All tire compounds are a compromise between treadwear longevity, ride comfort, and traction in wet/dry/snowy conditions—and the ultra-high performance all-season (UHPAS) tire category represents one of the most extreme attempts to have it all in one tire. Tire Rack gathered three UHPAS tires, two newcomers and one old standard, and put them through several tests on the same vehicle. The final ratings should be instructive to anyone considering one of these do-it-all tires.
As Tire Rack rightly points out, tire compounds have come a long way, and brand new compositions tend to outdo prior tires. The Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate is a tire that Tire Rack has already tested and considers to be a top UHPAS. Meanwhile, new competition from Michelin (the Pilot Sport All Season 4) and Vredestein (Hypertrac All Season) begs the question: Which comes out on top?
Even though Tire Rack’s test comes to a conclusion, it’s worth noting that how a tire performs in various conditions varies wildly. The winner of this test is the consensus pick from the Tire Rack testing group, based on subjective and objective data, but each driver’s individual needs and performance requirements are going to be different. A driver in Southern California is going to want a dry-weather-biased tire that can handle occasional rain, but a driver in Colorado might want light snow capability for a surprise early-season snowstorm. That’s why even though the Goodyear won the test, it’s worth reading Tire Rack’s entire write-up to see why—and whether one of the other tires might suit your needs better.
A final note about Vredestein: This Dutch tire company used to be a relatively small player in the North American market, but recently the company launched a more full line of tires. Check out the video above for more info on their recent push into our market.
