Nokian isn’t a really massive model. The Finnish tire maker, identified finest for its peerless winter rubber, can’t maintain a candle to behemoths like Michelin or Pirelli when it comes to quantity or vary of merchandise. But its new performance-oriented all-seasons can compete with the large canine.

The tire, categorised as an “ultra-high efficiency all-season,” is known as the Surpass. It makes use of fancy tech like aramid—a troublesome fiber much like Kevlar—to stiffen the sidewall, and silica beads within the rubber to enhance dealing with, grip, and sturdiness. It has rounded edges to higher claw the pavement throughout onerous cornering, and directional siping to direct water out and away from the tread. Briefly, these tires are nothing just like the delicate winter stuff you’d count on to see from Nokian.

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Regardless of being nicely out of the corporate’s wheelhouse, the Surpass appears like a cohesive product. A number of laps behind the wheel of a Toyota Supra outfitted with the rubber revealed all of the attributes you’d beg for in a sporty tire: Stability at excessive speeds, regular, predictable breakaway traits, and many noise whenever you push the tire previous its restrict. 

The Surpass isn’t any correct summer time tire, clearly. This rubber wouldn’t really feel at house in a 20-minute monitor session; it doesn’t have the final word sharpness or grip you’d need from a real efficiency compound. So in the event you’re hitting highway programs a couple of occasions a 12 months, you’ll need one thing extra targeted. However the Nokians ship superior functionality over your common all-season. They encourage confidence and permit for adjustment mid-corner, which I’d argue is extra vital than total grip, at the least within the case of a every day driver you would possibly take to the twisties every now and then. In these instances, the stickiest tire doesn’t all the time generate essentially the most smiles.

Nokian made a giant deal about security in its presentation at this tire’s launch occasion, going so far as to spray down components of its take a look at course with water to point out us its wet-weather efficiency. Whilst you lose the noise, the Surpass remained straightforward to foretell in moist, translating physique management in addition to it did within the dry. The cherry on high: Nokian cuts put on markings into each tire, signifying when the rubber has 80 %, 60 %, and 40 % life remaining on the tread. There’s even somewhat water droplet marking that, when it disappears, signifies when the tire can now not carry out optimally within the moist. Intelligent.

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

I can’t say if the Nokians are higher or worse than the comparable Michelin, Hankook, or Pirelli, since I didn’t drive the tires again to again. However first impressions are good. These tires really feel completely suited to just about any automobile that doesn’t see a lot snow all year long—although in true Nokian trend, the Surpass can deal with a lightweight dusting in a pinch, says the model.

Nokian is concentrating on markets the place snow isn’t an enormous issue, just like the Sunbelt and the West Coast. It’s additionally seeking to snag market share in locations like Quebec, the place winter tires are a requirement via sure months and, subsequently, there’s extra of a requirement for tires not utilized in winter. Being such a small model, Nokian very not often provides automobile producers with tires for brand new vehicles, as a substitute positioning itself as an OE-level alternative for customers. In that house, it has severe enchantment due to its lower cost and impeccable guarantee.

On common, the Surpass is about 10 % cheaper versus the comparable Michelin, relying on measurement. The lower cost would possibly lead you to consider these tires don’t final very lengthy. However Nokian’s sturdy 55,000-mile guarantee means they’ll cowl the distinction in any alternative prices in case your tires put on out earlier than the guarantee runs dry. That’s spectacular, particularly since many of the big-name rivals supply no treadwear guarantee in any respect.

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

The Surpass additionally will get Nokian’s pothole safety, which is able to exchange any non-repairable tire freed from cost. Nokian even throws in a 30-day money-back assure, so in the event you don’t like how the Surpass performs, you’ll be able to return your set and get your a refund. Tempting perks.

Nokian isn’t a family identify in North America, and with our collective apathy for winter tires, it’s unlikely it’ll ever attain the identical standing as OEM-level manufacturers on this aspect of the pond. However the Surpass is a sign that you just don’t have to spend massive cash on top-level rubber to get the kind of efficiency and sturdiness anticipated from a tire on this section.