Nitto NT555 G2 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires

Nitto vs Yokohama: Which UHP summer tire is right for you?

An enthusiast-focused brand, Nitto, is a subsidiary of Toyo Tires, known for creating aggressive, bold tires that bridge the gap between street performance and racing arenas. Similarly, the Japanese tiremaker Yokohama is a dominant force in global motorsport, respected for its precision-engineered racing tires that utilize special rubber compounds.

With performance at their core, Nitto and Yokohama are the go-to brands if you wish to opt for an ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire. The NT555 G2 from Nitto and the Advan A052 from Yokohama are great options from these tire makers. Neither tire should be used in colder temperatures as they are strictly designed to provide maximum dry-weather adhesion and structural rigidity.

The Nitto NT555 G2 features a directional tread design with twin center ribs to optimize straight-line stability and cornering traction for performance-oriented cars. Conversely, the Yokohama Advan A052 is a street-legal, semi-slick track tire that utilizes an advanced high-grip rubber compound for consistent summer weather performance.

So, which tire is better for your performance vehicle? Let’s compare Nitto NT555 G2 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires based on their SimpleScore. SimpleScore is our in-house scoring mechanism that rates each tire on a scale of 0 to 10 for traction, handling, and longevity. Let’s hop in.

Nitto NT555 G2 tires

Introduced in 2016, the Nitto NT555 G2 is a reliable UHP summer tire designed for high-performance sports cars and sedans that work in warmer weather conditions. Optimized for high-speed control and responsiveness, it features an aggressive directional tread pattern that significantly improves straight-line stability and cornering performance. Meanwhile, the unique tread design also improves braking ability, provides excellent hydroplaning resistance, and delivers solid dry traction on smooth roads.

With a great 8.4 overall SimpleScore, the Nitto NT555 G2 returns solid traction, superb control and handling, and a fairly long-lasting tread life.

Get Nitto NT555 G2 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Yokohama Advan A052 tires

Debuting in the same year as the NT555 G2, the Yokohama Advan A052 is another reliable UHP summer tire that’s designed for track days and autocross events. Featuring an asymmetric tread pattern, the Yokohama tire comes with a wide shoulder design that maximizes road contact to deliver outstanding cornering and precise steering response. Thanks to its advanced rubber compound, the Advan A052 delivers consistent performance and predictable behavior with high grip in dry and damp conditions.

Achieving an 8.4 in overall SimpleScore, the Yokohama Advan A052 returns confident handling, improved ride quality, and decent tread life.

Get Yokohama Advan A052 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Nitto NT555 G2 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires on traction

Traction is highly important if you are driving high-performance vehicles on tracks or streets. It keeps the vehicle glued to the surface without skidding. The Nitto and Yokohama tires are pretty good in this sense and deliver reassuring traction. Let’s have a look at their traction performance.

Securing an 8.4 in traction, the Nitto NT555 G2 returns consistent grip even at high speed and under hard acceleration. It features an advanced rubber compound that improves performance and ensures smooth drives in dry conditions. Additionally, the presence of deep, high-void taper grooves ensures quick water outflow from the tread, providing drivers with solid, reliable traction and confidence when navigating wet or dry surfaces in summer.

With an exceptional grip, the Yokohama Advan A052 scores a higher 8.6 traction score. Thanks to its new motorsports-inspired rubber compound, it delivers excellent traction in both dry and wet conditions. Additionally, the tire incorporates a unique, rounded rib profile that creates a more cohesive contact patch, boosting better interlocking of the rubber with the surface while actively resisting heat build-up during quick sprints.

With a better score, the Yokohama Advan A052 wins the traction race.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Advan A052

Nitto NT555 G2 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires on handling

Handling is one of the key features of a UHP tire. The one who fails here fails as a UHP tire. Here, too, the NT555 G2 and Advan A052 are spot on, displaying superior handling and control at high speed.

Earning a fantastic 8.8 in handling, the Nitto NT555 G2 delivers track-like controllability on dry and wet roads. It is designed with massive twin center ribs that increase structural stiffness, providing superb straight-line stability and sharp steering precision. Additionally, the outer shoulder blocks are large and tough, allowing the tire to easily absorb heavy cornering pressures during spirited, high-speed maneuvers.

On the other hand, the Yokohama Advan A052 scores an 8.8 in handling, highlighting its superior lane-changing and cornering abilities. Developed with dedicated motorsports construction and a high-stability rubber compound, it delivers confident, sharp cornering with its extra-wide outer rib. Additionally, its asymmetric tread pattern provides drivers with prompt steering response and enhanced stability in warm conditions.

Both performance tires hold their nerve and deliver impeccable performance with no one letting their guard down. It’s a tie.

ADVANTAGE: Tie

Nitto NT555 G2 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires on longevity

You do not expect UHP tires to last long, as they have to bear high horsepower loads, sudden braking, quick acceleration, and sharp cornering, leading to faster wear. Plus, their softer rubber compound, which is needed for ‘sticky’ grip, wears fast. So, it’s a tie, or do we have a winner here? Let’s find out.

Securing an 8.1 in longevity, the Nitto NT555 G2 offers decent tread life. It utilizes an advanced high-rigidity rubber compound designed to resist heat generation and extreme friction during quick maneuvers. To extend its service life and reduce the chances of irregular wear, the tire incorporates a flat contact patch that evenly distributes driving pressures across the footprint.

The Yokohama Advan A052 boasts an 8.0 in longevity, which is quite decent for a performance-focused UHP summer tire. Despite its softer, race-ready formulation, it is engineered with a new motorsport-inspired rubber compound and an innovative asymmetric tread design. These factors work in tandem to deliver an overall improved wearability.

The Nitto NT555 G2 manages to win the longevity battle by a thin margin. But that thin margin locks the scoreboard at 1-1.

ADVANTAGE: Nitto NT555 G2

When to use each

UHP summer tires deliver maximum dry grip, sharp cornering precision, and high-speed braking stability in warm weather conditions. The Nitto NT555 G2 should be your choice if you want a longer service life and superb handling, while the Yokohama Advan A052 is designed for drivers who value their every second in racetrack lap times.

Which one should you choose?

To sum it up, the Nitto NT555 G2 and Yokohama Advan A052 both win one section each – traction and longevity, respectively. In the control and handling department, they are neck and neck in performance - the answer to which one to pick lies in your requirements, driving habits, and budget.

Let’s have a look at the final aspect of any shopping: the price. For the 225/45R17 94W XL tire size, the Nitto NT555 G2 is available for at least $169, bringing the cost of four tires to about $676. On the other hand, the price of each Yokohama Advan A052 is $280, which means four such tires would cost you approximately $1120.

Based on SimpleScore, you should buy the Nitto NT555 G2 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and Audi S4
• Want a set of UHP summer tires that offer superior handling and control
• Prefer a reliable yet affordable UHP tire
• Want a tire that delivers a longer service life (8.1 vs 8.0)
• Need a UHP tire for regular commutes and occasional track days

On the other hand, you may consider buying the Yokohama Advan A052 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Porsche Cayman, Chevrolet Corvette, and Toyota Yaris GR
• Want a UHP tire with superb grip and traction (8.6 vs 8.4)
• Prefer a UHP tire with great durability
• Are ready to pay extra for a better track tire

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.