About Roadstone
Nexen Tire began in 1942 as Heung-A Tire in Korea and later traded as Woosung Tire before taking the Nexen name around 2000. The Roadstone brand dates back to 1958 and has remained part of the group as its value line, sold mainly in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Roadstone tyres are produced in Nexen's factories in Yangsan and Changnyeong in South Korea, in Qingdao in China, and in Žatec in the Czech Republic. Because Roadstone and Nexen share development and plants, many Roadstone models are close relatives of current or recent Nexen patterns.
Strengths
- Korean engineering and factory quality at a budget price
- Comfortable, quiet ride for the money
- Many patterns shared with Nexen
- Good SUV highway tyre in the Roadian HTX RH5
Weaknesses
- Wet grip behind mid-range Japanese and European brands
- Tread life shorter than Firestone or Cooper
- Limited off-road range for serious desert use
Roadstone ranges and prices
| Model | Type | Rims | Price per tyre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roadstone N'Fera SU1 | Ultra-high performance summer | 16–20 inch | AED 290 – AED 600 |
| Roadstone N'blue HD Plus | Touring / comfort | 14–18 inch | AED 210 – AED 400 |
| Roadstone N'Fera RU1 | SUV high performance | 16–22 inch | AED 340 – AED 650 |
| Roadstone Roadian HTX RH5 | SUV / pickup highway terrain | 15–20 inch | AED 320 – AED 600 |
| Roadstone Roadian CT8 | Van / light commercial | 14–16 inch (C-rated) | AED 260 – AED 420 |
Cars it suits
- Hyundai Elantra
- Kia Cerato
- Toyota Corolla
- Nissan Altima
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Sportage
- Toyota Prado
- Toyota Hiace
Our ratings out of 10
- Wet grip
- 6
- Dry grip
- 7
- Comfort
- 7
- Quietness
- 7
- Tread life
- 6
- Heat resistance
- 6
Performance
Roadstone drives more like a Korean mid-range tyre than a typical budget brand. The N'Fera SU1 offers tidy steering and stable high-speed behaviour for sedans on 17–19 inch wheels, and the N'blue HD Plus is a quiet, comfortable commuter tyre. Wet braking is respectable for the price but still a step behind Falken, Firestone or Hankook. The Roadian HTX RH5 is the standout: a comfortable, long-wearing highway tyre for SUVs and pickups that copes with graded desert roads. The N'Fera RU1 suits crossovers that never leave tarmac.
Durability and tread life
Roadstone passenger tyres typically last 35,000–45,000 km on UAE sedans, and the Roadian HTX RH5 on a Prado or Fortuner commonly reaches 45,000–60,000 km. The compounds handle normal UAE heat but age faster than premium brands when the car is parked in the sun every day. Check for sidewall cracking from year 3, and replace by 5 years from the DOT date.
Roadstone in UAE conditions
Roadstone is well established in the UAE and sold at many tyre shops in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. It is often a better buy than unknown Chinese labels at a similar price, especially for Korean and Japanese sedans and family SUVs. Popular fitments include 205/55 R16, 215/55 R17, 225/45 R18, 265/65 R17 and 265/70 R16. As with all value tyres, ask for the DOT date and do not accept stock more than about 2 years old. For dune driving, choose a dedicated all-terrain from another brand.
