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Last updated 12/02/2024 - Originally published 12/02/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Nexen was founded in South Korea and has been there for over 80 years. The tire manufacturer has been able to successfully put itself in the league of value offering tire manufacturers and especially in the US tire market, has earned a lot of credibility because of its versatile products. It manufactures tires for passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, and EVs.
Kenda, on the other hand, is a Taiwan-based tire manufacturer founded in 1962. It offers reliable tires for a wide range of vehicle types including passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, ATVs/UTVs, lawn & garden equipment, trailers, farm applications, industrial applications, golf karts, and more.
Both Nexen and Kenda, known for their reliable tires have some products that directly compete against each other, and competition comes in the form of the Nexen Roadian ATX and the Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628, the two capable all-terrain tires tires that offer the ability to drive on- and off-road. Both tires are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, which means that other than being all-season specific for use in dry, wet, and light snow conditions, they can be used in moderate to severe winter conditions in temperatures less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
To help you choose the right tire of choice, we have compared Nexen Roadian ATX vs Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires and rated them based on our proprietary tire rating system SimpleScore for their overall performance, and in traction, handling, and longevity.
Nexen Roadian ATX tires
The Nexen Roadian ATX tire was launched in June 2022 and features solid construction and utilizes materials that boost performance in dry and wet weather. Some technologies and features also contribute to reliable on- and off-road performance, and the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating makes it good enough to offer traction and grip in severe winter conditions. The Roadian ATX is suitable for use on light trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps, and ensures that performance in dry, wet, slippery as well as muddy conditions is uncompromised. Thanks to the long-lasting tread life, exceptional traction, and responsive handling in changing terrains and weather conditions, the tire scores a great 8.7 SimpleScore rating overall!
Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires
The Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 is a couple of years senior to the Roadian ATX tire, with the launch in January 2020. The tire is suitable for use on SUVs, light trucks, and Jeeps, similar to its rival. These all-terrain tires bring on board on-road usability with the ability to offer smooth, quiet rides on paved roads and off-road durability with the punch of performing off-road, alongside being of use in conditions like severe snow (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified) and mud. There is a generous tread life warranty to let you enjoy the drives without any hassle, and likewise, there are dedicated features that contribute to solid off-road traction, reliable snow and ice traction, quieter rides, optimum damage resistance, long-lasting use, and confident handling under load. Collectively, all such features let the tire achieve an overall 8.1 SimpleScore rating.
Nexen Roadian ATX vs Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires on traction
Both, the Roadian ATX and Klever A/T2 KR628 tires are made for on- and off-road driving, and hence, traction analysis becomes important. Traction was the area, where the difference in the two tires was significant. More details are discussed in detail below.
The Roadian ATX tire scores an 8.6 SimpleScore rating in traction, which confirms its ability to run in consistent contact and maintain surefootedness while driving on the highways as well as while chasing the trails off-road. The severe snow rating adds more reliability on the traction front, allowing the tire to perform in moderate to severe snow conditions. What adds to the all-weather use additionally is the all-season compound that makes the tire good for use in dry and wet conditions. The grooves on the tread are arranged to maximize water and snow dispersion from the footprint, and especially to reduce the risk of hydroplaning in wet and slick conditions. Additionally, there are sipes and tread blocks with sharper edges that improve grip in winter conditions, when you have to drive on snowy surfaces.
The Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 scores an 8.0 SimpleScore rating in traction, which means the tire has the potential to offer reliable traction on- and off-the-road, and in changing weather conditions. It is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified for use in severe winter, like its competitor, and also comes with an interlocking tread pattern for optimized off-road forward motion and lateral traction. The tread houses a large number of biting edges for aggressive performance in all types of conditions and the increased quantity of siping makes it good for snow and ice traction; thanks to the severe snow rating again. Furthermore, the zig-zag grooves on the tread are placed for increased water channeling to resist hydroplaning and provide improved traction performance in wet and slick conditions.
While the Kenda Klever tires are good on the traction front, it is the Nexen Roadian tires that surpass in the score rating and lead here.
ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian ATX
Nexen Roadian ATX vs Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires on handling
Both Roadian tires and Klever tires are used in changing weather conditions and diversified terrains, and hence, their ability to offer confident handling performance will give you a better view of the tires’ responsiveness. Therefore, we analyzed them in the handling area and discovered that although both tires had a lot of good things to boost responsiveness, there was one tire that excelled in the handling area.
Commencing with the Nexen Roadian ATX, the tire scores an 8.5 SimpleScore rating and is made using new-gen materials that compliment handling performance. Similarly, the tread design comes with features that also enhance performance in this area. Thanks to the sidewall lugs and deep grooves, on- and off-road performance and handling are admirable. Similarly, the computer-optimized pattern and rubber compound offer optimum ride control in different weather conditions. Then, there is a flat and wide contact patch that lets the tire maintain surefootedness and offers quicker steering response and enhanced cornering.
On the other hand, the Kenda Klever A/T2 can score a 7.9 SimpleScore rating in handling. This all-terrain tire sports a computer-optimized tread design that provides confident handling in multiple load conditions. The tread with high sipe density helps in confident handling in snowy and icy conditions, while the biting edges keep the tire in consistent contact for more controlled rides. The solid shoulder blocks stretch towards the center ribs and are wide enough to offer increased stability on highways as well as in off-road environments. In addition, the aggressive upper sidewall also helps in boosting stability and enhancing cornering performance.
The Roadian ATX tires take the lead in the handling front, leaving behind the Klever A/T2 tires!
ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian ATX
Nexen Roadian ATX vs Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628 tires on longevity
As is in most cases, drivers look for tires that last longer, and when it comes to all-terrains in particular, the longevity factor becomes more important as these tires are used year-round and in different terrain conditions. Here as well, we found that both tires were great but a slight gap in the scores confirmed one of them as a leader.
The Roadian ATX tire scores an excellent 9.1 SimpleScore rating in longevity, indicating that the tire can handle the rugged environment and serve longer. There is an up to 65,000 miles limited manufacturer tread life warranty that confirms that the tire is built to last. In many of its popular sizes, the Roadian ATX features a reinforced three-ply construction for solid durability and optimum damage resistance. The inner as well as external structure of the Roadian ATX is engineered to resist cuts and wear for extended use and provide increased damage-resistance.
Talking about the Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628, the tire secures an 8.6 SimpleScore rating in longevity, which is great in the sense that the tire has the potential to serve longer in different conditions. There is an up to 60,000 miles limited manufacturer tread life warranty that adds to the longevity factor, confirming that the tire can offer hassle-free drives for a good number of miles.The optimized footprint prevents irregular wear and the aggressive sidewall upper design is built to protect from cuts, tears, and abrasions, providing a long-lasting tread life.
Here, in the longevity area as well, the Roadian ATX tires are better than the Klever A/T2 KR628 tires.
ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian ATX
When to use each
Both, the Roadian tires and the Klever tires belong to the all-terrain tire category, and therefore, they can be trusted for on-road driving and occasional off-road adventures. The addition of Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification further makes these tires eligible for use in severe winter weather, in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are specifically looking for a tire that’s made for off-road driving purposes then choosing a set of mud-terrain tires will be more relevant for your vehicle. Similarly, if you reside in a region covered with thick layers of ice or snow for over 6 months in a year, or where temperature remains around freezing levels, then consider choosing a winter tire.
Both, the Roadian ATX and the Klever A/T2 KR628 tires are available in 15- to 22-inch rim sizes, providing wider compatibility choices for your SUVs, pickup trucks, and Jeeps.
Which one should you choose?
As far as the overall SimpleScores are concerned, the Roadian ATX comes out as a better choice than the Klever A/T2 KR628 (8.7 vs 8.1). The Roadian ATX also shines in the traction, handling, and longevity areas. However, both tires have their strengths and specialties, which must be evaluated before concluding with a purchase to get something that better aligns with your needs.
Now, let’s look at the prices – the Roadian ATX is offered at a starting price of at least $138.00 per tire, while the Klever A/T2 KR628 is available at a starting price of at least $137.88 per tire. This means a set of four Roadian tires will cost you $552.00, while a set of four Klever tires will cost you at least $551.52. So, what we see is that pricing is not at all a key decision influencer here as there is hardly any difference in the prices of both tires.
But, after our comparative analysis, we would say that you should choose the Roadian ATX if you:
- Drive a rugged full-size truck like the Toyota Tundra or a mid-size 3-row SUV like the Dodge Durango
- Want tires that offer better traction performance
- Want tires that offer better handling performance
- Want long-lasting tires
- Need tires with higher tread life warranty coverage
- Need tires with comparatively higher load capacities in some sizes
Likewise, you should consider the Klever A/T2 KR629 if you:
- Drive a full-size pickup truck like the Chevrolet Silverado1500 or a heavy-duty pickup truck like the Ford F-250
- Need tires that offer balanced on-road comfort and off-road driving
- You want to enjoy the advanced Taiwanese tire technology and reliable performance year-round
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.