Tire Test Results

Tires Tested

• What We Liked: It’s very nice on the road and has strong traction in the dry and wet. It’s decent in the snow, too.
• What We’d Improve: The steering feels a little artificial.
• Conclusion: It’s everything we want from a tire in the ExtremeContact DWS lineage.

• What We Liked: Still leads the category in the wet and delivers a strong performance in most other metrics, too.
• What We’d Improve: The ride is a little stiff over imperfections of all sizes, and it could use a significant increase in light snow traction.
• Conclusion: This is an option that shouldn’t be overlooked.

• What We Liked: It does everything at a high level.
• What We’d Improve: Some additional on-road refinement would go a long way.
• Conclusion: A true all-season performer.

• What We Liked: Manages to balance a satisfying experience on the road and genuinely impressive athleticism on the track.
• What We’d Improve: The wet traction is a step behind in this group, and the light snow traction needs a big increase to keep up with the best.
• Conclusion: It’s very good all around.

What We Learned on the Test Track

Our 1/3-mile per lap test track course includes 90-degree street corners, a five-cone slalom and simulated expressway ramps. Run in both dry and wet conditions, the test track allows our team to experience the traction, responsiveness, handling and drivability normally only encountered during abrupt emergency avoidance maneuvers or competition events.

It’s important to note that Ultra High Performance All-Season tires aren’t intended for track use, or even in an autocross environment, and the severe wear we always experience following our somewhat limited track testing is a testament to that fact. Even so, it’s undeniable that these premium UHPAS products are fast and fun to drive when pushed to their limits.

The Eagle Exhilarate essentially tied for the fastest average lap time, and it earned the highest subjective score from our team in our dry track testing. The steering was just the right combination of quick reflexes that made it feel eager and nice weight that provided the feedback needed to communicate with the driver. The front to rear balance leaned a touch toward useful oversteer that allowed our testers to use the rear axle rotation as a tool through turns, and the braking inspired confidence and was easy to modulate to avoid ABS interference. The P Zero All Season Plus was a very close second subjectively and technically set the fastest average lap, if only by a razor-thin margin. The Pirelli felt the most agile of the group, dancing through the slalom and around corners exactly as our drivers intended. A slight deficit in outright traction for braking and ultimate lateral grip kept the tire from leading in every objective metric, but the Pirelli did the best job of easily maximizing everything it had to offer. The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus delivered impressive braking figures that were a virtual tie for best in the test. Overall traction was impressive, and the tire was very capable, though our team would have liked a little more communication to help wring out every last bit of performance it had to offer. The lack of steering feel made it difficult to discern when the front end was about to lose grip or if the driver’s steering inputs were too abrupt, and as a result, the Continental was the most likely to understeer at corner entry and corner exit, ultimately hurting lap times and driver enjoyment. The same light and fast steering the Pilot Sport All Season 4 displayed on the road made it feel like an eager and willing partner on the track, and test-leading braking and skidpad figures made it undeniable. The Michelin had impressive outright traction. However, our team found it was the most difficult to put together a "perfect" lap. The fast steering could potentially overwhelm the traction at the front axle, resulting in understeer, and some easy rotation at the rear end could lead to wasted motion as the driver worked to keep the movement under control.

Just like we have found in the past, the Eagle Exhilarate led the test in the wet, setting the fastest average lap and earning the highest score from our team. It was the easiest to drive on the track, combining braking, steering, and acceleration with ease and allowing our drivers to place the car exactly where they desired and use confident, assertive inputs. The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus was a very close second, and it led the test in 50-0mph wet braking and tied for the top wet skidpad figures. If the Continental had been tested by itself, our team likely wouldn’t have found anything to change. When tested in a group, however, it revealed that the tire didn’t combine its impressive attributes quite as well as the Goodyear. Our drivers had to separate inputs just a little bit more, resulting in an ever-so-slight speed deficit that nonetheless added up over an entire lap and didn’t build quite as much confidence and comfort for our drivers. While ultimately the Pirelli demonstrated very good wet traction, in this test its objective figures fell at the back of the pack. Despite the deficit in outright grip, it was a pleasure to drive if kept within its limits. Driven to the tire’s abilities, it was predictable, balanced, and freely rotated in a controllable and satisfying way. Start trying to match the pace of the other three products in this test, though, and it could easily get out of sorts as the driver attempted to overshoot the tire’s capabilities. The Pilot Sport All Season 4 fell firmly mid-pack in this group from an objective standpoint, though it was slightly closer to the leaders than the back of the standings. The outright traction was impressive, but it proved the most difficult to drive, which hurt its score with our testers. The highly responsive steering could have a tendency to break traction at the front axle, and the rear was slightly eager to step out, which required some of the driver’s attention that otherwise could have been spent searching out the fastest possible lap time.

Driving in Winter Conditions

In our light snow testing, there were two clear leaders that both delivered traction and driving characteristics that are likely to satisfy consumers who don’t get severe winter weather and use all-season tires year-round. The Pilot Sport All Season 4 led the test objectively and subjectively, if only by a narrow margin. The .82-foot advantage in 0-12 mph acceleration and 2.4 foot shorter braking distance from 25 mph are almost within the margin of error for our testing, but it did deliver more usable traction around the handling track than the competition. Our team found they could rely on the front end to carry the most speed into and through turns. It also put the power down with the most confidence at corner exit and in the straightaways. The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus provided a very well-rounded driving experience. Acceleration, braking, and cornering traction were all in balance, communicating very well with our drivers and allowing them to immediately know what to expect of the tire’s capabilities. Taking a large step back from the leaders, the P Zero All Season Plus required an additional 11.3 feet to come to a stop from 25 mph and an additional 7.4 feet to accelerate to 12 mph compared to the best in the test. On the handling track, it was merely adequate. Satisfying steering feel was a highlight, but traction was limited. Once front end grip was exceeded and it started to understeer, it took a significant amount of time to regain traction. Within the tire’s modest limits, the front-to-rear balance was nice, but it was relatively easy to exceed the grip threshold at either axle and upset that balance, resulting in lap times that trailed the rest of the group by a noticeable amount. The Eagle Exhilarate also delivered modest overall traction. In the snow, the steering was a bit less responsive and direct than the Pirelli, and the Goodyear would transition from understeer to oversteer and back with a bit less warning. The overall balance wasn’t as satisfying when driven within its window of grip, which ultimately resulted in a slightly lower subjective score, despite its faster lap times.

As we have found in previous testing, the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus delivered traction on the ice that was strong for an all-season product, though nowhere near that of a dedicated winter tire. It once again led our test in acceleration and braking, with a .37 second advantage in 0-60’ acceleration and stopping distances from 12 mph that were 8.5 feet shorter than the nearest competitor. The Pilot Sport All Season 4 trailed the Continental with ice traction that was decent for an all-season tire, while the Eagle Exhilarate was a reasonable step back from the Michelin. The P Zero All Season Plus struggled noticeably on the ice, offering meager traction that was far off the pace of the rest of the group.

Summary

In this top-tier group of Ultra High Performance All-Season tires, there really isn’t a bad choice to be had. Each one performs at a very high level all around, and each excels in one or more disciplines, as well. The Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus earns the highest overall score in our warm-weather testing thanks to its balance of performance, delivering the most refined experience on the road plus excellent athleticism on the dry track paired with solid wet traction. However, it struggles noticeably in our wintertime testing compared to the newest tires in the category. The Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate once again leads the way in the wet with the fastest average lap time and the highest subjective score from our drivers. Top-notch steering feel and acceptable ride and noise comfort mean it is a satisfying option on the road, as well. The counterpoint to its confident wet traction in warm weather is traction in light snow and on ice that trails the leaders. Continental’s new ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is another well-rounded entry from the brand, delivering a package that is competitive with the best in the category in every metric. The composed, controlled ride and very good noise comfort make it easy to live with day-to-day, and test-leading 50-0 mph braking and lateral grip in the wet are very impressive in this high-performing crowd. Light snow traction that is just a small step behind the best in the test is another high point, as well. Our team’s only complaint involves the steering. While it’s precise and direct, it lacks a build-up of effort as more input is added. This is a characteristic we expect from a performance tire, so its absence is noticeable. The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 feels eager and athletic in everything it does. Light, fast steering and very good traction in the wet and the dry make it a pleasure to drive on the track. Test-leading light snow traction also means it delivers driver confidence, regardless of conditions. It’s good to drive on the road, too, though it falls a small step behind in refinement compared to the rest of this highly competitive group.