Nitto NT555 G2 Tire Review and Rating

Written By Slavcho Andov
Last Updated June 15, 2021

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Dry

Wet

Snow

Comfort

Noise

Treadwear

Pros

Excellent stability at high speeds
Plenty of sizes available
Budget-friendly
Decent tread life for an ultra-high-performance tire
Superb cornering grip on dry and wet

Cons

Can struggle for traction when accelerating
Comfort is not its forte
Premium competitors offer a bit better performance

What are the features of the Nitto NT555 G2?

Nitto is a tire brand that doesn’t get on top of most lists of best tires. The main reason is that it’s a budget-oriented brand that cannot match with the premium models.

The good news is that it’s a subsidiary of Toyo, meaning that you get Japanese quality.

Take the Nitto NT555 G2 – an affordable ultra-high-performance tire with a decent set of features, most of them oriented towards improvements from the previous generation.

This time, Nitto designed the NT555 G2 with bigger tread blocks, bringing some improvements in cornering stability or acceleration. In addition to that, Nitto implemented two center ribs that should keep the tires planted when cornering hard.

The NT555 G2 has wide circumferential grooves that work in combination with the sipes and help with stability on wet surfaces. Nitto also reinforced the shoulders meaning that the tires should be more rigid, improving cornering.

Speaking of rigidity, the rubber compound is enriched with silica, meaning that the stiffness of the rubber is increased, giving it a sportier feeling. It also means that as a result, the NT555 G2 is a summer tire, meaning that you can get the most out of it in warmer weather.

One last thing worth mentioning, something that many people seem to overlook, is the look of the tire. Sure, the design is essential for how the tires drive, but when you put ultra-high-performance tires on your car, you want them to look good. This is an area where I believe that Nitto got right with the NT555 G2. The sporty performance is accompanied by a sporty look, completing the package.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

Nitto hit all the right spots with the NT555 G2, meaning that they are good ultra-high-performance tires. The main thing to keep in mind is that we are talking about a budget-friendly option, meaning that they won’t be as good as the premium ones.

When compared to other competitors in this category, the NT555 G2 is among the best when it comes to dry performance. Unlike most other tire models, the NT555 G2 is among the most responsive in this price category.

On a twisty backroad, the tires will pick up any command you give them and comply with it with ease. During that process, they will provide as much feedback through the steering wheel as they can. Enthusiasts may push the tires to their limit, and the NT555 G2 will have no problems with traction. Overall, this makes for a very joyful driving experience for people that appreciate it.

The NT555 G2 has plenty of grip and stability for straight-line speeds, and there is nothing to fault here.

One thing worth mentioning is the traction when accelerating. Less powerful cars will be just fine, as the tires can handle that. When installed on a more powerful car, you may feel them struggling for grip.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

As soon as the rain starts to fall, the NT555 G2 becomes just as good as in dry conditions.

The sporty feeling you would have on dry tarmac is present on we one as well. You can chug your car in a corner, and the tires will comply effortlessly and keep the car in line. As you hold the steering input, the NT555 G2 will provide feedback on what the front tires are doing, and you’ll know how much more you can push them.

Thanks to the tread design and circumferential grooves, these are tires that can resist aquaplaning better than most tires in the class. The tread is designed to keep the water away from the tires ensuring maximal contact with the surface at all times.

Unfortunately, the problem that plagued the NT555 G2 on dry tarmac remains unchanged on wet surfaces. Despite the excellent grip during driving, you may notice them struggling for traction, especially on more powerful cars.

How is it over snow?

The NT555 G2 performs on snow just as any other summer ultra-high-performance tire would – terrible. The compound is designed to provide the best performance in warm temperatures.

Regardless of which surface you drive on, the tires will be too cold to have any performance at all. As for snow, things are much worse, mainly because the tread design isn’t meant for those conditions. The tires won’t be able to bite down and find traction.

Is it comfortable and refined?

In terms of comfort and refinement, the Nitto NT555 G2 doesn’t have much to show for. With that said, this is typical of ultra-high-performance tires.

On the noise side of things, the levels are not too bad at lower speeds but can get quite loud once you get on the highway. Again, this is not a downside to these tires specifically.

I believe the bigger problem is the ride quality. Nitto made the NT555 G2 with a stiffer compound and reinforces shoulder blocks; you get excellent responsiveness at the cost of comfort. The tires feel harsh when driving around town and don’t absorb bumps as good as touring tires.

Is it good for off-roading?

Tires like the Nitto NT555 G2 are not designed for off-roading, so it’s a bad idea to do so. Any loose surfaces will interfere with the traction, and you will not have a good time. Regardless of how bad they are for off-roading, you could drive some dirt roads as long as you are careful.

Is the Nitto NT555 G2 ideal for sporty driving?

Yes, the NT555 G2 are excellent tires for sporty driving. As ultra-high-performance tires, you can expect plenty of stability at higher speeds and superb traction in the corners. The sharp and responsive steering only adds to the enjoyment when you combine them with the feedback you’ll get from the steering wheel.

Should I buy the Nitto NT555 G2?

Yes, I can recommend the Nitto NT555 G2, but not for everyone. First of all, if you drive a proper sportscar with tons of power, then these are not the right tires for you. Your car will have more power than the tires can handle, and you won’t have a good time.

People looking at the NT555 G2 should get them as long as they have a sporty sedan or a coupe that doesn’t have too much power. The tires will provide excellent grip in dry and wet conditions with no sacrifice to responsiveness and feedback. With that said, you should be aware that you will be sacrificing ride comfort, as with most ultra-high-performance tires.

Nitto NT555 G2 Warranty

As you may have guessed, Nitto doesn’t offer a treadwear warranty for the NT555 G2. The first reason is that most ultra-high-performance tires don’t have it because they are tires designed to be driven at the limit. The second reason is the price category. These tires are oriented for people on a tighter budget, so you shouldn’t expect premium warranties.

Nitto NT555 G2 Pricing: Is it worth the money?

In this class, you can find cheaper tires than the NT555 G2, but with more compromises. With that in mind, I can safely say that the Nitto NT555 G2 is worth the money.

The starting price is around $135, which is not too bad when you consider what you get. Nitto made tires that deliver excellent performance on dry and wet.

While you will get more from premium brands, most drivers will benefit significantly from these tires.

Conclusion

Overall, my opinion on the Nitto NT555 G2 is very positive, and if you are on the lookout for ultra-high-performance summer tires, these are an excellent choice.

Superb stability at any speed combined with excellent traction in the corners both on dry and wet surfaces is just what any driver wants. Put the responsiveness into the mix, and you have the perfect recipe for any enthusiast.

Like most ultra-high-performance tires, the NT555 G2 won’t offer the quietest or smoothers ride experience. Again, you should also keep in mind that this is a budget-oriented model, so some compromises need to be made.

What Vehicles Will the Nitto NT555 G2 Fit?

Audi A4, A6
BMW 3, 5 series
Chevrolet Camaro
Dodge Charger
Lexus IS, GS
Nissan 370Z
Scion FR-S
Subaru BRZ
Toyota Camry, GT-86
Volkswagen Golf

As with most of these lists we make, they include only a handful of models, just to get an idea of the type of cars that are a good option for the NT555 G2