Skip advert
Advertisement

Nokian Xline

Promising start for the Xline. It’ll be well worth considering when it reaches the UK.

Nokian Xline

Promising start for the Xline. It’ll be well worth considering when it reaches the UK.

The Xline is due to go on sale in the UK at the end of the year, but it doesn’t appear to have been tailored solely to the demands of tyre labelling.

Its rolling resistance result is a long way off the best here – the Nokian would use about five per cent more fuel than the Michelin, although it’s close to the Dunlop and still likely to earn a C rating.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The winter tyre specialist seems to have decided to maximise wet grip rather than rolling resistance, with this tyre putting in its best performances in our wet braking, handling and cornering tests.

It has sharp turn-in and you can put much more load on the front tyres than with rivals before the car’s nose pushes wide. It was the same story when on the power, with impressive traction. The aquaplaning results weren’t up to the same standard, but this is definitely a tyre for the rain.

It also proved quiet, matching the result of the test-winning Goodyear.

Good performance in wet conditions usually demands a compromise on dry grip, yet the Xline finished second in our dry handling test – albeit some way behind the Bridgestone. Dry braking was less assured, but by no means a disgrace.

 RatingPosition
Dry braking97.5%5th
Dry handling99.5%2nd
Wet cornering100%1st
Wet braking100%1st
Wet handling100%1st
Straight aqua95.3%6th
Curved aqua77.2%6th
Cabin noise100%=1st
Rolling resistance72.9%8th
Overall99.3%=4th
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,200
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,050 off RRP*Used from £13,162
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,158 off RRP*
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025