Best Ultra High-Performance Tires: Get a Better Grip on Things

The problem with most tire advice is the person giving it has never driven the tires on the same cars, the same roads, and same track, on the same day. I’m talking about everyone. Fred, that guy in accounting who’s “super into cars,” to the guy behind the counter at the tire shop, and even most people writing buyer’s guides haven’t done real driving tests. I’ve been testing tires for nearly two decades.

My tire testing experience has involved everything from studded snow tires mounted on minivans driven on hockey rinks to racing slicks on race cars at racetracks, and everything in between. Yes, as a matter of fact, I have driven a school bus and a dump truck.

The reviews below include some of the tech found inside the tire. But, mostly they will include information that helps you make the best choices. If a tire uses rayon or polyester cords is pretty irrelevant. You need to know what a tire feels like, how loud it is, and how long it will last compared to competitors. As a secondary source, consumer reviews on TireRack from people who have owned the tires, are also referenced. 

In 1970, Alvin Toffler introduced the concept of Overchoice, which essentially describes the phenomenon of being unable to make decisions when too many nearly-equal options are presented. The tire market is a prime example. This buyer’s guide was assembled with real-world experience with each tire listed and many of the best competitors.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is undoubtedly one of the best summer performance tires ever made. It has loads of grip, feels precise and immediate, while also providing a reasonably good ride and unobtrusive noise levels. It might not be the perfect tire for everyone, for one, they aren’t cheap. That’s why our choice for best value, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is an attractive alternative. It’s most of the performance at a fraction of the price. 

Most people will look at a glass case full of chef’s knives and, aside from some color variations and logos, not see too much difference between them. Professional chefs and committed home cooks will be able to go on for hours about minute differences in shapes, materials, blade-bevels, and especially balance. Tires are no different. First, if you have no idea what a driving style is, there’s a good chance this section doesn’t apply to you. If you know what I’m talking about, but don’t know your own style, you may need to take your best guess as to what you like — just like traveling abroad and picking from a dinner menu you can only partly decipher. Some tires are very precise and provide more feel, but they also sometimes tend to feel a bit more edgy or darty. A softer tire will slow down response and might mute some of the feedback, but they tend to be more forgiving and feel more stable. If you’re just commuting, you probably want the softer, more comfortable tire.

The first few generations of run-flat tires were a huge step down in terms of, well, every performance aspect of tires. Modern run-flats aren’t nearly as much of a penalty for convenience, but they still aren’t as good as traditional tires. If you don’t want to remove your run-flats, you will need a good contingency plan if you get a flat. Some cars that are sold with run-flats still have a space for a spare tire so you can source one either from a tire store or even a salvage yard. If you don’t have space for a spare, you can carry a can of sealant and an air compressor. 

Many powerful rear-wheel drive cars have wider tires in back; Audi offers the RS3 with wider tires on the front. If your car came from the factory with a staggered setup, it is best to stick with it. Tire width and the difference in stagger is determined by the amount of work the tire is required to do when a car is driven near its limits, such as track driving or in an emergency. The handling balance is tuned with those wider tires in mind, so changing to a square setup will have a negative effect on your car’s handling.

It's difficult to say a summer performance tire costs “X” amount. It depends on the size and specs of the tire. If you have an older performance car that uses a 14- or 15-inch wheel, tires may start at just under $100 apiece. But, if you’re shopping for your late model hypercar, you might be looking at $1,200 per tire. Keep in mind that you will also have to pay for mounting, balancing, and other state and federal fees applicable to car tires.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.