The heat is on and summer is in full swing. It’s open road season. But if you want to make your weekend ride a joy ride, you need the right summer tires (aka performance tires).
Whether you’re taking your sports car out for a highway cruise, a day at the track, or even an actual competition, these tires are the best way to unlock your ride’s pulse-pounding performance.
Check out our huge inventory yourself!
If you were hoping for an all-season option, check out our picks for the best all-season performance tires!
SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES
There are endless options for choosing the right summer performance tires for your souped-up sedan, coupe, tuner, or whatever high-powered ride you drive.
(If you’re planning to actually compete in regional or even national races, you might want to peruse some of our best-selling competition tires.)
But if you’re on the hunt for rubber that will give you goosebumps whether you’re going for a weekend cruise or an amateur track day, we’ve got some of the hottest summer/performance tires for you.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
You know we’re not messing around when we start out with one of the leading track-ready tires from perhaps the biggest name in the industry.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is summer tire royalty, and with good reason. The PS4S from Michelin can take on the pavement and the closed course with equal ease. Its asymmetrical tread design and cutting-edge rubber compound deliver on every single level of performance.
Faster lap times? Easy. Lightning fast steering response? Done. Grip that won’t slip even when those summer storms start to drip? You got it.
Features you should pay attention to include:
Dynamic Response Technology for adaptive steering and extended tread life
Deep rim protectors to keep your wheels damage free
10% improvement on tread life via Michelin’s Total Performance tech
Premium velvet sidewall lettering stands out from the crowd
High-tech construction keeps unsprung weight as low as possible
20-30,000-mile warranty is a rarity for performance tires
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport is designed to impress and deliver amazing confidence in wet and high-speed conditions. This ultra-high-performance tire utilizes specially engineered geometry to maintain contact pressure with the driving surface (for better handling) while simultaneously channeling water away.
Corners, curves, and climate don’t hold this tire back. The Potenza Sport offers excellent handling and traction on dry and wet roads, plus noise dampening tech to make it a comfy (and fun) ride.
Features to pay attention to include:
Next-gen ultra-high silica compound for confident grip and handling in wet and dry conditions
Available in run-flat in some sizes
Even contact pressure and water evacuation via specifically engineered pattern geometry
Tuned tread sequencing for minimized pattern tread noise
3D sipe tech for well-balanced wet and wear performance
Bridgestone’s Platinum Pact Warranty
90-Day Buy & Try Guarantee for full refund or exchange within 90 days if you are unsatisfied
Nitto NT555 G2
This next pick is for you if you want on-tap trackday traction that doesn’t set back your budget for the next six months. That tire is the Nitto NT555 G2. We love this tire for so many reasons, starting with its aggressive directional tread pattern and futuristic looking tread block design.
Pay attention to:
Twin center ribs yield commanding dry traction and straight-line stability
Silica-enhanced high stiffness tread compound for stellar handling in wet and dry conditions
Large tapered tread blocks for enhanced dry traction, stability, and cornering
Four wide circumferential grooves boost wet handling and grip
Large tread blocks look amazing on staggered vehicles (for 275mm and wider sizes)
Nitto cut their teeth in the tuner and drag racing scene, so you know that they’re not messing around. Add in the fact that they designed the G2 to pair perfectly with the NT555RII drag racing radial, and you can see how this summer tire is designed to tame raw horsepower at high speeds.
SHOP NITTO NT555 G2 TIRESPirelli P Zero
Pulse-pounding performance from the heart of Milan? Must be the Pirelli P Zero.
The OE tire du jour of some of the biggest names in luxury performance automotive manufacturing, the P Zero may as well be Italian for peak performance and maxed out luxury.
With its race-ready tread design and space-age rubber compound, the P Zero delivers thrilling performance in spades. Whether you’re trying to nab the fastest lap or be the first person at the office in the morning, you want the P Zero’s razor sharp steering and powerful acceleration.
Features you should note include:
Run-flat tech available in select sizes
Customized high-silica inner tread design for better ride and wet handling
Extra-wide longitudinal grooves reduce chance of hydroplaning
Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS) reduces in-cabin noise across life of the tire
S-shaped tread design offers perfect balance of cornering, acceleration, and braking
Available in 17’’ to 22’’ fitments for cars and 19’’ to 22’’ SUV fitments
In short, this summer tire is ready to go from the country club to the track, helping you dominate in absolute comfort.
SHOP PIRELLI P ZERO TIRESContinental ExtremeContact Sport 02
Dynamic with superior wet and dry handling and braking, the ExtremeContact Sport 02 scores high points in track-proven performance.
Did we mention its exceptional tread life?
This ultra-high performance passenger summer tire is designed specifically for sports cars, coupes, sedans and muscle cars. It's also EV compatible!!
No wonder it’s the preferred tire of ROUSH Performance, BMW Performance Driving School and the AMG Driving Academy.
Here’s a list of just some of its stellar features:
Specialized summer only +Silane tread compound with molded ribbed asymmetrical design for ultra-high performance in wet conditions
Wide shoulder tread blocks for high-speed handling, constant contact, and lateral grip
Wide, optimized footprint for even surface pressure to yield amazing tread life
Two-ply polyester casing supported by two steel belts with polyamide reinforcement ply for strong, high-speed stability and performance
Tuned performance indicators (D and W for “dry” and “wet) display when the tire is no longer optimally tuned for performance in either of these conditions
Even more amazing: it includes a rare 30,000-mile warranty and Continental’s Total Confidence Plan warranty which includes a 60-day customer satisfaction trial, flat tire roadside assistance, road hazard coverage and emergency trip coverage.
SHOP CONTI EXTREMECONTACT SPORT 02Yokohama ADVAN Apex
You can seize the season properly with the Yokohama ADVAN Apex, an ultra-high-performance summer tire with an asymmetrical tread design, high-grade micro silica compound and extra wide outside rib for driving thrills.
The ADVAN Apex delivers performance excellence at a manageable price point, making it a great option for budget buyers who don’t want to compromise on fun. And this tire lives up to its Apex title with unmatched cornering control, dry and wet traction skills, and high-speed stability.
Its features include:
Strong sidewall and tread pattern yield precise and immediate cornering response
Rigid construction with optimized groove angles delivers a quiet, comfortable ride
Advanced micro-silica compound with rounded rib design gives extended tread life
Enhanced dry and wet grip with 3+1 circumferential grooves
Solid center rib means high-speed stability
25,000-mile limited treadwear warranty (12,500-miles for staggered fitments)
Ready to roll?
If you’re unsure which option to choose, or want more guidance, then we suggest using Treadwell. This custom tire guide helps pair you with the best tires for you, your vehicle, and your driving style in less than a minute.
START WITH TREADWELLWhile you’re spec’ing out new rubber, be sure to take a look at our supply of aftermarket rims. A set of aftermarket rims can power up your ride’s performance and style in equal measure.
SHOP WHEELSStill need some help? Let’s get you taken care of. Just drop in to your local store or give us a ring. And whether you’re getting new tires or wheels, be sure to buy and book online to save time!
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