Bridgestone Potenza RE-11

For all-out, race-tire-like performance, reviews recommend the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 over any other tire. This extreme-performance tire is based on Bridgestone's Formula One race tires for ultimate grip on wet and dry tracks. Experts and owners say it's a good day-to-day tire, too, delivering a fairly smooth, quiet ride on public roads.

It's expensive, though. Step down to the max-performance summer class and you'll find the top-rated Michelin Pilot Super Sport (*Est. $195), which wows experts and owners at a lower price and carries a 30,000-mile tread-wear warranty (the Bridgestone has none). Note that neither of these summer-only tires can be driven on snow, ice or in near-freezing temperatures. If your performance car needs a more durable tire with remarkable grip in all weather conditions, reviewers are most impressed with the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position (*Est. $185) performance all-season tire, which carries a 40,000-mile tread-wear warranty.

TireRack.com experts test the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 head-to-head against three other extreme performance summer tires on wet and dry track surfaces as well as on a variety of public roads. We also found almost 200 owner reviews at TireRack.com, and a handful at 1010Tires.com. SaferCar.gov, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website, posts government tire ratings for traction, tread wear and heat resistance.