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Nankang Sportnex CR S Test Results

Tire Reviews tests: 1 Tested 2025 to 2026 3 publications

Tested 3 times by independent publications, the Nankang Sportnex CR S has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.

  • 3Independent tests
  • 1Test wins
  • 2Podium finishes
  • 3rdAverage finish
  • 58%Field beaten on average
  • 3Publications
Nankang Sportnex CR S

3 tests, 2025 to 2026

0%50%100%20252026Average 58%2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tire Test (2025): P4 of 7, Beat 50% of the field2026 AutoBild Track Day Tire Test (2026): P3 of 5, Beat 50% of the fieldThe BEST Streetable Track Tires in 2026 Tested (2026): P1 of 5, Beat 75% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 58%
The latest test

The BEST Streetable Track Tires in 2026 Tested P1 of 5

The Nankang CR-S was the consistency benchmark. It did not quite have the peak first-lap grip of the Vitour or the steering excitement of the Hoosier, but it stayed in its window for much longer and was easier to keep pushing. After a moderate outlap it was already working well, and its braking stability was very good. Over kerbs and bumps it was perhaps not as refined as the Vitour, and on corner exit there was slightly less front-axle feel, but across multiple laps it was the more complete tire. On the rerun, once used and heat-cycled, it felt even more stable and consistent. As with other tests I've found the wear to also be excellent.

Strong: Dry Handling Long Run

Record by discipline

Where the Nankang Sportnex CR S finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 2 P4 of 7 50% -
Dry Handling 3 P4 of 6.3 44% -
Dry Handling Long Run 3 P3.3 of 6 61% 1
Subj. Dry Handling 2 P4 of 6 42% -
Wet
Wet Braking 2 P5 of 7 33% -
Wet Handling 2 P4.5 of 7 42% -
Subj. Wet Handling 1 P5 of 7 33% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 1 P1 of 7 100% 1
Subj. Noise 1 P1 of 7 100% 1

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 3 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.

The Nankang Sportnex CR S has repeatedly earned praise for track wear, with its strongest overall result first of five and Highly recommended in the 2026 Tire Reviews streetable track test. It led the four-tire dry long-run comparison there, despite ranking third of five on a single lap. Testers praised thermal stability, consistency and braking stability, though steering was less direct than some rivals. In the 2025 Tire Rack test it was second of seven on the dry lap, just 0.1% behind the best, and wear was among the lowest, with 0.5 mm lost from the ribs and 1 mm from the outer shoulder.

There are unusual differences between tests. Tire Rack found fading pace over successive laps in 2025, contrasting with the 2026 Tire Reviews consistency. Wet braking and handling were both last of seven at Tire Rack, but the 2026 Auto Bild track test put wet handling second of seven and wet braking third, with praise for balance. Dry hot-lap pace also reversed: Auto Bild recorded last of seven, 2.2% behind the best, and criticised turn-in precision. Road comfort and subjective noise both led the 2025 Tire Rack test, although Tire Reviews found it less refined over kerbs and bumps than a rival. These results support good track durability, but not uniformly strong wet grip or steering communication.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Wet braking Minor in 1 of 3 tests
    Details
    • Last of seven, 16.2% longer than best, 2025 Tire Rack test
    • Unusually stronger third of seven, 6.6% longer than best, 2026 Auto Bild track test
  • Wet handling Minor in 1 of 3 tests
    Details
    • Last of seven, 6.3% slower than best, 2025 Tire Rack test
    • Unusually stronger second of seven, 3.7% slower than best, 2026 Auto Bild track test
  • Steering feel Minor in 2 of 3 tests
    Details
    • Less direct steering and reduced front-axle feel noted by Tire Reviews in 2026
    • Less precise turn-in at the limit, 2026 Auto Bild track test
    • Accurate, immediate steering but limited communication, 2025 Tire Rack test

Every test, newest first 3

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2026 2 tests
P1 of 5 Beat 75% of the field

The BEST Streetable Track Tires in 2026 Tested

Tire Reviews 275/35 R18 Tested by Tire Reviews Highly Rec.

The Nankang CR-S was the consistency benchmark. It did not quite have the peak first-lap grip of the Vitour or the steering excitement of the Hoosier, but it stayed in its window for much longer and was easier to keep pushing. After a moderate outlap it was already working well, and its braking stability was very good. Over kerbs and bumps it was perhaps not as refined as the Vitour, and on corner exit there was slightly less front-axle feel, but across multiple laps it was the more complete tire. On the rerun, once used and heat-cycled, it felt even more stable and consistent. As with other tests I've found the wear to also be excellent.

StrongDry Handling Long Run

P3 of 5 Beat 50% of the field

2026 AutoBild Track Day Tire Test

Auto Bild 275/35 R19 gut (Good)

The Nankang CR-S delivers nearly perfect handling balance in both wet and dry conditions. It collects less pick-up than most of the field during the long run, keeping the tread surface cleaner over extended use. On the hot lap it was the slowest of the ranked semislicks, and at the limit it does not turn in quite as precisely as the Pirelli or Vitour. Dry braking is slightly held back by extra ABS intervention. In the wet it is one of the better performers, close behind the Yokohama in handling and solid under braking. It is a well-rounded tire with no major weaknesses, though it does not stand out in any single test either. Set weight is on the high side at 54.0 kg.

StrongWet Handling WeakDry Handling WinnerPirelli P Zero Trofeo RS

2025 1 test
P4 of 7 Beat 50% of the field

2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tire Test

Tire Rack 275/35 R18

The Nankang Sportnex CR-S impressed with surprisingly pleasant road damping and moderate noise, plus nice steering with accuracy and immediate reaction. Wet track performance was its weakness with the slowest laps, longest braking, and uncontrolled sliding that demanded careful, separated inputs. Dry conditions brought substantial transformation with competitive pace, strong braking, excellent mid-corner grip, and quick, authoritative steering, though communication remained limited. On the long road course it was uncommunicative but very fast with plenty of traction everywhere—braking, power, mid-corner—but lacking the feel to combine these elements confidently. Noticeable performance drop across laps but still very capable. Wear analysis showed excellent durability with only 0.5mm loss on ribs and 1mm on outboard shoulder, among the best in the test.

StrongDry HandlingSubj. ComfortSubj. Noise WeakWet BrakingWet Handling WinnerBridgestone Potenza RE 71RS

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