Budget brands now account for 34 per cent of 17-inch and larger rim diameter tyre purchases in the UK. However, cheaper options may not always offer the best handling and stopping power. Choosing the right tyre is crucial for safety and performance. Numerous UHP tyres are available in the UK, with significant performance differences. WhatTyre aims to help drivers “find the best tyres for you.” We therefore relied on WhatTyre’s unique TyreScore comparison algorithm for selecting award nominees.
Methodology – How we did it
Before revealing the best performing UHP tyres, it’s important to explain our selection process. This starts with entering tyre size, generating a list of the highest-scoring tyres. Each tyre’s performance label is converted into numbers weighted towards wet grip and fuel consumption. These scores are cross-referenced with our extensive database of tyre test results from specialist magazines and motoring clubs across Europe. These results are then processed with label scores to create a meta-score called TyreScore. This approach simplifies diverse data points into a single figure for easy comparison.
We focused on three popular UHP tyre sizes in the UK (225/45 R17, 225/40 R18, and 205/45 R17) with a W or higher speed rating. When a tyre scored differently in various sizes, we took the highest score. To qualify, tyres needed a TyreScore of at least eight, or a minimum seven with a recommendation from a reputable third-party magazine or motoring club test in our database. We only included tyres tested in or since 2022 and excluded any product explicitly non-recommended in tests during this period.
For brands currently selling more than one generation of the same tyre line, we selected the latest product as representative. As in previous years, for 2024, we have designated tyres designed for the upper echelons of performance cars into a separate category – Supersports Tyres.
WhatTyre Performance Tyre of the Year 2024
Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (Image: Pirelli)
This year we’ve selected a tyre that – in name at least – has been delivering performance on road and track since 1987. And this can be confusing at times, as Pirelli P Zero serves for many as a quasi-generic term for an entire family and several generations of products. The tyre we’re looking at is the Pirelli P Zero PZ4, the fourth generation of the brand’s core ultra-high-performance tyre.
P Zero PZ4 is, says Pirelli, a product that “best combines” its knowledge gained from competitive motorsport with Pirelli’s alliance with its partnerships with top car manufacturers, providing the “perfect fit for the performance of each car.” Available in sizes from 18 to 23 inches, Pirelli P Zero PZ4 offers fitment options for both cars and SUVs, ensuring maximum safety and control.
An asymmetric tread design with high silica content enhances wet performance, traction, and comfort, and P Zero PZ4 includes technologies like Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNCS), Run Flat, and Seal Inside, reducing noise, increasing safety, and allowing continued driving after a puncture. Selected dimensions are marked with Elect, denoting compatibility with high-performance electric and plug-in vehicles.
The Pirelli tyre gained a very respectable Tyrescore in the sizes we looked at, a result helped by solid tyre test performance and an impressive list of OEM partners. We’re pleased to call Pirelli P Zero PZ4 the WhatTyre Performance Tyre of the Year 2024.
Highly Recommended Tyres
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 (Image: Goodyear)
Since its debut in late 2021, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 has proven its worth by winning accolades in tests by Auto Bild, Auto Bild Allrad, Auto Motor und Sport, and Tyre Reviews. Goodyear has continued to add new SKUs to the range, addressing the rising demand for larger, high-performance tyres. By 2024, Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 was available in 42 distinct sizes and 95 SKUs for 17- to 22-inch rims, with many new additions focusing on 19-inch and larger fitments and including technologies such as SoundComfort and SealTech. This comprehensive line-up earned Goodyear the title of Auto Bild’s Top Manufacturer of the Year for Summer Tyres last year. For 2024, the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is a WhatTyre Highly Recommended tyre.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (Image: Michelin)
Launched in early 2022, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 offers class-leading longevity within the UHP tyre category. Michelin claims “class-leading longevity within the UHP bracket” with the tyre, and says independent testing conducted by Dekra Test Center confirms this. The tyre features Dynamic Response technology, a hybrid Aramid and Nylon ply that optimises handling control and driving pleasure.
The Pilot Sport 5 also boasts exceptional grip and braking performance on dry and wet roads, thanks to its Dual Sport Tread Design. The enhanced sidewall design, with a deep ‘black velvet’ appearance, earned Michelin the 2021 Contemporary Good Design Award Red Dot Award. Available in 52 sizes for 17- to 21-inch rims, the Pilot Sport 5 continues the legacy of the award-winning Pilot Sport 4.
Commended Tyres
Continental SportContact 7 (Photo: Continental)
It’s also – spoiler alert – a three-time WhatTyre Supersports Tyre of the Year, but the presence of the Continental SportContact 7 in this year’s Performance Tyre category is indicative of the broad overlap that characterises this particular Venn diagram. The Continental tyre offers sizes ranging from 18 to 23 inches, catering to a broad range of vehicles. Upon its launch in late 2021, the SportContact 7 was hailed as a significant advancement in Continental’s UHP tyre technology. The tyre boasts a ten per cent enhancement in track performance, an eight per cent reduction in wet braking distances, a six per cent shorter dry braking distance, and a 17 per cent increase in mileage.
The range now includes more than 140 dimensions and has gained numerous original equipment approvals. The SportContact 7 was also named Auto Bild Sportscars’ Best Sport Tyre Manufacturer of the Year. We’re pleased to declare Continental SportContact 7 a Commended Performance Tyre.
Falken Azenis FK520 (Image: Falken)
The Falken Azenis FK 520 succeeds the FK 510, and brand manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber Industries – which also produces Dunlop tyres outside Europe – drew upon its motorsport experience to make the new generation ultra-high-performance tyre stiffer and lighter than its predecessor, reducing unsprung mass and improving stability and efficiency.
As of mid-2024, the Falken Azenis FK520 is available in 126 sizes for 17- to 21-inch rim diameters, Series 30 to 65 and speed ratings V/W/Y.
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 offers dynamic handling and strong wet performance. During comparative testing, Auto Motor und Sport praised its behaviour in wet conditions, high grip levels, and direct steering response, as well as its comfort. Another test, conducted by Autozeitung, highlighted the tyre’s balanced performance in different conditions. Ventus S1 evo 3 represents a good choice for drivers seeking a blend of performance, safety, and comfort.
The Kumho Ecsta PS71 is a UHP summer tyre designed for passenger cars, offering excellent handling and braking performance on both wet and dry surfaces. It is well-regarded for its balanced high-performance capabilities, earning commendable positions in various independent tests. The tyre features a high dispersion ‘Micro Silica’ compound, enhancing grip and stability. The Ecsta PS71 provides a refined and stable driving experience, thanks to its asymmetric tread pattern that improves cornering and reduces road noise. It also boasts impressive resistance to aquaplaning and low rolling resistance, making it a suitable choice for high-performance driving while maintaining comfort and safety.
Our category winner in 2021 and the oldest tyre among the ten listed here, the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 remains an attractive option for performance car drivers. Known for its grip and precise handling, this tyre excels on both wet and dry surfaces. Its asymmetric tread design and large outer shoulder blocks enhance cornering stability and braking performance. The Sport Maxx RT2 features a unique polymer blend that improves traction and longevity. With reduced rolling resistance, it offers improved fuel efficiency without compromising performance.
The Maxxis Victra Sport 5 is praised for its balanced wet performance and responsive steering. Auto Motor und Sport tests highlighted its balanced performance, reliable handling, and good aquaplaning resistance. It is a reliable and affordable tyre choice for everyday driving.
Our Top 10 Performance Tyres is rounded out by a tyre currently undergoing a generational change. The 2019-launched Nokian Tyres Powerproof continues to be a popular choice with motorists, its performance characteristics reflected by a Tyrescore of 7.47, but from this summer, Powerproof 1 will be take its place as the brand’s premium summer offering. We look forward to seeing how this successor will perform and score.
Nokian Tyres Powerproof 1, designed for summer driving, promises stability, handling precision, and grip on wet and dry surfaces. Engineered for motorway conditions, it reportedly offers responsive performance even at high speeds, with short braking distances and effective resistance to aquaplaning. TÜV SÜD tests for Powerproof 1 suggest commendable wet driving characteristics, with notable performance in both longitudinal and lateral aquaplaning, as well as wet braking. The Nokian tyre also demonstrates adequate dry braking capabilities compared to competitor models.
