Summit Ultramax HP vs Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S tires

Summit vs Ironman: Which UHP all-season tire is right for you?

Summit is a value-focused tire manufacturer that offers dependable tires for use on passenger cars, CUVs, and SUVs. The tire manufacturer utilizes advanced, computer-tuned tread patterns and ensures that the tires are on par with global standards. Summit’s range of tires provides balanced highway driving and quieter rides with enhanced comfort.

Ironman, on the other hand, is a subsidiary of Hercules Tires. The manufacturer has earned a reputation in the replacement market by offering solid tires at an affordable price point. With its high-value tire choices, Ironman provides durable tires that offer reliable multi-season traction, promote longer wear, and ensure crisp steering response.

We have two capable tires from the above-mentioned brands ready for the comparison – the Summit Ultramax HP and the Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S. The Ultramax HP is an ultra-high-performance (UHP) all-season tire that’s designed and built for use on sport and performance-oriented sedans and coupes and offers drivers reliable high-speed cornering, hydroplaning resistance, and impressive ride comfort. On the other hand, the iMove Gen 3 A/S is a new-generation UHP all-season tire that’s suitable for use on sports coupes, sedans, and CUVs and provides solid grip in wet and light winter conditions, lowers noise levels, and provides solid durability.

If you need a reliable set of affordable UHP all-season tires, this Ultramax HP vs iMove Gen 3 A/S tires comparison will help you choose the better option based on your driving needs, preferences, and budget. Here, we will use our in-house tire rating system, SimpleScore, to determine each tire’s overall ability and its capability in areas like traction, handling, and longevity.

Summit Ultramax HP tires

The Summit Ultramax HP is designed keeping in mind budget-conscious drivers who don’t want to give up on an athletic feel. The tire is tuned for improved water channeling and better contact with the surface year-round. The tire comes with a reinforced structure for improved stability and is also optimized to perform under heavy loads and reduce the chances of uniform tread wear. Additionally, it has features that offer confident cornering, smooth drive, and quieter rides.

Overall, the Ultramax HP earns a good 7.7 SimpleScore, backed by its solid traction, good handling, and great service life.

Get Summit Ultramax HP tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S tires

The Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S is tuned to provide a solid driving experience in dry, wet, and mild winter conditions and is good for use on modern passenger vehicles. The tire is tuned to provide much-needed flexibility across shifting seasonal temperatures and has sipes and other sharper block edges to offer solid braking and handling performance in wet and mild winter weather. Additionally, the iMove Gen 3 A/S is also tuned for enhanced cornering grip, low pattern noise, and smooth rides.

Overall, the iMove Gen 3 A/S achieves a great 8.2 SimpleScore, contributed by its superior tread life, great traction performance, and admirable handling.

Get Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Summit Ultramax HP vs Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S tires on traction

Let’s now discuss the traction abilities of both tires to understand which one is better at maintaining grip in dry, wet, and light winter conditions without sacrificing performance.

Starting with the Ultramax HP, the tire is rated an 8.0 SimpleScore for its strong traction. The tire features four high-angle circumferential grooves and tapered tread sipes to force water out of the contact patch and resist hydroplaning for reliable wet weather performance. The tread is also tuned for increased dry traction and solid braking performance in warmer weather conditions. Additionally, the all-season rubber compound allows this tire to maintain solid contact with the surface year-round.

On the other hand, the iMove Gen 3 A/S secures an impressive 8.2 SimpleScore in traction, assuring better grip and traction in rain, shine, and light snow. The optimized asymmetric tread pattern featuring sipes and angled slits provides multiple biting edges for a solid grip on wet and mild snowy surfaces, while the optimized compound and subtle sipes contribute to better traction and reduced stopping distance in light snow conditions.

On the traction front, we see that the Ironman tire earns a marginal victory and beats the Ultramax HP.

ADVANTAGE: Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S

Summit Ultramax HP vs Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S tires on handling

Moving on to handling analysis, let’s find out which of the two tires is better at ride control, stability, steering response, braking efficiency, and cornering performance year-round.

The Ultramax HP scores an 8.0 in handling and features tapered tread edges and outer shoulder blocks to resist squirm under lateral loads. This contributes to improved stability and steady tracking. The wider footprint and optimized pattern design also improve steering response, especially when tackling highway bends.

On the other hand, the iMove Gen 3 A/S earns an 8.1 SimpleScore in handling and promises confident controllability at higher speeds and throughout the year. The tire features rigid outer shoulder blocks and a reinforced center rib section, which boost steering response. Additionally, the contact patch along with shoulder blocks provides reliable cornering performance during quick lane changes.

In handling, the iMove Gen 3 A/S again claims victory, leaving the peer behind by a thin margin of 0.1.

ADVANTAGE: Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S

Summit Ultramax HP vs Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S tires on longevity

Moving on to the tire's long-term performance, let’s find out which of the two offers better value at purchase, controls wear better, and covers more miles.

Beginning with the Ultramax HP, it achieves a great 8.1 SimpleScore in longevity. Thanks to the tapered tread blocks that evenly distribute driving forces to prevent shoulder wear. While it doesn’t come with any limited manufacturer tread life warranty, it has a solid inner structure and a robust rubber compound to offer good defence against driving forces for lasting use.

Contrarily, the Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S leads with a great 8.6 SimpleScore in longevity. The good thing about the tire is its coverage of 40,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. The tire features a wear-resistant rubber compound and a computer-optimized contact patch that slows down tread wear for lasting use. Additionally, its inner reinforcement keeps the tire in shape for lasting utility.

In the longevity race, the iMove Gen 3 A/S wins, beating the Ultramax HP by a small margin and securing an edge in its tread life warranty.

ADVANTAGE: Ironman iMove Gen 3 A/S

When to use each

Both the Ultramax HP and iMove Gen 3 A/S are entry-level UHP all-season tires, offering solid performance and controllability without breaking the bank. These tires are a great choice for driving on dry freeways, wet roads, and light winter slush. It is to be noted that neither tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified, which means you should not consider them for driving in moderate to severe winter weather or in temperatures consistently below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

In terms of fitments, the Ultramax HP is offered in 16- to 20-inch rim sizes along with Extra Load (XL) options, while the iMove Gen 3 A/S is offered in 14- to 22-inch choices.

Which one should you choose?

Based on overall SimpleScores, the iMove Gen 3 A/S is a better tire than the Ultramax HP (8.2 vs 7.7). However, your buying decision should depend on your driving style, preference for warranty, and overall spending budget.

As far as the prices are concerned, the Ultramax HP is available at a starting price of at least $71 per tire, which means a set of four will cost you at least $284. The iMove Gen 3 A/S, on the other hand, is available at a starting price of at least $67 per tire, which makes a full set of four available at a price of at least $268.

Looking at SimpleScore, you must choose the Ultramax HP if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, or Hyundai Elantra.
• Need a tire that’s available in 16- to 20-inch rim choices.
• Need a tire that’s better at water evacuation.
• Need a tire that absorbs road vibrations better.
• Are comfortable paying slightly more.

On the other hand, you should choose the iMove Gen 3 A/S if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, or Nissan Altima.
• Want a tire that’s better in longevity (8.6 vs 8.1).
• Prefer a tire that’s better in traction (8.2 vs 8.0).
• Want a tire that’s better in handling (8.1 vs 8.0).
• Want a tire that’s covered by a 40,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
• Want a tire that’s more affordable and overall better.
• Want a tire that’s available in an array of 14- to 22-inch rim choices.

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.