Best Tires for Sports Cars: Summer, All-Season and Track Picks

The best tires for sports cars match the size and speed rating on your sticker; summer tires give the most grip in warm weather, performance all-seasons cover cold weather, and track tires are for dedicated use. The ten listings below span many sizes (17 to 22 inches) and include single tires, pairs, sets and two size conflicts.

Disclosure: some links are Amazon affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We have not road-tested these tires. Specs come from the Amazon listings.

Our Top Sports Car Tire Picks

Mastertrack M-TRAC GT 245/35ZR20 (2 tires)Mastertrack M-TRAC GT 245/35ZR20 (2 tires) tire photoBudget pair, 20-inchTire size: 245/35ZR20 95Fit: Cars with this sizeType: All-season UHP, 2 tiresVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 235/45ZR18Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 235/45ZR18 tire photoPremium summer performance, 18-inchTire size: 235/45ZR18 98Fit: Cars with this sizeType: Summer UHPVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Forceum HEXA-R 225/50ZR17 98W (single)Forceum HEXA-R 225/50ZR17 98W (single) tire photoSingle tire, 17-inchTire size: 225/50ZR17 98WFit: Cars with this sizeType: Ultra-high-performance, singleVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Travelstar Ecosport GT 235/40ZR19 (set of 4)Travelstar Ecosport GT 235/40ZR19 (set of 4) tire photoSet of 4, 19-inchTire size: 235/40ZR19 96Fit: Cars with this sizeType: All-season UHP, set of 4VIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Aplus Pro Racing 255/40ZR19 100W XLAplus Pro Racing 255/40ZR19 100W XL tire photoTrack-focused tire, check DOT statusTire size: 255/40ZR19 100W XLFit: Cars with this sizeType: Track-focusedVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 245/45ZR20 103Y XL (single)Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 245/45ZR20 103Y XL (single) tire photoSingle tire, all-season, 20-inchTire size: 245/45ZR20 103Y XLFit: Cars with this sizeType: All-season UHP, singleVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Travelstar Ecosport GT 285/40R22 (2-pack)Travelstar Ecosport GT 285/40R22 (2-pack) tire photoSUV size, 22-inch pairTire size: 285/40R22Fit: Large SUVs with this sizeType: All-season, 2 tiresVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Aplus Pro Racing (size conflict: 255/40ZR19 or 245/45ZR20)Aplus Pro Racing (size conflict: 255/40ZR19 or 245/45ZR20) tire photoSize unclear – confirm firstTire size: Heading 255/40ZR19, spec 245/45ZR20Fit: Confirm before buyingType: Track-focusedVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Mastertrack M-TRAC GT 245/40ZR20 (set of 4)Mastertrack M-TRAC GT 245/40ZR20 (set of 4) tire photoSet of 4, 20-inchTire size: 245/40ZR20 99Fit: Cars with this sizeType: All-season UHP, set of 4VIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 (size conflict: 245/45ZR20 or 225/45ZR17)Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 (size conflict: 245/45ZR20 or 225/45ZR17) tire photoSize unclear – confirm firstTire size: Heading 245/45ZR20, spec 225/45ZR17Fit: Confirm before buyingType: All-season UHP, singleVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis

More Details on Our Top Picks

  1. Mastertrack M-TRAC GT 245/35ZR20 (2 tires)

    Mastertrack M-TRAC GT 245/35ZR20 (2 tires) tire photo

    Budget pair, 20-inch

    View Latest Price
    A pair of 245/35ZR20 all-season tires. Sold as two tires, so you need two orders for a full set. Match front and rear sizes if your car is staggered.
    • Tire Size:245/35ZR20
    • Load Index:95 (1,521 lb)
    • Rim Size:20 inches
    • Fit:Cars with this size

    Pros

    • Low cost
    • Pair in one order

    Limitations

    • Only two tires per order
    • Fits only cars with this size
  2. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 235/45ZR18

    Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 235/45ZR18 tire photo

    Premium summer performance, 18-inch

    View Latest Price
    A premium performance tire in 235/45ZR18. The Pilot Sport 4 S is a summer tire, so it is not for cold or snow. Check the listing for the full designation.
    • Tire Size:235/45ZR18
    • Load Index:98 (1,653 lb)
    • Rim Size:18 inches
    • Fit:Cars with this size

    Pros

    • Name-brand performance tire

    Limitations

    • Not for cold or snow
    • Fits only cars with this size
  3. Forceum HEXA-R 225/50ZR17 98W (single)

    Forceum HEXA-R 225/50ZR17 98W (single) tire photo

    Single tire, 17-inch

    View Latest Price
    A single 225/50ZR17 UHP tire. One tire only, so you need four.
    • Tire Size:225/50ZR17
    • Load Index:98 (1,653 lb)
    • Rim Size:17 inches
    • Fit:Cars with this size

    Pros

    • Low cost

    Limitations

    • One tire only
    • Lesser-known brand
  4. Travelstar Ecosport GT 235/40ZR19 (set of 4)

    Travelstar Ecosport GT 235/40ZR19 (set of 4) tire photo

    Set of 4, 19-inch

    View Latest Price
    A set of four 235/40ZR19 all-season tires. Match your sticker; staggered cars need different front and rear sizes.
    • Tire Size:235/40ZR19
    • Load Index:96 (1,565 lb)
    • Rim Size:19 inches
    • Fit:Cars with this size

    Pros

    • Full set in one order

    Limitations

    • Fits only cars with this size
    • Lesser-known brand
  5. Aplus Pro Racing 255/40ZR19 100W XL

    Aplus Pro Racing 255/40ZR19 100W XL tire photo

    Track-focused tire, check DOT status

    View Latest Price
    A 255/40ZR19 XL track-focused tire. Check the listing for DOT status and treadwear before using it on public roads.
    • Tire Size:255/40ZR19
    • Load Index:100 (1,764 lb)
    • Rim Size:19 inches
    • Fit:Cars with this size

    Pros

    • Performance-focused tread

    Limitations

    • Road legality not confirmed
    • Fits only cars with this size
  6. Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 245/45ZR20 103Y XL (single)

    Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 245/45ZR20 103Y XL (single) tire photo

    Single tire, all-season, 20-inch

    View Latest Price
    A single all-season performance tire in 245/45ZR20. One tire only, so you need four.
    • Tire Size:245/45ZR20
    • Load Index:103 (1,929 lb)
    • Rim Size:20 inches
    • Fit:Cars with this size

    Pros

    • Name-brand all-season UHP

    Limitations

    • One tire only
    • Fits only cars with this size
  7. Travelstar Ecosport GT 285/40R22 (2-pack)

    Travelstar Ecosport GT 285/40R22 (2-pack) tire photo

    SUV size, 22-inch pair

    View Latest Price
    A 285/40R22 pair, a large SUV size rather than a sports-car size. Load index is not listed.
    • Tire Size:285/40R22
    • Load Index:Not listed
    • Rim Size:22 inches
    • Fit:Large SUVs with this size

    Pros

    • Pair in one order

    Limitations

    • SUV size, not for most sports cars
    • Load index not listed
  8. Aplus Pro Racing (size conflict: 255/40ZR19 or 245/45ZR20)

    Aplus Pro Racing (size conflict: 255/40ZR19 or 245/45ZR20) tire photo

    Size unclear – confirm first

    View Latest Price
    The heading says 255/40ZR19 but the spec cell says 245/45ZR20 103. Check the Amazon listing before ordering.
    • Tire Size:Conflicting data
    • Load Index:103 per spec
    • Rim Size:20 inches
    • Fit:Confirm before buying

    Pros

    • None until size is confirmed

    Limitations

    • Conflicting size data
  9. Mastertrack M-TRAC GT 245/40ZR20 (set of 4)

    Mastertrack M-TRAC GT 245/40ZR20 (set of 4) tire photo

    Set of 4, 20-inch

    View Latest Price
    A set of four 245/40ZR20 all-season tires. Match your sticker.
    • Tire Size:245/40ZR20
    • Load Index:99 (1,709 lb)
    • Rim Size:20 inches
    • Fit:Cars with this size

    Pros

    • Full set in one order

    Limitations

    • Fits only cars with this size
    • Lesser-known brand
  10. Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 (size conflict: 245/45ZR20 or 225/45ZR17)

    Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 (size conflict: 245/45ZR20 or 225/45ZR17) tire photo

    Size unclear – confirm first

    View Latest Price
    The heading says 245/45ZR20 but the spec cell says 225/45ZR17 94. Check the Amazon listing before ordering.
    • Tire Size:Conflicting data
    • Load Index:94 per spec
    • Rim Size:17 inches
    • Fit:Confirm before buying

    Pros

    • None until size is confirmed

    Limitations

    • Conflicting size data

Tires for sports cars: summer, all-season and track

Tires for sports cars summer and all-season

Types

  • Summer UHP: best grip in warm, dry and wet weather; not for cold or snow.
  • Performance all-season: year-round compromise with less grip than summer tires.
  • Track tires: maximum grip, short life, may not be road legal.

Fit checklist

FAQ

What are the best tires for a sports car?

It depends on the car, size and climate. Summer UHP tires give the most grip in warm weather; performance all-seasons are safer in cold.

Can I use summer tires in winter?

No. They lose grip in the cold and are not for snow.

What is a staggered fitment?

The rear tires are wider than the front. Buy the correct size for each axle.

Are track tires road legal?

Not always. Check the listing for DOT markings and local rules.

What does ZR mean?

A speed rating marker for tires rated above 149 mph, with the exact rating in the load and speed code.

When should I replace sports car tires?

When tread reaches 2/32 inch, or sooner if tires are cracked or older than about six years. Performance tires often wear faster.

Which one to choose

For the premium summer pick, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. For all-season performance, the Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 (confirm the single-tire listing size). For budget full sets, the Travelstar 235/40ZR19 and Mastertrack 245/40ZR20. Treat the Aplus racing tires as track-focused and confirm the two conflicting listings before ordering.

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About the Author

Marcus Webb writes buying guides and product comparisons for Backpack-and-Gear, focusing on tools, workshop equipment, and gear that gets used hard. He aims for guides that say plainly who a product suits and who should skip it, instead of listing every feature on the box.

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