Consumer Reports: Ultra High Performance Summer Tires 2022

Consumer Reports: Ultra High Performance Summer Tires

Summer UHP tires are not intended for cold weather and won't grip in snowy or icy conditions. And like all-season ultra-high-performance tires these tires deliver the ultimate dry and wet grip and handling. Size tested: 215/60R18.

  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S - Winner Recommended
    Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
    87 72
    · Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ultra-high-performance summer tire is among the top performers in the category, with impressive balance of dry and wet grip, handling, and hydroplaning resistance. Fair ride comfort and rolling resistance are typical of ultra high performance summer tires.

    Handling   Dry Braking   Hydroplaning   Wet Braking   Noise  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · South Korea South Korea · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Africa Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    76
  2. Continental ExtremeContact Sport Recommended
    Continental ExtremeContact Sport
    83 41
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Continental ultra-high-performance summer tire is among the top-rated in the category. It earns Excellent scores in CR's tests of dry braking, handling, and hydroplaning resistance. Wet braking is very solid. It's a very quiet tire as well.

    Handling   Dry Braking   Hydroplaning   Wet Braking   Noise   Ride Comfort  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · East Asia East Asia
    Test Score:
    75
  3. General G-Max RS Recommended
    General G-Max RS
    79 28
    · Summer · 2017 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This General ultra-high-performance summer tire is among the category's high scorers in CR's testing. It excels at dry braking and hydroplaning resistance, and gets Very Good ratings for wet braking and handling. It also offers a long tread life compared with competing models.

    Handling   Noise   Hydroplaning   Wet Braking   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America
    Test Score:
    75
  4. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    81 63
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Pirelli ultra-high-performance summer tire earns Excellent scores in CR's tests of dry braking, handling, and hydroplaning resistance, and is a very quiet tire, but is has a relatively short tread life.

    Handling   Dry Braking   Hydroplaning   Wet Braking   Noise   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    73
  5. Falken Azenis FK510
    Falken Azenis FK510
    80 63
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Falken ultra-high-performance summer tire gets Excellent ratings for performance in the areas of dry braking, hydroplaning resistance, and quietness. Wet braking and handling are also very solid.

    Handling   Noise   Hydroplaning   Wet Braking   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · Japan Japan · South Korea South Korea · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    73
  6. Yokohama ADVAN Fleva V701
    Yokohama ADVAN Fleva V701
    73 31
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Yokohama ultra-high-performance summer tire offers a good balance of track performance—dry braking and hydroplaning resistance are rated Excellent—and long tread life as tested by CR.

    Handling   Noise   Rolling Resistance   Hydroplaning   Dry Braking  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    72
  7. GT Radial Champiro HPY
    GT Radial Champiro HPY
    70 20
    · Summer · 2010 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Despite being relatively inexpensive, this GT Radial ultra-high-performance summer tire holds its own against higher-priced competition, with outstanding dry braking, hydroplaning resistance, and quietness.

    Noise   Hydroplaning   Handling   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    71
  8. Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
    Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
    76 53
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Dunlop ultra-high-performance summer tire earns Excellent ratings in CR's tests of dry braking and hydroplaning resistance; wet braking and handling are also very strong. Its standout characteristic, however, is decent ride comfort, which is a rarity among ultra-high-performance summer tires.

    Handling   Noise   Hydroplaning   Wet Braking   Dry Braking  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    71
  9. Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
    Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
    81 46
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    In CR's testing, this Firestone ultra-high-performance summer tire earns Excellent ratings for dry braking and hydroplaning resistance, and Very Good scores for handling and tread noise.

    Dry Braking   Hydroplaning   Handling   Noise   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia
    Test Score:
    70
  10. Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 K120
    Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 K120
    78 27
    · Summer · 2014 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Hankook ultra-high-performance summer tire earns Excellent scores for dry braking and hydroplaning resistance in CR's testing, plus Very Good ratings for handling and tread noise.

    Dry Braking   Hydroplaning   Handling   Noise   Ride Comfort  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East
    Test Score:
    70
  11. Bridgestone Potenza S007A
    Bridgestone Potenza S007A
    78 42
    · Summer · 2018 · Passenger - Extreme Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Bridgestone ultra-high-performance summer tire delivers an exceptionally stiff ride, even compared with other tires in this category, which are generally stiff. If that's not a major concern, it does offer excellent dry braking and hydroplaning resistance, and better-than-average handling.

    Dry Braking   Hydroplaning   Handling   Noise   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · North Africa North Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    67
  12. Bridgestone Potenza S001
    Bridgestone Potenza S001
    70 46
    · Summer · 2010 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Bridgestone ultra-high-performance summer tire earns Excellent ratings in CR's tests of dry braking and hydroplaning resistance, and a Very Good score for handling.

    Hydroplaning   Handling   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    67
  13. Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R
    Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R
    69 41
    · Summer · 2014 · Passenger - Extreme Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Bridgestone ultra-high-performance summer tire delivers excellent dry braking and handling in CR's testing, and solid hydroplaning resistance, but it has a relatively short tread life as tested by CR.

    Hydroplaning   Handling   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Noise   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · East Asia East Asia · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    67
  14. Nexen N Fera SU1
    Nexen N Fera SU1
    78 23
    · Summer · 2011 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Based on CR's tests, this Nexen ranks about midpack among ultra-high-performance summer tires, with Excellent marks for dry braking and hydroplaning resistance, and scores that are likewise typical of the category in most other tests.

    Dry Braking   Hydroplaning   Handling   Noise   Ride Comfort  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    66
  15. Toyo Proxes Sport
    Toyo Proxes Sport
    71 44
    · Summer · 2016 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Toyo ultra-high-performance summer tire earns strong performance scores in CR's testing. It has a shortcoming, however: Tread life as tested by CR, at 30,000 miles, is on the short side—but it is one of few tires in this category to have a treadwear warranty, in this case for 25,000 miles.

    Handling   Noise   Hydroplaning   Wet Braking   Dry Braking  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    66
  16. Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105
    Yokohama ADVAN Sport V105
    73 31
    · Summer · 2012 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Yokohama ultra-high-performance summer tire gets Excellent ratings for dry braking and hydroplaning resistance, like a majority of tires in the category. CR's testers found the tire to have an especially stiff ride, however.

    Noise   Hydroplaning   Handling   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East · Africa Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    65
  17. Sumitomo HTR Z III
    Sumitomo HTR Z III
    73 24
    · Summer · 2007 · Passenger - Max Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    A midpack performer in almost every respect, this Sumitomo ultra-high-performance summer tire earns Excellent ratings in CR's tests of dry braking and hydroplaning resistance, like a majority of tires in the category.

    Hydroplaning   Handling   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Central & South America Central & South America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · South Africa South Africa · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    63
  18. Yokohama S.Drive
    Yokohama S.Drive
    68 27
    · Summer · 2005 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Yokohama ultra-high-performance summer tire gets impressive marks for dry braking and hydroplaning resistance but offers just average wet braking and handling relative to competing models.

    Hydroplaning   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Rolling Resistance  
    North America North America · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East
    Test Score:
    60
  19. Achilles ATR Sport
    Achilles ATR Sport
    71 26
    · Summer · 2010 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Achilles ultra-high-performance summer tire earns Excellent scores in CR's tests of dry braking and resisting hydroplaning, but its overall performance rates below par compared with other models in the category.

    Noise   Hydroplaning   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Southeast Asia Southeast Asia · Middle East Middle East
    Test Score:
    58
  20. BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2
    BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2
    75 32
    · Summer · 2012 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    Like most competitors in this category, this BFGoodrich ultra-high-performance summer tire earns Excellent scores in CR's tests of dry braking and resisting hydroplaning. But a subpar rating for wet braking means it's not suited to areas where wet roads are common.

    Hydroplaning   Handling   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Wet Braking   Noise   Rolling Resistance  
    North America North America · Central & South America Central & South America · Oceania Oceania
    Test Score:
    58
  21. Nitto NT555 G2
    Nitto NT555 G2
    80 30
    · Summer · 2015 · Passenger - Ultra High Performance Summer
    Verdict:

    This Nitto ultra-high-performance summer tire lags competitors in both wet and dry stopping performance. The 65,000-mile tested tread life is impressive, however, and it excels at resisting hydroplaning.

    Noise   Hydroplaning   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Wet Braking   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Europe Europe · Russia+ Russia+ · East Asia East Asia · Middle East Middle East
    Test Score:
    58
  22. Armstrong Blu-Trac HP
    Armstrong Blu-Trac HP
    N/A 25
    · All Season · 2017 · Passenger - Passenger All-Season
    Verdict:

    Though among the lowest-rated models that CR has tested in this category, this Armstrong ultra-high-performance summer tire does get strong marks for dry braking and hydroplaning resistance. But those scores—typical for the category—are undermined by just average wet braking and handling relative to competing models. A plus: It's a relatively quiet tire.

    Noise   Hydroplaning   Dry Braking   Ride Comfort   Wet Braking   Rolling Resistance  
    USA+ USA+ · Canada Canada · Middle East Middle East
    Test Score:
    57
Year
2022
Tire Test Original Link
Visit Website
Max Score, points
100
Tire Size
215/60R18
Season
Summer
Auto Type
Passenger
List Type
Professional Tire Test
Region
North America
Date added
May 11, 2022
Date updated
May 13, 2022
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