Do your tires wear out faster when driving under the summer heat? Are you struggling to handle your vehicle as the temperatures soar? Do you want to cruise at high speed without losing stability or grip on the road? Well, achieving all these with your ordinary tire is a challenge. You need the right best performance summer tire.
Driving experiences leave memories. For drivers, worrying over the safety conditions and the reliability of corners may turn this adventure into a nightmare. Softening of rubber on heated roads reduces traction on the road.
That means drivers cannot predict how fast they can bring the vehicles to a stop or how stable they are at high speed. They also worry about the comfort of the entire ride.
For every trouble, there is a perfect solution. Extreme summer conditions shouldn’t dim your driving enthusiasm. Best performance summer tires can handle all these challenges, allowing you to cruise at high speed.
You can accelerate confidently and negotiate those corners with ease. This article provides a balanced review that describes everything concerning best performance summer tires. It highlights the key features to check when buying tires, how they rank against other tire categories.
Tire name | Best in Category | Overall rating | Steering response | Wet performance | Hydroplaning resistance | Wet traction | Dry performance | Cornering stability | Dry traction | Comfort performance | Ride quality | Noise score | Treadwear performance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | 100% | 9 | 9.5 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 9.6 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 8.8 | 8.3 |
Pirelli P Zero Nero GT | 96% | 9 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 9.4 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 8.2 | 8.3 |
Continental ExtremeContact Sport | 96% | 9 | 9 | 8.9 | 8.9 | 9 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 7.8 |
Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position | 93% | 8 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 9 | 9.3 | 8.4 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 7.1 |
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT | 91% | 8 | 8.8 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 8.9 | 8.2 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 7.4 |
Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 | 89% | 8 | 8.2 | 8 | 8 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 8.2 | 7.4 |
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 | 89% | 8 | 8.6 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8 | 8.2 | 7.9 | 7 |
Yokohama ADVAN Sport | 85% | 8 | 8.8 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 6.7 |
What sets best performance summer tires apart?
One aspect that you have to give to the best performance summer tires is their superb traction capabilities. They grip firmly to the road, whether dry or wet. The performance of the tires relies solely on the tire design, choice of manufacturing materials and optimizations adopted by different companies. Here are the features that define the physical outlook of best performance summer tires.
Advanced manufacturing material
Hot weather deteriorates the quality of the tire treads faster. Tire manufacturers use advanced manufacturing materials that contain several additives for enhancing the durability of the tires. Rubber materials have a high silica content and other reinforcements beneath the tread.
Of course, different companies address tire durability using different materials and design methodologies. The choice of material plays a crucial role in the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Although the tread materials are resilient, they have minimal resistance to rolling.
Wide footprint with the road
When going after best performance summer tires, drivers focus on the stability of high-speed driving. The amount of footprint with the road plays a crucial role in maintaining this stability.
Manufacturers optimize the design of the treads to attain a wide center rib. It ensures that the car retains sufficient traction on dry and wet tarmac. A wide center rib is vital for optimum responsiveness and predictable handling.
Defense against hydroplaning
Best performance summer tires are surprisingly good for driving on wet tarmac. The design of the tires provides sufficient defenses against hydroplaning. The first is an optimized tread profile that redirects puddles of water away from the driving path.
The other defense mechanism is the deep circumferential grooves that evacuate as much water as possible. When driving over wet roads, drivers enjoy modest responsiveness to steering and befitting braking distances.
Internal reinforcement
Best performance summer tires have diverse reinforcements to enhance their durability and stability. For durability, manufacturers use steel strands or plies and spiraling polyamide material. Additionally, the tires have nylon casings which improve shock absorption capabilities. These tires are stable even when cornering at high speed.
Driving comfort
The last thing a driver expects is the interruption from road noises when cruising on the highway. The cab needs to be as comfortable as possible. Bumps and road deformations should not cause any discomfort on the road.
The design of the best performance summer tires aims to provide a cozy ride at all times. It is achievable by using high-quality shock-absorbing material and an optimized tread pattern.
Pros & Cons of best performance summer tires
How do Best Performance Summer Tires Compare to Other Categories?
These tires are specialized for summer use. It limits the performance of the tires under diverse driving conditions. For a start, these tires are unsuitable for winter use. They lose traction significantly and freeze under the cold weather. Driving safety reduces significantly.
Best performance summer tires do not have sufficient siping. That means that the tires do not have enough biting edges to drive over thin snow, muddy roads and loose surfaces. The tires lose grip and spin, thus causing the handling to be erratic.
Most of these tires lack aggressive tread patterns and additional reinforcement for navigating rough terrains and rocky off-roads. They perform dismally and are prone to damage by cuts and abrasion. All-terrain and rock-crawling tires perform better under these conditions.
Verdict
It is a perfect tire category for drivers who frequent the highway and who drive in areas where the weather is warm for most of the year. They have excellent traction on dry and wet roads to give drivers the confidence to cruise at high speeds.
For drivers interested in ride quality and comfort, best performance summer tires will provide exactly that. They are available in multiple sizes and brands that fit several car models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that best performance summer tires wear out faster?
Several factors contribute to tire wear. That said, tires in this category provide maximum traction. That means that the tire is subject to quick wear. Fortunately, manufacturers are exploring different materials to ensure the tires perform to the highest levels and last longer.
How comfortable are best performance summer tires?
In comparison to other tire categories, best performance summer tires offer excellent ride quality and comfort. The tires have great tread designs to distribute road noises.
However, ride comfort and noise levels are relative, and some noises may likely penetrate the cabin. Nonetheless, these tires have low noise levels.
How long will my best performance summer tires last?
These tires can last several thousands of miles. Their length of service is dependent on their driving behavior and care. Manufacturers offer attractive tread life warranties which are within the average industry standards. With proper care, your tire will last longer.