For many summer and ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires, they’re only limited in their usefulness to certain months out of the year. Summer/UHP tires typically have a rubber formulation that’s softer and “stickier” (sometimes as soft as a pencil eraser), designed for excellent traction and adhesion to the road. That softer tread formulation will stiffen up and lose traction on colder days, though, and most manufacturers advise against using them if temperatures are below 40-45 degrees F.

The Atlas Force UHP is different, however. It’s a tire that’s designed for UHP levels of cornering ability, braking performance, steering response, and overall handling along with the year-round traction of an all-season tire. It’s the best of both worlds in that respect, giving you the versatility and year-round value of an all-season tire with performance that’s sharp, crisp, and sporty. Don’t just take our word for it, though – let’s go in for a closer look with this Atlas Force UHP review:

Features and Benefits

There’s a lot to like about the Atlas Force UHP:

• Silica-rich rubber formulation for enhanced wet-weather performance, traction, long wear
• Lower rolling resistance for reduced emissions and better fuel economy
• A combination of circumferential and full-depth lateral and angled grooves evacuate water from the tire’s contact patch to resist hydroplaning
• Contact patch optimized to accentuate handling, traction, steering response, weight distribution, and even wear
• Shoulder and upper sidewall reinforced for rigidity, resisting tread squirm and deformation during hard cornering
• 3D sipes multiply traction with hundreds of biting edges to cut through snow, slush, water
• The tread pitch is computer-tuned to reduce resonances and cancel certain frequencies, keeping road noise down
• The dual-zone tread pattern is designed for dry-weather traction at the outside edge and wet-weather grip at the center
• Backed by a 40,000 or 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, depending on the tire’s size

Pros and Cons

So, is this Atlas tire the right choice for your ride and budget? Before you decide, let’s take a look at the tire’s pros and cons.

PROS:

• Responds well to driver input without being jumpy or touchy
• Surprisingly quiet on the highway
• Traction in wet or dry conditions is confident and sure-footed
• Cornering and handling are predictable and neutral, even when pushed hard
• Generous warranty coverage

CONS:

• The ride can be a little harsh
• Should not be used in moderate to severe winter weather conditions

SimpleTire’s view on Atlas Force UHP tires

If you’re looking for a UHP tire, it’s even better if you can find one that offers year-round performance and that’s what you can expect with the Atlas Force UHP. The Atlas Force UHP’s tread compound is designed for traction and good wear properties even in subfreezing weather, and the combination of sipes, circumferential, and angled grooves means excellent resistance to aquaplaning on a wet road. Even for high-horsepower sports sedans and muscle cars, the Atlas Force UHP delivers cornering and steering response that punch far above its weight class. Straight-line road manners are solid and stable without a need for constant corrections, but it also responds well to driver commands during an emergency swerve or cornering.

Some drivers have noted that the stiffer sidewalls and shoulders of the Atlas Force UHP can mean a harder ride on some pavement surfaces. In addition, it’s not a tire that’s designed to perform well in winter conditions like snow and slush, so that’s not a great surprise. With its 40-50,000 mile manufacturer’s treadwear coverage, though, the Atlas Force UHP is a great value in an all-season UHP tire that compares well to premium UHP tires that cost much more.

Vehicles the Atlas Force UHP is a good replacement tire for

While not used as original equipment, the Force UHP is a good replacement tire for vehicles like the:

• Acura TL
• Audi A6
• BMW 135i
• Buick Regal
• Chevrolet Impala
• Dodge Charger
• Ford Focus
• Honda Civic
• Hyundai Veloster
• Jaguar XKR
• Lexus GS350
• Lincoln LS
• Mazda Miata MX-5
• Mercedes-Benz E550
• Nissan Maxima
• Pontiac G6
• Scion Tc
• Subaru BRZ
• Toyota Camry
• Volkswagen CC Sport