Best High Performance Tires: The 8 Top Picks For Sports Car 2022

By David Barlow
Last updated: Feb 11, 2023
Best Performace Tires

Performance tires have so far been no stranger to veteran racers who are passionate about speed. Gradually, they became more familiar and popular with ordinary cars, thanks to their good grip, excellent performance, and resistance to heat build-up.

That is why we have tested many types and picked out the top best-performance tires in this article. They’re worth your attention for their highest level of safety for an extended period. Keep reading to find the most suitable product for your vehicle.

What & How Do Ultra High-Performance Tires Work? 

Performance tires, as mentioned above, are specialized wheels for racing cars. Their task is to increase traction to ensure safety when traveling at high speeds.

You can easily recognize this type in its design. The traction tires have a slightly larger rubber footprint than other wheels to increase traction when moving. 

This grip is also contributed by the special rubber compound that makes up the tires. The material will be stiffer, and the groove’s depth will be reduced as the rubber in these grooves is denser. More torque will be delivered to the pavement while driving increasing grip.

When the wheels are stiffer, they will communicate with you better and get information about the surface more easily. Especially at high speed, movements like cornering or turning will need a good grip to avoid accidents. 

What trade-offs do you have to make when disbursed for good performance tires? There is the fact that performance tires are designed to perform best in the summer and dry weather conditions. 

Traveling at high speed in the rain or snow and on slippery roads has never been ideal for this type. If you live in a place with frequent cold winters, you will have to prepare additional specialized watch tires to replace during this time.

And you will also have to pay more for a tire change. Performance tires wear out relatively faster because of their distinctive design and how they are used.

What Are the Advantages of Performance Tires? 

Increase Traction To Balance Your Vehicle

The high traction of this type better stabilizes your car, especially when traveling on rough surfaces.

Maximize The Cornering And Control Of Your Cars

When changing direction at high speed, it’s easy for the vehicle to slip or lose balance. Performance tires will support you extremely effectively in handling the situation more accurately and quickly.

Reduce Heat Build-up

The tires will create friction with the road surface when driving, and the temperature will build upon the wheels. This phenomenon leads to a flat tire, or worst of all, the tire inflates and explodes.

Thanks to the unique design and materials, performance tires will reduce heat absorption. That’s why they are especially effective and preferred in hot weather.

Reduce Stopping Distance

A shorter braking time ensures safety, especially in urgent situations.

Communicate Well With Drivers

High-performance tires are responsive and deliver most terrain information to the driver. You will better grasp the situation when you have this additional support to control and take appropriate and timely actions.

Allow You To Drive At High Speed

When controlling vehicles with standard tires, you will have to limit acceleration because the level of safety is slightly limited. On the other hand, if you use performance tires, you can drive at higher speeds, for example, on the highway, with complete peace of mind.

Top 8 Best Performance Tires – Review

1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

Best For Overall

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Key Feature
  • Great handling speed
  • Excellent comfort
  • Tire Size17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″ and 23″.
    Price Range$209.99 to $981.99
    Ratings
    (5)
    Read Full Review

    Among many items we’ve tried, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is the best overall that we ensure you shouldn’t miss. The high quality and durable and impressive performance will satisfy you.

    Exceptional precision supports you in keeping the steering wheel and controlling the vehicle most comfortably during the ride. Its stable balance allows you to accelerate or maintain high speeds safely and efficiently.

    The problem many people have with performance tires is that they don’t perform well on wet surfaces. Contrary to this, the above characteristics enhance the quality of this product, making it work more stably and efficiently on such surfaces.

    We are willing to disburse this street tire because it can stay in top condition for a relatively long time. While the average lifespan falls between 15,000 miles and 25,000 miles, it’s up to 50,000 miles for Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

    Of course, to get such advantages, you need to spend a relative amount. Its price is relatively high in the segment, but it’s exceptionally worth your money.

    Pros
    • Exceptional precision of steering
    • Stabilize during ride
    • Outstanding performance on wet surfaces
    • Long lifespan: 50,000 miles warranty
    • Smooth and comfortable ride
    Cons
    • Pretty high price

    2. Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3

    Best For Combating Wet Condition

    Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3
    Key Feature
  • Strong Jointless Bead Wire
  • Dual Layer Fiber Stiffener
  • Tire Size17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″ and 23″.
    Price Range$226.99 to $291.99
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    While many ultra-high performance tires struggle with stable operation in wet conditions, the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 conquers this with relative ease thanks to its high grip.

    Circumferential grooves of this product are designed quite wide. Combined with the inner tread blocks, they are designed to quickly push water out of the contact patch.

    When water is no longer stagnant in the grooves, the tires will be less slippery when covered in too much water. Handling or cornering on such a condition will be easier and safer for you to control.

    Its dry braking is also extremely short and precise. This product is very responsive; you can quickly get information from your surroundings and environment to handle accordingly.

    This product isn’t available for all models of vehicles due to size limitations. It comes in sizes between 17 inches and 22 inches and only fits specific wheel parameters.

    Pros
    • Impressive wet grip
    • Safe and precise wet handling and cornering
    • Short dry braking
    • Responsive to send driver the information
    Cons
    • Limited in size
    • Few service stores

    3. Bridgestone POTENZA Sport

    Best Both Dry And Wet Surfaces

    Bridgestone POTENZA Sport
    Key Feature
  • Best cornering & straight line stability
  • Best braking on dry roads
  • Tire Size16″, 17″, 18″, 19″ and 20″.
    Price Range$149.00 to $361.00
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    We trust Bridgestone POTENZA Sport in both the dry summer weather and the rainy season. It is safe and efficient with a high grip and commendable balance.

    In dry weather like summer, it effectively reduces the heat accumulation in the tires. You don’t have to worry about whether the hot weather will deflate the wheels or reduce performance; the handling remains highly accurate and fast.

    For wet conditions like under rain, this product’s traction is still reliable. With a shallow tread design for quick water withdrawal, it easily conquered slippery roads at high speeds.

    Even if you go on rougher roads, you can rest assured because the balance ability of this product is outstanding. This tire helps you control and handle situations quickly during your comfortable ride.Its downside is also the standard limitation of sport tires is wear and tear. The wear rate is so fast that you have to change your tires every 20,000 to 25,000 miles.

    Pros
    • High dry grip and reduce heat build-up
    • Reliable wet braking and handling
    • Support balancing and stabilizing
    • Comfort and smooth ride
    Cons
    • Wear out quickly
    • A bit pricey

    4. Continental ExtremeContact Sport

    Best For Values For Price

    Continental ExtremeContact Sport
    Key Feature
  • Extreme cornering grip and stability
  • Good dry and wet traction/braking/acceleration
  • Tire Size16″, 17″, 18″, 19″ and 20″.
    Price Range‎$121.99 to $528.99
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    Continental ExtremeContact Sport is your wallet savior as it offers the same praiseworthy benefits as other performance tires at an incredibly affordable price point.

    Despite its low price, this product is still focused on materials and design. Thick rubber with stable elasticity and a high grip will facilitate you to control the car more efficiently on both wet and dry surfaces.

    For bends or when you need quick handling like turning or braking, its cornering grip will come into play. The vehicle will be balanced to reduce the possibility of an accident due to loss of balance.

    Its steering is responsive and also fast to get you information as quickly as possible. The response accuracy is also relatively high to make sure you can handle it properly.

    Due to its performance tire, it won’t work well on snow or cold winters. Low temperature will significantly reduce its working.

    Pros
    • Bargain price
    • High grip on both wet and dry surfaces
    • Responsive and fast steering
    • Support to balance
    • Wear out slowly
    Cons
    • Can’t work well in low temperatures

    5. Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R

    Best On Dry Surfaces

    Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
    Key Feature
  • Very high dry grip
  • Perfect for track use
  • Tire Size15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″ and 21″,
    Price Range$130.01 to $756.74
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    The Pirelli P ZERO TROFEO R is a real contender with its excellent dry grip among the best sports tires we’ve used. It works well with many different roads such as highways or rougher terrains.

    Even at high speeds like on the highway, it doesn’t wobble or degrade in performance. That’s why this product is an excellent choice for races from recreational to professional.

    If you’re worried about its response, rest assured. You’re guaranteed to receive complete information about the surrounding conditions, road surface, etc., that this tire will reflect most quickly and accurately.

    You will certainly not be without high techniques such as cornering and handling when participating in specific races. This product will allow you to perform these most excellently and tightly.

    There will be a little noise when you drive at high speed. However, it won’t be too loud to bother you.

    Pros
    • Excellent traction on dry surfaces
    • Work well on different terrains
    • Responds quickly and exactly
    • Tight and excellent handling or cornering
    Cons
    • Can release a bit of noise

    6. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season

    Best Of High Response

    Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season
    Key Feature
  • All season traction and performance
  • Quick steering response
  • Tire Size16″, 17″, 18″, 19″ and 20″.
    Price Range$183.38 to $327.99
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    We chose the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season because of its high response. This feature will support you when moving on new roads.

    This tire will communicate well with you through its relative stiffness. For example, you will quickly recognize and adjust the deceleration on the road surface with many potholes or change the driving direction accordingly.

    It’s also an all-season tire, so that it will work well in both dry and wet weather conditions, meaning that even on a more slippery surface, the tire will still ensure the highest level of safety for you with its Tredlock technology.

    Moreover, because it is an all-season, the wear rate will be slower. You will prolong the service life and save a considerable amount of money on tire changes.

    For an adequate response, this one is a bit stiff compared to other high-performance tires. So, it will create a shock when traveling on rough roads.

    Pros
    • Quick and accurate response
    • Work well on both wet and dry surfaces
    • Slower wear and tear rate than others
    • Reasonable price
    Cons
    • Reduced comfort on rough roads

    7. Michelin Pilot Super Sport

    Best Of Durability And Treadlife

    Michelin Pilot Super Sport
    Key Feature
  • Ultimate precision handling
  • Long street and track treadlife
  • Tire Size17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″ and 22″.
    Price Range$200.99 to $582.72
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is one of the candidates for performance tires because of its impressive durability. With six years and more than 30,000 miles of warranty, we fully trust and will repurchase this product in the future.

    Neither high speed nor high pressure will cause this product to wear out quickly. All thanks to high-quality rubber material with ideal elasticity, unaffected by temperature or ambient conditions.

    Its weight falls at about 22.4 lbs, which is relatively light and easy to carry. This lightweight increases flexibility in control and movement.

    One thing that makes us like this product even more is its sound-absorbing foam. You will not feel uncomfortable or distracted by the sounds of the wheels rubbing against the road surface or making contact with rocks and gravel.

    For wet conditions, we don’t recommend this item. You can still use it but need to reduce your speed to ensure safety.

    Pros
    • High durability
    • Work well under pressure and high speed
    • Quality material
    • Lightweight that increases flexibility
    • Sound-absorbing foam reduces noise
    Cons
    • Not for wet condition
    • Cost more than average range

    8. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus

    Best Of Comfort And Smooth Ride

    pirelli pzero all season plus
    Key Feature
  • Great traction and handling
  • Comfortable riding experience
  • Tire Size17″, 18″, 19″, and 20″.
    Price Range$164.00 to $255.50
    Ratings

    For the most smooth and comfortable ride, we appreciate Pirelli P ZERO ALL SEASON PLUS. Excellent balance helps you drive in the most relaxing and refined way.

    It’s flexible and can adapt to a variety of terrains, including wet and dry conditions. Not only in summer, but you can use this product throughout the year.

    To ensure safety, the manufacturer has focused on creating responsive steering. It does an amazing job in reflecting each movement and state of the environment and the road you’re on, and there is no need to worry about the accuracy; we have experienced and fully trust it.

    Fast and tight cornering and handling is something that every speed lover wants to have. If that’s also what you’re looking for, this item won’t disappoint you.

    Unfortunately, snow and super cold conditions will reduce its performance. So if you live in a cold climate, you may want to consider other items.

    Pros
    • Comfortable and smooth ride
    • Work well with both dry and wet seasons
    • All-year-round item in a temperate climate
    • Accurate and fast response
    • Tight and nice handling
    Cons
    • Not for snow or super-cold weather

    Conclusion 

    What do you think about our top-performance tire? Don’t hesitate to recheck this post to make a final decision.

    If you haven’t chosen the most suitable for yourself, we highly recommend Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S with its outstanding features that support you a lot:

    • The exceptional precision of the steering
    • Stabilize during ride
    • Outstanding performance on wet surfaces
    • Long lifespan: 50,000 miles warranty
    • Smooth and comfortable ride

    David Barlow

    Automotive Experts at World Tire Review

    Hi everyone, I’m David (Tireguy). I believe that finding tires can lead to a lot of confusion and frustration for almost every driver. That’s why I would like to bring my experiences and knowledges to develop World Tire Review blog, it will give people a deeper understanding of what choosing the right tire is really like!