Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 review
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The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is widely praised as an exceptional value-focused Ultra-High-Performance summer tire, offering impressive dry grip, sharp steering response, and refined road manners that rival much more expensive competitors. While users note outstanding performance in warm, dry conditions and surprisingly competent wet-weather handling, common caveats include faster-than-average treadwear and a sharp drop-off in traction when temperatures fall below 40°F.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews found online; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
How scores work
- Relative score
- 0–100. Blends road tests (60%) and owner reviews (40%) category by category, the same way on every TireWheelGuide page. With only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from it, so the score stays closer to average. It needs at least one road test or five owner reviews.
- Road tests
- 0–100 per score, from published tests, newer tests counting more. Each result is compared with every other tire in the same test, so a win against a strong field counts for more. The average tested tire gets 70, the best 100; with only one or two tests a tire stays nearer 70. The discipline rows show % of the best tire in that test.
- Owner reviews
- 0–100 from the owner reviews we found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates and scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70. With only a few reviews a tire stays near the average.
By owner reviews
63/100From 1,457 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.
By road tests
Scaled across every tested tire: the average gets 70, the best 100.
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 specs & sizes
Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Tread depth | 9 - 10/32″ |
| UTQG | 340 A A |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi |
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What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 1,457 owner reviews found online.
The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is widely praised as an exceptional value-focused Ultra-High-Performance summer tire, offering impressive dry grip, sharp steering response, and refined road manners that rival much more expensive competitors. While users note outstanding performance in warm, dry conditions and surprisingly competent wet-weather handling, common caveats include faster-than-average treadwear and a sharp drop-off in traction when temperatures fall below 40°F.
Pros
- Exceptional value and affordability compared to premium tier brands like Michelin
- Outstanding dry grip and confident, responsive cornering capabilities
- Surprisingly quiet and comfortable ride quality on the highway
- Aggressive, sporty tread pattern and aesthetic look
Cons
- Accelerated tread wear and shorter overall lifespan
- Poor performance and loss of traction in cold temperatures (below 40°F)
- Vulnerability to hydroplaning or reduced traction in heavy standing water
- Some reports of soft or flexing sidewalls leading to a less direct feel under extreme loads
Worth knowing
- Heavier high-horsepower rear-wheel-drive muscle cars and sedans (like Mustangs, Chargers, and Corvettes) appreciate the straight-line launch traction and cornering stability, though some note faster rear tire wear.
- Lighter sports cars (such as the Mazda Miata and Subaru BRZ) benefit greatly from the agile handling and improved ride comfort compared to harsh factory run-flat tires.
Reviews from our readers
Drivers who have these tires on their car, in their own words. We check every review before it goes live.
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1 published test appearance
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance Summer Tires · 215/60R18
9th of 22
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Tested Tread Life (Miles) | 6th of 22 |
Source: Consumer Reports
What owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of the scores above.
Community sentiment toward the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is overwhelmingly positive, with drivers frequently praising it as an exceptional value and budget-friendly alternative to premium summer tires. Owners report strong dry grip, solid wet-weather traction, good comfort, and predictable handling, though some note reduced performance in cold temperatures, softer sidewalls, and a tendency to get greasy during aggressive track sessions. Interest is also growing around the newer V2 version and its updated compound and tread design.
From 146 threads and comments.
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 compared
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