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Nankang Econex NA1 Test Results

Tyre Reviews tests: 2 Tested 2015 to 2023 2 publications

Tested 3 times by independent publications, the Nankang Econex NA1 averages a finish of 10th.

  • 3Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 1Podium finishes
  • 10thAverage finish
  • 30%Field beaten on average
  • 2Publications
Nankang Econex NA1

3 tests, 2015 to 2023

0%50%100%20152023Average 30%2015 Test World Summer Tyre Test (2015): P14 of 15, Beat 7% of the fieldTyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres (2023): P12 of 13, Beat 8% of the fieldAre Budget Tyres Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap Tyres VS 1 Premium Tyre (2023): P3 of 9, Beat 75% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 30%
The latest test

Are Budget Tyres Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap Tyres VS 1 Premium Tyre P3 of 9

As we've seen in other tests, the Nankang Econex NA-1 objectively performed well, for the price point it had good grip in grip tests, and had good aquaplaning resistance and low noise, however subjectively it was one of the tricker tyres to drive on the VW Golf test car, with a rapid transition between grip and oversteer. If you want a fun, cheap, track day tyre in a 16" wheel size, this is the tyre for you.

Strong: Dry Handling, Wet Circle, Straight Aqua, Curved Aquaplaning Weak: Subj. Comfort Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

Record by discipline

Where the Nankang Econex NA1 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 2 P7.5 of 11 42% -
Dry Handling 2 P4.5 of 11 69% -
Subj. Dry Handling 2 P9 of 11 23% -
Wet
Wet Braking 2 P7.5 of 11 42% -
Wet Handling 2 P7.5 of 11 42% -
Subj. Wet Handling 2 P8 of 11 35% -
Wet Circle 2 P6 of 11 56% -
Straight Aqua 2 P6 of 11 56% -
Curved Aquaplaning 2 P5.5 of 11 60% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 2 P9.5 of 11 15% -
Noise 2 P6 of 11 54% -
Value
Rolling Resistance 2 P10 of 11 13% -

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 3 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.

The Nankang Econex NA1's relative strengths are dry handling and, in some comparisons, aquaplaning resistance. Its third-of-nine finish in Tyre Reviews' 2023 budget comparison looks unusually strong beside 12th of 13 in the 2023 touring test and 14th of 15 with Test World in 2015, but the budget field was much less demanding. Dry handling was second of nine against the budget-led field and seventh of 13 among touring rivals. Both 2023 tests recorded the same 38.45 m dry stop and 39.61 m wet stop, so their different rankings reflect the competition rather than different stopping ability.

Wet braking remained 25.4% longer than the best in both 2023 comparisons, despite third place in one and 12th in the other. Test World also criticised long wet stops and weak lateral grip in 2015. The testers repeatedly found abrupt transitions into oversteer, making the tyre difficult at the limit. Aquaplaning was second in both disciplines in the budget comparison, but only tenth and ninth in the touring field; Test World judged resistance good. Rolling resistance was seventh of nine and last of 13 in 2023, while comfort and noise attracted criticism elsewhere. Its entertaining dry handling did not make it a balanced road tyre.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Every test, newest first 3

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2023 2 tests
P3 of 9 Beat 75% of the field

Are Budget Tyres Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap Tyres VS 1 Premium Tyre

Tyre Reviews 205/55 R16 Tested by Tyre Reviews

As we've seen in other tests, the Nankang Econex NA-1 objectively performed well, for the price point it had good grip in grip tests, and had good aquaplaning resistance and low noise, however subjectively it was one of the tricker tyres to drive on the VW Golf test car, with a rapid transition between grip and oversteer. If you want a fun, cheap, track day tyre in a 16" wheel size, this is the tyre for you.

StrongDry HandlingWet CircleStraight AquaCurved Aquaplaning WeakSubj. Comfort WinnerContinental PremiumContact 7

P12 of 13 Beat 8% of the field

Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres

Tyre Reviews 205/55 R16 Tested by Tyre Reviews

The Nankang Econex NA1 was next up, considerably better than the Doublecoin but perhaps not a tyre that could be classified as great as it had long braking distances in the dry and wet, poor aquaplaning resistance, high noise and a high rolling resistance. It would however make a fun 16" dry weather track tyre if you don't want to fit a semi slick.

WeakDry BrakingSubj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingWet HandlingSubj. Wet HandlingRolling Resistance WinnerContinental PremiumContact 7

2015 1 test
P14 of 15 Beat 7% of the field

2015 Test World Summer Tyre Test

Test World 205/55 R16

The Nankang Econex NA-1 have long braking distances and a very weak lateral grip on wet surfaces. Sharp manoeuvres are unlikely to succeed because the tyres can dramatically lose contact with the road. However, they have good resistance to aquaplaning. In the dry the situation is somewhat better, but they don't cope well enough with emergency situations. Not very effective at absorbing road irregularities, and noise is clearly audible in the cabin. Only average fuel economy.

WinnerContinental Premium Contact 5

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