2026 UHP Tire Test: The ultra-high performance segment is more competitive than ever — and the gap between big brands and challengers is getting closer. In Top Tire Review’s 2026 UHP Tire Test, seven contenders go head-to-head to answer one question: how much better are the big names, really? Proven benchmarks like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Continental MaxContact MC7, and Bridgestone Potenza Sport take on challengers including the Yokohama Advan Sport V107, Toyo Proxes Sport 2, Giti Sport S2+, and Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2. From wet braking to aquaplaning, handling, comfort, and efficiency, this is the ultimate showdown — same size, same car, same conditions — to reveal what truly matters in the UHP segment.
Table of Contents
Test Setup
In this test, brand new tires sized 225/45R18 were fitted onto a BMW 3 Series. Tire pressures were set to 2.3 bar at the front and 2.3 bar at the rear. For subjective evaluations, each point difference equates to a 10% performance difference. For example, if Tire A scores a 7 and Tire B an 8, Tire B is considered 10% superior.
Overall test scores are calculated using the following weight distribution: Wet Performance at 40%, Dry Performance at 30%, Noise & Comfort at 20%, and Rolling Resistance (RR) at 10%.
Wet
In the UHP tire segment, wet grip is king — especially when speed, precision, and changing conditions demand absolute confidence.
Wet Braking Results
The Continental MaxContact MC7 needed the longest distance to stop at 31.7 m. The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 improved slightly to 31.4 m, 0.3 m shorter and about 1% better, while the Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 followed at 30.1 m, a further 1.3 m shorter and 4% ahead. The Yokohama Advan Sport V107 closed the gap to 29.9 m, 0.2 m shorter and 1% better, with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport just behind at 29.8 m, a marginal 0.1 m gain. The Giti Sport S2+ made a stronger step to 29.7 m, another 0.1 m shorter, but the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 led confidently at 28.3 m — 1.4 m shorter than Giti, marking a 5% advantage in wet braking performance.
Wet Handling Results
Results are separated by objective metrics (lap time) & subjective perceptions.
The Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 ranked lowest with a score of 6.7. The Yokohama Advan Sport V107 improved to 6.9, 0.2 points higher and about 3% better. The Continental MaxContact MC7 and Toyo Proxes Sport 2 followed at 7.0, a further 0.1 point gain and 1% ahead. The Giti Sport S2+ and Bridgestone Potenza Sport stepped up to 7.1, another 0.1 point increase, but the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 led the group at 7.2 — 0.1 point higher, marking a 1% edge in subjective wet handling performance.
The Continental MaxContact MC7 and Yokohama Advan Sport V107 recorded the slowest lap times at 31.0 s. The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 improved slightly to 30.9 s, 0.1 s faster and about 0.3% better, while the Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 followed at 30.8 s, another 0.1 s gain and 0.3% ahead. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stepped up to 30.4 s, 0.4 s quicker and roughly 1% better, with the Giti Sport S2+ close behind at 30.1 s, a further 0.3 s improvement. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport led the pack at 29.9 s — 0.2 s faster than Giti, marking a 1% edge in wet handling lap time performance.
Aquaplaning Results
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Continental MaxContact MC7 recorded the lowest aquaplaning speeds at 75.9 km/h. The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 improved slightly to 76.9 km/h, 1.0 km/h higher and about 1% better, while the Bridgestone Potenza Sport followed at 77.8 km/h, a further 0.9 km/h gain. The Yokohama Advan Sport V107 stepped up to 78.1 km/h, 0.3 km/h higher, with the Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 close behind at 78.7 km/h, another 0.6 km/h improvement. The Giti Sport S2+ led the pack at 81.1 km/h — 2.4 km/h higher than Sailun, marking a 3% advantage in aquaplaning resistance.
Dry
In the UHP segment, dry performance remains essential — ensuring strong braking, stability, and precision when pushing the limits.
Dry Braking Results
The Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 needed the longest distance to stop at 38.6 m. The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 improved to 38.2 m, 0.4 m shorter and about 1% better, while the Giti Sport S2+ and Yokohama Advan Sport V107 followed at 37.7 m, a further 0.5 m gain and 1% ahead. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stepped up to 37.3 m, 0.4 m shorter and 1% better, with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport close behind at 37.1 m, another 0.2 m improvement. The Continental MaxContact MC7 led the pack at 36.4 m — 0.7 m shorter than Bridgestone, marking a 2% advantage in dry braking performance.
Dry Handling Results
For UHP tires, dry handling is just as critical as wet grip — delivering stability, balance, and precision at speed. In this test, performance is measured through both lap times and subjective feel, including steering response, accuracy, and driver confidence.
The Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 ranked lowest with a score of 6.8. The Giti Sport S2+, Toyo Proxes Sport 2, and Bridgestone Potenza Sport followed at 7.0, 0.2 points higher and about 3% better. The Continental MaxContact MC7 and Yokohama Advan Sport V107 stepped up to 7.1, a further 0.1 point gain and 1% ahead. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 led the pack at 7.2 — 0.1 point higher, marking a 1% edge in dry handling performance.
The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 recorded the slowest lap time at 31.3 s. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 improved to 30.9 s, 0.4 s faster and about 1% better, while the Giti Sport S2+ followed at 30.5 s, a further 0.4 s gain and 1% ahead. The Continental MaxContact MC7 stepped up to 30.1 s, 0.4 s quicker and about 1% better. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Yokohama Advan Sport V107 led the pack at 29.8 s — 0.3 s faster than Continental, marking a 1% edge in dry handling lap time performance.
Noise
In the Asia region, noise and comfort remain significant factors for UHP tires, as drivers prioritize a balanced experience that combines performance with everyday comfort on varying road surfaces.
Subjective comfort & noise results
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport ranked lowest with a score of 6.5. The Yokohama Advan Sport V107 improved slightly to 6.6, 0.1 point higher and about 2% better, while the Continental MaxContact MC7 stepped up to 6.8, a further 0.2 point gain and 3% ahead. The Giti Sport S2+ and Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 followed at 7.0, another 0.2 point improvement and 3% better. The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 moved ahead at 7.1, 0.1 point higher, but the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 led the pack at 7.2 — 0.1 point higher, marking a 1% edge in comfort and noise performance.
Rolling Resistance
The Yokohama Advan Sport V107 recorded the highest rolling resistance at 10.0. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport improved to 9.5, 0.5 lower and about 5% better, while the Toyo Proxes Sport 2 followed at 8.7, a further 0.8 reduction and 8% ahead. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Continental MaxContact MC7 stepped down to 8.5, another 0.2 improvement and 2% better. The Giti Sport S2+ came in at 8.4, 0.1 lower, but the Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 led the pack at 7.8 — 0.6 lower than Giti, marking a 7% advantage in rolling resistance performance.
2026 UHP Tire Test: Final Standings
1. Michelin Pilot Sport 5
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 1st | 105% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 1st | 101% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 3rd | 99% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 7th | 94% |
| Dry Braking | 3rd | 101% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 1st | 102% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 1st | 102% |
| Subjective Comfort & Noise | 1st | 102% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd | 99% |
What we like:
- Outstanding all-round performance, leading in wet braking, wet handling, dry handling, and comfort. Delivers a confident, precise steering feel with strong consistency across conditions, making it one of the most balanced tires in the test.
What could be improved:
- A very well-rounded tire overall. If there’s room for improvement, aquaplaning resistance and rolling resistance could be stronger to fully match its leading grip and handling performance.
Tire Price (225/45R18): RM 774
2. Giti Sport S2+
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 2nd | 100% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 1st | 100% |
| Dry Braking | 4th | 100% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 4th | 100% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 4th | 100% |
| Subjective Comfort & Noise | 4th | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd | 100% |
What we like
- Strong and consistent performance across key areas, with competitive wet braking, solid wet handling, and class-leading aquaplaning resistance. Delivers stable, predictable behavior with a good balance of grip and efficiency, making it a standout challenger in the test.
What could be improved
- A well-balanced tire overall. To push further, dry handling precision and ride refinement could be enhanced to match the top-tier benchmarks.
Tire Price (225/45R18): RM 478
3. Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 5th | 99% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 7th | 96% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 4th | 98% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 2nd | 97% |
| Dry Braking | 7th | 98% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 7th | 98% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 5th | 99% |
| Subjective Comfort & Noise | 3rd | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st | 108% |
What we like
- A genuine surprise of the test, delivering class-leading rolling resistance and strong aquaplaning performance. Offers solid all-round capability with competitive comfort, making it a standout value performer in this UHP lineup.
What could be improved
- To compete with the top-tier tires, wet and dry handling precision could be improved, along with overall grip at the limit.
Tire Price (225/45R18): –
4. Continental MaxContact MC7
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 7th | 94% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 4th | 99% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 6th | 97% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 6th | 94% |
| Dry Braking | 1st | 104% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 2nd | 101% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 3rd | 101% |
| Subjective Comfort & Noise | 5th | 98% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd | 99% |
What we like
- Best-in-class dry braking performance, delivering strong stopping power and a solid, stable feel. Offers consistent handling with good balance, making it a dependable performer across conditions.
What could be improved
- To compete with the top tier, wet braking and aquaplaning resistance could be stronger, along with a slight improvement in comfort and noise refinement.
Tire Price (225/45R18): RM 732
5. Toyo Proxes Sport 2
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 6th | 95% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 4th | 99% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 5th | 97% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 5th | 95% |
| Dry Braking | 6th | 99% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 4th | 100% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 7th | 97% |
| Subjective Comfort & Noise | 2nd | 101% |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th | 97% |
What we like
- Solid and consistent performance across the board, with balanced wet and dry handling and good ride comfort. Delivers predictable behavior and decent efficiency, making it a well-rounded option in the UHP segment.
What could be improved
- To challenge the top performers, wet and dry braking performance could be stronger, along with a bit more sharpness in handling precision at the limit.
Tire Price (225/45R18): RM 553
6. Bridgestone Potenza Sport
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 3rd | 100% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 1st | 101% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 4th | 96% |
| Dry Braking | 2nd | 102% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 4th | 100% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 5th | 99% |
| Subjective Comfort & Noise | 7th | 95% |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th | 88% |
What we like
- Fastest wet handling lap time with strong, confidence-inspiring grip at the limit. Delivers sharp, sporty dynamics with stable braking and consistent performance, making it one of the most engaging tires in the test.
What could be improved
- To complete the package, comfort and noise refinement could be improved, along with rolling resistance, which trails the more efficiency-focused competitors.
Tire Price (225/45R18): RM 857
7. Yokohama Advan Sport V107
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 4th | 99% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 6th | 98% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 6th | 97% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 3rd | 96% |
| Dry Braking | 5th | 100% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 3rd | 101% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 1st | 102% |
| Subjective Comfort & Noise | 6th | 96% |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th | 84% |
What we like
- Strong overall performance with competitive wet braking and top-tier dry handling pace. Delivers a precise, stable feel at speed, showing its OE-focused performance DNA.
What could be improved
- To move up the field, comfort and noise refinement could be improved, along with a bit more consistency in wet handling and aquaplaning performance.
Tire Price (225/45R18): RM 665
Test Summary
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stands out as the most complete tire, leading in key areas like wet braking, handling, and comfort — setting the benchmark for balanced UHP performance. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport delivers the most engaging driving experience with top wet handling pace, while the Continental MaxContact MC7 excels in dry braking with strong overall stability.
Among the challengers, the Giti Sport S2+ impresses with excellent aquaplaning resistance and solid all-round capability, while the Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 is the biggest surprise, leading in rolling resistance with competitive overall performance. The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 and Yokohama Advan Sport V107 sit in the middle, offering balanced but less standout results.
Overall, the gap between big brands and challengers is real — but smaller than expected, especially outside of absolute limit performance.