Summers are realy gruelling times for all kids of tyres as the immense heat expands the air inside the tyre and builds high levels of pressure against the sidewalls.
Goodyear and Dunlop have long been at the forefront of producing some of the best known summer tyres and have been upgrading their tyres on a regular basis through innovative technological advances. However, when it comes to quality standards for specialised summer tyres, there is still a lot to done. However, tyre labelling was finally introduced at the end of 2012. While the new tyre labels, which show the wet grip, fuel efficiency and noise performance of the tyre are an important start to understand and rate tyres, they only cover an extremely small section of a tyres overall performance.
Based on available data, tyre tests and user reviews, here are some tyres which we believe are noteworthy for their performance under extreme summer conditions.
Max Performance Summer Max performance summer tyres should be designed to give you the ultimate driving experience. Generally sized from 17 inch and larger, these tyres are some of the most advanced tyres in the world. Perfect for cars from the Golf GTI, to a Porsche 911 GT3.
Michelin Pilot Super Sport While it sometimes gets marked down a little for its aquaplaning performance in group tests, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is still the tyre to be on for the ultimate driving experience. Good wear, mind bending dry grip, and a new, larger range of sizes means this is our sports tyre of choice. If you enjoy driving, this is the tyre to be on.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 continues to be one of the best rated tyre. Probably the best all-round tyre on the market, the Asymmetric 2 is a solid recommendation, and usually priced a little more keenly than the Michelin above.
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti With the new Ultrac Vorti, Vredestein have shown their intent of winning OE fitment. While the unique tread pattern of the Ultrac Sessanta is gone, Vredestein have managed to produce a much more rounded tyre. There’s been a small price increase on the Sessanta, but it should still be priced less than the two premium brands above, making the Vorti a good mid range choice.
Premium Touring Summer When compared with max performance summer tyres, premium touring tyres generally have a stronger bias towards comfort, safety and fuel efficiency. These tyres are at home on cars such as a Ford Mondeo, which gets used as a tool, rather than a passion, but can range from 13 inches right up to 19 inches.
Dunlop Sport BluResponse Often getting overshadowed by their sister company Goodyear, it has been a while since Dunlop have had a strong summer touring tyre. With this years new launch, Dunlop finally seem to have the upper hand. The Dunlop Sport BluResponse is winning test after test thanks to an excellent balance between wet grip, dry grip and rolling resistance.
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance While the Dunlop might have the edge in test wins, the Goodyear shouldn’t be ignored. Also winning tests, the Goodyear seems to emulate the Dunlops ability to blend wet and dry grip with good rolling resistance, but trades some of the Dunlops sporty characteristics for improved comfort.
Vredestein Sportrac 5 Again Vredestein end up the “best of the rest” with the Sportrac 5. Its keen price and excellent group test results, along with universal praise from Tyre Reviews submitters makes this an option when considering the smaller sizes.
SUV and 4X4 These premium touring SUV and 4×4 tyres are at home on 4×4 vehicles which spend the majority of time on-road. While they might have better grass and mud performance compared to a sports tyre, they’re not suitable for serious off roading.
Continental Cross Contact UHP While we’ve not had a huge amount of SUV tyre tests in the past few years, the two we’ve seen recently show one thing. Continental is the king of SUV tyres. Perhaps losing a little ride comfort when compared to its competitors, the Cross Contact UHP offers excellent dry and wet grip, and reasonable off road performance too. Our recommendation for a high powered sporty SUV.
Pirelli Scorpion Verde The latest iteration of the Scorpion Verde has improved the tyre, with a strong second in both tests this year. Another excellent all round SUV or 4×4 tyre and offered in a wide range of sizes and fitments.
