Which ultra-high performance tires are best?

When it comes to ultra-high performance tires, designed for responsive handling and maximum grip, there are many to choose from.

Consumer Reports tested more than 40 brands of all-season and summer tires in dry and wet conditions.

"When I get in the corner, how well does the tire hold on,” said Ryan Pszczolkowski, an engineer at the Consumer Reports Automotive Testing Center. ”When I accelerate out of the corner, how well does the tire give me traction? Does it just spin? How stable, how well does the tire brake?"

When it comes to tread, ultra-high performance tires don’t wear well, said Gene Petersen, a senior engineer for Consumer Reports.

“The all-season models which we tested only had a maximum warranty of 60,000 miles,” he said. “The summer models rarely have a warranty at all."

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport, at $203 per tire, had the longest tread life of any of the summer tires tested.

For all-season tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3, at $175, earned top ratings. They also have a relatively long tread life and an impressive grip.

When buying new tires, Consumer Reports says it's best to stick with the same size and speed rating as your car's original tires so to give your vehicle optimum ride and handling.