Tires that you should give a fuck (Best tires in 2024)

Best tires in 2024

Tires that you should give a fuck: When it comes to choosing tires for your vehicle, it can be overwhelming to navigate the vast array of options available on the market. From different brands and tread patterns to various price points, there are countless factors to consider. So how do you know which tires are the best for your needs?

First and foremost, it’s important to consider the type of driving you’ll be doing and the conditions you’ll be driving in. Are you mostly driving in wet or dry conditions? Do you frequently drive on rough or smooth roads? Answering these questions can help narrow down your options and ensure that you choose tires that are suitable for your specific needs.

Another factor to consider is the tread life of the tires. If you drive a lot, you’ll want tires that have a longer tread life to save you money on replacements in the long run. Finally, it’s worth considering the overall performance of the tires. Do they provide good grip in wet and dry conditions? Do they offer a smooth and comfortable ride? By taking these factors into account, you can make an informed decision and choose the best tires for your vehicle.

Drawing on my past experience as a tire engineer, I present to you the best tires of each segment so that you do not need to waste your time doing so.

Table of Contents

Michelin CrossClimate 2 (All Season/Weather tire)

The creation of the CrossClimate is a fascinating story that needs to be told from the beginning. In the past, all-season tires without 3 peak mountain certification have always been popular in the American market and have been well-established for years. No one in the tire industry believed it was possible for an all-season tire to have the required snow traction performance to pass the 3 peak mountain certification. However, in 2015, Michelin introduced the first 3 peak mountain certified all-season tire, which caused a stir in the tire industry.

At the time, the then-new CrossClimate didn’t have any competitors and was the only product in its segment. It took 2-3 years for competitors to launch their own 3 peak mountain certified all-season tires, but the first mover advantage had already been established by the CrossClimate. This is a true testament to Michelin’s commitment to being the de facto innovation leader in the tire industry.

In addition to winning 4 out of 5 2023 press tests it has participated in Europe, the CrossClimate 2 was rank 1st in this segment by both TireRack and Consumer Report. Based on multiple test results, the CrossClimate 2 has demonstrated superior target conflict management of summer versus winter performance, as it once again outshined the competition. Not to mention, the CrossClimate 2 tops the charts when it comes to mileage, with an actual tested result of 85,000 miles. This tire is the main reason why you do not need to switch tires every 6 months.

CrossClimate 2

Launch: 2020
Press test wins: 7/11
Strength: Well balanced summer & winter performances, excellent wear.
Tire Rack score: 9.1/10 (Rank 1st)
Consumer Report score: 74/100 (Rank 1st)

Check out our head-to-head comparison (29 !) of the CrossClimate 2 against its competitors.

CrossClimate 2 vs

Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus (UHP-All Season)

Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus

Ultra-High-Performance (UHP) tires are designed to provide high levels of dry, wet grip, and handling. This is a common segment worldwide, with products such as the Pilot Sport 5 and Continental Sport Contact 7 being some of the big names in the market. However, in America, there is even a further specialization of the UHP segment, which caters more towards the “American” weather with an UHP all-season segment. This product line is specific only for the American market, with the additional capability of handling light winter conditions.

In our opinion, the UHP all-season segment is crowded with many top tires, but the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus consistently manages to just stay ahead of its competitors by a small margin. Its main strength comes in the form of braking, both in wet and dry conditions, as it came out on top against its competitors. It also excels in aquaplaning, which cements its position as the best wet-performing UHP all-season tire in the market. The ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus also ranked 2nd in terms of mileage with an actual tested mileage result of 60,000 miles. However, its weak point is in rolling resistance.

ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus

Launch: 2021
Press test wins: 1/1
Strength: Top class in wet/dry braking. Weak in rolling resistance.
Tire Rack score: 8.9/10 (Rank 3rd)
Consumer Report score: 70/100 (Rank 3rd)

Check out our head to head comparison (15) of ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus against its competitors.

ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs

Continental Viking Contact 7 (Studless/Nordic tire)

Continental Viking Contact 7

The Continental Viking Contact 7 is another legendary tire in the niche market of Studless/Nordic segment. These tires are used in extreme cold weather conditions below 10°C without the need for any studs. If you are from the Nordic region and have picked up a tire test magazine, the chances are high that you have seen the Viking Contact 7 in the top spot. This tire has claimed the top spot 24 out of the 27 press tests it has entered. Below are some highlights of the multiple press tests the Viking Contact 7 has won in the last 5 years:

Winner:

2022 Tyre Reviews: Studless Winter Tire Test
2021 Vi Bilägare: Winter Studless Tire Test R16
2020 Za Rulem: Studless Winter Tire Test R16
2019 Vi Bilägare: Winter Studless Tire Test R17
2018 Autofil: Studless Winter Tire Test R16

The main strength of the Viking Contact 7 comes in the form of ice and snow, which are the main requirements of this segment. Its main weakness is in aquaplaning, as generally wet performance is a target conflict against ice. With these exceptional results, Continental shows that they are one of the top innovators when it comes to the niche segment of Studless/Nordic tires. With the new Continental Viking Contact 8 expected to be out in late 2024, we we eagerly anticipate its arrival to see how it will build on the formidable legacy of its predecessor, promising even greater advancements in performance and safety in extreme cold weather.

Viking Contact 7

Launch: 2018
Press test wins: 25/28
Strength: Best in class in ice & snow. Weak in aquaplaning.
Tire Rack score: 8.7/10 (Rank 2nd)
Consumer Report score: 70/100 (Rank 3rd)

Check out our head to head comparison of Viking Contact 7 against its competitors.

Viking Contact 7 vs

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (UUHP Summer)

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is widely considered to be one of the best ultra-high-performance (UUHP) tires on the market. One of the main reasons for its exceptional performance is its advanced tread compound, which is optimized to provide excellent handling and traction in both wet and dry conditions. Similar to its counterpart CrossClimate 2, Pilot Sport 4S also dominated the press test circuit with an impressive 8 wins out of 15 press test it has entered. Some of the Pilot Sport 4S key press test wins:

Winner:

2021 Auto Bild: Summer Tire Test R19
2021 Sportauto: Summer Tire Test for Sportcars R19
2019 Motor: Summer Tire Test 235/35 ZR19

The Pilot Sport 4S excels in dry handling, but its performance in wet conditions may be weaker, as it has been over 6 years since its debut. The successor called Michelin Pilot Sport S5 has made an exclusive early debut in 2023 as an original equipment (OE) version on select premium vehicles from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Tesla. With the replacement version still on the horizon, the tire world is eager to see how the Pilot Sport S5 will advance the legacy of its predecessor, promising enhanced performance and innovation. Despite this, the Pilot Sport 4S still boasts an impressive mileage of 40,000 miles, ranking 3rd among its competitors. Its status as the best UUHP summer tire is solidified by its 1st place ranking on both Tire Rack and Consumer Report standings.

Pilot Sport 4S

Launch: 2017
Press test wins: 8/15
Strength: Excellent dry handling maestro and very well overall balance performance.
Tire Rack score: 9.1/10 (Rank 1st)
Consumer Report score: 79/100 (Rank 1st)

Check out our head to head comparison of Pilot Sport 4S against its competitors.

Pilot Sport 4S vs

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 (Middle European Winter)

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is a top-performing winter tire designed for use in snowy and icy conditions. It is known to be a fierce rival of Continental’s TS860 and a great rivalry has formed between these two products. One of the key features that sets the Blizzak LM005 apart from its competition is its unique 3D sipe design, which allows for more biting edges on the tire’s tread, providing superior grip on icy roads.

The tire also features a special rubber compound that remains flexible at low temperatures, allowing it to maintain its grip in extremely cold weather. Additionally, the tire has a high level of resistance to hydroplaning and good braking performance on slush, snow, and wet roads. Below are some of the key highlights of Blizzak LM005 key press test wins:

Winner:

2021 Autonavigator: Winter Tire Test R16
2021 Auto Express: Winter Tire Test R17
2021 Auto Motor und Sport: Winter Tire Test R16
2020 Motor: Winter Tire Test R16

Based on these test results, Blizzak LM005 excels in wet braking and snow, which are the two biggest requirements for a middle European tire. However, it is relatively weak in wear, as it could not balance the target conflict well enough against its outstanding wet performance. Bridgestone’s reputation for quality and safety is another key advantage of the Blizzak LM005. The company has been a leading tire manufacturer for decades and is committed to providing high-quality products that meet the demands of modern drivers.

Overall, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is the best middle European tire on the market, with its advanced technology and exceptional performance in snowy and wet conditions. With an outstanding press test win record of 13 out of 35 tests, it stands at the top of the best middle European winter tires.”

Blizzak LM005

Launch: 2019
Press test wins: 13/35
Strength: Excellent dry handling maestro and very well overall balance performance.
Tire Rack score: –
Consumer Report score: –

Check out our head to head comparison of Blizzak LM005 against its competitors.

Blizzak LM005 vs

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 (UHP Summer)

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

The Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is a high-performance, ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire that is designed for sports cars and high-performance vehicles. The tire features an advanced tread design that provides exceptional handling, stability and grip on dry and wet roads. It also has a asymmetric tread pattern which provides an optimal combination of dry handling, wet braking and fuel economy.

One of the key advantages of the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is its exceptional dry handling and dry braking performances which even out paced its arch rival Michelin Pilot Sport 5. Ironically both tires were launched at the same year which demonstrates Goodyear’s capability as a tire manufacturer to challenge Michelin head to head. Below are some of Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6’s key press test wins:

Winner:

2022 Auto Bild: Summer Tire Test R19
2022 Tyre Reviews: Summer Tire Test R17
2022 Auto Motor und Sport: Summer Tire Test R19
2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr: Summer Tire Test R19

With 4 press test wins out of 5, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is currently the hottest UHP summer tire out there in the market.

Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Launch: 2022
Press test wins: 4/5
Strength: Top notch dry performance.
Tire Rack score: –
Consumer Report score: –

Check out our head to head comparison of Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 against its competitors.

Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 vs

Michelin Primacy 4/ Primacy 4+ (Touring Summer)

Michelin Primacy 4

Since the birth of Primacy 4 in 2017, the product has graced us with countless wins and podium place finishes in various press tests. We have covered every press test that it has participated in 2021 over in the article here to demonstrate how well this tire has performed. Michelin Primacy 4 is a touring tire designed for high-performance vehicles. It offers excellent handling and a comfortable ride, making it a top choice for drivers who prioritize a balance of performance and comfort.

Its advanced tread compound provides good traction and braking performance in both wet and dry conditions. The Primacy 4 also boasts a long tread life, making it a cost-effective choice for drivers who rack up a lot of miles on their cars. It is also known for its noise performance as it consistently ranks at the top when it comes to noise vibration harshness ranking (NVH). Some of its key press test wins are highlighted as below:

Winner:

2022 Promobil: Summer Tire Test R17
2021 Teknikens Värld: Summer Tire Test R18
2020 ADAC: Summer Tire Test R17
2019 Autonavigator: Summer Tire Test R16

The main strength of the Michelin Primacy 4 is its high level of wet braking performance and long tread life. At its launch, the tire’s ability to balance these two performance criteria was superior to that of its competitors. In late 2022, the Primacy 4 was replaced by the Primacy 4+, which features a compound upgrade and improves wet braking performance. The Primacy 4+ is also known for having the best wet braking performance over its lifetime compared to other tires in the market.

Primacy 4

Launch: 2017
Press test wins: 9/33
Strength: Excellent wet braking & mileage
Tire Rack score: 9.1/10 (Rank 1st)
Consumer Report score: 79/100 (Rank 1st)

Check out our head to head comparison of Primacy 4 against its competitors.

Primacy 4 vs

Summary

The above seven tires are among the best in the market for their respective segments. Once you have determined which segment best fits your needs, you can be confident that any of these seven top-notch tires will serve you well. Enjoy your new tires !

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