Contrary to appearances, choosing new tyres is a difficult task. When looking for the perfect model, many drivers wonder if premium tyres are worth the price. However, their concerns are not justified – the technologies offered in the highest segment realistically translate into safety and driving comfort. In our premium tyre ranking, you will discover the best seasonal and all-season tyres according to Oponeo customers.
Choosing premium tyres increases the stability of the car, even during sudden manoeuvres
Premium tyres – is it worth buying them?
Premium tyres are top-quality models based on state-of-the-art solutions. For manufacturers, this segment is a priority – it is their flagship, testifying to their innovation and position in the industry.
Corporations allocate a large portion of their financial resources to research and development of technologies used in premium tyres. As a result, drivers can benefit from advanced rubber compounds, pioneering tread patterns, and refined designs with the best performance on the market. In this case, there is less and less talk of performance compromises. It is not uncommon to see technology from motorsports make its way into premium models. Premium models are developed for extreme challenges and can handle any situation on the road.
Shorter braking distances, greater driving precision in varying weather conditions, and longer tyre life without loss of properties – these are some of the goals premium tyre manufacturers are striving for. This translates primarily into increased traffic safety and improved comfort for travellers. Therefore, there are many reasons as to why it is worth investing in top-of-the-line tyres.
What to choose? Premium, mid-range or economy tyres?
Generally, tyres are divided into three groups: premium tyres, mid-range tyres and economy (budget) tyres. While it might seem, at first glance, that the models in each category differ mainly in price, the truth is that the price results from the many differences that exist between them. It is about the level of performance offered, versatility, and the materials used in production, especially rubber compounds, which may differ in durability, including resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage.
Premium summer, winter and all-season tyres are manufactured using the most advanced solutions on the market. However, after a while, technologies become obsolete, or rather are superseded by newer ones that offer more options. Older technologies go to the mid-range segment that combines proven solutions with attractive prices. The budget segment is reached at the very end. It is no surprise, then, that it is difficult for budget-segment brands to catch up with the fast-growing competition. The budget segment also has models that stand out with very good performance, but they are not as versatile as premium tyres. And versatility is an extremely important feature that determines safety in changing conditions.
To determine which tyres are better – premium, mid-range or economy – let’s answer a few simple questions about your individual needs.
- What kind of car do you have? A low-powered city car or a large and heavy limousine with a powerful engine?
- How do you usually use your car – in the city, for long distances or both?
- How do you drive on a daily basis? Is your driving calm and smooth or aggressive and dynamic?
This way we will establish our basic expectations regarding tyres.
Who are premium tyres for?
Premium tyres should be chosen by the most demanding drivers who cover long distances and describe their driving style as dynamic. A car equipped with premium tyres is more likely to stop in time or avoid an unexpected obstacle without losing traction. Premium-segment tyres are also specifically designed for mid-range and premium cars, limousines, sports cars and vehicles with high engine power. Such cars often also have type approval.
However, premium tyres (summer, winter or all-season) are available to anyone who wants to travel as safely as possible, both on the road and in city traffic, regardless of weather conditions. Their purchase is like an investment.
Premium tyres guarantee confident handling on any type of road surface Premium tyres – customers’ choice*
It is not possible to identify the best tyre brand; each manufacturer has models that stand out for their unique characteristics. To make the decision a little easier for those planning to buy a new set, we have reviewed the top-rated premium tyres. The ranking includes the models from each season that are most popular with Oponeo customers. The reviews reflect experiences gained from driving thousands of kilometres. Therefore, the ratings we have collected can serve as advice to help you choose the best tyres.
Premium summer tyres – ranking
Tyres have to meet high demands, such as high temperatures, sudden changes in weather or heavy rain, and in turn fulfil drivers’ expectations. By choosing premium summer tyres, you can be sure that they can handle the toughest conditions, making driving safe and comfortable.
In the premium summer tyre category, the Michelin brand has a truly dominant position. Its products are known for their excellent handling characteristics and durability, which translates into high driver confidence.
Nokian Tyres Wetproof 1
The Nokian Tyres Wetproof 1 premium tyre is designed for summer weather conditions for owners of cars, SUVs and crossovers. Its key features include excellent wet behaviour, the ability to achieve high mileage and driving comfort.
The Dual Safety Zone technology ensures excellent handling quality on both dry and wet surfaces. The technology divides the tread into stability and safety sections for better manoeuvrability and traction in tougher conditions.
The manufacturer of this model has also achieved the tyre’s impeccable wet performance by using Coanda technology that allows water to be effectively drained away and thus eliminates the risk of aquaplaning. Special sipes in the central part of the tread increase the stability of the tyres.
The Aqua Sense rubber compound is another asset that improves wet grip and reduces rolling resistance. It makes the tyre more economical, contributing to a longer service life. Low-noise grooves in the tread design minimise driving noise, enhancing travel comfort.
Premium winter tyres – ranking
Although our country’s winters are no longer as severe as they used to be, we cannot give up on winter safety. To feel confident behind the wheel, even on colder days, you should choose premium winter tyres that will provide you with good handling on both wet and snow-covered or icy surfaces. Below are the models most appreciated by drivers.
The top five highest-rated winter models again included two representatives of the French manufacturer, but number one belonged to the Vredestein Wintrac PRO, a tyre that has been enduringly popular with drivers for many years.
Vredestein Wintrac PRO
Vredestein Wintrac PRO is a modern premium winter tyre in the UHP segment for drivers looking for performance and comfort in winter. It has an exceptional ability to ensure short braking distance on wet surfaces, which significantly increases safety on slippery roads. With excellent handling characteristics, Wintrac PRO provides stability and precise steering, even at dizzying speeds.
Its users will experience an improvement in snow handling of more than 15% over its predecessor, the Wintrac Xtreme S, which is why it is a perfect choice for frosty days. The innovative design guarantees maximum grip in corners, allowing confident manoeuvring in difficult conditions. Vredestein Wintrac PRO is a good car tyre that stands out for its significant improvement in wet braking, performing as much as 10% better than the Wintrac Xtreme S. Thanks to advanced technology and an innovative tread, this model effectively sheds water, minimising the risk of aquaplaning. It is an indispensable partner on the road in difficult winter conditions.
Premium all-season tyres – ranking
Multi-season versions have been gaining popularity among car owners for several years now. Increasingly milder winters and the lack of the need to visit a tyre service twice a year encourage drivers to install all-season models, which very often do not differ in their properties from seasonal models.
In the premium all-season tyres category, our customers chose the Italian company’s model as number one. However, the competition was very close.
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 is a premium innovative multi-season tyre based on cutting-edge technology that makes it perfectly adaptable to changing weather conditions.
This model is designed to optimise grip, which is achieved through a carefully selected rubber compound and adaptive tread design. At low temperatures, the sipes play a key role, significantly improving braking performance on snow and increasing safety in winter conditions. In turn, in warmer weather these sipes close, guaranteeing braking performance on both wet and dry surfaces. With these unique features, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 combines the advantages of summer and winter tyres, providing excellent performance and safety all year round. It’s a versatile choice for drivers looking for reliability in all seasons. It is perfect for city drivers who value comfort and want to enhance their car’s fuel efficiency.
*The ratings shown in the tables (1 to 5) were given by Oponeo customers between September 2023 and September 2024. The premium ranking includes only those models that have received the minimum number of reviews. In the case of the same ratings, the number of reviews within the period was used to determine the ranking. Due to time constraints, the ratings shown may differ from those currently displayed on the product pages.