The 7 Best Tires for the Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS divides opinion among the luxury sedan-loving crowd. While its proponents praise this car’s precise handling and potent twin-turbo V6 engine. Naysayers express their disapproval of its average powertrain refinement and lackluster cargo capacity.
Yet, despite all its flaws, the CTS remains one of the better choices in the luxury sedan market. That is especially the case if you can equip it with the right set of tires. Those which can make the most of the above qualities while making its powertrain more efficient.
That is what the below models are capable of doing. But they won’t settle for that. The best tires for Cadillac CTS will also improve its road grip, high-speed stability, and wet traction. You can thus count on them to make this sedan’s ride more luxurious than it already is.
#1. Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring – Best All-Season

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The Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring checks several boxes for the average CTS driver. This all-season touring tire will enhance your CTS’s dry road grip while also improving its wet performance. Plus, it will make this sedan capable of handling light wintry conditions.
How can I be so sure? Cooper’s StabiliEdge Technology gives me plenty of reasons to be confident about this model’s abilities. This technology expands this tire’s contact patch every time it rolls on the road, resulting in excellent dry grip and enhanced fuel economy.
That’s not to say that this tire would perform poorly on wet roads. Thanks to four circumferential and lateral grooves, it will evacuate water particles before they can invite hydroplaning. As such, you won’t have any reason to take your foot off the accelerator in the rain.
The M+S symbol (which backs it to perform reliably on light snow/ice) and 55,000/75,000-mile treadwear warranty (depending on speed rating) further sweeten the deal. Its relatively affordable price may also be a great pull if you’re a budget shopper like me.
Pros
- Available at a pocket-friendly price
- Excellent dry and wet handling
- Performs reliably in light wintry conditions
Cons
- Average treadwear warranty for V- and H-rated tires
#2. Michelin Premier A/S – Best Premium All-Season Tire

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If you can afford the astronomical initial and running costs of the Cadillac CTS, chances are you won’t mind paying the astronomical price Michelin is charging for the Premier A/S. However, if you’re on a tight budget and could do without an ultra-comfortable ride, go for our top pick.
A silica and sunflower oil tread compound gives this tire the best of both worlds. While silica gives it the firmness needed to tackle dry roads, sunflower oil lends it the flexibility for reliable wet driving. The result? A sure-footed driving experience 365 days a year.
Just like our top pick, the Premier A/S has multiple circumferential grooves to resist hydroplaning. However, it also has an additional pair of grooves (titled ‘rain grooves’) for water evacuation. As such, it may perform better on wet roads than the CS5 Ultra Touring.
There are three more areas where this tire shines. Having used it myself, I can vouch for the Premier A/S to enhance your CTS’s fuel economy. Plus, backed with Michelin’s latest technologies, it will also make this luxury sedan’s drive serene.
Pros
- Offers plush ride
- Provides excellent traction in wet conditions
- Backed with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Asking price may blow a hole in your pocket
#3. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-Season Plus – Best Fuel-Efficient

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There are many things Cadillac CTS drivers can expect the Cinturato P7 to do for them.
The first of which is improving this car’s fuel mileage. Per tests conducted by Pirelli’s engineers, the P7 has a 15% lower rolling resistance than its rivals, helping it consume less gas per liter than many of the premium all-season touring tires you see out there.
Having installed and used this tire on my 2010 Audi A6, I can tell you that fuel economy isn’t the be-all and end-all for the P7. This model’s road manners are pretty good, too, meaning you can count on it to keep things quiet and comfortable in the cabin.
Throw its short braking distances on snow and ice into the mix, and you’d think that this model is faultless. This line of thinking will be further reinforced when you look at this model’s treadwear warranty – Pirelli backs the P7 to last up to 70,000 miles.
Pros
- Delivers outstanding fuel economy
- Comes with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Provides excellent high-speed stability
Cons
- Unimpressive grip on thin ice
#4. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 – Best High-Performance All-Season

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The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is one of the market’s most misrepresented HP A/S tires. Many drivers think that it’s a summer performance tire when, in reality, it’s designed for high-speed driving around the year. Here’s why this should excite you.
Unlike its summer performance counterparts (discussed below), the DWS06 performs reliably unless there’s snow on the road. Plus, it wears evenly (for a high-performance tire) and offers something 9 out of 10 HP tires don’t: a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Traction Grooves and X Sipe Technology create further daylight between this model and summer performance tires. They do that by helping it perform reliably on wet roads.
All of this should make one thing clear: the DWS06 offers the high-speed stability of its summer performance counterparts. At the same time, the length of its road life and wet traction can comfortably rival any cheap/budget all-season tire’s durability.
Pros
- Offers excellent stearing feedback
- Outstanding treadwear warranty for a high-performance tire
- Superb cornering performance and grip
Cons
- Relatively long braking distances on wet roads
#5. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 Plus – Best Premium High-Performance All Season

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As our comparison of the two tires has made clear, the Pilot Sport A/S3 Plus has multiple things in common with the ExtremeContact DWS06. Both these tires can perform reliably in dry and wet conditions, offer superior high-speed stability, and come with a treadwear warranty.
Yet that’s where the similarities end. True, both these tires have relatively softer tread compounds than what you see on regular ultra-high-performance tires. Yet, the Pilot Sport A/S3+ performs better on dry roads, especially when you’re attacking corners at speed.
That said, this model’s ride quality is relatively harsh. This shouldn’t be surprising, given the fact that it focuses more on the performance side of things. Another thing that distinguishes the two tires is price, with the A/S3+ costing slightly more than the DWS06.
All in all, if you’re in the market for an HP A/S tire for your Cadillac CTS and these two tires are the last two remaining names on your list, decision time awaits. Go for the A/S 3+ if you want better performance and can accept a (slightly) less comfortable ride.
Pros
- Offers brilliant dry grip
- Exceptional cornering grip
- 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Ride is slightly harsher than the DWS06’s
#6. Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 – Best Summer Performance

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Superior steering feedback? Check. Exceptional cornering performance and grip? Present. Above-average high-speed stability on dry roads? Present. Small wonder, then, that the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is one of the best summer performance tires for Cadillac CTS.
An advanced silica compound deserves credit for two of this model’s major qualities. They are its exceptional dry grip and the high-speed stability that would convince you to keep driving close to the speed limit. So, you can comfortably push the Indy 500 to its limits.
Next comes its dynamic handling and cornering performance. Both of which owe their presence to the stiff blocks lining this model’s shoulder and the asymmetric tread pattern running down its middle. A 65,000-mile treadwear warranty further sweetens the deal.
If you liked what I said about this tire and are willing to install it on your CTS, don’t forget that you cannot cross-rotate it. The Indy 500 can only be rotated from front to back or vice versa. If you do anything else, be ready for a significant drop in its performance.
Pros
- Backed by a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Delivers exceptional dry grip and high-speed stability
- Usable in mild-to-moderate rainy conditions
Cons
- Totally unreliable in wintry conditions
#7. BFG g-Force Sport Comp-2 – Best Premium Summer Performance

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There are many things I can say about the Sport Comp-2 that will also be true for the Indy 500. Think of exceptional steering feedback, decent wet traction for an ultra-high-performance tire, and superb steering feedback on the highway.
Why, then, is the g-Force Sport Comp-2 pricier than the Indy 500?
Start with the “g-Hooks” and a “g-Control” sidewall. Both these design elements help deliver loads of feedback to the steering. At the same time, they also minimize the risk of premature deformation.
Another difference is that with the Sport Comp-2 there is a negligible risk of over-steering. That isn’t to say that the Indy 500 regularly loses traction on the corner. It’s just that the Sport Comp-2 has something (super-aggressive shoulder blocks) that its counterpart doesn’t.
Therefore, if you can afford to pay more upfront for a set of high-quality UHP tires, the Sport Comp-2 has everything to be your first pick. However, if money is an issue and you want the peace of mind that only comes with a treadwear warranty, go for the Indy 500.
Pros
- Superb dry and wet traction
- Minimal risk of premature deformation
- Above-average cornering grip
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
Best Tires for Cadillac CTS
Pay attention to the following factors when shopping for Cadillac CTS tires:
Type
Since the Cadillac CTS is a luxury sedan, most owners pair it with performance or high-performance tires to make the most of its qualities. However, there is a sizeable minority that prefers the durability and road manners of all-season tires. Let’s have a brief look at all three types:
- All-Season: These tires deserve your attention if you want reliable performance 365 days a year (including in light wintry conditions). They also offer superior fuel economies and are backed by extended treadwear warranties.
- High-Performance All-Season: These tires have harder rubber compounds (vis-à-vis their summer performance counterparts), enabling them to offer decent performance in dry, wet, and occasional light wintry conditions.
- Summer Performance: Summer performance tires combine an ultra-hard tread compound with an asymmetric tread pattern for superior grip and traction in dry and wet conditions. However, they aren’t meant for snow driving.
Size
Once you have decided on the type of tire you want to pair your CTS with, turn your attention to tire size. As you might guess, not every model on the market will fit this luxury sedan. It’s suggested to check your CTS’s owner’s manual to know about compatible tire sizes.
Depending on the trim and model year, the CTS can have any one of the following tire sizes:
- 225/55R16, P225/50R17, P235/55R17, P245/45R17, P225/50R18, P235/50R18, 235/50R18, 245/40R18 (front) and 275/35R18 (rear), P245/45R18, 245/40R18, 245/45R19, 255/40ZR19 (front) and 285/35ZR19 (rear), 245/45ZR19 (front) and 275/40ZR19 rear), and 255/35R19
Driving Style
How you drive will decide the type of tires that will work best for you.
For example, if you have a laid-back driving style and/or only use this sedan for everyday driving around the city, a set of all-season tires might be better for you. Conversely, high-performance tires will perform better if you’re fond of pushing the CTS to its limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of tires goes on a Cadillac CTS?
Depending on your driving habits, you can pair your Cadillac CTS with all-season touring, high-performance all-season, or summer-performance tires. If your area receives more than its fair share of snow, winter tires might be worth a shot.
Which brand of tires lasts the longest?
Generally speaking, tires from the top three brands (Michelin, Continental, and Bridgestone) typically last longer than those from mid-range or budget tire manufacturers.
Conclusion
The Cadillac CTS looks and drives different from other luxury sedans thanks to its balanced suspension, edgy exterior, and rear-wheel-drive layout.
However, unless you pair it with the right set of tires, all of this car’s qualities would amount to nothing. So, if you want to get the best out of this luxury sedan, equip it with tires from premium/well-known brands.