Federal 595RSR review
The Federal 595RSR is widely regarded as a high-value, entry-level semi-slick tire that excels in dry conditions and spirited road driving. While it offers impressive grip-per-dollar compared to premium track-focused alternatives, users note significant variability in performance, particularly regarding road noise, wet weather confidence, and consistency at the limit.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
73%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 51 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Federal 595RSR is widely regarded as a high-value, entry-level semi-slick tire that excels in dry conditions and spirited road driving. While it offers impressive grip-per-dollar compared to premium track-focused alternatives, users note significant variability in performance, particularly regarding road noise, wet weather confidence, and consistency at the limit.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and traction for the price point
- High value compared to premium semi-slick competitors
- Strong, communicative steering feedback in dry conditions
- Durable tread life under moderate to spirited use
Cons
- High levels of road noise, often described as a 'drone'
- Inconsistent performance and lack of progression at the limit
- Poor wet weather handling and hydroplaning resistance
- Requires significant heat to reach optimal operating temperature
Worth knowing
- Users with high-horsepower RWD vehicles report faster shoulder wear and a need for negative camber to maintain even tread life.
- Performance varies by size; some users noted that specific profiles (e.g., 225/45-17) feature shallower tread depths, leading to premature wear compared to other sizes.
- Front-wheel-drive (FWD) performance cars benefit significantly from the stiff sidewalls, which improve turn-in response.