The 8 Best Tires for the Porsche Cayenne

#1. Pirelli P Zero (PZ4)

What makes the P Zero PZ4 one of the best high-performance tires for Porsche Cayenne?

Start with the fact that Porsche’s engineers trust it. The PZ4 comes standard on specific models of the 911 Carrera GTS, Cayman, and Boxster vehicles, proving its ability to deliver the performance and handling characteristics that Porsche demands.

Another is that it offers superb wet performance. A quartet of circumferential grooves ensures quick evacuation of water particles from within the tread area. As a result, it won’t suffer aquaplaning while also delivering short braking distances on wet roads.

Still another is that it offers a comfortable ride (for a high-performance tire). A sound-absorbing foam attached to its inner circumferential wall helps soften out bumps before they can hurt ride quality, thereby distinguishing the PZ4 from other UHP tires.

The absence of treadwear warranty may disappoint some people. But it shouldn’t, since most ultra-high-performance tires don’t come with one, either. All in all, there aren’t many flaws in this tire that can prove to be deal-breakers for speed-loving drivers.

#2. Michelin Latitude Sport 3

The Michelin Latitude Sport 3 is one of the best UHP tires for sport-oriented SUVs.

A silica-containing tread compound and asymmetric tread design are two of the main reasons why. The combination helps the Latitude Sport 3 perform equally outstandingly in dry, wet, and light wintry conditions, regardless of the speed you’re driving at.

Then comes the trio of oversized shoulder blocks, continuous center rib, and large tread blocks, which gives this tire the high-speed stability you expect from UHP tires.  

Another area where this tire rivals our top pick is wet performance. While the above-mentioned tread design boosts its wet traction, multiple wide grooves in the tread help with water evacuation. The result? Sure-footed performance in the rain.

To further sweeten the deal, the Latitude Sport 3 comes with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty. In theory, this suggests that Michelin expects this tire to last as long as some of its flagship all-season tires, which come with similar mileage guarantees.

#3. Continental ContiSport Contact 5 P

The ContiSport Contact 5 P is one of the best tires for those Cayenne drivers who regularly push this sport-oriented SUV to its limits.

Some people may laugh upon knowing that this tire comes with a Black Chili tread compound, but you should know better. After all, it’s the compound that has made this tire as brilliant a performer on dry and wet roads as its all-season counterparts.

Everyday driving is another area where this tire does well to hide its UHP credentials. A combination of low road noise and comfortable ride ensures a pleasant and smooth commute, whether you’re navigating the neighborhood or cruising down the highway.

Steering responsiveness is where this model lays bare its true colors. The ContiSport Contact 5 is one of the best tires I have ever driven when it comes to executing quick lane changes. You’d thus be able to slalom past other vehicles with full confidence.

Yet there are areas where it could do better.

For example, I’d have liked this model more if it had come with a treadwear warranty. A more glaring shortcoming I could point to is that its wear rate is much higher than our top two picks. So, be ready for quick replacement if you do lots of aggressive driving.

#4. Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 SUV

The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 SUV is one of the best performance tires for summer road conditions.

On dry roads, it offers the kind of grip you expect from tires from leading brands. The same could be said about its lateral tracking (so good you don’t have to repeatedly correct the steering when cruising down the highway) and cornering grip (decent enough to let you attack bends at speed).

Thanks to the flatter-than-usual tread profile, its contact patch hugs the road better, thereby ensuring improved driving stability. Another technical feature worth noting is the dual silica compound, given how it reduces wear, boosts grip, and enhances acceleration.

A sharp steering can also prove to be an asset on dry roads, especially if you like slaloming past other vehicles in a traffic jam.

Unfortunately, not many good things can be said about its wet performance. Compared to the competition, this tire’s wet braking distances are worryingly long, though that shouldn’t be a surprise since its rivals are many years younger and thus contain the latest technologies.

#5. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II

The Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II isn’t your average all-season touring tire.

Your standard touring tire has no personality to show for on dry roads. In contrast, this all-season touring tire distinguishes itself with its amazing steering feedback, dry handling, and steering response. All these characteristics aren’t what you usually get from A/S touring tires.

Another way this tire distinguishes itself from rivals is by offering a compliant ride. Regardless of your driving speed, it will help your Cayenne glide through corners. The fact that there won’t be a hint of oversteer or understeer is a testament to its superb dry grip.

While it performs decently on dry roads, it’s for wet surfaces that Pirelli optimized this tire. Hence why it comes with an updated tread compound, four longitudinal grooves, and high-density lateral siping. The trio is the reason why it boasts category-leading wet braking distances.

The only area where this tire lets down is the treadwear warranty. After all, when rival tires come with guarantees as high as 90,000 miles, a backing of 65,000 miles is bound to appear lackluster.

#6. Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 epitomizes the best of all-season high-performance tires.

On dry roads, this model offers the grip and high-speed stability you associate with tires from this category. At the same time, its cornering grip is high enough to let you attack bends with speed, thus making sure that you don’t have to slow down.

Speaking of slowing down, this tire boosts incredibly short braking distances on wet roads. The credit for this goes to two features in particular – an asymmetric tread pattern (which boosts its wet grip) and X-Sipe Technology, which enhances its traction on wet roads.

What’s more, this model can also plow through (light) snow and ice, thanks to the chamfered edges, which keep it firmly planted on the road. However, that would only happen in mild wintry conditions, as this tire is bound to struggle on deep snow and thick ice.

All of the above isn’t to say that this model is foolproof. That is because its steering response isn’t as quick as you get from some other models in this category. 

#7. Bridgestone Turanza 6

Launched at the start of 2022, the Turanza 6 possesses some of Bridgestone’s latest technologies and construction materials.

Two of which are TECHSYN and ENLITEN, technologies that have improved this model’s wear rate while also taking an axe to its rolling resistance. Thanks to them, the Turanza 6 lasts 22% longer and has 4% less rolling resistance than T005, its predecessor.

Another advantage the presence of the latest technologies provides to this tire is giving it an edge over rivals. Take, for instance, the likes of Continental PremiumContact 6, Michelin Primacy 6+, and Pirelli Cinturato P7, models considered market leaders in the category.

Independent testing reveals that the Turanza 6 offers better aquaplaning resistance (the ability to resist slippage on wet roads) than the above trio. This leads to an improved lateral wet grip, which means that this tire can better hold a straight line in the rain.

The final area where this model gains an edge over rivals is road noise, or the lack thereof. In tests conducted on dry roads, it made 1.5dB less noise than the PremiumContact 7, a small but noticeable difference that should ensure an even quieter cabin.

#8. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV offers excellent winter performance and a whole lot more.

A combination of new polymer technology and an inward-facing tread pattern helps this tire offer superior road grip, no matter how bad the weather conditions. Additionally, the combo helps boost this tire’s cornering grip, letting you attack bends with confidence.

Next comes the arrow pattern of tread blocks running in diagonal direction away from the center. Besides enhancing the tire’s outlook, they force water and slush away from the treads. This helps keep the contact patch clean, thus enhancing the tire’s snow and ice grip.

Similarly, a wide central groove is designed to expedite water evacuation, clearing water away from the tread to boost hydroplaning resistance. As a result of all of this, Michelin has made the Alpin 5 SUV one of the most reliable snow tires on the market.

Want proof? The fact that this model comes with a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty should put all your doubts to rest.