-season tire can deliver acceptable performance as long as you’re aware of its limitations.
The Crosstek 2 deals with shallow unpacked snow surprisingly well for an all-season tire. There is enough traction to offer usable performance, which is pretty good for a mid-range tire. With packed snow, the tire will struggle a bit more, and even though it’s acceptable, the performance is behind even some mid-range models.
When you consider the performance in lighter conditions, you can guess that the Crosstek 2 doesn’t deal with harsher conditions well. Deep snow or ice-covered roads are something that this tire won’t overcome, so you might want to consider a set of winter tires.
Nitto Crosstek 2 Off-Roading
Even though the Crosstek 2 is a tire that you can fit on an off-road capable vehicle, it’s not an off-road tire. It won’t offer enough performance to drive in these conditions, and like with any road-going tire, the chances of damage significantly increase. Driving on a dirt road is fine, as long as you’re careful. The compound isn’t cut and chip-resistant, so you may end up damaging the blocks.
Nitto Crosstek 2 for Sporty Driving
The Crosstek 2 is a poor choice for sporty driving, and there are several reasons for that. The first is that we’re talking about a highway tire, so it’s not even designed to be a performance-oriented option. In addition to that, the overall performance with the way it handles makes this an even worse option for sporty driving.
Does the Nitto Crosstek 2 Ride Comfortably?
It’s not all negative with the Crosstek 2, and the area in which the tire does well is refinement. To be honest, I was even a bit surprised.
Nitto’s tread design does a very good job of keeping the noise levels lower, putting the Crosstek 2 near the top. Even though the hum is inevitable, it’s not overly intrusive, and you won’t have a lot to complain about.
The comfort levels are also impressively good. Driving over bumps and potholes isn’t an issue, as the Crosstek 2 can soften them and absorb the vibrations. The tire also does a pretty good job of ironing out road imperfections.
Nitto Crosstek 2 Warranty
Looking at the warranty, we see another positive side of the Crosstek 2. It starts from 60,000 miles, depending on the speed rating and whether it’s an LT model or not. This is on par with many mid-range and some premium models.
Nitto Crosstek 2 Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Nitto’s tires have always been considered affordable, and the same goes for the Crosstek 2. Let’s look at a 17-inch LT model, for example. The tire is over $100 cheaper than models from Michelin’s range. The difference isn’t that great with many mid-range options, but it’s still on the affordable side.
Should I Buy the Nitto Crosstek 2?
As always, the decision of whether you should or shouldn’t buy a tire falls on you, but it’s my job to explain if I think it’s a good purchase. With the Crosstek 2, I cannot say that I’ll recommend it over its competitors, but I also won’t say that it’s a terrible performer.
The tire does a decent job of delivering performance. It’s pretty good in dry conditions, with some slightly problematic aspects in wet and on snow. This doesn’t make it unsafe, but it means you’ll need to be more careful. Combined with the comfortable and quiet ride, the Crosstek 2 is a true highway tire, at least in a sense that most people consider. The best part is that it’s very affordable.
Looking at the Crosstek 2 as a package, it’s one of those tires where you get what you pay for. The performance isn’t on the same level as the premium tires, which is to be expected from a tire that costs a lot less. While I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone, I will say that it’s a solid tire if you’re on a really tight budget. Still, it’s better than many “cheap” models out there.
What Vehicles Will the Nitto Crosstek 2 Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Nitto Crosstek 2 will fit:
- Acura RDX
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio
- Audi Q5
- BMW X3, X5
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Ford Bronco, F-150
- Honda Ridgeline
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Subaru Outback
- Toyota Tacoma, Highlander
Tire Sizes of the Nitto Crosstek 2
16″
- 215/70R16 104T XL
- 225/70R16 107T XL
- P225/75R16 106S XL
- P235/70R16 107T XL
- P235/75R16 109T XL
- P245/70R16 106T
- P245/75R16 112S XL
- P255/65R16 106T
- P255/70R16 112T XL
- 265/70R16 112T
- P265/75R16 114T
17″
- 225/60R17 103H XL
- 225/65R17 106H XL
- 235/55R17 103H XL
- 235/65R17 108T XL
- P235/70R17 108T XL
- P235/75R17 108T
- LT235/80R17 120/117R
- P245/65R17 105S
- P245/70R17 108T
- LT245/75R17 121/118R
- 255/65R17 114T XL
- P265/65R17 110T
- 265/70R17 115T
- LT265/70R17 121/118R
- LT285/70R17 121/118R
18″
- 235/55R18 104V XL
- 235/60R18 107H XL
- 235/65R18 110T XL
- 245/60R18 105H
- 255/55R18 109H XL
- P255/65R18 109S
- P255/70R18 112T
- 265/60R18 114T XL
- P265/65R18 112T
- P265/70R18 114T
- 275/65R18 116T
- LT275/65R18 123/120R
- LT275/70R18 125/122R
19″
- P235/50R19 99H
- 235/55R19 105V XL
- P245/55R19 103T
- 255/50R19 107H XL
- 255/55R19 111V XL
- P255/60R19 108S
20″
- P 235/55R20 102H
- P 245/50R20 102H
- 255/50R20 109H XL
- 255/55R20 110H XL
- 265/50R20 111T XL
- 275/45R20 110H XL
- 275/55R20 117T XL
- P 275/60R20 114T
- LT 275/65R20 126/123R
22″
- 285/45R22 114H XL