The 10 Best Tires for the Mazda MX-5 Miata
Today’s car market is flooded with models that aim to be efficient and practical. They are an excellent choice for most people, but many lack the fun factor, which is where other types of cars come into play.
Small sports cars aren’t really a thing anymore, but some manufacturers still make them. There is a target group for those, so it’s not like we’re talking about the least popular segment. The model I have in mind comes from the Japanese manufacturer Mazda, and it’s the Miata or MX-5.
The latest generation of the MX-5 comes in two tire options, with the 17-inch one being the more popular one, which is the one I’ll be using today.
#1. Michelin Pilot Sport 5
![Michelin Pilot Sport 5](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Michelin-Pilot-Sport-5-1024x1024.png)
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Due to the sporty nature of the MX-5, the first entry on this list is the Michelin Pilot Sport 5. It’s a summer performance tire, meaning you can enjoy your Mazda in a way it’s meant to be driven.
In dry conditions, the Pilot Sport 5 offers all the needed performance and more. You’ll have very high levels of grip and traction and won’t be even close to the limit in daily driving scenarios. The tire will handle getting pushed with ease, and you can play around with it a lot. Once you start approaching the limits, you will notice a bit of understeer when you enter a corner. Keep in mind that you won’t experience this too much on the road. The handling is pretty good, but I was hoping for a bit more. It’s responsive and precise, which is what you’d want from a tire from this category. Unfortunately, the feedback isn’t the most pronounced one. You can take it on a track and have a blast, but don’t expect it to perform as well as a track-ready tire.
The Pilot Sport 5 continues to deliver impressive performance even in wet conditions. On a damp road, the tire will remain planted, thanks to the high levels of grip. Also, the traction levels are very high, meaning that the slip on acceleration is minimal. The tire also has very short braking distances, putting it among the best in its class. Even in these conditions, the tire remains controllable even when you start to approach the limits. The aquaplaning resistance is a big upgrade over its predecessor, which keeps the tire stable even when driving on the highway.
Unlike some of its rivals, the Pilot Sport 5 isn’t the worst in terms of refinement. Michelin designed it to be a performance option without massive sacrifices for refinement, and it shows. The comfort levels are pretty good for a tire from this category. It softens bumps and potholes well enough so that it won’t feel harsh, and it absorbs some of the vibrations. The noise levels are average at best. There is a bit of hum around town, which increases in intensity when driving on the highway or rougher roads.
In terms of warranty, the Pilot Sport 5 does relatively okay. The tire comes with a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is better than some rivals that don’t have one.
Pros
- Dry and wet performance is excellent
- Solid comfort levels
- Very safe in terms of braking distances and aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- The noise levels are average
- Needs a bit more feedback
#2. Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2
![Hankook Ventus V12 evo2](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Hankook-Ventus-V12-evo2.jpg)
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Going for something more affordable brings us to the mid-range segment, and the tire in question is from Hankook. The Ventus V12 Evo2 isn’t the best in this category of tires, but it makes that up with affordability.
Dry performance is something that the Ventus V12 Evo2 does well. You’ll get high levels of traction, keeping the slip to a minimum even when you floor it. The cornering grip is also pretty good, meaning the tire won’t disappoint even on a twisty road. Sure, it may not be as good as the previous model, but at this price point, I have no complaints, especially when you factor in the short braking distances. The handling is pretty good as well. There’s enough responsiveness and feedback to allow you to have some fun. I wouldn’t cross a track of the list, but like before, it’s not made for that.
The Ventus V12 Evo2 remains a very strong performer even in wet conditions. Damp roads aren’t a problem, and the tire’s grip and traction levels will be on par with some of the best mid-range tires in this category. The same goes for the braking distances – short and safe. You can rely on this tire for anything from daily driving to having a bit of fun in the canyons. Hankook’s tread pattern does a very good job at evacuating water, meaning that you’ll get excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Refinement is something that the Ventus V12 Evo2 does very well. The tire’s comfort levels are acceptable for a performance tire. It will smooth out some of the road imperfections but won’t be as good as some other premium rivals. The noise levels are pretty decent. It’s not as quiet as a touring tire, but it’s far from the loudest I’ve seen in this category.
Pros
- Dynamic handling
- Plenty of performance for daily driving and having a bit of fun
- Affordable
Cons
- Comfort levels are a bit behind some of its rivals
- Overall performance isn’t on the same level as the premium models
#3. Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
![Firestone Firehawk Indy 500](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Firestone-Firehawk-Indy-500.jpg)
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My last pick for the summer performance options for this list comes from Firestone. The Firehawk Indy 500 is an excellent mid-range tire, making it a solid choice for the MX-5.
The dry performance of the Firehawk Indy 500 is excellent. It manages to deliver some of the highest levels of grip and traction in the mid-range segment. As a result, you’re getting a versatile tire with more than enough performance for daily driving, as well as pushing it. The performance levels aren’t on the same level as some of its premium rivals, but most people won’t push it that far to find out. To keep everything in check, the tire delivers very short braking distances. The handling is also surprisingly dynamic. It has a very responsive and precise nature, which, combined with decent feedback, means you won’t need more.
In wet conditions, the performance of the Firehawk Indy 500 remains among the best in its class. The traction levels are pretty good, and the tire won’t slip too much, while the cornering grip will keep your MX-5 in check without any understeer. It’s not as good as some of the premium models, but most people won’t be able to tell the difference in daily driving scenarios. The tire is stable, planted, and offers relatively short braking distances. In harsh rain, the tire offers excellent aquaplaning resistance, putting it near the top of the mid-range class.
As for refinement, the Firehawk Indy 500 is average, even in its own class. The comfort levels are acceptable as long as you’re prepared to live with a bit more vibrations. It doesn’t do too badly with smaller imperfections, but when it comes to potholes, it won’t minimize the vibrations as well as some of its rivals. The noise levels are also pretty average. It’s quiet enough if you’re willing to live with it. With that said, there are quieter performance tires out there.
Pros
- Superb grip and traction levels
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
- It offers very dynamic handling
Cons
- The refinement is average, even as a performance option
- Behind some of its premium rivals
#4. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus
![Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Continental-ExtremeContact-DWS06-Plus.png)
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Now, let’s talk a bit about all-season UHP tires, and the first one is a premium model. The ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus brings several upgrades over its predecessor, meaning we should see some performance improvements.
In dry conditions, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus delivers all the performance you’ll need and more. For daily driving, the grip and traction levels will be more than enough for you never to experience any slip or understeer. You have a lot of headroom to push your little MX-5 and have a lot of fun, and thanks to the short braking distances, you won’t have to worry about the safety aspect. At a certain point, you will reach the levels, and you can get the car to slide, but only if you push it hard. In terms of handling, you’re getting a very responsive tire. With that said, the feedback isn’t as pronounced as with some of its rivals.
It’s no secret that Continental makes excellent tires for wet conditions, and the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is no exception. The traction levels on damp roads are phenomenal, and the tire won’t slip under normal conditions. Naturally, getting too aggressive will result in a burnout, which you won’t be doing around town. On a twisty road, the grip levels will keep the tire planted, giving you the confidence to push it. In terms of safety, you’re looking at a tire with very short braking distances and excellent aquaplaning resistance in harsh rain.
As an all-season tire, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus offers usable performance in winter. You’ll have a good amount of traction in lighter conditions, like shallow unpacked snow. Driving on a packed one also isn’t a problem, as the tire offers dependable performance. The most important thing to note is that it’s not a winter tire, so you’ll need to be mindful of the limitations.
Despite being a UHP tire, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is well-refined. The comfort levels aren’t terrible, and the tire will smooth a decent amount of road imperfections or smaller bumps. Potholes aren’t entirely eliminated, and you’ll notice them, but the hit will be dampened. The noise levels are solid enough. There is a hum, but it’s decently low around town, and even though it’s noticeable on the highway, it’s not overly loud.
Warranty is something that puts this tire near the top. The ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is almost on the same level as some touring tires.
Pros
- Well-refined, considering its class
- Marvelous performance in wet conditions
- Dynamic handling
Cons
- Traction in dry conditions is a bit behind some of its rivals
- Not the most communicative tire
#5. Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Eagle_Sport_All_Season_2720.png)
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As a direct competitor of the previous tire, we have an older model from Goodyear. The Eagle Sport All-Season is almost a decade old, but despite that, it can still trade blows with some of the newer kids on the block.
The dry performance of the Eagle Sport All-Season is excellent, especially for the MX-5. There’s more than enough grip and traction for daily driving, leaving you with plenty of room to push the tire. To be fair, we’re talking about a car that won’t overwhelm the tire too much, so in most situations, people will be more than happy with the performance. It’s the same with the braking distances, while they aren’t the shortest in this class, they are still quite short. Finally, the handling is very dynamic. The tire has a very responsive and precise nature and offers a good amount of feedback.
Despite its age, the Eagle Sport All-Season continues to deliver excellent performance in wet conditions. Damp roads aren’t an issue, and thanks to the high traction levels, the tire won’t slip too much. With this, you’re also getting short braking distances, so it’s a solid all-around performer. Newer models will perform better, but the differences aren’t massive. For harsh rain, the tread pattern does a solid job of evacuating water, delivering high levels of aquaplaning resistance.
As you can guess, the Eagle Sport All-Season is an all-season tire, but the winter performance is a bit disappointing. The tire isn’t useless in lighter conditions, but some mid-range models do a better job. You won’t have very high traction levels, and the braking distances will be a bit longer. The tire is usable in these situations only if you’re very careful and in mild winters.
The refinement of the Eagle Sport All-Season is pretty good, with a small complaint, and it’s in terms of the noise levels. It’s not a very loud tire, and you won’t notice it too much around town. With that said, the hum is a bit more noticeable when you’re driving on the highway. As for the comfort levels, they’re pretty good. The tire deals with smaller cracks and bumps well and easily softens larger holes. It does all of this without feeling too stiff, which is a positive thing, considering it’s a performance-oriented tire.
When it comes to warranty, the Eagle Sport All-Season is still competitive. The tire comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the same level as the previous model, which is newer.
Pros
- Excellent handling with plenty of feedback
- Short braking distances on dry and wet roads
- Plenty of traction for most people
Cons
- Barely average snow performance
- The tire can get noisy at highway speeds
#6. General G-Max AS-05
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/g-max-as-05-838x1024.png)
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With the premium options aside, let’s talk about some of the mid-range models, starting with one from General. The G-Max AS-05 is a solid contender in this category, offering better performance than even some premium counterparts.
Despite the lower price point, the G-Max AS-05 is an excellent tire in dry conditions. The grip and traction levels are very high and close to what the premium models in this category offer. It will offer more than enough for daily driving scenarios, leaving you with plenty of room to push it if you want to have some fun. All of this is backed by short braking distances, so I have no complaints there. The best part about this tire is how it handles. You’ll have a very responsive tire with a good amount of feedback, meaning that on a twisty road, you can position your little MX-5 where you need to without wondering what the front tires are doing.
Damp roads are slippery and can cause some problems, which the G-Max AS-05 won’t have any issues with. Even in slightly aggressive scenarios, you’ll have enough traction to eliminate or minimize slip. The cornering grip will keep the tire in check without promoting understeer whenever you go into a corner. Wet conditions aren’t all about damp roads, and the G-Max AS-05 doesn’t disappoint in harsh rain. It offers excellent aquaplaning resistance, meaning you can drive it at highway speeds without worrying about deep water patches.
The G-Max AS-05 is a mid-range tire, and as such, it delivers average-ish snow performance. I wouldn’t say that the traction levels are poor, but they aren’t as usable as some people would like to. Even in lighter conditions, you can get it to slip, so you may struggle a bit, regardless if we’re talking about packed or unpacked snow. One positive aspect is that the rubber compound deals with lower temperatures quite well, so if the roads are wet and dry, the tire won’t struggle as much.
When it comes to refinement, the G-Max AS-5 isn’t terrible, but you can see that it’s a mid-range model. The comfort levels are pretty decent, considering the price. It won’t be as good as some of the premium rivals, but it will smooth out a good amount of the road imperfections. You will notice a bit of jolt with potholes, accompanied by some vibrations, which is to be expected. The noise levels aren’t very low. Don’t get me wrong, the tire is far from obnoxiously loud, but in a car like the MX-5, you’ll hear it a bit more, especially over rougher surfaces.
The warranty is the best part about this tire. You’ll get the G-Max AS-05 with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the same level as the premium UHP tires.
Pros
- Responsive tire with a good amount of feedback
- More than enough performance for the MX-5
- Premium-like treadwear warranty
Cons
- Not the best tire for snow performance
- Noise levels are average
#7. Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
![Cooper Zeon RS3-G1](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Cooper-Zeon-RS3-G1.png)
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The last affordable all-season UHP tire for this list is the Zeon RS3-G1. It’s a direct competitor of the previous tire, so you’ll pay less as long as you’re prepared for some compromises.
In dry conditions, the Zeon RS-G1 is a tire that will deliver excellent performance, plenty for what you’d need in your MX-5. There’s more than enough traction to eliminate slip in daily driving scenarios. Getting too aggressive will overwhelm the tire, but it’s not something that people will experience too often. Going around a corner isn’t an issue, even at higher speeds, thanks to the high levels of grip. There’s enough room to push it if you’re the type of person who wants to have some fun on a twisty road. This is backed by the dynamic nature of the tire, making it an even better match for this kind of vehicle.
Wet performance is something that the Zeon RS3-G1 won’t have any issues with. The grip and traction levels are pretty good on damp roads, keeping the tire in check and minimizing slip or understeer. It’s among the better performers in the mid-range segment, even outperforming some premium rivals. The braking distances are pretty good but aren’t the shortest in this class. Hars rain also isn’t an issue, and the tire will provide excellent aquaplaning resistance, even when you’re driving on the highway.
There’s a recurring theme with these types of tires, and that’s the winter performance. The Zeon RS3-G1 delivers usable performance on snow, which is as much as you can expect from it. It seems to do a slightly better job on unpacked snow, while you may notice it struggling on packed one a bit more. This is where the performance ends, and you need to start thinking about a proper winter tire.
The refinement levels of the Zeon RS3-G1 are pretty decent for a UHP tire. It’s comfortable enough, as long as you don’t compare it with a touring tire. There is some stiffness, but it still manages to do a decent enough job of smoothing road imperfections and softening potholes. The noise levels are acceptable for a tire from this category. It’s pretty quiet around town, and the noise levels increase at higher speeds, but it’s still not overly loud.
As for the warranty, it’s good, but slightly behind the previous model. The Zeon RS3-G1 comes with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, which, even though it’s behind some rivals, I wouldn’t call it a dealbreaker.
Pros
- It’s a responsive tire with a good amount of feedback
- Enough performance for daily driving or having fun on a twisty road
- Decently refined
Cons
- Snow traction isn’t the best in the UHP segment
- The braking distances on damp roads are a bit behind the best-in-class models
#8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/wintrac-pro.png)
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Until this point, all tires had limited snow performance, so the last 3 will be winter options. I’m starting with a mid-range option from Vredestein – the Wintrac Pro, an affordable tire with some compromises.
The tire does a very good job of delivering performance on dry roads. You’ll have plenty of traction, keeping the slip to a minimum, while the cornering grip will eliminate understeer unless you push it hard. The tire also offers short braking distances, which is a high praise for a tire from this category. A winter tire isn’t the best in terms of handling, so the Wintrac Pro won’t be as good as the UHP models. With that said, it’s responsive enough, so it’s not something I’ll complain about.
Wet is where the Wintrac Pro delivers plenty of performance, which should be enough for the MX-5. The tire’s traction levels on damp roads are pretty good, and you won’t notice it slipping too much. It’s the same situation in the corners. The grip levels will keep the tire from sliding all over the place. With that said, the performance is a bit behind the premium models, so it’s not impossible to push it past its limits. As for the aquaplaning resistance, the tire is good, but I feel like it’s a bit twitchier at highway speeds than I’d like.
The snow performance of the Wintrac Pro is better than all of the all-season models on this list, which is the advantage I’m going for. You can get pretty good traction on unpacked snow, and the tire won’t struggle too much, even when you’re driving on a deeper patch. The performance on packed snow is slightly reduced, but I’d still call it a good performer. All of this comes in a package with short braking distances, so it’s a good enough tire for daily driving.
Refinement is an area where the Wintrac Pro delivers good results, considering it’s a mid-range tire. The comfort levels are decent enough, meaning it will do a good enough job of softening imperfections and bigger holes. As for the noise levels, they are decently low for a winter tire. There are quieter tires, but most of them are in the premium segment. Like most of its rivals, the noise levels will increase a bit when you get on the highway.
Pros
- Dry and wet performance is pretty good
- Acceptably comfortable
- Responsive, considering it’s a winter tire
Cons
- The noise levels aren’t the lowest, even in the mid-range segment
- Traction on packed snow is average
#9. Nexen Winguard Sport 2
![Nexen WinGuard Sport 2](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screenshot-2021-07-18-170743.png)
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I have another affordable winter option from the mid-range segment from Nexen. The Winguard Sport 2 is an excellent sporty tire that I believe would be an excellent pair with the little Mazda.
Nexen made some improvements over the previous model, meaning that the Winguard Sport 2 offers better performance than its predecessor. The traction levels come in abundance, meaning the tire won’t struggle too much even if you do an aggressive acceleration. You can also go into a corner at higher speeds, and the tire will comply, meaning that you won’t experience a massive understeer unless you go in at a very high speed. With this tire, you’re also looking at very short braking distances, considering it’s a mid-range tire. The handling is pretty good for a tire from this category. It has a very responsive nature, which, combined with the feedback, shows that this is a performance-oriented tire.
As a whole, the wet performance of the Winguard Sport 2 is pretty good, as long as you compare it with the rest of the mid-range tires. It delivers plenty of performance on damp roads in terms of grip and traction, meaning that the tire will aim to keep the slip to a minimum for daily driving. The safety aspect of the tire is good, but it’s still behind some of the premium models. You’ll have short braking distances and excellent aquaplaning resistance when compared with the rest of the mid-range lineup.
The Winguard Sport 2 is a winter tire, so it doesn’t disappoint in terms of snow performance. You’ll have more than enough traction on snow-covered roads, and the grip will be good enough for the tire to handle daily driving. That said, you can have some fun with it, as long as you know its limitations. The braking distances are good enough for the mid-range segment but not as short as some of the premium rivals. Ice is something that the tire will handle, but only if you’re being light with your inputs.
Surprisingly, the refinement levels of the Winguard Sport 2 are pretty good for a mid-range tire. The comfort levels are pretty good, regardless of whether we’re talking about smaller imperfections or large potholes. My only complaint is that you notice a bit of bounciness in certain conditions. The noise levels are quite low for a performance-oriented winter tire. It’s decently quiet around town, with a bit of a hum when you get on the highway. The best thing about it is that it’s far from some of its rivals that are much louder.
Pros
- Marvelous performance in dry conditions
- Noise levels are on the lower end of the spectrum
- Snow performance is excellent
Cons
- It may feel a bit bouncy in certain conditions
- Wet performance is a bit behind some of its rivals
#10. Continental VikingContact 7
![Continental VikingContact 7](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Continental-VikingContact-7.jpg)
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The last tire on this list is another winter tire, a competitor of the previous two but from the premium segment. The VikingContact 7 is one of the best winter tires on the market, making it an excellent choice for the MX-5.
In dry conditions, the performance of the VikingContact 7 is one of the best winter tires on the market. The grip and traction levels are very high, meaning the tire won’t struggle even when you get a bit aggressive. This means you can take it on a joyride even on a cold and sunny day. Safety is something that the VikingContact 7 doesn’t lack, thanks to the short braking distances. As for the handling, despite being a winter tire, it offers solid responsiveness and a decent amount of feedback.
Wet conditions aren’t an issue, and the VikingContact 7 will deliver excellent performance, with one minor downside. The performance on damp roads is excellent, thanks to the high grip and traction levels. You can rely on the tire even if you want to push it and not worry about it slipping. The downside is in terms of the braking distances. They are short and safe, but a few models in the premium class can outperform it. On a positive note, you have excellent aquaplaning resistance, making the tire very stable in harsh rain.
The VikingContact 7 is a winter tire, meaning it shines when it comes to snow performance. You can drive on packed and unpacked snow, and the tire will deliver all the traction you’d need for daily driving. Unlike some of its rivals, this tire will even do an excellent job of delivering performance on packed snow. Considering the type of car, you can push it past its limits and have some fun in an empty parking lot. You can even use this tire on icy surfaces without worrying about losing control due to a lack of traction.
As for refinement, the VikingContact 7 does a good enough job, considering it’s a winter tire. The noise levels aren’t on the same level as an all-season touring tire, but it’s decently quiet. You will hear the road, but it seems well-muted, so it’s not intrusive. Since it’s a winter tire, the comfort levels are very good. The tire is comfortable and will smooth most of the imperfections while eliminating almost all of the vibrations, as long as the road is smooth. This changes on rougher roads, where the tire seems to be a bit harsher than what most people would like.
Pros
- Traction on dry and wet roads is excellent
- Superb snow performance
- Acceptable traction on ice
Cons
- Struggles a bit on rougher roads in terms of comfort
- Wet braking distances are a bit longer than some of its rivals