Nitto NT420V Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 70%
Snow – 50%
Comfort – 70%
Noise Reduction – 70%
Durability – %
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Whenever you hear SUV or a light truck, the first thing you think about is the off-road performance. While many models are excellent for those conditions, there are those that don’t even see a dirt road.
The automotive industry has plenty of “large” vehicles aimed at people that want extra space, but also want something sporty. I’ve driven plenty of different vehicles in my life, and I can safely say that a 4,000+ lbs. SUV will never be as athletic as a sporty coupe. With that said, manufacturers have managed to do wonders in this regard.
A sporty vehicle from this category means that you’ll need to have a set of tires that can get the most out of it. The premium models are the best, but they’re also costly, especially the larger sizes. This leaves mid-range manufacturers like Nitto.
The model in question is the NT420V, which is a high-performance all-season tire for the larger vehicles I mentioned. I know it won’t be comparable with the premium tires in this category, but how close can it get? Let’s find out.
Pros
- Grip and traction on dry roads are excellent
- Surprisingly stable in wet conditions
- The handling is responsive, and the tire provides a good amount of feedback
- Reasonably well refined
Cons
- Winter performance is barely passable
- No treadwear warranty
The Features of the Nitto NT420V
Nitto released the NT420V as a replacement for the NT420S. I haven’t tested the predecessor, but the company claims that it managed to make improvements in crucial areas.
The first and most noticeable feature is the tread pattern. It’s an asymmetric one molded from an all-season rubber compound. Since it’s a performance model, the design features three zones, each bringing performance improvements in certain conditions.
On the outer side of the tire, you have the zone with stiffer blocks designed to improve cornering grip. Next is the central part, which works to improve traction in multiple conditions. On the inside, the tire features blocks with larger grooves, designed to improve performance in wet conditions.
The tire’s design features a network of circumferential and lateral grooves, which work to evacuate standing water. This should help the tire resist aquaplaning and remain stable. In addition to that, the full-depth sipes should ensure that the traction on damp roads remain similar throughout the tire’s lifespan.
As a performance tire, there are some performance features as well. One of the more important ones is the tapered edges of the blocks. This feature is designed to stabilize the blocks and minimize movement, meaning that it should be a dynamic tire in terms of handling.
Nitto NT420V in Dry Conditions
How does it behave on dry tarmac?
Dry roads are where most performance tires feel at home and I can say the same about the NT420V.
The grip and traction levels are surprisingly high, meaning that even more powerful vehicles won’t struggle to put the power down. Yes, it’s not the best, even within its class, but it does a pretty good job when you consider all aspects. It’s a tire that doesn’t lack anything for daily driving scenarios, so plenty of performance and decently short braking distances.
Considering its category, you may want to push it and have some fun on a twisty road. The tire will comply and shouldn’t be a massive disappointment for most. I liked it and considering its class, it does a pretty good job.
Not a lot of complaints in the handling department as well. The tire offers a dynamic nature, meaning that it’s responsive and offers a solid amount of feedback. In addition to that, the straight-line tracking is superb.
Nitto NT420V on Wet or Slippery Roads
Cheaper tires tend to have some compromises in wet conditions, which isn’t the case with the NT420V.
The sipes do a solid job of delivering traction, allowing you to have a slip-free experience. Getting a bit aggressive with the gas pedal will cause it to slip, so don’t expect to perform like it would in dry conditions. The cornering grip is also good, meaning that you have some headroom to push it before it lets go of the road, and you end up with understeer. It also doesn’t struggle when it comes to stopping, and the distances are quite short.
Nitto’s tread pattern is designed to resist aquaplaning, and it does that very well. The tire will remain stable when driving over standing water in pouring rain with no issues. In some cases, it can also deal with highway speeds. I wouldn’t call it the best, but it’s a lot better than the worst performers.
Nitto NT420V in Snow
Even though it may not look like it, the NT420V is an all-season tire, but unfortunately, the performance isn’t all that good.
Tires in this category are generally usable on snow, which isn’t the case here. The tire will barely do an acceptable job in lighter conditions. It seems to deal with unpacked snow a bit better than packed, but in both cases it’s behind most of its rivals.
You can drive very cautiously, and it may seem fine, but it’s not, even when compared to similarly priced models. Tires in this category generally deal with colder temperatures well, but this one doesn’t. In many ways, it resembles more like a summer tire.
Nitto NT420V Off-Roading
The NT420V is a tire for off-road capable vehicles, but it’s not an off-road tire. It lacks the pattern which helps those kinds of tires deliver performance. Furthermore, the rubber compound won’t hold up well against abrasive surfaces, so you may end up with a puncture.
Nitto NT420V for Sporty Driving
As a performance tire, the NT420V is a decently sporty tire, especially in dry conditions. The performance is there and even though most people will drive it normally, knowing that you have more grip and traction is nice. It means that you have a tire that can be fun if you’d like to. This is backed by the responsiveness and feedback, confirming that we’re looking at a sporty tire.
Does the Nitto NT420V Ride Comfortably?
Performance tires aren’t the best when it comes to refinement, but there are some solid options, like the NT420V.
The noise levels are surprisingly low for a tire from this category. You’ll hear the hum and there’s no avoiding that, but it won’t be too loud. The tire manages to remain decent even at highway speeds.
Comfort is another aspect where it’s decent. The overall performance and handling mean that there are some compromises. With this tire, it results in a slightly firmer ride. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not an unbearable tire, but you’ll notice bumps and vibrations more than with a highway tire. To be fair, the stiffer sidewall also means you won’t experience any bounciness, so this is a positive aspect.
Nitto NT420V Warranty
A big downside of the NT420V is the lack of a treadwear warranty. Some may argue that it’s not a massive problem, but when you consider that even mid-range models like the Proxes ST III have one, you can understand why I think it’s a disadvantage.
Nitto NT420V Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Nitto is known for making affordable tires, so the NT420V won’t empty your wallet. It’s priced very close to its mid-range models like Ventus ST RH06, meaning that it’s a lot more affordable than something like the Scorpion Zero All Season Plus.
Should I Buy the Nitto NT420V?
There are tires where I mention “if” quite a few times before recommending a tire, and the NT420V falls in that category.
If you intend to drive it in non-winter conditions, you’ll be perfectly happy with the performance. Yes, it’s not a premium tire, but as an affordable mid-range one, it offers plenty of performance. Winter seems to be a problem for this tire and with the barely passable performance, if you need it for these conditions either check out competitor models or get a set of winter tires.
The refinement is good for a performance tire and even though you’ll need to make some compromises, they aren’t terrible. It’s also an affordable tire, but as such, it doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty.
As a package, the NT420V offers a lot of performance that will probably satisfy your needs. If you don’t need winter performance and want a solid and affordable performance tire for your light truck or SUV, Nitto’s model is a good choice that you should have on your list.
What Vehicles Will the Nitto NT420V Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Nitto NT420V will fit:
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Dodge Ram 1500
- Ford F-150
- GMC Sierra
- Infinity QX80
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Mercedes-Benz GLE
- Nissan Titan
- Toyota Tundra
Tire Sizes of the Nitto NT420V
20″
- 265/45R20 108V XL
- 265/50R20 111V XL
- 275/40R20 106W XL
- 275/45R20 110V XL
- 275/55R20 117H XL
- 275/60R20 116H XL
- 285/40R20 108V XL
- 285/50R20 116V XL
- 295/45R20 114V XL
- 305/50R20 120H XL
- LT 305/55R20 125/122S
- 315/35R20 110W XL
- LT 325/50R20 124S
22″
- 265/35R22 102V XL
- 265/40R22 106V XL
- 275/35R22 104W XL
- 275/40R22 107V XL
- 275/45R22 112V XL
- 275/50R22 111H
- 285/35R22 106W XL
- 285/40R22 110W XL
- 285/45R22 114H XL
- 295/30R22 103V XL
- 305/40R22 114H XL
- 305/45R22 118H XL
- LT 305/50R2 124/121S
- 315/30R22 107W XL
- LT 315/45R22 121/118S
- 325/35R22 114W XL
23″
- 305/40R23 115H XL
24″
- 305/35R24 112H XL
- 285/35R24 108V XL
- 295/35R24 110H XL
