
All-weather tires are all the rage these days, because they can handle literally anything. I experienced it firsthand in New Jersey with Nexen and its new 4 N'Blue Season 2 tire.
I never thought I'd say this, but I had a blast testing and learning about tires. Before invited to test Nexen's new N'Blue 4 Season 2 all-weather tire, my knowledge of tires was fairly limited. I felt confident about Michelin tires, but that was it. I knew tires were important, of course, but I'd never given much thought to tread patterns, rubber compounds, or the engineering behind them.
I certainly couldn't have told you anything about Nexen.
That changed when I tried the Nexen N'Blue 4 Season 2 all-weather tires at an event at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey. We drove on pavement and snow, learned about the technology, and saw how the tires performed. I expected a typical media event, but it turned out to be a lot more fun.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. I was Nexen's guest for this experience, but all opinions and impressions are my own.
From Nervous to Wanting Another Run

I was scared at first, but quickly became more confident
I'll admit, I was a little nervous about driving on snow, especially in front of other people. My daily car is a 2014 rear-wheel-drive Mercedes, and it's not great in winter. So the thought of intentionally driving on loose, slippery snow was a bit overwhelming at first.
My confidence grew when I learned we'd be testing the tires on an Audi SQ5 equipped with Nexen N'Blue 4 All Season 2 tires on a course designed to challenge traction and handling. I have an Audi at home and enjoy driving it in winter. However, we weren't just cruising along a snowy road. The exercises included:
Accelerating on loose snow
Making turns and corners
Driving uphill
Maneuvering a slalom course
At first, I was focused on what I was doing. But as I went through the course, I relaxed. The tires felt steady and reliable, and I started to enjoy the drive instead of worrying about it.
As soon as I got out of the car, I said, "That was awesome. I want to do it again!" And I really meant it. Wanting another turn at a tire test was not something I ever thought I'd say.
What's So Special About the Tread?

The rear quarter end of a 2026 Audi SQ5 equipped with the Nexen N'Blue 4 Season 2 all-weather tires
One of the most interesting parts of the event was a traction demo where only one wheel was working. It gave us a cool look at what happens under a car when traction is low and made me realize how much we take for granted when we drive.
The engineers also explained some of the technology behind the Nexen N'Blue 4 All Season 2. Here's what I learned:
V-shaped tread pattern: Designed to help channel water and manage snow while supporting traction.
Microgrooves: Small grooves in the tread that create additional edges to help the tire grip wet and snowy surfaces.
All-weather compound: Formulated to perform across changing temperatures, an important consideration when conditions can shift from warm pavement to winter weather.
Advanced Resin Technology: A technology Nexen uses to help improve braking performance and durability.
Before this event, I barely noticed tire patterns. Seeing how design and materials affect performance gave me a new respect for the engineering. Being able to drive right after learning about it made the info feel much more real than just reading about features.
I'm not claiming to be a tire expert now, but I do understand better why tread design and tire construction are important.
I also found out that Nexen supplies original tires for major car brands like Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW. That doesn't mean they all use this exact tire, but it showed me Nexen is a bigger name in the car world than I realized. Since I'd barely heard of them before, this was a cool discovery.
The Company's Warranty Coverage Adds Another Plus

I was very impressed with the company's warranty
Nexen also supports the N'Blue 4 Season 2 with a strong warranty package. This includes a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, road hazard coverage for the first 2/32 inch of tread wear or one year, 36 months of roadside assistance, and a 60-day or 1,000-mile free trial period. The trial allows eligible buyers to try the tires before deciding whether to keep them, in accordance with Nexen's terms and conditions.
For me, it's another detail worth considering when comparing tires. Performance and handling matter, but it's also important to know what kind of coverage comes with your purchase.
How The Nexen N'Blue 4 Season 2 Tires Felt on Pavement

The next test was to see how well they performed on pavement
The snow course was the best part of the day, but we also tried the tires on regular pavement. They handled well and were surprisingly quiet. We didn't have the chance to test them on the highway. However, the Nexen representatives showed test results confirming that these tires are indeed as quiet or quieter than competing brands.
That matters to me because I usually drive on normal roads, not snowy test tracks. I want tires that feel steady and comfortable without extra noise. Winter performance is great, but how they drive every day is just as important.
Living in New England, I see why a tire made for changing weather is useful. Rain, freezing temps, snow, and dry roads can all happen in one season, and sometimes the weather changes fast. The Nexen N'Blue 4 All Season 2 has the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification (3PMSF), which means it meets a known standard for tough snow conditions.
Testing the tires helped me really understand what they're supposed to do. Of course, driving on a set course is just one part; the real test will be how they do on regular roads.
The Experience Added Up to Be More Than Just a Tire Test

I enjoyed mingling with the other journalists before testing these tires
Another aspect was learning about tires with other members of the media. The Nexen team was friendly and open, and everyone was happy to answer questions and talk about the technology surrounding the Nexen N'Blue 4 Season 2 all-weather tires. There were only two women in the media group, so I especially liked how welcome and included we felt.
This made the day seem less like a sales pitch and more like a chance to learn something new. I could ask questions, try the tires myself, and see for myself how everything worked. I left knowing a lot more about Nexen than when I arrived, and I now appreciate something I'd barely thought about before.
Another thing that stood out to me was Nexen's focus on quality assurance. During the presentation, the company shared that it has produced more than 640 million tires for the U.S. market since 2000, with zero recalls.
That's a pretty impressive number, and it gave me a new perspective on a company I had just discovered. I went into the event barely knowing the Nexen name, and I left with a much better understanding of its experience in the tire business.
Now, Would I Put Them on My Old Mercedes?

I love my old rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz
My 2014 rear-wheel-drive Mercedes is my daily car, and it doesn't love snowy weather. After trying the Nexen tires on the Audi Q5S, I'd like to see how the N'Blue 4 All Season 2 works on my own car.
I'm not saying one afternoon of testing made me an expert, or that a set course can show exactly how tires will act in every winter situation. But the experience made me interested in the technology and curious about what a good all-weather tire could do for my own driving.
The biggest surprise was how much fun I had. I showed up knowing almost nothing about Nexen and expecting to learn just a bit about tires. Instead, I ended up driving through a snowy slalom and wanting another go behind the wheel.
I might not be a tire enthusiast yet, but I'm definitely paying more attention now. When the next New England winter comes, I'll be thinking about those Nexen tires and wondering how they'd perform on my Mercedes.