Firestone Firehawk SZ90 review
Relative score 60% tests + 40% owners
Owners 56 · 25 reviews analysed Road tests 54 · 5 tests
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The Firestone Firehawk SZ90 receives highly polarized feedback, with users divided between those who find it a capable, high-grip performer and those who report significant issues with noise, uneven wear, and unpredictable handling. While some drivers praise its wet and dry traction, others cite concerns regarding stability and rapid tread degradation, suggesting inconsistent quality control or performance variability across different vehicle applications.
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
56/100From 25 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.
By road tests
54/100Scaled across every tested tire: the average gets 70, the best 100.
What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 25 owner reviews found online.
The Firestone Firehawk SZ90 receives highly polarized feedback, with users divided between those who find it a capable, high-grip performer and those who report significant issues with noise, uneven wear, and unpredictable handling. While some drivers praise its wet and dry traction, others cite concerns regarding stability and rapid tread degradation, suggesting inconsistent quality control or performance variability across different vehicle applications.
Pros
- Strong dry and wet surface grip
- Effective water displacement and braking performance
- Competitive price point
- Good longevity for some users
Cons
- Excessive road noise
- Rapid or uneven tread wear
- Unpredictable handling and stability issues
- Susceptibility to aquaplaning in certain conditions
Worth knowing
- Users with sport-oriented vehicles, such as the Mini Cooper S, reported significant issues with aquaplaning and lack of confidence in wet conditions.
- Run-flat variants were specifically noted for a harsh ride quality and difficulty in achieving proper balance.
- Some drivers experienced uneven shoulder wear despite having proper wheel alignment performed.
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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5 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2017 Auto Bild UHP tire Test · 245/40 R18
9th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 9th of 9 | |
| Wet Handling | 9th of 9 | |
| Dry Braking | 9th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 9th of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th of 9 | |
| Noise | 9th of 9 |
Source: Auto Bild
2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars tire Test · 235/35 R19
8th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th of 9 | |
| Wet Handling | 8th of 9 | |
| Dry Braking | 8th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 9th of 9 |
Source: Auto Bild
2016 ADAC tire Test - 225/45 R17 · 225/45 R17
12th of 16
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: ADAC
2012 Autobild 50 tire Braking Test · 225/45 R17
20th of 44
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Auto Bild
2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance tire Test · 225/45 r17
14th of 14
Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.
Source: Auto Zeitung
Firestone Firehawk SZ90 compared
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