Skip advert
Advertisement

Nankang AS-2+ review

Sound test debut, but fuel economy is a concern.

Sound test debut, but fuel economy is a concern

The gap between the Far Eastern and premium brands is clearly shrinking as this performance from Chinese producer Nankang shows. While it’s down the results table in most tests, the margin is often small.

It provided a surprise on the wet handling track, where some budget makers struggled. The AS-2+ was under a couple of seconds off the winner’s pace and felt controlled and secure, with traction out of turns the only real problem. Less convincing was wet braking; it needed seven metres more than the Conti.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Aquaplaning was good in a straight line, but those wide grooves held it back in the lateral test. A bit noisy, although its main problem is fuel economy; it uses around six per cent more than the frugal Dunlop.

Price £64.50 
Dry handling 98.40%=7th
Dry braking 88.10%=9th
Wet handling 96.10%4th 
Wet braking 82.30%9th
Wet cornering 94.50%6th
Straight aqua 96.90%6th
Curved aqua 84.20%8th
Rolling resistance 69.40%10th
Cabin noise 97.20%11th
Overall95.50%10th
Skip advert
Advertisement
Products editor

Kim has worked for Auto Express for more than three decades and all but a year of that time in the Products section. His current role as products editor involves managing the section’s content and team of testers plus doing some of the tests himself. 

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £21,290Avg. savings £4,771 off RRP*Used from £6,390
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,175Avg. savings £4,231 off RRP*Used from £6,980
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,310Avg. savings £2,554 off RRP*Used from £9,494
Volkswagen Polo
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

MG’s IM brand to launch third model in UK in 2027
MG IM6 - rear detail

MG’s IM brand to launch third model in UK in 2027

Big seven-seat SUV is on the cards for MG’s posh sub-brand
News
2 Oct 2026
New Hyundai Ioniq 3 price drops to £18,495 with EV grant
Alastair Crooks with the Hyundai Ioniq 3

New Hyundai Ioniq 3 price drops to £18,495 with EV grant

Hyundai’s new electric hatchback is eligible for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant (ECG)
News
2 Oct 2026
New Hyundai Tucson SUV revealed in UK spec and targeting a massive impact
Richard Ingram and the Hyundai Tucson

New Hyundai Tucson SUV revealed in UK spec and targeting a massive impact

As before, the UK and Europe will get a slightly shorter, more dynamic version of Hyundai’s Nissan Qashqai rival
News
1 Oct 2026