Guide to Summer Performance Tires (2024 Update)

By Tire Agent Staff

April 16, 2024

With so many choices for all season performance, summer performance, touring performance, and summer ultra-high performance tires, it’s important to know which is right for you. This post from Tire Agent highlights a few of our best-selling summer performance tires, as well as some lesser-known brands worth considering.

summer performance tires on a red sports car.webp Tire Agent is committed to making tires accessible to all drivers, and that includes sports car drivers who want the best summer performance tires their money can buy. Before you give up quality for price, learn about PayPair, our payment plan option where you can choose from several PayPair partners (qualifications and limitations apply).

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Back to business: These are profiles of some of the best-selling summer performance tires in our online tire shop. Remember, shipping is always free within the continental U.S.

10 Summer Performance Tires Featured in This Post

BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2
Falken Azenis RT615K+
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
Kumho Ecsta PS31
Nexen n'Fera SU1
Nitto Invo
Nitto NT555 G2
Pirelli P Zero
Yokohama Advan APEX V601

Defining Summer Performance Tires

What Are Summer Performance Tires?

Summer performance tires are not only made for maximum handling, braking and cornering, but they are designed to stick to the road during dry, and wet summer weather. Usually made of a stickier compound, summer performance tires will have you glued to the road, with the highest level of hydroplane resistance. Florida, Texas and summer lovin’ East Coasters, look out for these hot summer performance tires that will give you the ultimate summer driving experience.

What are Summer UHP Tires?

Summer UHP (ultra-high performance) tires are designed for maximum performance on the street and even on the track. Superior traction and significantly improved dry grip are the features and benefits of these specific tires. Your performance vehicle is sure to excel when driving on a set of summer ultra-high performance tires.

Tire Agent’s List of Summer Performance Tires for 2024

Kumho Ecsta PS31

Designed for performance vehicles like the Audi A4, Ford Mustang and Subaru BRZ, the Kumho Ecsta PS31 gives the summer driver high quality with a decent price tag. With four wide circumferential grooves that improve hydroplaning resistance, you won’t be left out in the rain with this rubber. The wide lateral grooves maximize water displacement when cornering and prevent irregular wear due to the 0–10 degree angle range. Kumho’s 3D dimple design tread pattern minimizes heat build-up on tread blocks which enhancing high-speed durability. It’s pretty clear why this tire stands out in the summer performance tire category.

Starting at: $100 per tire*
Notable: Road hazard protection, 3D dimples design for reducing heat build-up and increasing high-speed durability
Sizes: 15”, 17”, 18”

BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2

The BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 has unmatched performance compared to competitors. Built for faster acceleration, shorter braking and harder cornering, this tire is a premium summer performance choice. This BFGoodrich tire is made with a special Sport Tread Design. The g-Force Sport tread pattern provides proven stability and maximum cornering power. BFG’s innovative g-Hooks provide biting edges for grip at any cornering angle. This tire is proof that summer performance tires are made to be put to the test. Featuring a Performance Racing Core (PRC) the internal structure of the tire is reinforced and delivers increased responsiveness, control and durability, as well as serious control in hard cornering.

Starting at: $269.58 per tire*
Notable: Manufacturer states 30% better grip on wet roads, 15% better grip on dry roads, and 16 feet shorter stopping distance
Sizes: 20”

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 has an asymmetric tread pattern (in case you didn’t figure that out by the name!), which provides increased traction during cornering and improves wet performance as well. This tire is tuned for high-performance suspension systems to compliment your sports vehicle. With a grip booting tread compound, you’ll experience superior on-grip and on-center feel when accelerating.

Starting at: 200.03 per tire*
Notable: Advanced durability features, improved traction
Sizes: 19”, 22”

Nitto NT555 G2

Summer ultra-high performance tires are designed with the performance driver in mind. You’ll experience increased handling and wet braking ability with tires like Nitto's NT555 G2. The tread compound is made with an advanced bonding agent that increases the interaction of all compound elements. This provides high stiffness and rigidity, resulting in better handling in dry and wet weather.

Starting at: $149 per tire*
Notable: Twin center ribs improve dry traction and circumferential grooves reduce hydroplaning
Sizes: 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 22”

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500

The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is a tire inspired by racing. For the extreme racing enthusiast, this tire provides the ultimate sports performance drive. This tire offers superior hydroplane resistance made possible by Firestone’s unique proprietary Pulse Groove™ technology. This advanced tread pattern improves water evacuation as it channels water away from the tire during accelerating and braking.

Starting at: $140.99 per tire*
Notable: Wide shoulders for confident cornering, 20% shorter stopping distance
Sizes: 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”

Nitto Invo

Nitto Invo is an ultra-high performance summer tire that’s perfect for the driver who wants a reliable high-performance tire. Blending comfort, quality and performance, this luxury sport tire is designed using state-of-the-art technology. Nitto’s advanced calculations of size and position of repeating tread blocks has significantly reduced road noise. The smooth and quiet ride coupled with superior handling and cornering ability are what make this tire truly stand out from the rest.

Starting at: $162 per tire*
Notable: Unique asymmetrical tread pattern, 3D multiwave sipes, variable pitch treads to reduce road noise
Sizes: 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”, 22”

Pirelli P Zero

Though the Pirelli P Zero is a 30-year-old tire design, it has been innovated and optimized to maintain the best possible performance, even today. This outstanding summer performance tire features three wide circumferential grooves that channel water and reduce hydroplaning. The special S-shaped tread design works to improve braking and cornering. The three solid center ribs improve braking and traction, especially at high speeds, and the high stiffness tread improves sports performance on warm, dry, roads. Lateral grooves flush water away from the center of the tire which increases performance in wet conditions, so this summer performance tire will keep you confident all season long, even on those rainy summer days!

Starting at: $206.82 per tire*
Notable: Wide circumferential groove channels water and reduces hydroplaning
Sizes: 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”, 22”

Falken Azenis RT615K+

Experience another level of grip with Falken Azenis RT615K+, extreme summer performance tires featuring a unique design, 4D nano tread technology, and sizes for sports cars to performance compacts. The increased size in shoulder blocks allows for an unimaginable cornering experience. The 4D nano design is produced with new performance materials discovered by Falken's proprietary simulation technology.

Starting at: $157 per tire*
Notable: 4D nano tread for traction and durability, large shoulder blocks for increased grip and cornering
Sizes: 14”, 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”

Nexen N'FERA SU1

The Nexen N'FERA SU1 is a rarity in this category for its 25,000-mile limited tread wear warranty, road hazard protection and roadside assistance. This tire offers smooth rides and excellent wet-road traction. It's available in a wide range of sizes, too!

Starting at: $111.45 per tire*
Notable: 25,000-mile warranty**, a rarity in this tire category
Sizes: 16", 17", 18", 19", 20", 22", 24"

Yokohama Advan APEX V601

The Advan APEX V601 by Yokohama is an UHP street tire that offers maximum grip. With a speed rating of Y and an asymmetrical tread pattern, the Advan Apex V601 has strong sidewalls for precise handling and cornering. Other features: maximum grip, lower road noise, and a micro-silica tread compound that offers extended tread life.

Starting at: $196.03 per tire*
Notable: 25,000-mile warranty** (12,500 on staggered fitments)
Sizes: 17", 18", 19", 20"

Shop All Summer Performance Tires from Tire Agent

These 10 summer performance tires are just a sample of some of the best-selling and lesser-known brands available through Tire Agent. We carry over 80 manufacturers' tires (and growing). Select Shop Tires and Wheels, then enter your vehicle information (you'll need to verify the size of your tires). Tire Agent's tire-matching platform will recommend all available tires for your vehicle. In the left-hand of the screen, find Road Condition and select Summer.

SHOP for SUMMER PERFORMANCE TIRES