Nexen Roadian ATX Review

A new generation of all-terrain tire from Nexen, the Roadian ATX delivers improvements in four key areas, as well as a few unique features that set it apart.

PROS

  • Longer tread life
  • Maintains high levels of performance over more of the tire’s life cycle
  • Certified for true winter use
  • Attractive pricing
  • 3-ply sidewall on LT sizes

CONS

  • A touch louder than some premium competitors
  • Slightly stiffer ride on LT versions

   

Significant advancements have been made with this tire so that it’s no longer a budget-first tire, but one that’s genuinely cross-shopped with other all terrain tires (it just happens to still have value pricing).

On road, the Roadian ATX offers decent handling and acceptable tread noise levels. It’s not whisper quiet but it’s by no means intrusive – essentially what you’d expect from an all-terrain tire.

Wet traction has been improved due to the new compound and plentiful siping. The tire is also now certified for true winter use. This is increasingly common amongst all-terrain tires. As a result, it might not be a “reason to buy” the Roadian ATX, but it also means winter traction isn’t a reason to discount it either.

Perhaps the biggest updates to the tire come in tread life and durability. Nexen offers a 65,000 mile tread life warranty on the tire (60,000 miles on LT sizes) matching the best warranties in the business. More critically, the new compound and tread pattern is designed to maintain performance over more of the tire’s life, so it doesn’t just last longer, it delivers high levels of grip for more of those miles – both on-road and off-road.

Off-road traction is impressive, with a decent amount of void between the tread blocks as well as plenty of jagged angles and notches to help deliver grip no matter the surface.

An exciting and unique feature of this tire is that most LT sizes come with a 3-ply sidewall. This does make the ride quality a bit stiffer, but it greatly reduces the chance of a sidewall puncture out on the trail. It’s a definite advantage that few competitors offer.

Versions with the 3-ply sidewall are then also better able to be aired down and back up again on the trail, without impacting long term tread life.

At launch Nexen is offering a solid selection of 63 different sizes in 15- to 22-inch fitments, with more versions coming soon.

Overall, Nexen has delivered an affordable all-terrain tire with heightened performance. It has some mild drawbacks but really out-performance its price bracket.

Nexen Roadian ATX Price

With a vast selection of sizes and fitments, pricing for the Nexen Roadian ATX ranges quite broadly. Pricing does start at just over $150 per tire.

   

Nexen Roadian ATX Warranty

Nexen backs the Roadian ATX with a 65,000 mile warranty for p-metric sizes and a 60,000 mile warranty for LT sizes. In addition, the tire comes with an extensive list of other warranty features including two years of road hazard coverage, 36 months of roadside assistance (should you need a tire change or a tow), and a 45 day trial period. Impressive!

Nexen Roadian ATX Sizes

15-inch sizes
235/75R15
LT 235/75R15
LT 30X9.50R15
LT 31X10.50R15
LT 33X12.50R15

16-inch sizes
245/75R16
265/70R16
265/75R16
LT 225/75R16
LT 235/85R16
LT 245/75R16
LT 265/70R16
LT 265/75R16
LT 285/75R16

17-inch sizes
235/75R17
245/65R17
245/70R17
255/65R17
255/70R17
255/75R17
265/65R17
265/70R17
P 285/70R17
LT 235/80R17
LT 245/70R17
LT 245/75R17
LT 265/70R17
LT 275/70R17
LT 285/70R17
LT 285/75R17
LT 315/70R17
LT 35X12.50R17

18-inch sizes
255/70R18
265/60R18
265/65R18
265/70R18
275/65R18
LT 265/65R18
LT 265/70R18
LT 275/65R18
LT 275/70R18
LT 285/65R18
LT 285/75R18
LT 295/70R18
LT 35X12.50R18

20-inch sizes
245/60R20 107
265/50R20 111
275/55R20 117
275/60R20 115
LT 265/60R20
LT 275/55R20
LT 275/60R20
LT 275/65R20
LT 285/55R20
LT 285/60R20
LT 305/55R20
LT 33X12.50R20
LT 35X12.50R20

22-inch sizes
275/50R22
285/45R22
305/45R22
LT 33X12.50R22
LT 35X12.50R22