Best Tires For VW GTI: Complete Guide

9 Best Tires For VW GTI

The VW GTI is a sport-compact vehicle that has been in production since 1976. Over the years, models have changed between hatchbacks and coupes with hatchbacks reigning as the more popular model. The 4-door hatchback has many features to offer interested drivers.

The complete VW GTI tire guide lists the 9 best tires along with a factory tire analysis for VW GTI vehicle models. All tires are ranked based on a specific category using field test data. Tires are also graded on features, specifications, reliability, and warranty offerings.

Tire categories are broad to cover many different driver needs. The goal is to accommodate all drivers across the nation in different climates. The needs of a driver in sunny Florida and snowy Minnesota would be much different. The ideal tire for a winter climate would change greatly in warmer temperature areas. Our goal is to give many different options for prospective buyers to choose.

This is the list of the 9 best tires for VW GTI vehicle models and a factory tire analysis:  

Yokohama Avid Envigor ZPS - Best All Season

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The best all season tires bring a long list of features to the table. They are known as a versatile tire option with high levels of performance in all four seasons. They drive lighter, handling confidently, and are long lasting. Our top choice for all season tires for the VW GTI is the Yokohama Avid Envigor ZPS.

This tire is a high performance all season tire made from a silica tread and five-rib directional pattern for the best all season traction. This tread also provides better responsiveness on steering, lower road noise, and a better all around driving experience.

Wet performance is aided by angled groove walls and a set of 3D adaptive sipes. They help to avoid hydroplaning and offering better grip in rain, ice, and snow. The uniblock shoulders and tapered rib give this tire the best handling features on all roads and surfaces.

This is also a run flat tire with sidewall reinforcement. This makes the tire more durable and keeps you on the road if there is a flat tire incident.  

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 1,356 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 11/32’’
• Tire Weight: 28 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 560
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A

FAQ

What sizes does this tire come in?

This tire is a bit more rare because it is a run flat model. It can be purchased in sizes ranging between 16” and 18” in rim diameter.

What is the warranty on this tire?

There is no treadwear warranty on this tire because it is a run flat model. However, there is a standard limited warranty to replace the tire under specified conditions by Yokohama. There is also a 30 day free trial with the tire.  

Sumitomo HTR Enhance WX2 - Best Touring

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The Sumitomo HTR Enhance WX2 is a grand touring all season tire with a lot to offer. It checks all the boxes for what makes up a great touring tire. It is made specifically for sporty compact vehicles looking to increase the durability and performance of their vehicle with a reliable tire option.

The advanced all season tread is made from a special asymmetric compound developed by Sumitomo. The compound is meant to last longer in wintry conditions without sacrificing all season capabilities.

The technology Sumoitomo relies on is a set of enhanced sipes and cross grooves to improve the flow of water, slush, and ice through the tire for better traction. This optimizes the contact area on the tire to meet the road more firmly and dry. The bending sipes also create more rigidity in the center block area for tire stability and responsiveness.

The tire also has great cornering features because of a wider outside shoulder block. This provides more handling while lessening the vibrations from the road and lowering overall noise.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: Up to 90,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 1,389 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 50 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10/32’’
• Tire Weight: 23 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 500
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A

FAQ

What sizes does this tire come in?

This tire is a popular option that can be found in sizes ranging between 17” and 20” in rim diameter.

What is the warranty on this tire?

The warranty on this tire is a 6 year / 90,000 mile warranty on T rated tires. Coverage drops to a 5 year / 75,000 mile warranty on H and V rated tires. There is a third tier of 4 years / 55,000 miles in warranty coverage on W rated tires.

Sumitomo takes care of their drivers with a 45 day free trial period and 2 years of roadside assistance too.

Falken Azenis RT615K+ - Best Summer

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Summer tires are performance tires made to give drivers the best dry surface traction and accurate handling. Our top summer tire pick for the VW GTI is the Falken Azenis RT615K+ tire. It can provide all the necessary features to be an amazing summer tire pick for your vehicle.

This tire is an advanced model of the original Azenis RT615 with added features to be even better. The asymmetric tread pattern has an upgraded extreme summer performance compound developed by Falken. The new compound adds better performance with even more dry grip on the road.

The tire also has wider sport-styled shoulder blocks to give better lateral traction, cornering, and handling. These blocks connect directly to the center rib to allow the tire to remain balanced during driving. This rib also creates a consistent contact between the tire and the road to lessen the overall wear on the tire.

To handle rain, there is a set of circumferential grooves for hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. There are also notched tread blocks that expel water from critical areas within the tire.  

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 1,389 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 50 PSI
• Tread Depth: 8/32’’
• Tire Weight: 23 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 200
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A

FAQ

What sizes does this tire come in?

This tire is a widely available summer tire option. It can be found in sizes ranging between 14” and 18” in rim diameter.

What is the warranty on this tire?

There is no tread life warranty on this tire. For seasonal tires, tire manufacturers are hesitant to offer a warranty because a summer tire can be fragile during the winter and in colder weather.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 - Best Winter

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Winter tires are made with deeper treads and a softer rubber that remains flexible in cold temperatures. Winter tires can be studless or studded to maintain the best performance in freezing temperatures. Our favorite winter tire for the VW GTI is the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90.

The Blizzak WS90 is a studless winter tire made with a directional tread pattern for better block stiffness to provide the most responsive steering possible in harsh conditions. The directional pattern also increases the tread life.

Bridgesone claims that this tire provides 15% more block edges than the previous Blizzak winter tire model. This means that traction on ice is better and short distance braking has improved too. The Multi-Cell compound uses extra biting edge particles to make this possible.

The tread also includes some silica enhancements to make it even more durable and effective. Silica adds another layer of traction to the tread.    

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 1,389 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 50 PSI
• Tread Depth: 12/32’’
• Tire Weight: 23 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: N/A
• UTQG Traction: N/A
• UTQG Temperature: N/A
• Winter tires are not UTQG Rated

FAQ

What sizes does this tire come in?

This is one of the most popular winter tire options and Bridgestone is one of the best selling winter tire manufacturers. This specific tire can be found in sizes ranging between 15” and 19” in rim diameter.

What is the warranty on this tire?

There is no treadwear warranty offered on this winter tire. The uniformity warranty covers the first 2/32” of wear.

What happens to this tire in the summer?

Winter tires cannot be driven in the summer. The treads will break down quickly because of the high heat and warm surfaces. The rubber is too soft to handle the heat and it causes performance to drop and traction becomes unreliable.  

Bridgestone Turanza ER33 - Best Performance Street

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A performance street tire is known to be the most reliable handling option on roads with top notch durability and cornering. The goal from a performance tire is to make your vehicle more predictable with better handling in both wet and dry conditions. Our top performance street tire pick is the Bridgestone Turanza ER33.

The Turanza ER33 is a grand touring summer tire that has been used as the original equipment tire for many popular brands like Infiniti. What makes this tire so special?

The summer tread is a five-rib symmetric design with the intention of improving dry road performance and traction. The tread can last longer with better durability. Short distance braking is a strong point on the five-rib design too.

For wet surfaces, there is a set of circumferential grooves that help to push water out from the tire. These grooves create an outward flowing channel that removes water from critical tire areas for hydroplaning resistance.

Remember, this is a performance summer tire and should not be driven in the winter. In freezing temperatures, performance drops significantly and the tire durability too.  

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 1,235 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 9/32’’
• Tire Weight: 24 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 140
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A

FAQ

What sizes does this tire come in?

This tire is available in sizes ranging between 17” and 19” in rim diameter. It is not as widely used as other Bridgestone tires but we love it as a performance street tire.

What is the warranty on this tire?

There is no treadwear warranty offered on this tire. Seasonal summer and winter tires do not often have great warranty coverage because they can wear quickly when exposed to the wrong climate.

Maxxis Victra RC-1 - Best Performance Track

A performance track tire is similar to a performance street tire, but the performance track option is more designed for higher speed driving in a racing style. They offer excellent handling, high speed stability, cornering capability, and higher speed ratings. Our top performance track tire is the Maxxis Victra RC-1.

This is a tire specifically built for racers. It is a primarily dry weather tire with a smooth tread design that breaks the norm for tire development. It is a semi-slick design that removes tread-squirm from driving. This helps to improve overall braking and steering responsiveness.

This is a tire that loves to go fast. It can always be relied on to deliver the best performance.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 1,477 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 50 PSI
• Tread Depth: 6/32’’
• Tire Weight: 24 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 100
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A

FAQ

What sizes does this tire come in?

This is a rare tire option but it ranks as one of the best performance track options. It can be found in sizes ranging between 15” and 18” in rim diameter.

What is the warranty on this tire?

There is no tread life warranty on this tire. It is not a tire meant for winter weather and should be driven in dry conditions. The tread is made specifically for track driving.

Michelin Pilot MXM4 - Best Highway

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Highway tires are reliable driving options that provide safe handling, better durability, and longer lasting treads. The Michelin Pilot MXM4 does just that and ranks as our top pick for best highway tires for the VW GTI.

Michelin makes great tires that fit the needs of their drivers. This highway tire is made with the Michelin Comfort Control Technology that uses computer-optimized technologies to invent a tread that absorbs road vibrations. By doing so, it provides a much more quiet riding experience.

The tread design is a symmetric pattern made into a grand touring all season tire. You are covered in rain, snow, and ice along with great performance on dry surfaces too. It is the ultimate four season tire.

Some features to improve wet performance include a set of four circumferential grooves, independent tread blocks, and rounded shoulder blocks. All of these features do their part to make contact areas bigger and enhance the overall handling and traction capabilities of the tire.

Michelin MaxTouch Construction is another feature that adds extra biting edges for winter performance. This helps improve the treadwear along with winter traction.    

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: 50,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 1,356 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10/32’’
• Tire Weight: 24 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 300
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A

FAQ

What sizes does this tire come in?

This tire is available in sizes ranging between 16” and 18” in rim diameter.

What is the warranty on this tire?

The warranty on this tire is a 6 year / 50,000 mile warranty on H and V rated tire sizes. The warranty drops to 6 years / 40,000 miles on W rated tires.

General G-Max AS-05 - Best All-Purpose

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The General G-Max AS-05 tire is an ultra high performance all season tire that can do a little bit of everything. We chose this tire as our top all-purpose tire because it can handle four seasons with great durability and stability. A great all-purpose tire on sporty vehicles can provide elite traction without sacrificing driving performance.

The G-Max AS-05 is made with an asymmetric tread pattern and all-season compounds. General uses SmartGrip technology to make a sporty tire with all season grip features. General uses many different custom technologies within their tire development to make a reliable product.

The StabiliTread Technology creates a larger tire footprint to maximize the road grip. They use features like circumferential grooves to eliminate water from the inner treads for this technology to work best. By creating a larger contact area on the tire, it can connect with the ground much smoother for a consistent driving experience.

General also uses other key features like block edges, tread sipes, and tread blocks on both the inner and outer shoulders to create a stable tire. It can do it all.  

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: 50,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 1,389 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10/32’’
• Tire Weight: 20 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 500
• UTQG Traction: AA
• UTQG Temperature: A

FAQ

What sizes does this tire come in?

This is a widely used tire for many different vehicles. It can be purchased in sizes ranging between 16” and 22” in rim diameter.

What is the warranty on this tire?

The warranty on this tire is a 6 year / 50,000 mile warranty on tread life. There is also a special warranty providing a 45 day customer satisfaction guarantee.

Pirelli Spare Tyre - Best Temporary Spare

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Temporary spare tires are the most reliable way to regain temporary road mobility after a flat tire. It is best to be prepared for emergencies with a temporary spare or “donut” in your trunk. Our favorite option for the VW GTI is the Pirelli Spare Tyre.

The Pirelli Spare is a compact option with lightweight construction. It is meant to fit into the trunk without adding extra weight to the vehicle or taking up too much trunk space.

The temporary spare has shallower treads and does not provide the same level of performance. But it can get you from point A to point B to repair your traditional tire.

Do not overuse a temporary spare or you can risk further damage to your vehicle.  

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: None
• Max Load Capacity: 1,984 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 60 PSI
• Tread Depth: 5/32’’
• Tire Weight: 15 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: N/A
• UTQG Traction: N/A
• UTQG Temperature: N/A

FAQ

How many miles can this last?

This temporary spare can be driven up to 70 miles before there is a risk of damage or tire failure. When you drive past the 70 mile mark, the performance will drop and vehicle damage can occur.

What is the top speed I can drive?

The top speed this temporary spare can drive is 50 MPH. We recommend avoiding the highway and keep the speed low to avoid a potential tire blow out or other vehicle damages.

Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 - Factory Tire

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VW GTI drivers will sport a set of the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 all season tires. This is an ultra high performance all season tire with many features that drivers love. It provides a sport feel with all season traction.

Hankook uses Kontrol technology along with other crucial innovations to build a reliable high performance tread that provides great wet surface and winter grip. The tread compound is a hybrid compound that uses silica to create the strongest tire.

The semi-rib asymmetric pattern is a unique feature that provides next level steering support and cornering. The tire has wider shoulder blocks for better stability too.

For wet performance, Hankook used a set of circumferential grooves and 3D sipes to improve ice and snow performance. These features also provide reliable hydroplaning resistance.

This is the ultimate all season tire and a very reliable option. We highly recommend it as an all season option.

Specifications

Some specifications may vary based on the exact tire size selected.

• Warranty: 50,000 miles
• Max Load Capacity: 1,235 lbs
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10/32’’
• Tire Weight: 21 lbs
• UTQG Treadwear: 500
• UTQG Traction: AA
• UTQG Temperature: A

More Information About the VW GTI

The 2021 VW Golf GTI is an affordable, fun compact-sport vehicle with an emphasis on high performance. It comes built as a front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback with practical comfort. The 228-HP four-cylinder engine is an award winner for having great manual and automatic transmissions with speedy performance.

The VW GTI consistently ranks as the top compact sport hatchback vehicle. The new models are available in four different trims with LED headlights, leather interior, and an array of features to ensure top notch driving experiences.

The choice exists between a dual-clutch automatic transmission or the standard manual. Depending on your driving experience, we recommend the standard manual for better overall driving performance. Being on the road becomes more engaging and you will get more out of your vehicle.

The engine provides instant power and quick acceleration. The responsiveness is amazing and the clutch pedal is extremely easy to use making gear shifting very simple. The dual-clutch option provides slightly less of a nimble on the road feel, but overall is still a great car.

The GTI ranks as an above average vehicle when analyzing fuel efficiency and usage. It will also depend on the type of model. The manual gas mileage is 23 MPG city and 30 MPG highway. The automatic is 24 MPG city and 32 MPG highway. These are above average numbers.

The interior is compact yet stylish. Drivers typically buy the VW GTI for its driving agility and performance, not for interior capacity. However, it comes with adjustable leather power seats and plenty of comfort too.

The NHTSA grades the VW GTI as an overall great option for safety. In fact, the newest models have received five-star safety ratings thanks to a full range of safety and driver-assistance features available.  

How to Read A VW GTI Tire

The tire sidewall lists all of the key information about a tire using letters, symbols, and numbers. Each character has a specific meaning to indicate a specific size or feature about the tire. Without any prior experience, a tire shopper may not know how to properly read a tire.

We have invented an easy to read chart that explains all of the key symbols on the tire.

VW GTI Tire Sizes & Models Available

The VW GTI makes tire shopping simple. There is only one factory tire size to keep in mind when shopping for models dating back to 2015. This vehicle can also fit with the tire size 225/45R17.  

• ‍225/40R18

Here is an in-depth list of VW GTI models released since 2015. These models all use the same single tire size but as you can see, VW is continuously innovating on new releases every year.