Best All-Season Performance Tires
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- The best all-season performance tire in 2024 is the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4. The Pilot Sport All Season 4 from Michelin is incredibly adept at providing traction in varying weather conditions without sacrificing performance.
- On average, an all-season performance tire will cost between $130 and $190 per tire. However, as is the case for all tires, price will predominantly depend on brand reputation and tire size.
- When buying an all-season performance tire, you’ll want to consider the conditions you’ll typically be driving in, as some all-season performance tires perform better than others in specific weather conditions.
A fantastic UHP all-season tire that will provide the grip you need in any weather.
A UHP all-season tire that’s particularly adept at providing traction in snow.
A great UHP all-season tire to consider if you value versatility and don’t want to break the bank.
A UHP all-season tire that’s developed with sporty sedans and optimal performance in mind.
Ultra-high performance (UHP) all-season tires are meant to provide grip in all seasons of the year and in virtually any weather conditions, without sacrificing performance. For those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of purchasing, storing, and installing separate sets of summer and winter tires, all-season tires are a great option.
We put several of the top brands through their paces and tested them in the snow, in wet conditions, and on dry roads. Below, we begin to delve into the world of UHP all-season tires and uncover the data that informed our ranking process for the best all-season performance tires.
What Are The Best All-Season Performance Tires?
The best all-season performance tires in 2024 are the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+, and Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus.
Top Rated All-Season Performance Tires
Each all-season performance tire in this review was thoroughly tested and evaluated based on several categories, including wet handling, dry handling, snow handling, and overall comfort. You can find more specifics regarding our rating system here.
The scores in each category are compiled into a single overall rating that ranges from 1.0 to 10.0 stars. Each all-season performance tire’s ratings, including their overall ratings and awards from our team, are highlighted below:
| Brand/Model | Overall Rating | Award | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 |
9.6 |
Best All-Season Performance Tire |
$190 |
|
Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus |
9.6 |
Best All-Season Performance Tires for Snow |
$135 |
|
Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS |
9.1 |
Best Budget All-Season Performance Tires |
$170 |
|
Pirelli P Zero All Season |
9.0 |
Best Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires |
$130 |
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
For those interested in learning more, we’ve provided a detailed review of each of the best car cleaning products in the sections below:
1. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4: Best All-Season Performance Tire
- Cost: Starts around $190
- 3PMSF: No
- Treadwear: 540
- Traction: A – AA
- Temperature: A
- Rolling resistance: 9.69 kilograms per ton (kg/T)
The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 builds upon the foundation of the All Season 3 and A/S 3+. The Pilot Sport All Season 4 offers fantastic performance in both dry and wet weather conditions, as well as snow traction in wintry conditions.
You can see how the Michelin performed in each of our testing categories below:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
Our Testing Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 9.5 | The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 handled very well generally in the wet – grip was consistent and our independent tire tester experienced little to no understeer. |
| Dry Handling | 9.5 | In terms of dry handling, the Pilot Sport All Season 4 was simply enjoyable to drive. It offered excellent grip while turning and was progressive when pushed past the limit. |
| Snow Handling | 9.5 | The Pilot Sport All Season 4 was one of the best-handling UHP all-season tires that we tested in snow. Once the tire was sliding, it was predictable and relatively easy to control. |
| Comfort | 10 | The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 was among the most comfortable all-season performance tires that we tested. Benson noted no issues with comfort during testing. |
| Overall Rating | 9.6 | A fantastic UHP all-season tire that will provide the grip you need in any weather. |
This tire is so good that Chevrolet chose the Pilot Sport All Season 4 to be the first ever all-season tire utilized as original equipment (OE) on its mid-engine Corvette. Below are the pros and cons of Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4:
- Great handling in wet conditions
- Incredible grip while turning
- Predictable when sliding in snow
- Prone to hydroplane in heavy rain
In terms of wet handling, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 handled very well generally–grip was consistent and our independent tire tester, Jonathan Benson, experienced little to no understeer. Pushing the Pilot Sport All Season 4 past the limit on wet roads offered no notable drawbacks, the UHP all-weather tire was extremely controllable and progressive past the limit. However, it should be noted that this tire was hydroplaning in small patches throughout this test.
In terms of dry handling, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 was simply enjoyable to drive. It offered excellent grip while turning and was progressive when pushed past the limit. Benson did note a strange issue with under-braking from time to time, but he also noted that grip, steering, and balance weren’t in question.
The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 was one of the best-handling UHP all-season tires that we tested in the snow. Once this tire was sliding, it was predictable and relatively easy to control. Additionally, the Pilot Sport All Season 4 was pretty grippy when turning in snow, but it won’t compare to one of the best snow tires.
- Treadwear: 6 years/45,000 miles half mileage for rear if different size than front
- Uniformity: 1 year/first 2/32 inches of wear
- Workmanship/materials: 6 years/free replacement first year, 2/32 in. or 25 percent of wear, then prorated until 2/32 in. of remaining depth
- Manufacturer’s road hazard: N/A
2. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus
- Cost: Starts around $135
- 3PMSF: No
- Treadwear: 560
- Traction: A – AA
- Temperature: A
- Rolling Resistance: 9.75 kg/T
- Unmatched straight-line braking
- High grip levels during initial turn-in and mid-corner
- Great grip and traction in snow
- Rear axle hydroplaning can be difficult to catch
In our experience, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is very similar to the Michelin at the limit on wet roads. Steering feed, speed, and grip were all very comparable to the Best All-Season Performance Tire, but aquaplaning at the rear axle was a bit more difficult to catch. Past the limit, we did feel this tire was a little less graceful than the Pilot Sport All Season 4.
On dry roads, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus offered more front-end grip mid-corner than other options and Benson noted he felt this tire had a long tread life, all things considered. Benson did say that the rear end felt relatively loose with these tires, so speed suffered a little bit.
In the snow, the Continental offered a nice, grippy initial turn-in but wasn’t as laterally progressive as the Michelin. The Michelin was easier to drive on the snow in Benson’s professional driving opinion, but he did note that the DWS 06 Plus offered more grip generally. Additionally, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus felt better than the Michelin in regards to straight-line braking and traction in the snow.
- Treadwear: 6 years/50,000 miles half mileage for rear if different size than front
- Uniformity: 1 year/first 2/32 in. of wear
- Workmanship/materials: 6 years/free replacement first year or 2/32 in. of wear, the prorated until 2/32-in. remaining depth
- Manufacturer’s road hazard: 1 year/first 2/32 in. of wear
3. Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+
- Cost: Starts around $170
- 3PMSF: No
- Treadwear: 500
- Traction: AA
- Temperature: A
- Rolling resistance: 11.15 kg/T
- Easy to handle on wet roads
- Good grip levels on dry roads
- Best snow braking of all UHP all-season tires we tested
- More of an all-season tire than a UHP all-season tire
Wet traction was not an issue with the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ and it was generally a very easy tire to drive on wet roads. At the limit, understeer was relatively progressive but our independent tire tester felt he couldn’t ask as much of this tire as he did our top two picks. Past the limit, Benson notes a longer recovery time at the rear.
On dry roads, the RE980AS+ was grippy, and on lap one, the tire was quite playful. However, towards the end of the second lap, it was clear the tire was too hot and had enough. In general, the tire felt quite spongy and the car felt like it was floating on the tire, ultimately meaning less communication than some of our higher-rated picks.
In the snow, Benson felt he had to drive more delicately to get the lap times he was expecting from this tire as it didn’t instill as much confidence as the Michelin or Continental all-season tires. He also noted that there was no front axle authority and he ended up bumping into two snow banks due to terminal understeer. Ultimately, Benson felt the Bridgestone RE980AS+ was more of an all-season tire than a UHP all-season tire.
- Treadwear: 5 years/50,000 miles half mileage for rear if different size than front
- Uniformity: First 2/32 in. of wear
- Workmanship/materials: 5 years/free replacement first 3 years, then prorated until 2/32-in. remaining depth
- Manufacturer’s road hazard: N/A
4. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
- Cost: Starts around $130
- 3PMSF: No
- Treadwear: 500
- Traction: AA
- Temperature: A
- Rolling resistance: 10.32 kg/T
- Very direct steering on wet roads
- Our independent tester’s favorite all-season performance tire to drive on dry roads
- Most communicative UHP all-season tire we tested on wet roads
- Lack of grip in snow
In our experience, the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus is a fun tire to drive on wet roads as it offers direct steering and a similar grip to the Bridgestone. The Pirelli is good past the limit and was the most communicative tire that we tested.
In dry conditions, the P Zero All Season Plus offered good initial steering but lacked detail mid-corner. Our independent tire tester noted that this was the only tire that felt like it needed to heat up a little first, performing better on the second lap. Additionally, he says this is the only UHP all-season tire that he could do a third lap on.
In terms of snow traction, the Pirelli’s grip circle seemed fairly round but had a general lack of grip. Benson notes low grip in all directions when driving through snow, but mentions that he experienced few surprises, though he muses that’s due to low overall speeds. Ultimately, he says it’s clear this tire has more UHP all-season tire properties than standard all-season tire properties.
- Treadwear: 6 years/50,000 miles half mileage for rear if different size than front
- Uniformity: 1 year/first 2/32 in. of wear
- Workmanship/materials: 6 years/free replacement first year or 2/32 in. of wear, then prorated until 2/32-in. remaining depth
- Manufacturer’s road hazard: N/A
All-Season Performance Tires Buying Guide
There are a myriad of all-season performance tires to sift through, and it’s tough to determine which will be best for you and your driving needs. We asked our independent tire tester, Jonathan Benson of Tyrereviews.com, if there are any overarching qualities he looks for in a tire, regardless of seasonality or the level of performance they’re designed for. Here’s what he had to say:
“There is an answer to that. I think wet performance, especially wet braking, is one of the more critical aspects of the tire…As the market is shifting, rolling resistance is becoming [something to look out for]—maybe less so for the US market, but I think it’s starting to pick up—so the rolling resistance or the energy use of the tire is starting to become a more important factor.”
What Are High Performance All-Season Tires?
Regardless of which tire manufacturer or brand you purchase your tires from, there are a few things you should keep in mind. It’s important to understand a tire’s Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) and how to read a tire’s sidewall. Lastly, knowing how to maintain your tires is of utmost importance.
UHP All-Season Tires: UTQG Standards
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the governing body that created and now enforces federal safety standards for all tires sold in the United States. The UTQG standards were created by the NHTSA to help customers to make more informed purchasing decisions. Specific categories of UTQG ratings include:
- Treadwear: This compares a tire’s tread against that of a control tire’s tread. A score of 100 indicates that the tested tire’s treads last as long as the control tire’s, 200 indicates that the tire lasts twice as long, and so on.
- Traction: Graded on a scale of AA, A, B, and C, this rating is based on a tire’s braking g-force.
- Temperature: Graded on a scale of A, B, or C, this tests a tire’s ability to withstand running at high speeds.
All-Season UHP Tires: How To Read A Tire’s Sidewall
Trying to read a tire’s sidewall can be like trying to read a different language. For many, the letters and numbers on their tire’s sidewall mean next to nothing. With this in mind, we explain the types of information you can find from your tire’s sidewall:
- Tire size: Tire size is also known as the width of the tire, this is the first set of numbers on the sidewall. Tire size is expressed in millimeters.
- Type of tire: It’s easy to identify the type of tire you’re looking at by the letters included before the size of the tire. A tire without letters or with a “P” before the tire size is a passenger tire with a standard load (a four-ply rating).
- Weight capacity: Tires with the letters “XL” after the tire size have a higher weight capacity than a standard load, but not higher than an “LT” tire. Tires with “LT” or “ST” before the tire size have a higher weight capacity, as “LT” stands for light truck and “ST” stands for special trailer.
- Aspect ratio: The second set of numbers on a tire’s sidewall indicates the aspect ratio. This is expressed in a percentage, which is ultimately calculated by dividing the tire’s height measured from the rim to the tread by the tire’s width.
- Type of construction: The type of construction is indicated directly after the aspect ratio on a tire’s sidewall. “R” stands for radial, which is the most common type of tire, “B” stands for bias, and “D” stands for diagonal. Plies run perpendicular to the tread in radial tires, while in bias and diagonal tires, plies overlap diagonally.
- Rim diameter: After the type of construction is where the diameter of the rim is typically indicated. Rim diameter is expressed in inches.
Performance All-Season Tires: Taking Care Of Your Tires
Regardless of which set of all-season performance tires you set your sights on, if you don’t take care of them then you’ll end up spending a lot more than you need to. Below are a few simple steps you can take to get the best out of your tires:
- Wheel alignment: Wheels that are improperly aligned will cause your tires to wear unevenly. A proper wheel alignment can drastically improve the lifespan of your car’s tires.
- Tire rotation: Regularly rotating your tires, either by the recommendation made by your vehicle manufacturer or every 5,000 miles, will reduce the likelihood of uneven treadwear.
- Balance: Outside of unevenly worn tires, wheels that aren’t properly balanced can cause vibrations that make it unsafe to drive. Checking your wheels’ balance can ensure your tire lasts for its full life cycle.
UHP All-Season Tire Comparison
Below, we compare some specs of the best UHP all-season tires on the market:
| Brand/Model | Treadwear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin
Pilot Sport All Season 4 | $540 | A – AA | A |
| Continental
ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus | $560 | A – AA | A |
| Bridgestone
Potenza RE980AS+ | $500 | AA | A |
| Pirelli
P Zero All Season Plus | $500 | AA | A |
Best All-Season Performance Tires: Bottom Line
In this article, along with sharing helpful purchasing tips for those interested in purchasing all-season performance tires, we reviewed the top all-season performance tires in 2024:
- Best All-Season Performance Tire: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
- Best All-Season Performance Tires for Snow: Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus
- Best Budget All-Season Performance Tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+
- Best Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires: Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus
All-Season Performance Tires: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about all-season performance tires:
Which tire is best for all seasons?
The UHP tire that’s best for all seasons is the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4. When our independent tire tester Jonathan Benson reviewed this tire, he determined that it was the best of the best.
What is the difference between all-season and performance tires?
All-season tires are made of a tread compound that remains flexible in a wide range of temperatures, whereas performance tires are typically designed with warmer temperatures in mind. UHP all-season tires strike a balance between the two, optimizing traction in a wide range of weather conditions and temperatures without sacrificing performance.
Are all-season tires good in the snow?
All-season tires are not necessarily “good” in the snow, and the true answer to this question depends on a variety of different factors. In general, your best bet is opting for winter tires if there’s anything more than a couple of inches of snow on the ground.
All-Season Performance Tire Reviews: How We Tested
Our tire testing, as always, consisted of a number of timed laps averaged out. Throughout testing, Benson utilizes control tires to benchmark the track’s surface evolution and calculates each tire’s rating in every single individual testing category. He took note of the tire’s dry handling, wet handling, and snow handling.
Each tire was given a rating out of 10.0 based on these criteria.
Wet Handling
On the road, the wet grip of a tire will likely determine your fate in an emergency. Hence the placing of wet handling at the top of our list of UHP all-season tire tests. This test involved three timed laps around one of Michelin Laurens Proving Grounds’ tracks in seriously wet conditions.
Dry Handling
For a lot of drivers, a UHP all-season tire’s performance in dry conditions is incredibly important. This test involved three timed laps around one of Michelin Laurens Proving Grounds’ tracks in bone-dry conditions to simulate average road conditions.
Snow Handling
Snow handling is an incredibly important factor to consider if you’re looking to take your coupe or sporty sedan on snow-covered roads. Benson went about testing each UHP all-season tire’s snow handling by averaging out the times of three laps around a carefully prepared snow-covered track located in the heart of Michigan.
Comfort
The “comfort” of each all-season performance tire is a subjective mixture of the tire’s overall comfort on the road as well as its general road noise level. This was evaluated throughout all other categories of testing and notes were taken throughout.
How We Score Products
Star ratings help us to differentiate between the top-performing products on the market. For the all-season performance tires in this review, we wanted to test on a scale of 1.0 to 10.0 stars because our testing involved an experienced tire expert. Based on our calculations, the all-season performance tires in this review scored an average of 9.35 out of 10.0 stars.
- 10.0 Stars: A 10.0-star rating is the highest rating these tires can receive in our review. If the tires exceeded our expectations when it came to each testing criterion, you’d see a high score for the tires and likely a higher overall placement on the list of our top picks.
- 9.0 to 6.0 Stars: A range between 9.0 and 6.0 stars means that the tires still exceeded our expectations but could have room for improvement. On the higher end of 9.0 stars, there may be slight changes we would like to see in the tire. For a 6.0-star rating, we may have some concerns about traction over time in snowier conditions.
- 5.0 Stars: A 5.0-star rating is an average score. If the tires met our expectations but could use improvements across all the testing criteria we considered, you’ll likely see a 5.0-star rating with an indication of why our testing expert scored the tire lower than others.
- 4.0 to 2.0 Stars: This range of scoring is below average. If the tires could not handle wet traction well and posed concern when we considered different climates potential buyers may be living in wetter and snowier conditions.
- 1.0 Star: A 1.0-star rating is the lowest rating we would give in any review. If the tires in this review were defective in some way that affected installation, traction, or handling, we would give the tire a lower rating of 1.0 star.
Why Trust Motor1.com
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
Because our testing expertise is centered around aftermarket car products and accessories, we decided to leave tire testing in the hands of a true tire expert. That’s why we reached out to Jonathan Benson who has more than 15 years of experience. His insight and hands-on testing, combined with our extensive knowledge of aftermarket car products have been a perfect match.
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
