High Performance Summer Tire Guide: What’s Right for Your Ride?

Need a new set of high performance summer tires? You’re in luck!

In 2023, the high performance summer tire market has grown bigger than ever, valued at over $33-billion USD according to a Global Newswire report, and there are now hundreds of different products and dozens of top brands to choose from.

Of course, the size of the high performance summer tire category can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it means there’s a perfect pick out there for every driver, no matter what you have on your feature wishlist.

But if you’re a tire tyro without much experience—maybe this is even your first time—the sheer selection can be overwhelming. And the wrong pick can be disastrous, leading to:

• Subpar performance—exactly the opposite of what you paid for!
• Overspending on irrelevant/unused features
• Decreased fuel economy
• Accelerated tread wear
• Safety issues
• Increased maintenance and repair costs

Don’t worry—your local TIRECRAFT is here to help. Read on to learn the basics of high performance summer tire selection and how to find what’s right for your ride, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to schedule a free consultation now.

Summer tire guide: Basic features and performance levels

While many drivers use all-seasons in the summer, the term “summer tire” typically refers to the performance tire class. These tires offer many of the same features you’ll see on standard all-season tires, but are fine-tuned for responsive performance on wet and dry roads.

Generally speaking, high performance summer tires will have:

• Stiffer sidewalls to improve cornering and flex less under extreme turning force
• Larger treadblocks for enhanced dry traction and grip
• Tread patterns with fewer “blades” and more tread blocks
• Special compounds for enhanced wet and dry grip, but limited cold-weather capability

Together, these features provide better braking, cornering, and steering responsiveness, at the expense of winter performance.

High performance summer tires also have a much higher speed rating than standard all-seasons, and these speed ratings dictate their performance levels, which include:

• Performance tires, which typically have an H speed rating, indicating a maximum speed of 130 mph/210 kph
• High performance tires, which typically have a V or H speed rating, indicating a maximum speed of 149 mph or 240 kph
• Ultra high performance tires, which typically have a V, W, Y, and Z rating, indicating that they can perform at speeds in excess of 300 kph!

Knowing the difference between these different categories is a great way to jumpstart your tire search.

Most daily drivers will do best at the standard performance tire level, where they will see a noticeable difference in ride quality and responsiveness, without running afoul of ultra-high performance prices, road noise, or shorter, track-focused tread life estimates.

High performance summer tires are typically meant for serious driving enthusiasts, while sticky ultra high performance tires are exclusively for the track.

Get personalized high performance summer tire picks: Contact TIRECRAFT

To learn more about the high performance summer tire class, browse our expansive selection, and get personalized picks from our on-site tire experts, contact your local TIRECRAFT using our online shop finder.

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