The Subaru BRZ is one of the more affordable sports cars on the market. But its stylish looks, energetic handling, and class-leading fuel economy show that not many corners have been cut to keep the asking price low, making this car an attractive buy for enthusiasts.
However, while it’s easy to make up your mind in favor of the BRZ, what is not as easy is buying the right set of tires for this sports car. Variables like your driving style, the road conditions you’ll be driving this car on, and the weather in your area make this decision tough.
Luckily, we have done some research to help you locate the right set of tires for your Subaru BRZ. To ensure that you don’t feel overwhelmed, we have highlighted the categories each tire belongs to, so that you can easily pick the model meeting your requirements.
To make the buying process even easier, we’ve included a buying guide. Going through that section will help you decide what to look for when choosing tires for your BRZ. Read on to learn everything about the top ten best tires for Subaru BRZ on the market.
#1. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 Plus – Best High-Performance All-Season
The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is arguably the best high-performance all-season tire for Subaru BRZ. This tire has been designed to fit sports cars that are used year-round by their drivers. As such, you won’t have to replace it when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Michelin has used its proprietary Helio material in this tire’s construction. Together with the silica and sunflower oil tread compound, Helio contributes to this model’s excellent traction in dry, wet, and mild-moderate wintry conditions, such as light snow and thin ice.
Variable Control Technology makes this model a champion of cornering performance. Regardless of the speed at which you’re attacking the upcoming turn, this tire will remain fully glued to the road, eliminating the risk of oversteering when you enter the corner too fast.
You can get the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ in 4, 5, and 6 rib designs. All the designs ensure that the shoulder blocks are more pressed against the road during high-speed driving. This, in turn, improves the tire’s straight-line tracking, while also enhancing its overall lateral grip.
Wet traction is another area where this tire shines. Four circumferential grooves evacuate water quickly and effectively to keep hydroplaning at bay. To further sweeten the deal, Michelin backs this tire with a 45,000-mile warranty, above average for a UHP tire.
Pros
- Brilliant high-speed stability
- Excellent treadwear warranty (45,000 miles)
- Superb responsiveness in dry conditions
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
#2. Pirelli P Zero All-Season – Best High-Performance All-Season
The Pirelli P Zero All-Season is the Subaru BRZ of high-performance all-season tires. That means that this model costs less than its competitors, such as the one reviewed above, while offering the kind of performance that doesn’t remind you of its mid-range price.
As long as you’re driving on decent quality roads, its sticky rubber compound won’t let this tire’s road contact break, regardless of whether the tarmac is dry or damp. The result is exceptional grip and traction to give you the confidence to keep pushing this tire to its limits.
Nano rubber composites help take this tire’s cornering performance to the next level. A substitute for traditional shoulder blocks, these raised rubber wedges keep the tire under your full control during high-speed cornering. You can thus enter and leave bends at full speed.
The unique ‘S’-shaped sipes truly distinguish this model from its fellow UHP all-season tires. They do that by making this tire a reliable performer on light snow.
Aside from that, the sipes work together with this model’s multiple grooves to evacuate water from the tread area, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Plus, a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty indicates that this tire can offer 3 to 4 years of road life if handled with care.
Pros
- Backed with a 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty
- Superb cornering performance
- Great straight-line tracking and steering response
Cons
- May wear pretty quickly if regularly pushed to the limits
#3. BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 AS – Best High-Performance All-Season
The BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 AS has everything you may expect from a premium high-performance tire. These include exceptional high-speed stability and straight-line tracking, high amounts of steering response and feedback, and great cornering grip.
BFG’s proprietary ‘Equal Tension Containment System’ (ETEC) helps this tire last longer than your average high-performance all-season tire. It does that by ensuring even distribution of pressure forces the tire’s subjected to, enabling this model to wear evenly.
Another thing the g-Force Comp-2 is good at is giving you a feel of the road. Its ‘g-Hooks’ and ‘g-Control’ sidewalls ensure you always get adequate steering feedback. Aside from that, they also enhance this model’s cornering grip and performance.
Unlike most performance tires, this model won’t struggle for grip in the rain. Its flexible tread compound will ensure that it never runs out of traction in wet conditions, with multiple circumferential grooves aiding with water evacuation to reduce the risk of slippage.
Unfortunately, there is one area where this model disappoints. Unlike the above high-performance all-season tires, it doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty.
Pros
- Gives adequate steering feedback
- Can be used in the rain
- Wears evenly for a long tread life
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty
#4. Michelin Pilot Super Sport – Best High-Performance Summer
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport has been on the market for almost a decade. Yet if the passage of years has highlighted some flaws in this tire’s design, drivers are yet to find them. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for this model to still be one of the best-selling UHP tires.
Start with its lightweight construction. Michelin’s proprietary Filament At Zero Degrees (FAZ) technology has slashed several pounds off this model’s weight, bringing down the rolling resistance. An improved fuel economy (vis-à-vis rival UHP tires) is thus all but guaranteed.
The Pilot Super Sport is also much quieter than many of its competitors. The credit for this goes to the sound-absorbing foam in its inner lining. This foam not only deflects road noise for a quieter cabin. It also absorbs road disturbances to keep the ride vibration-free.
Luckily for us, the passage of years has forced Michelin to slash this model’s price to help it stay competitive in the overcrowded UHP tire market. The result is a tire whose price-to-performance ratio is one of the most user-friendly.
Add its 30,000-mile treadwear warranty to the mix, and you may feel that the Pilot Super Sport is faultless. Unfortunately, that isn’t true. This model offers a lackluster wet grip, forcing you to watch the speed while driving in the rain.
Pros
- Backed with a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Exceptional steering and handling response
- Delivers superb high-speed stability
Cons
- Wet grip could be better
#5. Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position – Best High-Performance Summer
At this tire’s unveiling ceremony in 2019, Bridgestone claimed that it partnered with the world’s finest auto manufacturers and utilized the latest in tire technology to design the Potenza S-04 Pole Position. Which explains why this tire is so good at what it does.
Similar to the above summer performance tires, this tire is incredibly stable at high speeds, giving you the confidence to push it to the limits fearlessly. It also excels at hard cornering and doesn’t disappoint you when it comes to steering response and handling.
Thanks to its silica-enhanced tread compound and advanced asymmetric tread pattern, this model delivers excellent dry surface cornering grip. Plus, an interlocking center rib makes this tire quick to respond to steering inputs, making it more responsive.
The combination of angled tread blocks and lateral grooves enhances wet performance, with a circumferential rib near the shoulder, greatly reducing road noise. However, as years pass by and its tread wears down, this tire may get slightly loud.
Lastly, the Potenza S-04 isn’t backed with a treadwear warranty, though that isn’t a surprise for models in this class. What is surprising is that this model’s asking price won’t blow a hole in your pocket, as it’s much cheaper than rival tires from Michelin.
Pros
- Offers excellent performance
- Can’t have any complaints about ride comfort
- Relatively affordable for a tire in this class
Cons
- Comes without a treadwear warranty
#6. Dunlop Direzza DZ102 – Best High-Performance Summer
Are you looking for an ultra-high-performance tire on a budget? If so, the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 deserves your attention. This affordable summer performance tire has all the qualities you mostly get from models costing twice as much.
A silica and carbon-black tread compound distinguishes this model from its rivals above, both of which have opted for an advanced silica tread compound for excellent dry grip. The addition of carbon black has made this tire a more capable performer on wet roads.
Its directional tread pattern joins forces with three center ribs and wider shoulder blocks for enhanced steering stability. The trio is also responsible for this model’s neat cornering performance, though the center ribs alone are to credit for the great steering feedback.
The DZ102 also has more than enough circumferential grooves to help with traction on wet roads. Internally, it features dual steel belts strengthened with a polyamide cord cap ply. This makes this model more resistant to premature deformation.
To further sweeten the deal, Dunlop has added flange shields on this tire. They will protect your wheels and rims from curb damage. A one-year uniformity warranty is also on offer.
Pros
- Comes at a budget price point
- Offers excellent grip in dry conditions
- Built-in rim protector
Cons
- Wet traction could be better
#7. Michelin Premier A/S – Best Touring All-Season
The Michelin Premier A/S is one of the best touring tires for sedans, sports cars, SUVs, and crossovers. It offers excellent road manners for a quiet and comfortable ride. Plus, this tire’s excellent dry and wet performance makes it a reliable year-round performer.
A silica and sunflower oil tread compound helps this model stay useful 365 days a year. It does that by making its rubber firm and flexible in equal measures. In fact, the tread compound also enables this tire to tackle light snow and ice, a rarity for touring models.
Another thing that isn’t common among touring tires is consistent traction, with most models suffering from a dangerous loss of traction in their last few months. However, thanks to its ‘hidden grooves’, the Premier A/S is an exception.
Michelin’s Comfort Control Technology further enhances this model’s reputation, helping it offer a plush ride on the highway and in the city. Moreover, various biting edges on the tread shorten its braking distances to minimize the risk of front bumper accidents.
In a final throw of the dice, Michelin backs this tire with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which can translate to as many as 5 years of road life, provided you use this tire with care and rotate its position at least once every 4,000 to 6,000 miles.
Pros
- Offers a quiet and comfortable ride
- Provides excellent traction on wet surfaces
- Can handle mild wintry conditions with ease
Cons
- Average aquaplaning resistance
#8. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 – Best Dry and Wet Performance
The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is one of the few tires that justify their name with its performance. Whether you’re driving on dry, wet or (light) wintry roads, this model will offer consistent grip and traction for a confident driving experience.
An all-season tread compound has been molded into an asymmetric tread pattern to help this model wear evenly and outlast its long tread life warranty (more on this later). This combination has also given this tire the kind of road grip needed for high-speed driving.
X-Sipe Technology increases traction on wet and wintry roads for short braking distances. That is especially the case when you compare its braking distances to rival performance tires, most of which take a few meters longer to come to a halt after hard braking.
Chamfered edges help accumulated water particles seep through tread channels and on the surface underneath. Plus, a sidewall that is 35 percent stiffer than the one used in its predecessor ensures added steering feedback and a more responsive ride.
On top of everything else, Continental provided this model with maintenance indicators. You can rely on them to check how well this tire is wearing and whether the wheels are aligned. An excellent 40,000-mile warranty is also on offer.
Pros
- Exceptional traction on wet roads
- 40,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Superb cornering performance and grip
Cons
- Pricey for a touring tire
#9. Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 – Budget Tire
The Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 shows that sometimes in life you get more than what you paid for.
A high-silica tread compound featuring styrene polymer helps this tire offer the best of both worlds. Silica enhances this tire’s grip for excellent high-speed handling, while the styrene polymer slashes a few pounds off this model’s weight to enhance its fuel economy.
In case you’re wondering, the reduction in weight doesn’t come at the expense of traction. This model’s open-notched shoulders and 3D intermediate ribs ensure that this model comes to a halt within milliseconds of brakes, regardless of your driving speed.
Despite costing less than your average performance tire, the V12 evo2 features wide circumferential grooves and aqua jet lateral grooves for excellent hydroplaning resistance. Plus, a five-pitch sequence reduces road vibrations and noise for a posh ride.
Bear in mind, though, that this model isn’t designed to be used in winter. The absence of biting edges means you’ll be inviting dangerous skidding and slipping by using it on snow and ice.
Pros
- Best-in-class dry pavement traction
- Noiseless and comfortable driving
- Six years of workmanship and materials warranty
Cons
Not intended to be used in winters
#10. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Best Winter Tire
Three features make the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 one of the best Subaru BRZ winter tires.
The first of which is its super-flexible tread compound which keeps the rubber pliable in sub-zero temperatures for unrivaled snow and ice traction.
Then comes the MultiCell structure, which traps snow within the treads. The resulting snow-on-snow friction then gives this tire added traction, helping it safely carry you from point A to point B on snow- and ice-laden roads.
On using this tire, you’ll notice its treadwear is slower, especially when compared to rival winter tires. This is a welcome feature as it means that the WS90 might last you many winters.
Lastly, the fact that this model has been rated 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) indicates that all the above features have made it durable in tough winter conditions.
Pros
- Highly dependable on snow and ice
- Wears less quickly than rival winter tires
- Comes with the 3PMSF emblem
Cons
- No mileage warranty
Best Tires for Subaru BRZ
High-Performance All Season
High-performance all-season tires are designed for excellent high-speed stability, steering response, and feedback. What distinguishes them from HP summer tires is that these models offer short braking distances in any weather condition, including light snow.
High-Performance Summer
High-performance summer tires do precisely what their names makes you think they would. These tires will allow you to push your Subaru WRZ to the limits without worrying about things like oversteering. You can thus count on them for high-speed driving.
All-Season Touring
All-season touring tires offer excellent road manners, dry and wet performance, and tread life warranty. Their fuel economy is pretty decent, too, helping you enjoy significant savings. Plus, compared with the above tire categories, touring tires cost less.
Winter Tires
Winter tires come with flexible tread compounds and aggressive biting edges to stay useful in harsh temperatures. A pro tip for when you’re shopping for winter tires: opt for a model that comes with the 3PMSF emblem. This symbol all but guarantees a tire’s reliability in frigid conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tires should I put on my BRZ?
Many BRZ drivers decide to put on performance or high-performance tires on this sports car. It is because these tires complement the qualities of this sports car.
What PSI should my BRZ be?
According to the owner’s manual, the minimum recommended tire pressure for the Subaru BRZ is 35PSI.
Conclusion
Subaru BRZ is a competent sports car with a responsive flat-four engine and dimensions that allow it to slalom through city traffic. To make the most of its qualities, it’s imperative that you put on a set of premium tires.
