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

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,175Avg. savings £2,431 off RRP*Used from £6,595
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £24,040Avg. savings £1,535 off RRP*
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,270Avg. savings £1,925 off RRP*Used from £6,777
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,050Avg. savings £3,360 off RRP*Used from £11,179
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Hyundai Ioniq 3 breaks cover with stunning sci-fi looks
Alastair Crooks with the Hyundai Ioniq 3

New Hyundai Ioniq 3 breaks cover with stunning sci-fi looks

Despite sharing the same underpinnings as the Kia EV2, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 looks radically different
News
20 Apr 2026
Fiat's Grande Panda is about to get cheaper thanks to a good-old manual gearbox
Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid in La Prima trim - front tracking

Fiat's Grande Panda is about to get cheaper thanks to a good-old manual gearbox

Fiat will soon offer the currently auto-only Fiat Panda with a manual gearbox, lowering the range’s starting price and keeping petrol power alive
News
20 Apr 2026
Luxurious Audi Q9 SUV to compete with Range Rover from 2026
Audi Q9 render

Luxurious Audi Q9 SUV to compete with Range Rover from 2026

Audi’s next flagship will be a huge SUV aimed at US and Middle Eastern markets
News
20 Apr 2026