Best Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires

Ultra High Performance All-Season tires are the go-to choice for driving enthusiasts seeking an exhilarating blend of agility, speed, and all-year adaptability.

Predominantly tested on sports cars like the Porsche 911, these tires are engineered with high-grade rubber compounds and intricate tread designs.

So they offer optimal contact with the road, providing exceptional handling and stability in various conditions, from sun-baked highways to rain-slicked streets.

Each tire in this thoughtfully compiled selection is chosen for its exceptional capabilities in a specific aspect of performance.

And so, by focusing on these distinct performance characteristics, you can find a tire that not only meets, but elevates, your driving experience, regardless of weather conditions.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus

Best overall, but ranked here for its leading wet handling.

When it comes to how well a tire performs in the wet, it’s all about how good it is at getting rid of water from/in its path. This helps the rubber make solid contact with the road.

And that’s exactly where the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus really shines. It’s awesome at moving water out of the way, and that’s why I’ve got it on my list of top-notch ultra-high performance all-season tires.

What makes this tire so great?

Well, it’s got these super detailed grooves that go in different directions, plus a whole bunch of deep sipes (those are the little lines on the tire) at varying angles. This design is key for kicking water to the curb and making sure the tire grips the road well.

To get in to more specifics, its grooves are pretty clever. They do a great job at pushing water out, in all directions, so the tire doesn’t rely too much on the sipes.

But don’t underestimate these sipes; they’re small but mighty. They, along with robust lateral slits and in-groove notches operating at various angles, contribute to the tire’s exceptional wet handling capabilities.

In a nutshell, these sipes flex to create a suction for water particles, sucking them in, and lateral throwing them out, as the tire rolls over. And so with this effective water dispersion, the tire is able to provide you with top-notch wet handling, as my lap time tests results indicate.

So is there any room for improvement? Well, yes in terms of wet braking only. But that’s only because it comes in 2nd place, to another leading tire here, which you’d see in this list, below.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/continental-extremecontact-dws-06-plus-review/

A side note: Before diving in further, I think its best you check this video out. I am working with these guys.

Nokian WRG4

Offers leading winter performance.

When you’re checking out winter tires, it’s pretty important to get how they handle different road conditions.

I mean, on icy roads, tires require numerous biting micro-level edges for effective grip, while in deep snow, lugs or biters are needed for efficient scooping action.

In this regard, the Nokian WRG4 tire excels, outshining its competitors in the ultra-high performance all-season category.

And that makes sense why its the only tires here (well, out of all the tires I’ve reviewed so far), with Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating.

This rating indicate that the tire has at least 10% better snow acceleration capabilities, compared to standard touring all season tires. And yes it also means that its biters wont freeze up below 45°F, (or 7°C).

Though besides this 3PMSF rating superiority over other UHPAS tires here, it also offers a unique blend of interlocking and linear sipes arranged in multiple directions, that are able to provide the tire with superior micro-level grip, super crucial for ice.

And yes, with multiple curved, in-groove notches, its also able to form a very effective snow-to-snow contact, allowing for superior grip, and acceleration on soft snowy terrains.

That’s why out of both tires here, the Nokian is able to excel in all aspects, including snow/ice acceleration, braking and overall handling.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/nokian-wrg4-review/

Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus

Offers leading dry handling performance.

When you’re taking a corner, the weight on a tire really shifts towards the edges, which puts more of the shoulder lugs in touch with the road, which is key for grip and handling.

This comes down to two big things:

• The extent of the shoulder rubber’s contact with the asphalt: More contact area generally means better grip.
• The flexibility of the lugs or the overall tread: Less flexibility in the tread means the lugs bend less, especially in the direction opposite to the cornering force. This reduced bending leads to a more direct steering response.

In the context of these factors, the P Zero All Season Plus is bit of a star in its category, where it consistently clocks the fastest average lap time in its group. So yes, it’s a champ at control, especially in tight turns where precise cornering is very important.

Its steering feels smooth and the tire responds really well to direction changes, like when you’re going from straight to a turn, or getting out of the corner even, giving you the exact idea of available traction at all times.

Now its standout handling comes from a few cool design details:

• The tread’s got these densely packed outer ribs that up the grip during turns.
• The shoulder lugs are snug together, backed by strong internal bead structures, making for steady cornering.
• The tire’s mix is on the stiffer side, which might be a tad less comfy, but it nails the balance in managing oversteer and understeer.

All in all, the P Zero All Season Plus nails it with quick responses and stable cornering, thanks to its smart tread design and the just-right rubber blend.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/pirelli-p-zero-all-season-plus-review/

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4

Offers leading braking performance.

The directional grip of a tire, a key indicator of its performance, is influenced by factors including tread composition, the contact area between the tire and road, and the tire’s weight.

And yes, this grip is often assessed through the tire’s braking effectiveness.

The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 excels in this regard, demonstrating exceptional grip on both wet and dry surfaces.

A notable feature contributing to this tire’s longitudinal grip is its aerodynamically efficient rib patterns, complemented by angular lateral notches on all three central ribs. This design, along with the V-shaped biters and notches, significantly enhances its braking capabilities.

An additional advantage of the All Season 4 is its well-engineered contact patch.

Despite weighing similarly to many of its competitors, its design ensures a balanced distribution of pressure points across the tread.

And that leads to reduced momentum inertia, making the tire more responsive and easier to stop, particularly when compared to other tires in its class.

Moreover, the tire’s performance in wet conditions mirrors its dry road capabilities, largely due to the effective sipes and their flexibility. These sipes help clear water from beneath the tread, allowing the biters to maintain full contact with the road surface, thus enhancing wet braking efficiency.

Overall, the Michelin PSAS4 stands out as a leading option in the ultra-high performance all-season tire category, owing to its advanced design that ensures superior grip and braking in various conditions.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/michelin-pilot-sport-all-season-4-review/

Fuzion UHP Sport AS

Provides best value.

When you’re sizing up a tire’s worth, it’s key to eyeball a bunch of stuff like how it does on different roads (think dry, wet, and snowy), its price tag, how long the tread hangs in there, and if it’s a gas guzzler.

Now, let’s talk about the Fuzion UHP Sport AS. This guy’s a bit of a standout in the world of budget-friendly, ultra-high performance all-season tires. Sure, it’s not acing every test, but it’s got a pretty solid mix of features.

One big win for the Fuzion UHP Sport AS is its tread life, which is actually neck n neck with premium (much more expensive) tires like the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4. This means it’s a smart pick for the long haul, especially if you’re after something that lasts but don’t want to fork out loads of cash.

Fuel-wise, this tire holds its own against top players again… like the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate. And this again is a great news, as Goodyear isn’t cheaper by any means.

But hey, it’s not all roses. The tire’s a bit iffy when it’s wet performance is stacked up against others.

But hey, its still pretty close in terms of dry braking and handling, compared to Cooper Zeon RS3 G1, which is a solid contender in its league.

All in all, the Fuzion UHP Sport AS is a solid bet if you’re watching your wallet but still want decent tread life, fuel efficiency, and good performance on dry roads. It’s a strong choice for anyone hunting for an affordable ultra-high performance all-season tire that doesn’t cut too many corners.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/fuzion-uhp-sport-as-review/

General G MAX 07

Provides best impact comfort performance.

When it comes to smooth sailing on the road, a tire’s knack for soaking up the rough and tumble is key. Tires made from softer stuff, both inside and on the tread, are real game-changers here, guaranteeing a cushier ride.

Enter the General G MAX AS 07.

This tire’s a real champ, not just beating its own previous version but also leading the pack in the ultra-high performance all-season tire league for ride comfort.

The secret sauce?

Its bendy tread design and the soft, dual-ply polyamide layers. These bits work together like a dream, buffering those jolts and bumps and making the drive way more pleasant.

There’s more.

These tires come in sizes up to a beefy 11/32″, adding another layer of defense against the road’s imperfections. This bigger size means there’s more room to dull those shakes, making sure they’re a whole lot less noticeable inside your car.

And let’s not forget the single ply polyester casing with a high-turn up. This isn’t just for show, as it offers the tire’s stability and makes it easier to handle, taking the sting out of those bumps.

The result? The tire smooths out vibrations fast and keeps things steady, so your ride stays comfy and controlled.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/general-g-max-as-07-review/

Kumho Ecsta PA51

Quietest of them all.

The hum and buzz you hear while driving largely comes down to how air chats with the tire. As the tire rolls, air, especially the stuff sneaking in through the shoulder, hits the tread walls and makes noise.

This is why the Ecsta PA51 from Kumho is a big deal in the quiet tire world, especially among the ultra-high performance crowd.

Its design is pretty clever, with closed gaps on the sides with smartly placed ridges. This setup keeps air particles from getting too cozy inside the tire, nipping the noise problem in the bud.

But wait, there’s more.

The Ecsta PA51 isn’t just about its shape; it’s also about the rubber it’s made of.

This isn’t your average rubber; it’s mixed with special polymers that are like noise-canceling headphones for your tire. They swallow up sound, keeping those echoes down and stopping noise from getting louder inside the grooves.

And the cherry on top?

Its savvy pitch sequencing pattern, kills noise further, in a well engineered manner.

As air hits the tread walls, it makes a mix of sounds. These sounds, instead of adding up, actually help cancel each other out. So, what you get is a whole lot less noise.

This genius pattern is what really puts the tire at the top of its game in UHPAS category.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/kumho-ecsta-pa51-review/

Vredestein Hypertrac All Season

Great Noise+Ride Comfort Combo

The Vredestein AS has a nifty solution for this, where it also uses, pretty decent tie bars between its shoulder blocks, much like Kumho PA51.

And although its not so effective in comparison to it, it still cuts down on noise notably.

Moreover, its rubber is also pretty soaking of air particles that manage to get in, instead of reflecting or echoing them.

But where ti ranks on top of its ultra-high performance category is its combinations of noise + comfort, or you can say overall comfort.

I mean, while the HyperTrac is a real standout, when it comes to it’s smooth as butter performance on the road, thanks to its rubber blend that’s rich in silica.

This stuff is like the cushion of the tire world, helping the tire glide over road bumps and making your ride silkier.

But there’s more. The HyperTrac packs an internal pliant nylon cap ply in its build.

This layer is not just for comfort; it also keeps things steady when the tire is dealing with bumps.

So you get kind of a double win here: it soaks up the rough stuff and keeps your ride under control. It’s just a hair behind the General G MAX 07, which is the top dog in this arena.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/vredestein-hypertrac-all-season-review/

Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate

Offers great wet traction.

The Goodyear Eagle really makes a splash in the ultra-high performance all-season tire scene, especially when it comes to handling wet conditions.

Sure, it’s got a bit of a hiccup with directional grip where it lacks to the champ, the Michelin PSAS4

Here’s the deal: slalom tests are all about zigzagging through cones in a straight line at a steady speed, while overall lap time tests look at the big picture of how a car handles.

To give you an idea of how the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate stacks up, let’s talk wet lap times. It’s only about half a second slower on average than the Continental DWS06+, which is a big name in this game.

So, what makes the Goodyear Eagle such a beast in the rain? Its tread is a masterpiece. Picture grooves that are super smart at kicking water out, letting you zip around while staying steady against skidding on water. And these grooves are so good, they don’t need to lean too much on sipes to clear the water.

But let’s not sell the sipes short. They’re the unsung heroes here, teamed up with chunky side slits and in-groove notches that are all about angles. This combo gives the tire some serious skills in the wet, making it a top-notch performer on rainy roads.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/goodyear-eagle-exhilarate-review/

Yokohama ADVAN Sport A/S+

Lasts the longest

When it comes to figuring out how long a tire’s tread will last, it’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.

I mean, here you’ve got to look at things like, how deep the tread is, how much resistance it puts up when rolling, and what kind of materials they used to make it.

Now, out of all the tires I’ve reviewed so far, the Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ is leading here in its ultra-high performance all-season tire category.

I mean, this tire is a bit of a surprise package, outdoing its competition in the durability department, coming up with 55k miles warranty, where most of them, max out of 50k, well except for Pirelli P Zero All Season.

So, what makes the Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ such a long-runner?

Here’s the lowdown:

• The rubber it’s made from, is denser. Which means it resist wear more, being harder.
• The tread is deeper than most, I mean its 11/32″ instead of the standard 10/32″, you see on most UHP tires. This means it takes longer to wear down to the 2/32″ depth where it’s time to say goodbye to your tire.
• It’s one of the lightest in its class. Lighter tires mean less friction with the road, so the tire doesn’t wear out as fast.
• And last but not least, its got this cool flat contour profile technology. And that combined with tire’s lighter construciton, this design spreads the weight more evenly across the lugs, which takes the pressure off tread, as it rubs/burns against the road.

Put all these bits together, and the Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ really stands out. It’s got this rare mix of performance and staying power that’s pretty hard to find in ultra-high performance all-season tires.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/yokohama-advan-sport-a-s-plus-review/

Wrapping Up

In evaluating these ultra-high performance all-season tires, it’s evident that each one presents unique strengths, catering to diverse driving needs and preferences.

From exceptional handling in wet and dry conditions to outstanding winter performance, from the quietest rides to the longest-lasting tread life, each tire has been selected for its specific merits.

This review serves as a dynamic guide, aimed at assisting drivers in choosing tires that best match their requirements, whether for everyday commuting, navigating challenging weather, or ensuring a smooth and quiet driving experience.

As the tire market evolves and new UHPs emerge, this list will be regularly updated based on further testing and discoveries.

Your feedback is essential in refining this tire guide. I appreciate your support; please feel free to share this content on social media to help spread the word. Thank you for your engagement!