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Last updated 10/09/2024 - Originally published 10/09/2024
Written by SimpleTire
South Korean brand Nexen Tire may not be as well-known as top brands Pirelli, Bridgestone, and Falken, but their reliable products offer buyers tremendous value with respect to performance and price. Nexen tires are available across categories such as all-season, all-weather, mud terrain, all-terrain, UHP, and highway tires. Built for light trucks, CUVs, and SUVs, the Roadian HTX2 and Discover EnduraMax are both reliable all-weather tires that generate great year-round traction and durability.
We found both the Nexen Roadian HTX2 and Cooper Discover EnduraMax featuring reinforced construction, with ArmorBelt technology on the Cooper being responsible for strong sidewalls. The optimized tread patterns on both tires distribute driving pressure evenly to ensure even wear, leading to longer service life. Additionally, the special rubber compound for the Cooper leads to superbly quiet and comfortable rides.
As all-weather tires, both excel in strength and traction, so where can these tires be distinguished from each other? We’re telling you right now that the choice can get tricky, so let us help you choose the best tire with our unique SimpleScore scoring mechanism.
Nexen Roadian HTX2 tires
Released in 2021, the Nexen Roadian HTX2 builds on the advantages of its predecessor while including additional technologies to outperform the tire it replaces. With a range-based limited manufacturer tread life warranty for LT sizes and P-metric tire sizes, the Nexen is specifically made for SUVs and light trucks. In dry, rainy, and mild snowy conditions, the broad, angled tread blocks and dense siping provide grip and traction, while the wide grooves and open shoulders drive water out of the tread to prevent aquaplaning. The optimized tread design of the Nexen tire minimizes rolling resistance and noise, increasing comfort and fuel efficiency. It also ensures confident handling and grip in harsh winter conditions, thanks to the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. Expect great handling, steering response, and stability as the tire has been given an average rating of 8.6.
Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax tires
We're sure you would want to know what advantages the [Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax](https://simpletire.com/brands/cooper-tires/discoverer-enduramax] provides as a tire. Though it offers Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for harsh winter service like the Nexen Roadian HTX2, it features a unique WinterGrip technology package that consists of a thick network of sipes with sawtooth, angled, and circumferential grooves for traction in snow, rain, or slush. Launched in 2019, the Discoverer EnduraMax's ArmorBelt construction incorporates extra-strength, high-tensile steel belts in its ply layers, and its highly durable tread pattern with reinforced tread blocks is designed for uneven roads and challenging situations. It demonstrates an exceptional steering response and straight-line stability, thanks to a sturdy center rib that provides a light, agile, confident, and stable ride. For buyer satisfaction, Cooper offers a 45-day satisfaction guarantee in addition to a limited manufacturer's tread life warranty. Based on the above features, this Cooper tire scores an 8.6, the same as the Nexen.
Nexen Roadian HTX2 vs Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax tires on traction
Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification is the main reason for purchasing both tires, especially in relation to snow. Keep in mind that you’ll still need specialized winter tires for very heavy snow, so do not eliminate them if you live in an area with 7-8 months of extreme snowfall. Coming to the Roadian HTX2, it features large, angled tread blocks and dense sipes for better grip and traction. Apart from the above, there are circumferential grooves and deep lateral grooves to clear water quickly from the surface, thereby limiting aquaplaning chances.
Compared to the Nexen, the Cooper tire features Winter Grip technology that is inclusive of saw-tooth grooves for tackling deep snow. The Roadian HTX2 tire has a slightly higher tread depth than the Discoverer EnduraMax though. When it comes to traction scores, the Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax edges out the Nexen Roadian HTX2 by a whisker, scoring an 8.5 against 8.4.
ADVANTAGE: Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax
Nexen Roadian HTX2 vs Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax tires on handling
Every tire's handling describes how well it reacts to your steering input. Your trip will be safer and more pleasurable when the handling is quick and highly accurate. The Roadian HTX2 features robust shoulder construction and broad, angled grooves that offer excellent grip and precise steering response in dry, wet, and light snow conditions. There's a zigzag ribbed tread pattern in place for better control and grip over your CUV, light truck, or SUV.
On the other hand, the advanced weather compound and the tread depth on the Cooper Discover EnduraMax play important roles in handling. The strength that ArmorBelt technology provides is useful on the handling front. For the use of technology, the Cooper comes out on top, scoring an 8.6 as against 8.3 for the Roadian HTX2.
ADVANTAGE: Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax
Nexen Roadian HTX2 vs Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax tires on longevity
Nexen provides a limited manufacturer tread life warranty of 70,000 miles for P-Metric sizes and 50,000 miles for LT sizes. This tire features an optimized tread design for fending off uneven wear, and the durable reinforced carcass ensures enhanced stability and limited wear, leading to a longer tread life.
In comparison, the Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax showcases a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer’s warranty. While the ArmorBelt technology package gives it a strong sidewall that is responsible for high capability and dependability in rough use, the Enduraguard design maintains tire shape over difficult terrain. Similarly, Durable-Tread technology utilizes ultra-durable materials to reduce wear and tear, thereby extending tire life.
A brilliant longevity score of 9.1 by Nexen tires helps beat the Cooper tires which manages an 8.9.
ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian HTX2
When to use each
Winter tires are excellent at surviving extremely cold temperatures, even if all-season tires are wonderful for year-round use. On the other hand, all-season or grand touring tires lack the serious get-it-done traction that all-weather tires have in snow and slush. The tires we've described today can be used year-round and offer similar levels of noise, ride comfort, low uneven wear properties, and good road manners. All-weather tires such as the Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax feature tough sidewalls somewhat similar to those seen on all-terrain tires.
Which one should you choose?
After a close battle, we’ve noticed that while the Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax trumps the Nexen Roadian HTX2 at traction and handling, the Nexen Roadian HTX2 reaches the top in the longevity department. It is here that we must discuss the most crucial aspect of the two – the price. SimpleTire’s price on the Nexen Roadian HTX2 starts at $137 per tire and at Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax starts at $136.96 per tire. In other words, you can clearly see that price cannot be the basis for choosing one tire over the other.
Based on the above, we believe the Nexen Roadian HTX2 should be your choice if you:
- Prefer all-weather tires that last longer
- Need the tire for a light truck
- Want a trial period for better satisfaction
- Want the newer tire
Here’s why you should give the Cooper Discoverer EnduraMax a good look:
- You’re searching for better traction
- You want more comfort on SUVs and CUVs
- You’re keen on better handling
- You want a technology-rich tire
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.