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

Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP ÂŁ28,065Avg. savings ÂŁ3,330 off RRP*Used from ÂŁ14,200
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP ÂŁ29,585Avg. savings ÂŁ6,027 off RRP*Used from ÂŁ12,795
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP ÂŁ23,990Avg. savings ÂŁ1,535 off RRP*
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP ÂŁ24,625Avg. savings ÂŁ2,546 off RRP*Used from ÂŁ10,695
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Diesel cars aren’t dead, in fact they’re even starting to make a comeback
Opinion - Vauxhall Grandland

Diesel cars aren’t dead, in fact they’re even starting to make a comeback

If you're looking for the most cost-effective cars to run, Mike Rutherford thinks you shouldn't discount diesel
Opinion
1 Mar 2026
Used Range Rover (Mk5, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: top of the luxury SUV list
Used Range Rover Mk5 - front static

Used Range Rover (Mk5, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: top of the luxury SUV list

A full used buyer's guide on the Range Rover Mk5 that's been on sale in the UK since 2021
Used car tests
1 Mar 2026
Most efficient electric cars 2026
Most efficient electric cars - header image

Most efficient electric cars 2026

These are the top electric cars if efficiency rather than range is key to you...
Best cars & vans
1 Mar 2026