245/45R18 · 2026 Subaru WRX Premium

Eight all-seasons,
one WRX.

A side-by-side look at the ultra-high-performance, grand-touring, and all-weather options shortlisted for a 2026 WRX Premium — with specs, warranty data, and what actual owners are saying.

8 tires compared // 3 categories // 2 are 3PMSF-rated // Size 245/45R18
01 / SPECS

The comparison matrix

Ultra-High Performance All-Season
Grand Touring All-Season
All-Weather (3PMSF)
Tire Category UTQG Warranty Severe Snow
(3PMSF)		 Speed Rating
Potenza Sport AS Bridgestone UHP A/S 500 AA A 50,000 mi — No W (98W XL)
ExtremeContact DWS 06+ Continental UHP A/S 560 AA A 50,000 mi — No Y (100Y XL)
Eagle F1 Asymmetric A/S Goodyear UHP A/S 500 AA A 45,000 mi — No Y (96Y XL)
Potenza RE980AS+ Bridgestone UHP A/S 500 AA A 50,000 mi — No W (100W XL)
G-MAX AS-07 General UHP A/S 500 AA A 50,000 mi — No W (100W XL)
Quatrac Pro+ Vredestein All-Weather 400 AA A 50,000 mi ✓ YES W / Y
Altimax 365 AW General All-Weather 540 A A 60,000 mi ✓ YES V (100V)
Altimax RT45 General Grand Tour 600 A A 65,000 mi — No V (100V XL)
02 / THE REAL WORLD

What owners actually say

Bridgestone

Potenza Sport AS

UHP A/S
UTQG
500 AA A
Warranty
50,000 mi
3PMSF
No
Speed
W · 98W XL

Bridgestone's newer replacement for the RE980AS+, with ENLITEN tech and PeakLife polymer for better wear. Class-leading dry (9-10) and wet grip (8-10), light snow is OK but not 3PMSF.

For a UHP all season it performs pretty much as expected… they last a little better than the Michelins but not quite as long as the Continentals. The Continentals see massive drops in performance as tread depth lessens — these Bridgestones only see minimal performance loss with tread loss. — 2022 Tesla Model 3 AWD Perf owner, via Tire Rack
Bottom lineStrongest dry grip in the group. Firm ride, some road noise. Light snow is adequate, ice is mediocre.
Continental

ExtremeContact DWS 06+

UHP A/S
UTQG
560 AA A
Warranty
50,000 mi
3PMSF
No
Speed
Y · 100Y XL

The WRX community's default pick. Wears well, handles beautifully, light snow is legitimately usable — but the unique "DWS" letter system on the tread shows its real quirk: once the "S" wears off, winter grip drops hard.

My vote is Continental DWS06+. I've run them on my prior 2008 Civic Si and 2015 Civic Si… they're the closest thing to summer tires while still having some light snow traction. — WRX forum user, 2022 WRX tire thread
We used them when they were nearly new so >8/32". Far before the S wears down around 5/32, you end up with a generic-feeling all-season. — BobIsTheOilGuy WRX discussion
Bottom lineBest balance of dry/wet/light-snow in this list. Winter traction degrades noticeably as the "S" indicator wears away.
Goodyear

Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Season

UHP A/S
UTQG
500 AA A
Warranty
45,000 mi
3PMSF
No
Speed
Y · 96Y XL

An older design (2012) still sold in North America while the global lineup has moved to the Asymmetric 5 and 6. Good dry, decent wet, the shortest warranty of the bunch.

Ultimate grip levels were mediocre in comparison to Michelin's all-season Pilot Sport A/S 3 tire and when pushed to the limit, the Eagle F1 Asymmetric All-Seasons complained, squealing in protest. They are, however, long lasting and durable tires — in fact, shockingly so. — BMW Blog press launch review
Bottom lineDurable but aging design. Better alternatives exist at this price point. Warranty requires square setup (fine for WRX).
Bridgestone

Potenza RE980AS+

UHP A/S
UTQG
500 AA A
Warranty
50,000 mi
3PMSF
No
Speed
W · 100W XL

Being phased out in favor of the newer Potenza Sport AS. Still a solid UHP A/S but availability is getting spotty.

These tires are excellent & fit without issue on my wife's '20 WRX Premium. HUGE ride & handling improvement over the factory sport tires that came on the car. It hasn't snowed yet in Upstate NY, but these tires really grip in the wet — especially during downpours. — 2020 WRX Premium owner, Auburn NY, via Tire Rack
Bottom lineDirect WRX Premium owner endorsement exists. If you can find them discounted as old stock, great value — otherwise step up to the Sport AS.
General

G-MAX AS-07

UHP A/S
UTQG
500 AA A
Warranty
50,000 mi
3PMSF
No
Speed
W · 100W XL

The budget-friendly UHP pick. AutoGuide's long-term reviewer went from 225/60R16 to 245/45R18 — same upsize as you — and came away impressed for the price.

The upsized AS-07s were actually cheaper, better regarded by shoppers, and provided way more performance than popular commuter choices… tire noise is about the same or even a little less than the worn all-seasons I stripped. — AutoGuide long-term review, 245/45R18

A handful of Amazon reviewers have flagged General/Continental's warranty claim process as frustrating. Worth knowing but not a dealbreaker.

Bottom lineBest $/performance ratio in the UHP group. Softer compound means alignment issues show up fast.
Vredestein

Quatrac Pro+

All-Weather
UTQG
400 AA A
Warranty
50,000 mi
3PMSF
✓ Yes
Speed
W / Y

Premium European all-weather. Surprisingly sporty dry handling for a 3PMSF tire, made in Holland/Hungary (brand owned by Apollo Tyres). Lower treadwear rating = softer compound = better grip but faster wear.

These tires seriously saved my ass in some pretty difficult snow/slush conditions… I ended up driving 5 hours on the interstate with slush all over the roads and these tires did unbelievably well for all-seasons. — 2022 Toyota GR86 owner (same chassis family as WRX)
Bottom lineIf you want real winter capability without losing the sporty character, this is the pick. Gas mileage takes a small hit from higher rolling resistance.
General

Altimax 365 AW

All-Weather
UTQG
540 A A
Warranty
60,000 mi
3PMSF
✓ Yes
Speed
V · 100V

The value all-weather. Consumer Reports ranked it 4th in category behind the Michelin CrossClimate2, but praised it as best-in-class for snow, ice braking, and noise — unusual for a 3PMSF tire.

Compared to the stock tires in normal driving they are quieter, handle better and get the same mileage. In snow they are much better. So what's not to like about them? — 2019 Subaru Outback owner, 235/60R18
Bottom lineNot a performance tire. But if you're looking to eliminate seasonal tire swaps and don't mind softer handling, this punches above its price.
General

Altimax RT45

Grand Tour
UTQG
600 A A
Warranty
65,000 mi
3PMSF
No
Speed
V · 100V XL

Grand touring tire — not UHP. Longest warranty in the group by a wide margin. Owners on Subaru forums consistently report 60-74k miles of real-world use.

I just replaced my General Altimax RT45 tires with 74,000 miles on them. There was still tread on them, and I could have waited until the Fall to replace them. — SimpleTire review
Bottom lineThe WRX won't feel like a WRX on these — softer sidewalls, slower steering response. Choose only if comfort and longevity trump performance.
03 / WRX CONTEXT

Things worth knowing for the WRX

// Size change: 245/40R18 → 245/45R18

Your 2026 WRX Premium came with 245/40R18 from the factory. Bumping to 245/45R18 adds ~0.4″ of overall diameter and ~10 mm of sidewall — speedo will read about 1.6% slow, ride gets slightly cushier, and you have more sidewall to absorb Maryland pothole hits. Common WRX move.

// Maryland winters

While Maryland gets real snow a few times a year but it's not Minnesota. The two 3PMSF-rated options — Quatrac Pro+ and Altimax 365 AW — let you keep one set of tires year-round with legitimate winter capability. UHP all-seasons will be fine most days but noticeably worse in actual snow than a dedicated setup.

// The decision tree

For sharpest WRX feel: Potenza Sport AS or G-MAX AS-07.

For the WRX community's proven pick: Continental DWS 06+.

For one set year-round with real winter capability: Vredestein Quatrac Pro+ (sporty) or General Altimax 365 AW (value).

For maximum longevity: Altimax RT45 — but the WRX won't feel sharp.