The Best All-Season Performance Tires Review and Buyer’s Guide

Are you searching for the best all-season performance tires to improve your car’s handling and steering capabilities? This post delves into a list of the top six performance tires for all-season use. A buyer’s guide is also included to help you understand what to look for in a well-made performance tire.

Let’s see what characteristics make these performance all-season tires so unique and deserving of your money!

Top 6 Best All-Season Performance Tires

Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus

Key Features 

• Type: UHP All-Season 
• Asymmetric tread pattern
• 3D sipes 
• SportPlus technology
• QuickView indicators
• 50,000-mile treadwear warranty

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is one of the most accomplished ultra-high-performance all-season tires. It does almost everything right and, crucially, works in every climate.

This tire performs well in almost any weather and features Continental’s “+Silane” tread type, which allows it to excel in wet conditions while avoiding uneven tread wear over time.

More impressively, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus has the best traction on wet pavement, contributing to excellent acceleration and the shortest braking distances in the category. 

The ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus also doesn’t disappoint in the winter; it provides good overall traction and is very easy to drive in the corners.

To top it all off, Continental also managed to make this tire quiet on the highway and smooth over almost all surfaces. 

The ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus comes with an excellent 50,000-mile treadwear warranty making it one of the most durable UHP all-season tires. 

Pros

• Exceptional performance in rainy and wet conditions with best-in-class acceleration and handling
• High lateral grip and balanced handling in the dry
• Very comfortable for a performance tire 
• Safe cornering
• Acceptable light snow performance 
• Great warranty

Cons

• The steering response is not so good
• Expensive 
• Dry performance isn’t the best in class

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 +

Key Features

• Type: UHP All-Season 
• Helio+ technology with sunflower oil
• Silica-enhanced asymmetric tread pattern
• Dynamic Response Technology
• Distinctive full-depth and interlocking sipes
• 45,000-mile treadwear warranty for Y and W-speed rated and 30,000 miles for Y-speed rated models

The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 is another UHP tire that provides optimal traction on any surface.  

It performs admirably on dry tarmac, with responsive and linear steering and excellent overall grip. The acceleration is excellent, as expected, and the stopping distances are among the shortest in the class.

When it comes to rain, the Pilot Sport A/S 4 remains one of the best ultra-high-performance tires. It can provide very high levels of traction without slipping in damp conditions and keep you in check in corners.

This Michelin UHP all-season tire also performs well in the winter, providing the driver with good overall traction and balanced cornering.

Handling is what Michelin does best, and the same goes for the Pilot Sport A/S 4. The tire is one of the most responsive ones in its class and delivers great feedback

However, the comfort and noise levels are not the best. The Pilot Sport All-Season 4 has a slightly harsher ride, and the noise levels are average and slightly higher than some of the other tires in this class.

Michelin offers the tire with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Pros

• Short stopping distances in dry and wet conditions
• Superior acceleration in the rain
• Balanced handling and good lateral grip on dry pavement
• Good light-snow traction 
• Impressive cornering and handling

Cons

• Rough ride and noticeable tread growl
• Very expensive

Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS Plus 

Key Features

• Type: UHP All-Season
• New ultra-high silica compound
• Advanced tread pattern
• See-through voids and open shoulder slots
• 50,000-mile treadwear warranty 

The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ is ideal for drivers who enjoy high-speed driving, as it has the sharpest steering in its class, with an excellent on-center feel and sharp responses. That’s accompanied by excellent grip, traction on dry roads, and very good behaviour at the limit.

Furthermore, the Potenza RE980AS+ has excellent snow traction and balanced handling and is simple to drive. Even if the tire wears down over time, the biting edges keep you from getting stuck in the snow.

Noise is another plus for this Bridgestone tire. It remains quiet even at highway speeds. Overall, the Potenza RE980AS PLUS is one of the few high-performance tires that is quiet and comfortable.

While the tire performs admirably in wet conditions, its overall traction is lower than that of other premium UHP all-season tires.

Bridgestone offers a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty on this tire, which is the best in the class.

Pros

• High levels of longitudinal traction and lateral grip on dry roads
• Predictable cornering in wet conditions
• Exceptional light snow traction 

Cons

• Performance on wet roads is not excellent.

BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 A/S Plus 

Key Features 

• Type: UHP All-Season 
• UltraGrip technology to optimize the tire for a dry grip
• Equal Tension Containment System for better high-speed traction
• Sturdy racing core construction and side inserts for added longevity
• 45,000-mile treadwear warranty 

The g-Force Comp-2 A/S Plus is one of the most reasonably priced performance tires available.

Its handling and steadiness on dry asphalt are two of its strong suits. Moreover, its cornering ability is accurate and sure-footed despite employing a four-season compound. You can confidently drive at high speeds on highways and not fear losing control.

Even on slick surfaces, the product provides good feedback and grip. It always stops at the right time to ensure the driver’s safety in heavy rain.

The g-Force COMP-2 A/S PLUS snow grip is also excellent. The braking distance and traction are stable, allowing you to accelerate on light snow confidently.

Despite its many performance advantages, this tire is not the best choice for quietness; it emits a growl when driving on highways. 

On the plus side, this tire comes with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty.

Pros

• Best-in-class handling ability 
• Comfortable and smooth riding experience 
• Short braking distance
• Good feedback and grip on slippery roads
• Quick response and flexibility on dry roads
• Fantastic warranty
• Great price point

Cons

• Struggles to deliver on ice and snow
• Wet traction could be better
• A bit noisy

General Tire G-MAX AS-05

Key Features

• Type: UHP All-Season
• Four circumferential scratches
• High silica tire compound
• SmartGrip technology (strong center rib + ultra-stable shoulder blocks) enhances sporty handling

The G-MAX AS-05 from General Tire gives a lot of value for your money. It is excellent if you want to drive all year without worrying about tire replacement. This model can confidently provide quite good traction in various weather conditions, including light snow.

Available in various sizes, it can be fitted on many types of vehicles. What’s more, this tire will improve your car’s sporty handling by providing exceptional grip.

On dry roads, the G-Max AS-05’s tread design maximizes power, outperforming many high-end competitors.

The G-Max AS-05 continues to impress on slippery surfaces, and its grip is unquestionable.

The G-Max AS-05 is an excellent choice for a mild winter; braking distances are short, and the cornering response is consistent.

Pros 

• Great treadwear ratings
• Short braking distance
• Year-round traction
• Handles confidently at high speeds
• Affordable 

Cons 

• Road noise at high speeds
• Lower steering response than competitors

Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate 

Key Features 

• Type: UHP All-Season 
• ActiveGrip Technology for maximum road grip 
• ActiveBraking Technology for unparalleled braking capabilities 
• ActiveStrength Technology provides confident handling with a strong, lightweight construction
• Wear Gauge indicator helps monitor wear via tread depth.
• The sidewall’s rim protectors guard your wheels against curb damage
• 45,000-mile treadwear warranty

Goodyear is a well-known player in the tire industry, and for a good reason: it creates tires that incorporate the most recent industry innovations. And its Eagle Exhilarate model proves this!

It allows you to fully utilize the potential of your vehicle on the track and road in both dry and wet conditions.

It’s one of the best all-season performance tires to drive, thanks to its extremely responsive steering, which provides granular feedback from the road.

Furthermore, the dry grip and traction are almost on par with a summer performance tire, and the handling is very balanced, even when pushed to the limit. The wet traction is also impressive, and the tire offers surefooted handling.

The Eagle Exhilarate isn’t particularly comfortable over bumps, but it’s at least quiet on the highway. It also includes a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is a great bargain for the price.

Pros

• Excellent traction on wet tarmac, with strong braking and good acceleration
• Very good lateral grip on dry roads and excellent braking

Cons

• Harsh ride over small and sharp imperfections
• Average snow performance 

All-Season Performance Tires Buyer’s Guide

The search for the best performance all-season tires does not end with simply looking through a list. Other considerations must be made, and this guide outlines them for you.

Sizes

To ensure you have the right tire for your vehicle, you must first determine the correct size. This information is available on a tire’s sidewall and is denoted in both numbers and letters in the order of tire classification; width, tire profile, and inner diameter, respectively.

Treadwear

One of the other most important characteristics of a performance tire is its treadwear. Unfortunately, performance tires do not have the best tread life. Because of this, most premium tires may not provide a tread life warranty.

However, if you need tires for heavy-duty use, it’s best to go with a warranty. A lack of warranty does not imply that performance tires sacrifice features or abilities.

FAQs

Are performance tires suitable for all seasons?

Performance tires can perform well in a variety of weather conditions. However, in extreme conditions, the grip and handling of these tires may not be as good as that of specialized ones. 

Do all-season performance tires wear out faster?

Due to their softer rubber materials, all-season performance tires are prone to wear and damage. As a result, they have a shorter lifespan than standard tires.

How long do all-season performance tires last?

The average life of a performance all-season tire is about 60,000 miles. 

Are all-season performance tires better than summer performance tires?

There is no better choice between all-season and summer performance tires because each has advantages depending on the application.

All-season performance tires provide year-round dependability for high-performance vehicles. They have enough traction to allow for spirited driving on most surfaces.

On the other hand, summer performance tires provide precise steering control, grip, and traction in warmer temperatures.

Can I use all-season performance tires in the winter?

All-season performance tires are designed to provide good traction in light snow, and most models on this list do so with ease. While you can accelerate, brake, and steer, your overall traction will be significantly less than that of a dedicated winter tire.

Furthermore, all-season performance tires will not perform well in unpacked or deep snow and will not provide adequate traction on ice. Hence, if you live in an area with severe winter conditions, you should invest in a set of winter tires.

Bottom Line

We are confident that the list above will help you find the best set of all-season performance tires for your vehicle. These options provide better tread life than a summer performance tire while also providing some winter usability.

If you want to purchase a set of all-season performance tires for your vehicle, the Trail Tire Auto Centers team is happy to help! Give your closest location a call today, or view our selection online.