The US history is full of iconic car models that have been around for a long time. Take the Chevrolet Camaro, for example. This gem was introduced in the late 60s as a competitor to the Ford Mustang, and thanks to its success, it continued its trend for the best 5 decades.
Spanning for 6 generations, the Camaro got a lot of upgrades and multiple trim levels to cover the needs of as many people as possible. Even since the first generation, some models got certain upgrades and got classified as SS, which stands for Super Sport.
Unlike some other manufacturers, Chevrolet included some visual upgrades, as well as different engine options and suspension and wheel upgrades. As a result, the Camaro SS was a performance-oriented model, and with the 455 HP in the latest generation, it’s no slouch. It may not be as track-focused as the ZL1, but it’s still a powerhouse.
With the car being around for around 6 years, plenty of owners are bound to be in a situation where they need to purchase a new set of tires, and this list should help them. Considering that this isn’t a luxury sedan, keep in mind that you won’t be seeing a lot of comfortable touring options today. Let’s be honest, not many manufacturers can accommodate the 20-inch staggered setup when it comes to well-refined tires.
#1. Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91
Let’s get the boring touring tire out of the way. For this, I’ve chosen the Majesty 9 Solus TA91 as it was the only one that had covered the sizes for the Camaro SS. Yes, it’s not a premium tire, but I feel like it does things as it should, and it’s not the most expensive option on the market.
As a touring tire, the Majesty 9 Solus TA91 isn’t focused towards performance driving, so you should keep this in mind. While the tire sticks well for daily driving, it won’t handle the power the car has, so you won’t be flooring it unless you’re a fan of burnouts. Things are decent in the corners, but you won’t be driving it on the limit constantly, so you should be fine. To be fair, the performance is pretty good for daily driving, and you may have some fun on a twisty road. The handling is decent, and you should be happy with the responsiveness levels but shouldn’t expect a lot of feedback. One thing I would have liked to see is slightly shorter braking distances.
Wet performance is something that the Majesty 9 Solus TA91 does well, but I feel like it lacks a bit. On damp roads, the grip and traction levels are adequate and will keep the tire decently behaved under normal driving conditions. With good braking distances and decent aquaplaning resistance, the tire is a solid option, but it has some drawbacks. In some scenarios, I feel the handling could use a bit of work, especially regarding controllability and stability at the limit.
The tire is an all-season one, so some snow performance is on the table, but it’s far from great. You’ll get usable amounts of traction and grip, but don’t expect them to be as good as something from the premium lineup. In addition, you’ll also need to feather the gas pedal, as the tire will begin to struggle if you get carried away.
One area of the Majesty 9 Solus TA91 that I feel is the best is the refinement. The tire manages to provide you with a plush ride and absorb the bumps with ease. While doing that, the tire won’t feel bouncy and will remain planted. Noise is another area of the tire that deserves a praise. As a touring option, the tire will be very quiet around town and not overly loud on the highway or on rougher roads.
Usually, the Majesty 9 Solus TA91 comes with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, but that’s for a squared setup. Since the Camaro SS has a staggered one, you’ll be getting half of that.
Pros
- Refinement levels are good
- Dry performance is excellent
- Decent handling for a touring tire
Cons
- Stability in wet conditions isn’t the best
- Winter performance is average
#2. Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Moving on to the fun stuff, I’m starting off this list strong with the Pilot Sport 5. Despite this tire’s performance badge, I’d still say it’s a well-balanced option for performance and daily driving.
The Pilot Sport 5 is a tire that won’t disappoint with its performance in dry conditions. There’s more than enough grip and traction to drive your Camaro daily, leaving you plenty of headroom to have fun. Considering the car in question, you can, thanks to this tire, as the levels are pretty high, and the tire will handle aggressiveness. My only slight complaint is the handling, especially the feedback. The tire is pretty responsive, which you’d expect from this category, but I wish it would offer more feedback.
Wet performance is something that the Pilot Sport 5 will handle with almost no issues. The tire sticks to damp roads, keeping the slip to a minimum when you’re accelerating. You also have dependable levels of grip in the corners, so it won’t promote understeer. This tire offers a lot in these conditions, which is why it’s among the best. Another aspect that needs to be mentioned is the very short braking distances. The tire also does an excellent job of remaining stable in harsh rain, thanks to the super aquaplaning resistance.
UHP tires aren’t known for being well-refined, but the Pilot Sport 5 doesn’t do a poor job at it. The tire offers a decently comfortable tire thanks’ to its ability to absorb bumps and smooth some of the road imperfections. As for the noise levels, I feel like they are not the best in this category. It’s not the loudest performance tire, but there are a few slightly quieter options.
Pros
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
- Dry and wet performance is superb
- Decently comfortable
Cons
- There are some slightly quieter tires in this class
- It’s not the most communicative tire
#3. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
Next on the list is another performance-oriented summer tire – the P Zero PZ4. The tire is a bit more affordable than the previous one, so you should be aware that there may be some slight tradeoffs.
As a performance tire, the P Zero PZ4 doesn’t disappoint in dry conditions. There’s more than enough grip and traction for driving a Camaro SS daily, so you won’t notice it slipping. The tire can be pushed a lot before it begins to break traction, so you can have a lot of fun with it. With that said, the performance is just a bit behind the Pilot Sport 4S. The same goes for the braking distances, which are almost identical to the previous model. In the handling department, it’s better. The tire is more responsive, and you’ll get more feedback through the steering wheel. You will be sacrificing a bit of the on-center feel, but as you turn the steering wheel, the tire becomes more progressive, something most people find nice. The biggest downside is that the performance degrades a bit once it starts heating up, making it inconsistent.
Rainy conditions aren’t perfect, but the P Zero PZ4 continues to deliver some very impressive results. On damp roads in normal conditions, the tire won’t struggle at all, and you’ll have a safe and dependable driving experience. The same goes for the braking distances, which are among the shortest in this category. Driving in harsher rain conditions is something that the tire does well, but it has a slight weakness. The aquaplaning resistance in the corners is excellent, but the tire becomes a bit twitchy in a straight line.
Looking at the refinement, the P Zero PZ4 reminds me a bit of the Pilot Sport 4S – decent considering the category it’s in. The tire has a stiffer sidewall, but it still manages to absorb some of the bumps and soften them up. It also does an acceptable job at keeping the vibrations from larger potholes muted. The noise levels are also pretty decent, and Pirelli made it reasonably quiet. While there is some noise from the tire, it’s not as loud as some of the other options I’ve tested in the past.
Pros
- Plenty of performance for everyday driving and having fun
- Dynamic handling characteristics
- Decent refinement for daily driving
Cons
- Performance isn’t the most consistent
- On-center feel is a bit muted
#4. Continental ExtremeContact Sport
As part of the holy trinity of summer performance tires, we have the ExtremeContact Sport from Continental. Despite being a premium tire, you are looking at a slightly cheaper option than the previous two without too many compromises, making it a well-balanced option.
Being part of the performance category, the ExtremeContact Sport is a tire that can provide you with a superb performance in dry conditions. For daily driving, the tire will stick to the road easily, so during accelerating, you’ll have no slip, and understeer will be a thing of the past. The levels are high enough so that you can push it and have a lot of fun on a twisty road. While the tire is composed and well-mannered, I’m not a massive fan of the handling. It’s excellent for driving around town and responsive enough for a day on the track. With that said, the tire feels too light as it doesn’t offer a lot of weight, so it may take some getting used to.
I often praise Continental for making tires with excellent wet performance, and the same goes for the ExtremeContact Sport. The tire is exceptional in damp conditions, and even though it’s just a tad behind the pack, it’s something you’ll notice on a track. It sticks with ease, regardless if you’re driving in a straight line or in a corner, and stops incredibly well, putting it at the top of the pack. As for the aquaplaning resistance, again, you’re looking at a surefooted tire that will remain stable in harsh rain.
UHP tires aren’t the best in terms of refinement but should still do acceptably well for daily driving, and the ExtremeContact Sport does that very well. Out of these 3 so far, I’d have to say that it’s the most comfortable. It seems to deal with bumps the best, and there is some comfort in how it softens them up. Sure, the vibrations are there, but it’s not a touring tire, so there’s no escaping that. Noise is also on the lower side, with the tire being acceptable. There is a slight hum at slower speeds, which seems to increase a bit over rougher surfaces, but isn’t too loud at higher speeds on smooth roads.
Like the Michelin tire I mentioned, the warranty is there, but you’re getting half of it. In this regard, the ExtremeContact Sport is evenly matched with the Pilot Sport 4S and its 15,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Pros
- Very short braking distances
- The most comfortable of the bunch
- Easy to handle and control at the limit
Cons
- Steering is a bit lighter than I’d like
- A slight high, pitched sound can be heard occasionally
#5. Kumho Ecsta PS91
Among the most affordable options, you can find for a Camaro SS is the Ecsta PS91. You may think that there would be a lot of compromises, but that’s not the case. The main reason I chose this tire is that it’s very close to the premium models but costs almost half the price in some cases.
In many ways, the Ecsta PS91 is a tire that reminds me of the Pirelli model I mentioned, especially in dry conditions. The tire delivers some very high grip and traction levels which are more than up to the task of daily driving your Camaro SS. With that said, it also has no issues getting pushed, so there’s plenty in there to enable you to have fun on a twisty road. Part of that process is the tire’s excellent handling characteristics. The tire’s responsiveness may not be the absolute best, but it’s up there with the best, just as is the feedback you’ll be getting through the steering wheel. One thing I like about the Kumho model when compared with the Pirelli tire is that it doesn’t seem to fade as quickly.
The wet performance is one area where the Ecsta PS91 doesn’t do so well. I wouldn’t classify it as horrible, but you can start to see the compromises you’ll need to make with a tire from the mid-range class. The tire is excellent for daily driving, and if you don’t push it, you probably won’t notice a difference between it and some premium counterparts. In some more aggressive situations, the tire will begin to fall back, and you’ll notice a slight drop in performance when compared with its premium rivals. The biggest tell that this is a mid-range tire is the braking distances which are good but fall slightly behind some of the premium competitors.
Another tell that we’re talking about a mid-range tire is the refinement. The Ecsta PS91 isn’t terrible, but the ride quality is the area it takes a slight hit. In terms of comfort levels, it’s passable, but the ride is a bit stiffer. The tire also doesn’t deal with vibrations too well, and you’ll notice a jolt when you hit a larger pothole. It’s the same story with the noise levels, but not in every situation. The tire is fairly quiet over smooth roads, but the road increases noticeably over rougher ones.
Pros
- Consistent performance
- Grip and traction on dry roads are excellent
- Superb handling
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
- Wet performance falls behind its premium competitors
#6. Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4
Michelin’s Pilot Sport lineup consists of plenty of options, a few of which are all-season ones like the Pilot Sport All-Season 4. Like its summer cousin, this is a performance-oriented option, but unlike it, you get some passable performance in winter conditions.
On dry roads, the Pilot Sport All-Season 4 is a very capable tire and will offer excellent performance. The grip and traction levels are among the best in class, so regardless if you’re after daily driving or having fun, it won’t disappoint. One area of the tire I like the best is that it’s very neutral, even if you push it. At a certain point, you can push it way past its limits, and you’ll end up with understeer or oversteer, depending on the situation. Even if that happens, you’re still getting a tire that’s easy to control, thanks to the great responsiveness and the feedback which will let you know what’s happening.
We know that Michelin tires are very good in wet conditions, and the Pilot Sport All-Season 4 is no exception. On damp roads, the tire’s grip and traction levels are more than enough for daily driving. As a performance tire, you can push it, and the tire will comply and will provide you with some pretty good times. Safety is another feature of the tire that puts it near the top of its class. With this model, you’ll be getting some very short braking distances and excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Unlike the regular Pilot Spot 4 or 4S, this is an all-season tire, so you have winter performance available to you. I wouldn’t say it’s excellent and compare it with a proper winter tire, but I’ll say it’s usable. The tire has decent traction in these conditions, and while it will get you moving or around a corner, I would advise some caution. Considering that the Camaro SS is over 450 HP, you should be careful of how aggressive you are with the tire.
While the Pilot Sport All-Season 4 is good in many areas, refinement isn’t one of them, so it’s something worth mentioning. The ride is not the worst, but you should expect a slightly harsher ride. It’s not terrible and too bumpy, but it won’t deal with bumps as good as a touring tire. Noise levels also aren’t the best in class, and you should expect to hear the tire a bit more when compared to some of its rivals in this class.
Similar to all situations before, the 45,000-mile treadwear warranty that the Pilot Sport All-Season 4 comes with gets cut in half due to the staggered setup of the Camaro SS.
Pros
- Handles very good
- Usable in light snow conditions
- Excellent performance in dry and wet conditions
Cons
- Comfort and noise levels aren’t the best in class
- Not the most affordable option on the market
#7. Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+
As a direct competitor of the previous tire, there is a recently revised model from Bridgestone. The Potenza RE980AS+ is another premium UHP tire that offers a lot as long as you’re prepared to pay the premium price.
The Potenza RE980AS+ is a tire that can deliver plenty of performance in dry conditions. In daily driving scenarios, the grip and traction levels are more than enough for a Camaro, meaning there’s enough even if you want to have some fun on a twisty road. The best part is that once you start to approach the limit, the tire remains predictable and won’t surprise you. Everything is backed by the short braking distances, making this a safe tire. The handling is another positive side of this tire, thanks to its responsive nature combined with a good amount of feedback.
When it comes to wet performance, the Potenza RE980AS+ is a good performer but not the best in its class. The grip and traction levels on damp roads are pretty good and come very close to the best all-season UHP models. Like in dry conditions, the tire remains predictable, which is a good thing. The braking distances are the biggest difference between Bridgestone’s model and some of its rivals. Even though they are short, there are some models that do a better job. On a positive note, the tire’s aquaplaning resistance is excellent, keeping the tire stable even at higher speeds.
The Potenza RE980AS+ is an all-season tire with a solid performance in winter conditions. There’s a good amount of traction on snow, especially if it’s unpacked. You can get it to slip on packed snow if you’re a bit aggressive, but it’s still a pretty solid performer. Regardless of the surface, the tire offers short braking distances, considering it’s not a winter tire.
When it comes to refinement, I feel like the Potenza RE980AS+ isn’t the best, even in the UHP segment. The tire’s comfort levels are acceptable enough if you’re willing to live with a bit of harshness. I wouldn’t call it horribly uncomfortable, but the stiffness is noticeable. On the other hand, you have the noise levels which are pretty low. The hum isn’t too noticeable around town, and even though it increases in intensity at highway speeds, it’s still not the loudest tire in this category.
The warranty is pretty good, which is what you’d expect from a premium tire. Bridgestone offers the Potenza RE980AS+ with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is among the best in this segment.
Pros
- Superb dry performance
- Dynamic handling
- A good amount of traction on snow
Cons
- The ride is a bit stiffer than some of its competitors
- The braking distances on damp roads are just a bit longer than the best-in-class models
#8. Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2
If you want to avoid the high price tag but still want to get a solid performer, you can look at the mid-range options like the Ventus S1 Noble2. As an overall package, this tire has affordability and excellent performance working in its favor.
On dry roads, the Ventus S1 Noble2 is a tire that won’t deliver disappointing results. Yes, the previous two tires will outperform it, but not by much. It means that you’re getting very good grip and traction levels that can cover your daily driving and having fun needs. Like with most tires, you can get it to slip, but it takes a bit of effort, as the levels are pretty high. One area of the tire that you will need to sacrifice is the handling. The tire is responsive, and you will get feedback through the steering wheel, but both are average when compared to the premium models.
The story of being very close to its premium competitors continues in wet conditions. Damp roads won’t be a problem in daily driving scenarios, but the tire won’t handle getting pushed as much as the previous two. It will be fine for a Camaro SS, as long as you’re aware of the limits. Hard acceleration or throwing the car into a corner at great speeds will cause it to lose traction, but it’s still a UHP tire. The same goes for the aquaplaning resistance – it’s excellent for its class, but some premium models can outperform it.
In winter, the Ventus S1 Noble2 can offer some usable performance, but I wouldn’t rely on it too much. Considering the power of the Camaro SS, if you get a bit carried away, the tire will become useless even in lighter conditions. Careful driving and going easy is the best way to make use of the performance the tire can offer.
Looking at the refinement of the Ventus S1 Noble2, there are things you’ll like and don’t like. The average handling usually means a comfortable tire, and this one does that nicely. It absorbs bumps quite well and reduces vibrations from entering the cabin without feeling too bouncy. On the noise side of things, the tire isn’t the best there is. Even at lower speeds, there is a bit of a hum, which increases as you get on the highway or start driving on rougher roads.
Despite the lower price, you are still getting a premium warranty. The Ventus S1 Noble2 comes with a 25,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the same level as the Bridgestone model.
Pros
- Affordable
- High levels of performance in dry and wet conditions
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not the quietest UHP tire in this class
- Responsiveness and feedback are average
#9. Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
Going as a direct competitor of the Hankook tire, we have the Zeon RS3-G1. With this tire, you’re getting more or less the same as the previous one – very good performance at a lower price when compared with the premium options.
Like with the previous tire, you’re looking at an option capable of delivering high levels of grip and traction. As a result, the Zeon RS3-G1 will be an excellent option for daily driving, as well as pushing your Camaro SS on a twisty road. The levels aren’t the highest, so you shouldn’t expect it to perform as the premium models, but it’s fairly close, so it will satisfy most enthusiasts. With the great performance, you also get a tire that handles very well. There’s plenty of feedback, and you won’t wait for ages for the tire to change direction after turning the steering wheel.
The positive performance continues in wet conditions, something the Zeon RS3-G1 does well, but there is a slight drawback. On the good side, you have high levels of grip and traction on damp roads, far more than you’d need for daily driving. As a result, there is plenty of performance that will enable you to push it hard and have a lot of fun. While it will break traction a bit earlier than its premium rivals, it won’t feel like it underperforms dramatically. The tire also does well in terms of aquaplaning resistance, so it will remain planted in conditions with massive rain. One area where it doesn’t do the best is braking. The distances are short and safe, but even in this class, they are not the best.
Mid-range tires often have some compromises, and in the case of the Zeon RS3-G1, it’s the winter performance. The tire will be barely usable even in light conditions, considering that the Camaro SS is powerful and RWD. It means that you’ll need to be extra careful in these conditions. This also means the tire is almost useless in harsher situations like packed or deeper snow.
The full warranty the Zeon RS3-G1 comes with is on the same level as the Michelin tire. With a staggered setup, you’re looking at half of that, which is still pretty good for a mid-range tire.
Pros
- Handles as a performance tire should
- The performance levels are excellent
- Affordable
Cons
- Not a lot of performance in snowy conditions
- Braking distances on wet roads are average
#10. Pirelli Sottozero 3
Someone may need to drive its Camaro SS in harsher winter conditions, which is where the Sottozero 3 comes into play. As a premium winter tire, you should expect excellent performance in these conditions without many compromises.
I’ve seen some winter tires with poor performance in dry conditions, but the Sottozero 3 isn’t one of them. In the premium segment, I believe this to be among the best in terms of grip and traction, meaning that you will have no problem with it in everyday situations or if you push it. One thing I’m not a massive fan of is the driving dynamics. The tire isn’t the most responsive one on the market, so enthusiasts may not be too happy with it. On the flip side, the tire’s very predictable, so it won’t surprise you when you get over its limits.
Wet conditions are something that the Sottozero 3 has no problems dealing with, regardless if you’re driving around town or pushing it hard. To be fair, the performance won’t be as good as in dry conditions, but you won’t be disappointed by it either. The tire is also an excellent performer when it comes to braking distances which are among the shortest in the premium segment. One area it doesn’t do so well is the aquaplaning resistance. Yes, the tire is stable, but some of its rivals do a better job at it.
Winter tires excel in snow conditions, so this is what the Sottozero 3 does very well. The traction over packed and unpacked snow is excellent, and you’ll hardly notice the tire struggling. With that said, keep in mind that the performance won’t be on the same level as in dry conditions, so you’ll need to go easy. The tire’s pattern also helps a lot in deeper snow, and even though you can get it to slip, it can deliver some very good performance. Even in icy conditions, the tire can provide usable performance, much better than any other all-season tire.
There are some good and bad news in the refinement department. The good news is that the tire is very comfortable, which is the case with most winter tires. It can easily absorb the bumps without feeling bouncy, resulting in a plush ride as you’d expect from a premium model. On the other hand, the noise levels aren’t the best. Pirelli’s technology for making a tire quiet does an acceptable job, but at the end of the day, the tire isn’t the quietest in its class.
Pros
- High comfort levels
- Superb dry and wet performance
- Plenty of traction in snow conditions
Cons
- Noise levels aren’t the best
- Handling takes a hit, as the tire isn’t the most responsive one
2 Comments
Nah. Didn’t even include firehawks.
I would’ve loved to, but I think that only one trim level has dimensions from the firehawk lineup and that’s for the 18 inch tires. For the 20 inch ones, you won’t find ones that fit, unless you want to make some changes to the setup.