Comparing a Couple Tires

[dubber09]

IMHO, those three are very comparable on paper, it'll really depend on how much you're gonna push those tires.
We have General AS-05 and are very happy with them as daily outside winter.

 

[Mainia]

OP...........Your #1 pick is correct, General G-Max-07. If you want them for some performance driving in the summer. The Veredstiens are slugs. If your plan is more winter, the test will direct you to your needs. I just bought the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3, top of this test for summer driving they beat the Michelin PS4 A/S and Conti Extreme 06. But if snow is your #1 those two are #1 and #2 . I am using them for my winter tires till they will be going on my summer rims most likely mid summer season when other Conti Contact Sport A/S tires are cooked. Even in Minnesota I will give up my snow traction with my AWD for my spring/summer/fall and non snow day in the winter with the new king of UHP A/S tires, the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3.

I had a set of the older General G-Max-05s, I loved the tires for their darty steering response. Those lacked total grip in the dry as my car is a tuner car and you could very easily out drive those tires. I would love to try a set of the more refined 07s, they did great on the dry for a second tier tire.



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[CapriRacer]

You're doing research on these tires, but don't list any of the tires' UTQG, speed, or load ratings? What are your data points...peoples' reviews and/or opinions? Kind of expensive tires to go on opinion.

- General G-Max: UTQG 500AA A; "W" speed rating (168mph), load rating 94
- Vredestein Hypertrac: UTQG 500AA A; "Y" speed rating (186mph), load rating 97
- Sumitomo HTR A/S: UTQG 540 A A; "W" speed rating (168mph), load rating 94

Ah ..... Mmmmm ...... I guess I have to comment.

First, the UTQG treadwear rating is based on a test against a control tire - the SRTT (Standard Reference Test Tire) - which is the same for ALL tests. HOWEVER the rating can be understated, but not overstated, so some tire manufacturers will be conservative and slightly understate it, while others push to state the largest value they can. Additionally, the test is highly variable. I've estimated the variability as up to 120 points. (Barry's Tire Tech: Tire Wear - Normal)

In my opinion 500 and 540 are essentially the same.

The same applies to speed ratings - some tire manufacturers prefer to have the lowest speed rating that meets the specs as stated by vehicle manufacturers. Others like to push the envelope and state as high as they can, thinking s some folks judge quality based on speed ratings.

In my opinion, the difference between a W and a Y speed rating might not be a difference at all.

Load Rating: In this case this is the difference between a Standard Load (SL) and an Extra Load (XL), not a difference in quality.

In my opinion, some tire manufacturers will unnecessarily use an XL when the market calls for a SL, thinking that there are folks who would judge an XL as a better quality tire. I obviously don't share that opinion.

 

[RaymondP]

Used the Sumitomo HTR Z III (UHP) summer tires on a Porsche as a regular daily driver, including several track days. Very pleased with the outcome given cost as compared to many other UHP summer tires. Have moved to a more practical daily driver now but will include Sumitomo on my short list whenever exploring tire options. Great value!

 

[Delta]

So to update this, based on reviews and pricing at my local shop I went with the General G-Max. Got them mounted and balanced yesterday along with an alignment. I can't tell if it's the tires or the alignment, but it's a whole different car! In a good way that is. Didn't drive it too much, but it rides better and notably quieter.

Between the tires and alignment total cost was a hair over $800 out the door. Not bad.

 

[skyactiv]

My wife once had an Audi A4 quattro. It had the previous generation General G-Max AS05’s at one point and the tires were fine.

 

[Thebigm]

The Sumitomo is a lot cheaper than the other two, but they are still quality tires

In my time I've had two sets of sumitomos I'm both times they sucked at just about everything

 

[eal]

I have some Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus tires on my 2015 WRX and like them. When I bought them about a year ago Tire Rack had $200 in rebates on them which brought them down to ~$150/tire. One rebate was for buying four tires, the other for using the Tire Rack credit card (which was approved on-line during the purchase). The same rebates were available in late 2025 when a bought a set of ExtremeContact Sport S02 tires for my 2008 Cayman.

 

[Ronsant]

Ive used all season Sumitomo before. Decent tire IMO. The only drawback was that they were not too good in the snow. So, i just adjusted my driving habits for snowy weather here in New York, and they were fine.

My experience as well. The HTR A/S were fine as a semi sporty tire, but crap in the snow. I would buy them again.