What are the best summer tires?

Share

Towing Winnpeg
July 12, 2020

What are the best summer tires?

Finding the best high performance summer driving tires can be a challenge unless you happen to work in the business. There is quite a bit of confusion over which tires provide the best cornering power, or which ones have the best acceleration and braking capabilities, etc.

Summer tires are built for speed and agility. The increased responsiveness, enhanced braking, and stabilized handling on corners are just some of the features of the best high performance summer tires.

While one may find summer tires in abundance, there are a certain few that stand above the rest due to their quality. Here, we have a list of the best high performance summer tires.

Hopefully, this list of our 2020 Top 5 High Performance Summer tires will help you make your best decision and save the most amount of money in the process. 


Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

The new for 2017 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is arguably the new king of all high-performance summer tires.  The 4S combines the best features from the Super Sport and race-inspired Sport Cup 2 tires. The result is exceptional dry and wet traction to go with outstanding cornering grip and stability. Steering is quick and precise like you would expect. Whether at the track or on the street, if you’re looking for the best of the best, this is it.

The French tire giant decided to up its level with exquisite, ultra-high performance tires by producing the new Pilot Sport 4S. Designed for powerful, sporty, and high-performance vehicles, the new Pilot Sport 4S offers unparalleled driving pleasure, due to its exceptional design.

Key Features

  • Dynamic Response Technology
  • Multi-compound construction
  • Asymmetric tread pattern

Pros

  • Exceptional steering precision and stability
  • Breakthrough levels of wet surface performance
  • Enhanced tread life than Michelin Super Sport

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Sizes cater to high-end vehicles


Bridgestone Potenza RE-11

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11

Delivering excellent dry and wet traction, the Potenza RE-11 from Bridgestone uses some of the same technology that you find in their Formula 1 and Gran Prix 2 race tires. 3-D Seamless Stealth technology provides enhanced cornering grip, which adds to driving enjoyment. Treadlife and ride comfort is better than expected, making this tire a popular choice among driving enthusiasts.

The Potenza is Bridgestone’s flagship ultra-high performance tire and one of the world’s best high performance summer tires intended to cater to enthusiastic and spirited drivers who typically drive high performance cars. The Potenza RE-11 is intended to provide such drivers with a comfortable and controlled drive.

Key Features

  • 3D Seamless Stealth technology
  • Asymmetric tread design
  • Two wide steel belt embedded construction, reinforced with nylon
  • Continuous circumferential intermediate rib

Pros

  • Enhanced steering response
  • Hydroplaning resistant, thus increased wet surface traction
  • Even footprint pressure distribution
  • High-speed capability – due to strong construction

Cons

  • No tread life warranty
  • Tread quality may deteriorate faster than expected


Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Michelin Pilot Super Sport

The Pilot Super Sport belongs to Michelin’s Max Performance Summer Tire range. Its reputation as one of the best high performance summer tires can be judged by the fact that they were initially launched as the OEM for several of the world’s exclusive high performance car, including Ferrari’s fastest road car ever – the Ferrari 599 GTO.

Simply stated, the Pilot Super Sport from Michelin delivers cornering grip and performance that is among the best in its class. It’s that good. Beyond that, dry or wet surface traction is excellent, and ride comfort is equally as impressive. Michelin tops it off with a 30,000 mile warranty, which is very rare for tires in this particular class.

Delivering exclusive durability, handling, and traction – the Pilot Super Sports are designed to enhance the performance of any vehicle they’re fitted in.

Key Features

  • 6 years – 30,000 miles warranty
  • Extended tread wear
  • Asymmetric tread design featured Michelin’s Bi-Compound tread rubber
  • Notched center ribs and inboard shoulder for superior performance at very high speeds
  • Constructed using twin steel belts reinforced by Twaron
  • Michelin FAZ (Filament At Zero) technology

Pros

  • Can withstand high pressure
  • Superior wet weather braking
  • Comparatively lightweight
  • Sound-absorbing foam to reduce cabin noise

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Can over steer on wet roads
  • Poor resistance to aquaplaning


Continental ExtremeContact Sport

Continental ExtremeContact Sport

Continental launched the ExtremeContact Sport as a maximum performance enabling summer tire for powerful sport cars, luxury vehicles, and high-performing sedans. Constructed using Continental’s top technology, ExtremeContact Sport makes use of two-ply sidewall construction to provide premium strength, coupled with excellent performance.

Another new model for 2017, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport builds off the original ExtremeContact DW in providing for excellent traction and handling, especially on wet pavement. In fact, for wet grip it is one of the best. You’ll also find seat of your pants like cornering grip and very good tread life.

Key Features

  • SportPlus Technology for well-rounded maximum performance
  • 30,000 miles – 6 year tread life warranty
  • Optimized footprint for even distribution of pressure
  • +Silane tread compound technology for much-needed grip

Pros

  • Precise handling
  • Excellent wet traction
  • Sure-footed damp condition handling
  • Hydroplaning resistance

Cons

  • Susceptible to making noise


Firestone Firehawk Indy 500

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500

Sport cars, sporty coupes, and powerful sedans have one thing in common – they require endurable, high performance summer tires. Designed to enable maximum performance in moderate to high temperatures, Firehawk Indy 500 make use of the latest tire-making technology.

The Firehawk Indy 500 was released in 2016 and has quickly proven itself as one of the top UHP tires in its class. From its aggressive good-looking tread pattern to its top-rated performance on the street, this is a tire for serious driving enthusiasts. Its racing-inspired technology and engineering gives it superior traction and handling, as well as excellent braking and acceleration. The Firehawk Indy 500 definitely deserves its place among the top UHP tires.

Key Features

  • Silica-enhanced, Long Link Carbon compound
  • Pulse Groove Technology
  • High turn up polyester casing reinforced with nylon

Pros

  • Improved cornering at high-speeds – due to large shoulder blocks
  • Enhanced water evacuation technology
  • High speed responsive handling

Cons

  • No tread life warranty