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Last updated 8/20/2024 - Originally published 8/20/2024
Written by SimpleTire
When it comes to choosing a reliable highway terrain tire for your truck or SUV, the German tire brand Continental is an industry leader, while its South Korean counterpart Nexen stands out as a capable player. But what if asked to choose any one brand between the two? Let’s analyze the two most popular tires under the highway-terrain tire category – TerrainContact H/T and Roadian HTX RH5.
Designed for light trucks and SUVs, the Continental TerrainContact H/T and the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 claim to offer outstanding performance, durability, and comfort for drivers. Both tires offer decent manufacturer warranties and deliver consistent driving experiences on dry, wet, and light snow. Durable and capable of performing around the year, the highway terrain tires feature strong construction and reinforced carcasses. In this comprehensive review, we pit the Continental TerrainContact H/T against the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 based on our proprietary SimpleScore and find out the winner.
Continental TerrainContact H/T tires
The Continental TerrainContact H/T is a great highway-terrain tire designed for SUVs, light trucks, and crossovers. Drivers looking for a dependable tire that performs well on and off the road should go for the TerrainContact H/T. This tire features Continental's TractionPlus™ Technology, which enhances traction and durability while providing a comfortable and quiet ride. The symmetric tread pattern is optimized for highway driving, offering improved stability and handling on dry and wet roads. The Conti also excels in wet conditions, thanks to its full-depth sipes and wide circumferential grooves that help evacuate water, mitigating the risk of hydroplaning. While the sturdy construction of the TerrainContact H/T ensures long-lasting performance, its traction grooves enhance grip in light snow. It is backed by a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
With a SimpleScore of 8.8, the Continental TerrainContact H/T is a top choice for drivers seeking a balanced combination of comfort, durability, and performance.
Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires
The Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 is engineered to deliver great performance and value for truck and SUV owners who spend most of their time on the highway. This tire features a symmetric tread design that provides solid handling and stability in various driving conditions. The tire has wide shoulder blocks and lateral grooves that enhance traction on dry and wet surfaces. The Roadian HTX RH5 also performs well in light snow, thanks to its multiple sipes and grooves that provide additional biting edges for improved grip. The tire's four wide circumferential grooves help channel water away from the tread, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. It is backed by a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
With its durable construction and reliable performance, the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 gets a SimpleScore of 8.2, making it a solid choice for those seeking a dependable highway terrain tire at an affordable price.
Continental TerrainContact H/T vs Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires on traction
Traction is a crucial factor when selecting tires, as it helps the vehicle maintain proper grip in different conditions. The Continental TerrainContact H/T and the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 offer commendable traction for all-season driving.
The Continental TerrainContact H/T returns a commendable traction score of 8.6, thanks to its TractionPlus™ Technology. This tire is engineered to perform well on wet and dry surfaces. Its wide circumferential grooves effectively channel water away from the tread, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. The TerrainContact H/T also features traction grooves that enhance grip, making it a dependable choice for light snow conditions. Drivers wanting confident handling across different driving conditions should go for this highway terrain tire, also referred to as an all-season tire.
On the other hand, the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 comes with a great traction score of 8.4. Its wide grooves and angled tread blocks work together to evacuate water efficiently, mitigating the chances of hydroplaning on wet roads. The Nexen tire features multiple sipes that create extra biting edges, boosting grip on dry, wet, and lightly snowy surfaces.
While both tires provide great all-season traction, the Continental TerrainContact H/T edges out the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 due to its superior performance in wet and snowy conditions.
ADVANTAGE: Continental TerrainContact H/T
Continental TerrainContact H/T vs Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires on handling
The handling of a tire determines the steering response or control drivers enjoy, impacting the stability of the vehicle. The Continental TerrainContact H/T and the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 are designed to offer reliable handling.
The Continental TerrainContact H/T scores an impressive 8.3 in handling, largely due to its TractionPlus™ Technology and sturdy internal construction. It is engineered to provide a stable and responsive driving experience, whether navigating city streets or cruising on the highway. The optimized tread pattern ensures even contact with the road, improving steering response and stability while cornering. Its reinforced sidewalls contribute to better handling under heavy loads, making it an excellent choice for SUVs and light trucks.
In contrast, the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 scores 8.2 in handling. It features an angled tread design that enhances road contact and provides a balanced driving experience. The HTX RH5 is effective on dry and wet roads, where its tread design ensures smooth and controlled handling. While it performs well in most conditions, it may not match the precision and stability offered by the Continental TerrainContact H/T, especially during high-speed maneuvers or when driving on winding roads.
Although both tires deliver reliable handling, the Continental TerrainContact H/T gains an advantage due to its superior steering response and stability, particularly under heavy loads.
ADVANTAGE: Continental TerrainContact H/T
Continental TerrainContact H/T vs Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 tires on longevity
The longevity of a tire determines its service life before it needs a replacement. Both the Continental TerrainContact H/T and the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 offer strong durability, but they come with different warranty periods.
The Continental TerrainContact H/T boasts an excellent longevity score of 9.6, backed by its 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. While it features TractionPlus Technology for enhanced durability and wear resistance, the high-mileage warranty reflects its robust construction and ability to sustain seasonal variations.
The Nexen Roadian HTX RH5, on the other hand, returns a pretty good longevity score of 9.0, with a 40,000 mile warranty for LT-metric sizes and a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for P-metric sizes. The Roadian HTX RH5 is designed with a durable tread pattern and reinforced sidewalls, but it does not match the longevity of the Continental tire.
The Continental TerrainContact H/T provides a longer tread life and a more extensive warranty compared to the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5, making it a better option for those prioritizing durability.
ADVANTAGE: Continental TerrainContact H/T
When to use each
Highway tires are strong and long-lasting and are often used on SUVs and trucks as they are designed to handle heavier weights and haul materials. While they are ideally used on highways and paved roads, they are also suitable for light off-roading from time to time. Drivers navigating areas with unpredictable weather conditions frequently should choose all-weather tires to handle dry, wet, and moderate to severe snowy conditions with confidence. On the other hand, if your area experiences frigid conditions with temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, get a set of good winter tires. All-terrain tires will be the ideal choice for your SUV or truck if you frequently navigate the beaten track.
Which one should you choose?
If you are looking for a dependable tire for extended highway driving, comfort, and a quiet ride, go for the Continental TerrainContact H/T. On the other hand, the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 will be the right choice if you are looking for a long lifespan at a reasonable price.
Comparing their prices for the 245/55R19 103T tire size, the Continental costs $244 per tire, and four such tires cost $976, while the Nexen tire costs $133 per tire, and four tires cost $532 (a massive difference of $444!).
Based on SimpleScore, you can pick the Continental TerrainContact H/T Plus if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Ford F-150, RAM 3500, or Nissan Titan XD.
- Prioritize traction (8.6 vs 8.4)
- Want better handling (8.3 vs 8.2)
- Want a longer-lasting tire (9.6 vs 9.0) with a longer mileage warranty (70,000 vs 65,000 miles)
You can go for the Nexen Roadian HTX RH5 if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Ford Ranger 2000, Nissan Murano, or Chevrolet Tahoe.
- Want a more affordable tire
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, and our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.