Thanks for the recommendations.
I learned a few things here about tires in the Ultra-High Performance All Season category.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/videoDisplay.jsp?ttid=334
Based on TireRack's subjective evaluations and price, I think the Falken or General Tire would be best for my daughter's driving style. She's never once mentioned cornering speeds or turn-in! Only noise, ride quality, and wet traction.
Here's a summary in alphabetical order:
BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S PLUS (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 95Y XL)
- What We Liked: Its hefty, deliberate steering and compliant wet performance.
- What We'd Improve: It would benefit from some additional lateral traction.
- Summary: On the whole, it's a good, well-balanced tire, but the competition has grown strong.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport AS (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 95W XL)
- What We Liked: It's a nice tire to drive on the road.
- What We'd Improve: The traction levels in dry and wet conditions both could use some additional love.
- Summary: It's pleasant for a daily drive, but its performance for this category is wanting.
Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 91Y SL)
- What We Liked: It has plenty of traction to work with and a nice, neutral balance.
- What We'd Improve: Some livelier steering wouldn't go amiss.
- Summary: Still a deservedly great category tire that has earned its reputation.
Cooper Cobra Instinct (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 95Y XL)
- What We Liked: It's a stellar performer, wet or dry.
- What We'd Improve: It could be quieter, softer on the road.
- Summary: It leans very strongly on its ability and grip, which are unquestionably strong, at the sacrifice of some on-road comfort.
Falken Azenis FK460 A/S (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 95Y XL)
- What We Liked: It's a pleasant ride on the road and manages noise well.
- What We'd Improve: It could use more grip in the corners.
- Summary: It's a good mix of comfort and sporty athleticism that falls just shy of greatness.
General G-MAX AS-07 (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 95W XL)
- What We Liked: It juggles a compliant on-road experience with top-tier performance in the dry.
- What We'd Improve: A bit more grip in the wet would only improve things.
- Summary: It's a solid all-rounder with little to complain about.
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 95Y XL)
- What We Liked: Powerful traction and lively steering make this a good performer.
- What We'd Improve: We'd like stronger noise mitigation and composure on-road.
- Summary: It's more capable than most, deserving of its success, but competition is strong - and its lack of on-road refinement doesn't help.
Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 95Y XL)
- What We Liked: The lively steering, test-leading noise comfort, the balance, it's all good.
- What We'd Improve: It could use just a hair more traction.
- Summary: It possesses a wonderful combination of traits and executes everything it sets out to do without any significant sacrifices.
Vredestein Hypertrac All Season (Ultra High Performance All-Season, 225/45R18 95Y XL)
- What We Liked: It manages road noise well and was very pleasant on-road.
- What We'd Improve: It needs more traction everywhere.
- Summary: During a normal commute it's a fine tire, but under stress, it doesn't quite measure up to the category.
