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Summer tire Summer High Performance tires Updated September 2026

Tristar Sportpower 2 review

The Tristar Sportpower 2 is widely regarded as a high-value budget tire that punches above its weight class in terms of dry grip, noise levels, and ride comfort. While some users express reservations regarding sidewall stiffness, the general consensus highlights its impressive performance-to-price ratio, making it a compelling alternative to premium brands for daily driving.

Relative score
61/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
70/100
5 reviews
Road tests
54/100
2 published tests

Owners rate it 16.2 points higher than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.

Tristar Sportpower 2
Scores

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

70%
Would buy again 70%
Dry
Overall dry
78%
Corner stability
82.5%
Dry traction
81.5%
Steering response
68.5%
Wet
Overall wet
60%
Wet traction
75%
Comfort
Overall comfort
75%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
65%
Handling
Overall handling
80%

By road tests

53.8%
Dry
39.7%
Wet
31.7%
By discipline (% of best in test)
Dry Braking
32%
Wet Braking
22%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 5 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Tristar Sportpower 2 is widely regarded as a high-value budget tire that punches above its weight class in terms of dry grip, noise levels, and ride comfort. While some users express reservations regarding sidewall stiffness, the general consensus highlights its impressive performance-to-price ratio, making it a compelling alternative to premium brands for daily driving.

Pros

  • Exceptional value for the price point
  • Strong dry weather traction and handling
  • Low road noise and smooth ride quality
  • Effective rim protection via a protruding sidewall lip

Cons

  • Concerns regarding sidewall structural integrity
  • Inconsistent feedback on wet weather performance
  • Potential for premature wear under aggressive driving conditions

Worth knowing

  • Users transitioning from premium brands like Continental on executive sedans reported being pleasantly surprised by the direct control and road-smoothing capabilities.
  • Drivers with sports-tuned suspensions noted that the tire's comfort characteristics are often overshadowed by the vehicle's inherent stiffness.
Test results

2 published test appearances

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2023 Summer tire Market Overview · 225/45 R18

46th of 48
Best: Wet Braking · 43rd Weakest: Dry Braking · 46th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking43rd of 48
Dry Braking46th of 48

2020 tire Market Overview Braking Test · 245/45 R18

39th of 49
Best: Dry Braking · 35th Weakest: Wet Braking · 40th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking40th of 49
Dry Braking35th of 49