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Nankang eCONEX NA-1

Touring Summer Tested by Tyre Reviews · 2

The Nankang Econex NA1 is a touring summer tyre with reasonable dry handling and some favourable aquaplaning results. Long wet stopping distances, abrupt oversteer and weak comfort make its overall road performance less convincing.

The quick answer

Owners say 46% from 7 owner reviews 17% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 10th average finish across 3 independent tests Latest: P3 of 9 · 2023 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Wet, Value Comfort Relative to its rivals across every test we hold

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tyre - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated September 2026.

  • 7owner reviews
  • 21,700miles driven
  • 3professional tests
Nankang eCONEX NA-1 3 photos

Tyre Reviews Score

Nankang eCONEX NA-1

4.4/10

Better than 10% of summer tyres

  • Medium Confidence
  • 2 tests
  • 7 owner reviews
Scores of the 407 summer tyres we have tested

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent tests2 tests · 1 publication · 2022-2023 11% 88%
Owner reviews7 owner reviews · rated 46% 3% 12%
Combined 10% 4.4

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Category by category

How it compares with other summer tyres in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 26% 44% 2
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 10% 40% 2
ValueWear, efficiency and cost 15% 9% 2
ComfortNoise and ride comfort 5% 7% 2

Weights are shares of the test result. Owner reviews are blended in afterwards. Faded bars rest on one or two tests.

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tyre was doing. They are not counted a second time.

BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 24% 2
HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 12% 2

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 95% of the test figure. The other 5% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

Only measured results count. A test that published its placings alone is listed, but not scored.

  1. 2023 Are Budget Tyres Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap Tyres VS 1 Premium Tyre Tyre Reviews · 205/55 R16 P3 / 9
  2. 2022 Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres Tyre Reviews · 205/55 R16 P12 / 13
  3. 2015 2015 Test World Summer Tyre Test Test World · 205/55 R16 P14 / 15 Placing only
All Tests
View Test Results

Tested 3 times by independent publications, the Nankang eCONEX NA 1 averages a finish of 10th.

3 Tests
0 Test Wins
10th Average
3rd Best
14th Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20152023

Finishing position in each test

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

YearTestResultAward
2023Are Budget Tyres Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap Tyres VS 1 Premium TyreTyre Reviews · 205/55 R16P3 / 9Tested by Tyre Reviews
2022Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring TyresTyre Reviews · 205/55 R16P12 / 13Tested by Tyre Reviews
20152015 Test World Summer Tyre TestTest World · 205/55 R16P14 / 15

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

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Size Range79 sizes available

135-235Width0-80Profile12-20Rim2014First On Market

Popular sizes165/80 R13175/65 R15185/65 R15195/65 R15215/60 R16165/70 R12
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 in the wet?
Across the 2 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 stops 21.9% longer than premium rivals, 11.1% longer than mid-range rivals and 10.4% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews wet score of 26/100, and owners rate it 5/10 in the wet from 7 reviews.
How good is the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 in the dry?
Across the 2 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 stops 8.1% longer than premium rivals, 6% longer than mid-range rivals and 2.5% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews dry score of 10/100, and owners rate it 5.7/10 in the dry from 7 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Nankang eCONEX NA-1?
Across the 2 tests measuring rolling resistance, the Nankang eCONEX NA-1's rolling resistance is 12.8% higher than premium rivals, 8.6% higher than mid-range rivals and 5.2% higher than budget rivals.
What do owners say about the Nankang eCONEX NA-1?
Across 7 owner ratings the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 averages 46%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 5.7 out of 10 and Handling lowest at 4. 1 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 17% of owners score it 70% or better.
How comfortable and quiet are the Nankang eCONEX NA-1?
Owners rate the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 5.3 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 7 reviews.
More questions about the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 (2)
How well do the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 4.7 out of 10 for wear across 7 reviews. 1 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 1,250 miles.
Would owners buy the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 again?
17% of owners say they would buy the Nankang eCONEX NA-1 again, based on the 6 owner reviews that answered the question. 0% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
Owner Questions
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Nankang eCONEX NA-1 Owner Reviews

Review this tyre

What owners say summarised from 7 reviews

Owner opinion of the Nankang Econex NA1 is mostly unfavourable, with only one of seven reviews positive and an average score of 40%. Dry handling attracts two favourable comments, but another owner is unhappy with it, so even this relative positive is not consistent. Two of seven reviews criticise soft sidewalls, describing a loose or unsettled feel rather than precise control. Wet-handling and comfort comments are sparse and divided, leaving little basis for a firm positive conclusion. The small group includes both new and end-of-life experiences, but does not establish a dependable pattern of how grip or comfort changes over time.

What owners mention most counted across 7 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 7 ratings

  • Owner score 46%
  • Dry Grip 57%
  • Comfort 53%
  • Wet Grip 50%
  • Road Feedback 47%
  • Wear 47%
  • Handling 40%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 44%

“Ordered a set of 4 Nankang Econex NA-1 165/70 R12 T (77) tyres for a Nidsan Figaro in March 2023 from Black Circles. After 7,000 miles all 4 tyres have cracked in the treads and I have just files a warranty claim with...”

  • Nissan 2002 patrol
Read full review → 925 found this helpful
Most critical 10%

“Never had so bad tyres before. After fitting 2 front tyres I drove about 200 miles on motorway. With speed 60-70 mph I had feeling I'm driving on thin ice (middle of the summer). First I thought it's because the tyres...”

  • Peugeot 3008
  • 2,000 miles
Read full review → 993 found this helpful
Longest term

“Super tyres for handling. Came with only 6mm tread when new, and the little transverse fins are only 4mm so when the main 3 radial grooves are half worn the left and right edges are about bald. Need to replace at 12k...”

  • Toyota
  • 12,000 miles
Read full review → 1,011 found this helpful

All 7 Nankang eCONEX NA-1 reviews

Score spread across 6 written reviews
37%
Member
End of Life

After only 10,000 km, I changed them halfway through their use. They are a real danger in wet conditions and winter is approaching. The sidewalls are very soft despite being labeled XL.

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 5
  • Wet Grip 2
  • Road Feedback 5
  • Handling 4
  • Wear 2
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 12
44%
Member
Ordered a set of 4 Nankang Econex NA-1 165/70 R12 T (77) tyres for a Nidsan Figaro in March 2023 from Black Circles. After 7,000 miles all 4 tyres have cracked in the treads and I have just files a warranty claim with Black Circles regarding this
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 5
  • Wet Grip 5
  • Road Feedback 5
  • Handling 5
  • Wear 5
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 925
10%
Member
Never had so bad tyres before. After fitting 2 front tyres I drove about 200 miles on motorway. With speed 60-70 mph I had feeling I'm driving on thin ice (middle of the summer). First I thought it's because the tyres are new. Week later I went abroad for a long journey (1800 miles) the car was very unstable on dry road and I had that nasty feeling I'm driving on ice. After my arrival I just bought different tyres and the problem disappeared. I'm not recommending Nankang econex na-1 tyres and I'll never buy them again.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 1
  • Wet Grip 1
  • Road Feedback 1
  • Handling 1
  • Comfort 1
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 993

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818 reviews submitted this month Earn your Contributor badge No account needed
62%
Member
I took a chance with Nankang as it was the only tyre in my price range at the time... I've since done approx 500 miles so not enough chance for them to wear in fully... They seem fairly decent for £45 fitted for the 195/65/R15 size. They seem very planted when it comes to deep standing water but cornering in the wet leaves a little to be desired. They feel a little lacklustre and can sometimes run wide with no warning. Last time I experienced a tyre like this was the Toyo Nano Energy 3's and they were truly a terrible tyre (worse than budgets I have had in the past), so lets hope they don't turn into the Toyo disaster that happened last time. If they last longer than my last set of tyres (Nexen N'Blue HD Plus) I will be satisfied. Will report back with Further findings once they have worn in fully!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 5
  • Handling 6
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 6
Helpful 1,037
77%
Member
Decent tyres for the price.
Handle the road well both dry and wet conditions.
Comfortable drive but not the quietest.
Would reccomend 100%
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 7
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 9
Helpful 1,041
Member
  • Toyota
  • 175/65 R15
  • 12,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Easy Going
Super tyres for handling. Came with only 6mm tread when new, and the little transverse fins are only 4mm so when the main 3 radial grooves are half worn the left and right edges are about bald. Need to replace at 12k miles when I usually get 18k
50%
Member
Its hard to get a decent 165 R13 tyre these days. Its either no-name budget tyres or £200 plus per tyre specialist ones. What happened to the middle ground? These tyres are pretty much it for that area now.

I bought two for my Skoda Estelle 130. They went on the rear, but honeslly the handling is now horrible - the sidewall is too soft so the car feels like its on a waterbed, wobbling and lurching. So I moved them to the front and here they are tolerable.

Its like Nankang never bothered to actulaly try these tyres on the road and just made them and sold them. I ended up ordering Vreidestein Sprint + online but these are now discontinued. The Spring + are fine, no lurching.

To sum up, Nankang sucks the fun out of driving and leaves your passengers feeling queasy.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 5
  • Handling 1
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 745
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