WhatTyre’s experienced tyre industry editorial team ranks the best ultra-high performance tyres
Although tyres for 17- and 18-inch rims are gradually losing market share to larger diameter products, the range of high-performance tyres available in the UK remains enormous, with budget brands accounting for around one third of purchases. However, cheaper options may not always offer the best handling and stopping power. Choosing the right tyre is therefore crucial for safety and performance.
WhatTyre aims to help drivers find the best tyres and draws upon a range of factors in order to deliver a Tyrescore. We also used this unique comparison algorithm when selecting award nominees.
Before revealing our finalists for WhatTyre Performance Tyre of the Year, it’s important to explain our selection process. The Tyrescore begins with an analysis of the EU-mandated tyre label, which includes ratings for wet grip, fuel efficiency (measured via rolling resistance), and external pass-by noise. These letter-based ratings are converted into numerical scores, with greater weight given to wet grip and fuel efficiency, reflecting their higher relevance to most drivers.
However, tyre labels provide only part of the picture. To deliver a more robust evaluation, Tyrescore also incorporates data from thousands of independent European magazine tyre tests. These tests assess a broader range of real-world performance factors – such as braking and handling in both wet and dry conditions, traction, and aquaplaning resistance – providing valuable insights beyond the basic label ratings.
Sustainability is another key component of our evaluation. We monitor each manufacturer’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, consolidating third-party accreditations into a single score that reflects their commitment to sustainable practices. We also award additional points for Original Equipment (OE) homologation, where tyres are approved by vehicle manufacturers for specific models—an endorsement of their quality and reliability.
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 of 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 2023 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 (excluding tyres introduced within the last couple of months). As in previous years, for 2025, we have designated tyres designed for the upper echelons of performance cars into a separate category – Supersports Tyres.
WhatTyre Performance Tyre of the Year 2025
Hankook Ventus Evo
(Photo: Hankook Tire)
This year, WhatTyre Performance Tyre of the Year top honours go to a newcomer, the Hankook Ventus evo (K137). This fourth-generation tyre represents a major step forward in UHP summer tyres. Engineered using an Artificial Intelligence-assisted mixing process, it precisely distributes silica within the compound for optimal wet grip. This allows the tyre to maintain strong performance even in summer downpours, helped by wide drainage grooves and an optimised contact area that significantly reduce aquaplaning risk. Dry performance has also improved, with extra-rigid sidewalls and tread blocks delivering a six per cent reduction in braking distance compared to its predecessor. Importantly, Hankook has managed to enhance both fuel economy and tread longevity, with rolling resistance kept low and tyre life extended by an impressive 32 per cent.
The Ventus evo debuted this year and has already earned tyre test accolades, including a joint fourth-place finish in the 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test out of 52 competitors. It impressed with the shortest braking distance on wet roads – just 42.7 metres from 100 km/h – and achieved the highest average dry handling speed at 120.9 km/h. With good mileage and commendable rolling resistance, it offers an excellent balance of performance and economy. Auto Bild awarded it an ‘exemplary’ rating, highlighting its secure handling, dynamic driving feel, and all-round capability.
Highly Recommended Tyres
Although not the newest tyre here, the Maxxis Premitra HP5 continues to please, delivering a solid Tyrescore result thanks to a stream of respectable tyre test results. We are therefore happy to name it a highly recommended tyre, even though its successor, the Premitra HP6, is already on the way.
The launch of the Premitra Hp5 marked a huge step forward for Maxxis. The tyre maker points to outstanding performance in wet and dry weather conditions thanks to a full-silica rubber compound that’s also developed to reduce heat generation, as well as improve wear performance and durability. Maxxis developed the tread with a variable pitch and lateral grooved design to reduce vibration noise and rolling resistance as well as to enhance wet handling to minimise the chances of hydroplaning. High-speed stability and handling was improved due to high strength steel belts, in order to achieve an outstanding sport performance.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
Goodyear is expanding its Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 range with 42 new SKUs in 2025, bringing the total to 233 and making it the brand’s largest ultra-high-performance (UHP) summer tyre lineup to date. Tailored to meet the growing European demand for larger wheel sizes in SUVs and EVs, 93% of these new SKUs are 19 inches or larger, fitting vehicles like the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q8 e-tron, and Volvo EX90.
The tyres are EV-ready, offering low rolling resistance for better efficiency and noise reduction, enhanced further by SoundComfort and SealTech technologies in over half the new SKUs. With features like Dry Stability Plus for superior handling and advanced wet grip resins, the tyre excels in varied conditions. Its performance has earned multiple accolades, including Auto Bild’s summer tyre test and Eco-Master titles, reinforcing its strong market presence across Europe.
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 is an ultra-high performance summer tyre designed to deliver dynamic handling and precise control at high speeds. Engineered for sporty driving, the PS72 features an asymmetric tread pattern that enhances grip and cornering stability on both dry and wet roads.
The tyre is tailored for high-end vehicles, offering a quiet, comfortable ride without compromising on performance. With a focus on safety and responsiveness, it is available in a range of sizes to accommodate various sport and performance cars, making it a strong choice for drivers seeking a refined balance of speed, safety, and driving pleasure.
Our 2025 finalists
Firestone Firehawk Sport (Image: Firestone)
Launched in 2023, the Firestone Firehawk Sport is a high-performance summer tyre from Bridgestone’s mid-range Firestone brand, designed to offer sporty driving at an affordable price. Targeted at younger, brand-conscious UK and European drivers, the tyre builds on Firestone’s motorsport heritage and improves upon its predecessor, the Firehawk SZ90mu, with enhanced steering response, wet grip, and nine per cent shorter dry braking distances. Developed and manufactured in Europe, it features advanced compound mixing, a sporty profile, and optimised rib design for confident handling and high cornering speeds. With an EU Label Grade A for wet grip, it comes in 36 sizes (18”–20”) suitable for both ICE and electric vehicles.
The Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 is a next-generation ultra-high-performance tyre designed to deliver an optimal balance of sustainability and dynamic driving performance. Built using Sailun’s advanced EcoPoint3 liquid-phase mixing technology, the ZSR2 focuses on reducing environmental impact without compromising traction, stability, or ride quality. Its asymmetric tread pattern, combined with a specially formulated rubber compound, ensures excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces, enhanced by wide water drainage grooves and convex entry ribs that combat aquaplaning. A stiff centre rib improves high-speed stability, while optimised tread blocks and a maximised road contact patch on the outer shoulder provide superior handling and dry grip. Inside the tread, stress-relieving sipes and 3D grooves contribute to a quieter, more comfortable ride.
Independent testing by TÜV SÜD confirmed the tyre’s strengths in rolling resistance, braking, and handling across a range of conditions, outperforming several premium competitors. Available in sizes for 17- to 20-inch rims with W and Y speed ratings, the Atrezzo ZSR2 offers a compelling mix of efficiency, control, and affordability for performance-focused drivers.
Launched in Spring 2024, the Vredestein Ultrac Pro represents Apollo Tyres’ most advanced performance tyre to date. Designed for rim diameters from 18 to 24 inches, it caters to a wide spectrum of high-performance vehicles and combines engineering precision with striking design, the latter developed in partnership with Italdesign to mark 25 years of collaboration. Independent testing by Applus+ IDIADA confirms the Ultrac Pro’s standout performance, notably ranking among the top in limit handling and ride comfort. Compared to its predecessor, the Ultrac Vorti+, the Ultrac Pro is up to 1.7 kg lighter in certain sizes, thanks to a mono-ply bead configuration and optimised material use – improvements that translate to better acceleration, braking, steering response, and up to 12 per cent lower rolling resistance. A new-generation tread compound, smartly mixed for grip across varied temperatures, ensures high-speed stability and everyday comfort. Following a strong market debut, Apollo Tyres expanded the range to 60 sizes in the UK in 2025.
The Nokian Tyres Powerproof 1 is an ultra-high performance summer tyre designed to deliver precise handling and peace of mind, especially during high-speed manoeuvres and sudden evasions. Engineered with Dual Zone Safety technology, it features a Power Zone for exceptional cornering control and a Wet Safety Zone to maximise grip on wet roads. Its tread design ensures a wide contact area for confident steering response, while the new Power Sense compound boosts wet grip, wear resistance, and service life. Aquaplaning is effectively countered through innovative Trumpet and Trapezoidal Flow Grooves that enhance water dispersion. Suitable even for electric vehicles, the Powerproof 1 combines sporty aesthetics with stable driving dynamics, making it an ideal choice for performance-focused motorists.
The Nexen N’Fera Sport SU2 is an ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyre engineered for dynamic driving and high-speed stability, delivering a well-rounded balance of dry grip, wet handling, and driving comfort. Developed with advanced tread features such as wide longitudinal grooves and a rigid centre block, it offers excellent control response, improved drainage for aquaplaning resistance, and high-speed cornering capability.
Independent tests, including the 2025 Auto Bild Sportscars and ADAC Summer Tyre Tests, rated it “good” for its precise steering and strong braking in both wet and dry conditions—though it showed slight instability under wet braking and minor understeer in aquaplaning situations. Scoring top marks in wet performance (5.0) and solid ratings in dry grip (4.5), the tyre also provides good environmental performance, including low rolling resistance and efficient fuel consumption. Initially released in 20 sizes ranging from 17 to 20 inches, it is original equipment on several premium vehicles from brands like Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Hyundai, affirming its strong OEM appeal and versatile performance credentials.
Falken Azenis FK520 (Image: Falken)
The Falken Azenis FK520 is the next-generation ultra-high-performance tyre that builds on the success of the popular FK510, bringing racetrack technology to the road. Engineered for precise handling and exceptional stability, the FK520 delivers enhanced cornering dynamics thanks to an advanced Aramid-reinforced layer. It ensures shorter braking distances in both wet and dry conditions, while a lightweight construction – reducing weight by up to 10 per cent – improves rolling resistance and fuel efficiency.
The tyre’s aerodynamic sidewall features striking new “Nano-Black” lettering, and diamond-cut edges with silencing dimples further enhance grip and reduce noise. Available in 153 sizes ranging from 17 to 22 inches and rated up to (Y) speed index, the FK520 offers performance, comfort, and efficiency with an added five-year guarantee for peace of mind.
