Most cars come with all-season tires, which provide a reasonable compromise between handling, ride quality, and winter traction. That said, if you ditch those shoes for a good set of summer rubber, and you’ll be amazed at how your car comes alive in the corners. Getting a good sense of what tires are the best matched to your vehicle and driving style/preferences can be tricky, but thankfully the folks at TireRack have developed a comprehensive grading system that analyses both their own reviews and customer feedback to break down the best options in a range of categories. Based on these rankings, here is a look at some of the best-rated performance tires on the market according to this data analysis—as well as info on where to buy them.
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500
Firestone is the sole supplier of tires for IndyCar racing, hence the name of this particular tire. This is currently the highest rated tire on the list, and although Tire Rack testing found that it didn’t have quite as much grip (particularly in the wet) as the tires it was up against, it delivered a smoother ride and less road noise, making it the best all-around tire in the category. Prices range from just north of $75 up to roughly $240 when you’re into the 20″+ range of sizing.
Shop The Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 Tires Here
BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp 2
In the data available, the BFG G-Force Sport Comp 2 rounds out the top three tires in this mega ratings chat, and for good reason. These tires deliver exceptional traction on both wet and dry roads, though first and second place have it beat when it comes to comfort, road noise, and treadwear (which makes sense for a soft compound tire). We found them online for as little as $130.99 a tire, but still staying under $200 per tire in larger 20″ sizes.
Shop The BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp 2 Tires Here
Dunlop Direzza DZ102
The Direzza DZ102 is another favorite and comes in at third place overall. In their own testing, Tire Rack found that the DZ102 offered sharp, responsive turn-in and a comfortable ride, though it seems it lost a few points (with no clear explanation) from purchasers in the “Would You Recommend” category. 7.4/10 isn’t a bad score, mind you, but it isn’t as strong as the 9.0 ranking of the top-rated Firestone. Pricing here is similar to the Firestone as well, ranging from roughly $75 to $270+ depending on sizing.
Shop The Dunlop Direzza DZ102 Tires Here
Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport
Rounding out the top 5 standings thus far, this variant of Potenza is also the tire with the most miles logged by far amongst those top 5 competitors. They are praised for at-the-limit handling, and deliver impressive ride quality, which isn’t particularly common in the category. The RE760 Sport is a touch more expensive than some of the other offerings in the mix, ranging in price from $99 to just shy of $300 for larger sizes, with the majority being in the $150-$180 range.
Shop The Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport Tires Here
Kumho Ecsta PS31
Kumho continues to make a name for itself by producing good-quality high-performance tires that are aggressively priced. The Ecsta PS31 performed well in testing overall, though its weakest points came in steering response and “Would You Recommend” customer ratings. Meanwhile its comfort and treadwear stats were exactly on par with the Dunlops we discussed above. Prices land between $60 and $180, with quite a few sizes on offer below the $100 mark.
Shop The Kumho Ecsta PS31 Tires Here