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Tires 101: Performance Tires

Nexen N’Fera Performance Tires, Built for Drivers Who Demand More From Every Mile

Performance driving rewards precision. The way your car turns in, the way it sheds speed before a corner, the way it stays composed when the pavement gets wet, all of it comes down to four small contact patches connecting your car to the road. The Nexen N’Fera lineup was engineered around that single truth. From a wet-weather-focused all-season tire that doubles as factory equipment on Volkswagen sedans, to an extreme track-ready summer tire that comes standard on the Dodge Challenger 1320, the N’Fera family covers the full spectrum of performance driving without pretending one tire can do everything.

Whether you drive a daily-driven sports sedan, a weekend track car, or a high-output muscle car that needs every ounce of grip it can get, there is an N’Fera model engineered for your exact use case. Use the Nexen Tire Finder to confirm the right size and model for your vehicle, then find a local authorized dealer to get them installed.

What Sets the N’Fera Lineup Apart

Most performance tire lineups force a binary choice: maximum grip with no winter capability, or year-round usability with watered-down performance. Nexen’s N’Fera lineup is built differently. It spans five distinct models, each tuned for a specific point on the performance spectrum, from a true four-season UHP tire that handles light snow, to an extreme summer-only tire engineered almost exclusively for the drag strip and the track. Every N’Fera tire is scored across handling, braking, comfort, tread life, and fuel efficiency, so you can compare exactly what you’re trading off before you buy.

N’Fera Performance Tire Models

N’Fera AU7, Ultra High Performance All Season

The N’Fera AU7 occupies a rare and valuable position in the performance tire market. It delivers the handling sharpness and braking confidence of a true UHP tire while maintaining year-round all-season capability, including light snow traction that summer-only performance tires simply cannot offer. Designed for the discerning driver of sports cars, luxury coupes, and performance sedans, the AU7 was engineered with a specific safety insight in mind: rain is the leading cause of driving fatalities in 39 of 50 states, and its improved tread design increases wet braking performance and handling to keep the tire planted on wet pavement.

The N’Fera AU7 earns a perfect 10 out of 10 for braking, a 9 out of 10 for handling, and a 9 out of 10 for comfort, an unusually well-rounded profile for a UHP tire. It also carries a 50,000-mile tread wear warranty, a meaningful differentiator in a category where many competing UHP tires offer no mileage warranty at all. The AU7 serves as original equipment on the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL and 2021 Volkswagen Passat S, and is a strong replacement choice for vehicles including the Audi A4, BMW 5 Series, Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, Honda Civic, Mazda3, Nissan 370Z, Subaru WRX, and Hyundai Veloster. Available in 51 sizes spanning 16-inch through 20-inch rims with H, V, W, and Y speed ratings, the AU7 is the broadest and most versatile model in the N’Fera lineup.

N’Fera AU7 Performance Ratings:

  • Braking: 10/10
  • Handling: 9/10
  • Comfort: 9/10
  • Tread Life: 8/10
  • Fuel Efficiency: 8/10

Speed Rating: H, V, W, Y UTQG: 500 AA A / 500 A A / 560 A A Warranty: 50,000-mile tread wear; road hazard through 2/32″ or 1 year; 36 months roadside assistance; 60-day / 1,000-mile free trial

N’Fera Sport, Premium Ultra High Performance Summer

The N’Fera Sport is engineered for drivers who refuse to compromise on dry and wet grip. With perfect 10 out of 10 scores in both handling and braking, this is a tire built around one mission: delivering the sharpest, most connected driving experience possible. Whether carving canyon roads, tracking your car on weekends, or simply wanting maximum confidence behind the wheel of a high-powered coupe or sports sedan, the N’Fera Sport delivers outstanding wet performance alongside its dry-weather dominance.

Carrying Y and (Y) speed ratings, the highest passenger tire speed ratings available, the N’Fera Sport is cleared for sustained speeds exceeding 186 mph. Its comfort score of 9 out of 10 is genuinely impressive for a tire in this performance tier, proving that the N’Fera Sport’s construction minimizes harshness without softening the feedback that performance drivers depend on. Available in 59 sizes from 17-inch through 21-inch rims, with a UTQG rating of 280 AA A, the N’Fera Sport prioritizes grip over mileage, an honest trade-off for a tire built around track-day capability and weekend spirited driving.

N’Fera Sport Performance Ratings:

  • Handling: 10/10
  • Braking: 10/10
  • Comfort: 9/10
  • Tread Life: 7/10
  • Fuel Efficiency: 7/10

Speed Rating: Y, (Y) UTQG: 280 AA A Warranty: 36 months roadside assistance; 90-day or 2/32″ free trial. No tread wear or road hazard warranty, standard for the UHP summer category.

N’Fera SU1, Ultra High Performance Summer

The N’Fera SU1 rounds out the summer performance tier of the N’Fera lineup, delivering ultra-high performance summer capability for drivers who want sharp handling and strong braking in warm-weather conditions. Like its N’Fera Sport sibling, the SU1 scores a 10 out of 10 for handling and a 9 out of 10 for comfort, making it a strong choice for performance vehicle owners who want a genuinely capable summer tire without an uncompromising ride.

N’Fera SU1 Performance Ratings:

  • Braking: 10/10
  • Handling: 10/10
  • Comfort: 9/10

N’Fera SUR4G, Extreme Ultra High Performance

The N’Fera SUR4G sits at the very top of Nexen’s performance hierarchy. This is an extreme ultra high performance summer tire, a category built not for everyday comfort or longevity, but for one singular purpose: maximum grip. With perfect 10 out of 10 scores for both handling and braking, the SUR4G’s credentials are factory-validated at the highest level. It serves as original equipment on the Dodge Challenger 1320, a quarter-mile-focused performance machine whose launch performance depends entirely on the tire’s ability to grip and not let go.

The SUR4G’s tread design features two wide linear grooves and two diagonal grooves that deliver high drainage performance on wet roads, along with three wide center ribs that maximize vertical stiffness for braking and high-speed stability. Available in 21 sizes spanning 15-inch through 20-inch rims with W and Y speed ratings, the SUR4G carries a UTQG rating of 200 AA on most sizes, dropping to 100 AA on the flagship 275/40R20, among the lowest treadwear designations available on a street-legal tire. One important caution applies across the board: the N’Fera SUR4G should never be stored or used below negative 10 degrees Celsius, or 14 degrees Fahrenheit, as cold temperatures can damage the tire and impair performance.

N’Fera SUR4G Performance Ratings:

  • Handling: 10/10
  • Braking: 10/10
  • Comfort: 5/10
  • Tread Life: 4/10
  • Fuel Efficiency: 5/10

Speed Rating: W, Y UTQG: 200 A A (100 AA on 275/40R20) Warranty: 36 months roadside assistance. No tread wear or road hazard warranty.

N’Fera Sport R, Extreme High Performance

The N’Fera Sport R is the N’Fera lineup’s other extreme performance offering, engineered for drivers who want to ring out every last bit of capability their car has to offer. With matching perfect 10 out of 10 scores for handling and braking, the Sport R is built for grip, control, and cornering confidence at the limit. Real-world owners who have driven the Sport R back-to-back against the SUR4G describe it as feeling glued to the road, with sharper steering feel and a stiffer sidewall that transmits more information from the road surface.

The N’Fera Sport R is available in 13 sizes from 15-inch through 19-inch rims, with W speed ratings and a UTQG rating of 200 A A. Its size range, leaning toward sports coupes and smaller-diameter performance platforms, makes it a strong complement to the SUR4G’s larger flotation sizes built for American muscle cars.

N’Fera Sport R Performance Ratings:

  • Handling: 10/10
  • Braking: 10/10
  • Comfort: 5/10
  • Tread Life: 4/10
  • Fuel Efficiency: 5/10

Speed Rating: W UTQG: 200 A A Warranty: 36 months roadside assistance. No tread wear or road hazard warranty.

How to Choose the Right N’Fera Tire

With five distinct performance tiers in the N’Fera lineup, choosing the right model comes down to answering a few honest questions about how and where you actually drive.

Do you need year-round capability?

If your performance car is also your daily driver and you live somewhere that sees real winter weather, the N’Fera AU7 is the only model in the lineup built for that job. Its all-season compound maintains flexibility and grip in cold, wet, and light snow conditions that would stiffen and underperform in a dedicated summer tire. Every other N’Fera model, the Sport, SU1, SUR4G, and Sport R, is a summer-only tire that should not be used below roughly 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and the SUR4G specifically should never be stored or driven below 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

How much grip do you actually need?

For spirited street driving and occasional track days, the N’Fera Sport and N’Fera SU1 deliver perfect handling and braking scores with a comfort rating of 9 out of 10, a genuinely livable daily-driver experience. For drivers chasing the absolute limit, whether at the drag strip, on a road course, or in a high-output muscle car, the N’Fera SUR4G and N’Fera Sport R trade comfort and tread life for maximum grip. Both score a 5 out of 10 for comfort and a 4 out of 10 for tread life, an honest reflection of what it takes to deliver perfect handling and braking marks.

What is your vehicle platform?

Sports coupes and smaller-diameter performance sedans tend to be better served by the N’Fera Sport R’s 15-inch through 19-inch size range, while larger American muscle platforms with wider flotation sizing, including up to 275/40R20, are better matched to the N’Fera SUR4G. For everyday performance sedans and luxury coupes, the N’Fera AU7’s 51 available sizes across 16-inch through 20-inch rims, with speed ratings from H through Y, cover the broadest range of OEM and aftermarket fitments in the lineup.

N’Fera Warranty Coverage

Warranty coverage in the N’Fera lineup reflects each tire’s intended use case. The N’Fera AU7 carries the most comprehensive coverage in the family, including a 50,000-mile tread wear warranty, road hazard coverage through 2/32 inch tread depth or one year, 36 months of roadside assistance, and a 60-day or 1,000-mile free trial. The N’Fera Sport includes a 36-month roadside assistance benefit and a 90-day or 2/32 inch free trial period, but does not carry a tread wear or road hazard warranty, consistent with industry standards for UHP summer tires. The N’Fera SUR4G and N’Fera Sport R, as extreme performance tires built around maximum grip rather than longevity, include 36 months of roadside assistance but no mileage or road hazard coverage.

Visit the Nexen warranty page for complete coverage details by model, and register your tires after purchase to activate your warranty benefits.

Find the Right N’Fera for Your Vehicle

The most reliable way to confirm which N’Fera model and size fits your car is to use the Nexen Tire Finder. Enter your year, make, model, and trim to see every confirmed-fit N’Fera option, complete with ratings and size specifications. For drivers whose vehicles call for higher load capacity or different terrain demands, Nexen’s Roadian SUV and light truck lineup offers a separate set of options purpose-built for trucks and SUVs.

Once you’ve selected your tire, use the Dealer Finder to locate an authorized Nexen installer near you. Search by zip code and look for Preferred Dealer locations for the highest level of service and product expertise.

FAQs About Nexen N’Fera Performance Tires

1. What is the difference between the N’Fera AU7 and the N’Fera Sport?

The N’Fera AU7 is an ultra-high-performance all-season tire, meaning it can be driven year-round, including in light snow and cold weather. The N’Fera Sport is a premium UHP summer tire, meaning it is engineered exclusively for warm-weather performance and should not be used below roughly 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The N’Fera Sport scores a perfect 10 out of 10 for both handling and braking, slightly ahead of the AU7’s 9/10 handling and 10/10 braking scores, reflecting its more aggressive, summer-only compound. Drivers who want one tire for all four seasons should choose the AU7. Drivers who want maximum warm-weather grip and don’t mind swapping to winter tires seasonally should choose the N’Fera Sport.

2. Can I drive on N’Fera performance tires in the winter?

It depends on the model. The N’Fera AU7 is specifically engineered for all-season use, including light snow and cold-weather traction, and is safe to drive year-round in most climates. The N’Fera Sport, N’Fera SU1, N’Fera SUR4G, and N’Fera Sport R are all summer-only tires. Their compounds stiffen significantly below approximately 45 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing grip and increasing stopping distances. The N’Fera SUR4G carries an even stricter caution: it should never be stored or used below negative 10 degrees Celsius, or 14 degrees Fahrenheit, as doing so can damage the tire.

3. Which N’Fera tire is best for track days?

For drivers who want a daily-drivable tire that can also handle occasional track use, the N’Fera Sport and N’Fera SU1 are strong choices, both delivering perfect 10/10 handling and braking with a comfortable 9/10 comfort rating. For drivers who prioritize maximum track and drag strip performance above all else, including comfort and tread life, the N’Fera SUR4G and N’Fera Sport R are purpose-built for that mission, with factory validation from the Dodge Challenger 1320’s OEM fitment on the SUR4G.

4. What does the UTQG rating mean on N’Fera tires?

UTQG stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading, a government-standardized rating system covering treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. A lower treadwear number indicates a softer, higher-grip compound that wears faster. The N’Fera AU7 carries treadwear ratings around 500 to 560, reflecting its all-season, longer-wearing compound. The N’Fera Sport carries a 280 rating, while the extreme performance N’Fera SUR4G and Sport R carry ratings around 200, and as low as 100 on certain SUR4G sizes, reflecting compounds optimized almost entirely for grip over longevity.

5. Do N’Fera performance tires come with a mileage warranty?

Only the N’Fera AU7 includes a tread wear mileage warranty, currently set at 50,000 miles, a notable differentiator in the UHP all-season category. The N’Fera Sport, N’Fera SU1, N’Fera SUR4G, and N’Fera Sport R do not include tread wear or road hazard warranties, which is standard practice across the tire industry for UHP and extreme performance summer tires, since their soft compounds are engineered for grip rather than longevity.

6. Are N’Fera tires available as OEM equipment on any vehicles?

Yes. The N’Fera AU7 serves as original equipment on the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta SEL and 2021 Volkswagen Passat S. The N’Fera SUR4G is original equipment on the Dodge Challenger 1320, a quarter-mile-focused performance variant where launch traction is mission-critical. OEM fitment validates a tire’s performance and quality at the manufacturer’s own engineering standards, giving aftermarket buyers added confidence in the tire’s capability.

7. What is the difference between the N’Fera SUR4G and the N’Fera Sport R?

Both tires are extreme performance summer tires with matching perfect 10 out of 10 scores for handling and braking, and similar UTQG ratings around 200 AA. The primary differences are in size range and target vehicle platform. The N’Fera SUR4G offers 21 sizes from 15-inch through 20-inch, including wide flotation sizes up to 275/40R20 suited to American muscle cars, and carries OEM validation from the Dodge Challenger 1320. The N’Fera Sport R offers 13 sizes from 15-inch through 19-inch, with sizing that leans toward sports coupes and smaller-diameter performance platforms.

8. How do I know which size N’Fera tire fits my car?

Your correct tire size is printed on the sidewall of your current tires, on the sticker inside your driver’s door jamb, or in your owner’s manual. For a confirmed-fit result based on your exact vehicle, use the Nexen Tire Finder, which will show every compatible N’Fera model and size for your year, make, model, and trim.

9. Where can I buy Nexen N’Fera tires?

N’Fera tires are sold through Nexen’s authorized dealer network across the United States. Use the Nexen Dealer Finder and search by ZIP code or city to locate the nearest retailer carrying the N’Fera model and size you need. Look for Preferred Dealer designations for the highest level of product expertise and service.

Use the Nexen Tire Finder to find the right N’Fera tire for your vehicle, or visit the Dealer Finder to locate an authorized installer near you. Questions about warranty coverage? Visit the Nexen warranty page for complete details.