Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate Review: A Top Ultra-high Performance Tire

If you’re looking for a tire that blends sharp handling with decent comfort and all-season confidence, the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate is a name that comes up a lot. This Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate review will look at why this ultra-high performance all-season tire has earned such a strong reputation. We’ll break down its performance in dry and wet conditions, its comfort levels, and see if it truly lives up to the hype as a top choice for sporty coupes, sedans, and even some performance crossovers.

Positioned in the competitive ultra-high performance all-season (UHP AS) category, the Eagle Exhilarate aims to do it all. Goodyear designed it for drivers who want thrilling dry grip but also need a tire that can handle rain and light winter weather. It’s not a track-day specialist, nor is it a deep-snow tire. Instead, it tries to find that sweet spot for daily driving with an emphasis on sporty performance.

What Makes the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate Stand Out?

Goodyear packed several technologies into this tire to justify its place. Understanding these helps explain its on-road behavior.

DryTrack Technology: This is the core of its dry performance. It uses a specialized compound and asymmetric tread pattern designed to maximize the rubber’s contact with the road during cornering and braking. The goal is responsive steering and strong grip on dry pavement.
HydroChannel Technology: For wet weather, deep grooves and angled channels are engineered to actively pull water away from the tire’s footprint. This helps prevent hydroplaning and maintains better contact in the rain, which is a common weakness for summer-focused performance tires.
SoundComfort Technology: This is a layer of foam attached to the inside of the tire. It’s designed to absorb road noise vibrations before they can enter the vehicle’s cabin, aiming for a quieter ride compared to some stiffer performance tires.
Asymmetric Tread Pattern: The outside shoulder has large, solid blocks for cornering stability. The inner tread features more grooves and sipes for water evacuation. This dual-role design is common in high-performance all-season tires.

Driving Experience and Performance Breakdown

Let’s get into the real-world feel of the Eagle Exhilarate. How does it actually perform where it matters?

Dry Grip and Handling

This is where the tire often shines. The steering response is notably quick and precise for an all-season tire. You get a confident, connected feel to the road.

Cornering is flat and stable, with plenty of grip to inspire confidence on twisty roads.
Braking distances on dry pavement are typically very strong, matching or beating key rivals in its class.
The trade-off is a ride that can feel a bit firm, especially on cars with sport-tuned suspensions. You feel more of the road’s texture.

Wet and Rainy Conditions

The HydroChannel tech isn’t just marketing. The tire performs admirably in wet conditions.

Resistance to hydroplaning is excellent. You can drive through standing water with a sure-footed feel.
Wet cornering and braking grip are well above average, providing crucial safety and confidence when the roads are slick.
Traction under acceleration in the rain is also reliable, preventing excessive wheel spin.

Comfort and Road Noise

Here’s where opinions can vary. The SoundComfort foam does make a difference on certain road surfaces, particularly coarse asphalt or concrete highways. Road noise is muted and less intrusive than on many performance tires.

However, the firm sidewalls needed for sharp handling mean the ride quality is sport-tuned. You will feel sharper bumps and road imperfections. For some drivers, this is a fair trade for the handling gains. For others prioritizing a plush ride, it might feel to harsh.

Light Snow and Winter Performance

It’s vital to remember this is an all-season tire, not a dedicated winter tire. It carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, meaning it meets a specific snow traction performance standard.

It’s capable in light snow and slush, offering usable traction for occasional winter weather.
It is not suitable for severe winter conditions, deep snow, or sustained freezing temperatures. In those cases, dedicated winter tires are vastly superior.
Think of it as a “get you home” or “handle a surprise dusting” level of snow capability.

Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate vs. The Competition

How does it stack up against other leading tires in the UHP All-Season category? Here’s a quick comparison.

vs. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4

The Michelin is often considered the benchmark. The Pilot Sport AS4 has a slight edge in ultimate dry grip and steering feedback, feeling a bit more “racy.” The Eagle Exhilarate often competes very closely in wet performance and may have a slight advantage in road noise comfort thanks to its foam layer. Pricing is usually similar, making it a tough choice between two excellent tires.

vs. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+

The Continental DWS06+ is famous for its well-roundedness and strong snow performance for an all-season tire. The DWS06+ often provides a slightly more compliant, comfortable ride than the Exhilarate. The Goodyear might feel a touch sharper in initial turn-in and dry cornering. The choice here often comes down to prioritizing a slightly sportier feel (Exhilarate) vs. a slightly more comfortable ride with a bit more snow confidence (DWS06+).

vs. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus

The Pirelli focuses on grand touring comfort within the performance category. The Eagle Exhilarate generally offers sharper handling and better wet grip, while the Pirelli aims for a quieter, smoother ride. The Exhilarate is the more sport-oriented option of the two.

Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary

Based on extensive testing and driver feedback, here are the clear strengths and weaknesses.

Pros

Excellent dry grip and very responsive steering.
Top-tier wet weather performance, with great hydroplaning resistance.
Quieter than many rivals due to SoundComfort foam.
Good light snow traction for an all-season tire (3PMSF rated).
Confident braking in both dry and wet conditions.

Cons

Firm ride quality may be uncomfortable for some on rough roads.
Treadwear warranty is average for the class (45,000 miles), and some drivers report faster wear if driven aggressively.
Not for severe winter conditions; dedicated snow tires are needed for harsh climates.
The initial price point is premium, though it’s competitive with its direct rivals.

Who Is the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate Best For?

This tire isn’t for everyone, but it’s a perfect match for a specific driver profile.

The Sporty Daily Driver: You have a sport sedan, coupe, or hot hatch and want to maximize fun on your daily commute and weekend drives, without needing to swap tires for rain.
The Wet Climate Performance Enthusiast: You live in an area with frequent rain and need a tire that doesn’t compromise on safety or grip when the roads are wet.
The Driver Wanting a Balance: You refuse to give up performance but also don’t want excessive road noise or a brutally harsh ride. You’re looking for the best compromise.
The Crossover/SUV Driver Seeking More Grip: Owners of performance-oriented crossovers (like a Porsche Macan or BMW X3 M40i) who find their original equipment tires lacking and want a significant upgrade in handling and wet grip.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

To get the most out of your Eagle Exhilarate tires, proper care is essential. Following these steps will ensure you get the performance and lifespan you paid for.

Professional Mounting and Balancing: Always have tires mounted and balanced by a reputable shop. This is especially important for tires with foam liners, like the SoundComfort version, to avoid damaging the liner.
Proper Alignment: Get a precision alignment immediately after installation. Sporty tires with quick response will amplify the effects of poor alignment, leading to uneven wear and reduced handling.
Regular Rotation: Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. This promotes even tread wear across all four tires, which is crucial for maintaining wet weather performance and extending tire life. Front-wheel-drive performance cars are especially hard on front tires.
Check Pressure Monthly: Maintain the cold tire pressure recommended on your vehicle’s door placard (not the tire’s sidewall). Under-inflation causes sluggish handling, increased wear, and heat buildup. Over-inflation leads to a harsher ride and reduced grip.
Monitor Tread Depth: Use a tread depth gauge. The tire’s exceptional wet performance diminishes as the tread wears. Plan for replacement before you reach the legal minimum of 2/32″. Many experts recommend replacing performance all-season tires at 4/32″ for maintained wet safety.

Long-Term Ownership: Tread Life and Value

The Eagle Exhilarate comes with a 45,000-mile treadwear limited warranty. This is fairly standard for its category. Real-world mileage will vary drastically based on:

Your driving style (aggressive driving wears them faster)
Your vehicle’s alignment and suspension health
Road conditions in your area
Maintenance habits (rotation, pressure checks)

Many owners report achieving close to the warranty mileage with normal mixed driving. The value proposition is strong if your priorities align with its strengths. You are paying for top-level wet and dry performance, not for the ultimate tread life. Compared to cheaper all-season tires, the difference in grip and safety is night and day.

Final Verdict: Is the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate Right for You?

The Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate makes a compelling case for itself in the ultra-high performance all-season segment. It delivers on its promise of exciting dry handling and truly impressive wet weather competence. The addition of noise-reducing foam is a welcome touch that sets it apart from some rivals.

You should seriously consider these tires if your top priorities are sharp handling and wet weather safety, and you can accept a firm, sport-oriented ride quality. You might want to look at other options if your roads are very rough and comfort is paramount, or if you face severe, snowy winters every year.

Overall, it earns its status as a top-tier choice. It provides a driving experience that feels special every day, without leaving you nervous when the weather turns. For the right driver, it’s an excellent investment in both performance and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate good in snow?

It is good in light snow and slush for an all-season tire, thanks to its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. It is not a substitute for true winter tires in heavy snow, ice, or consistently freezing temperatures.

How noisy is the Eagle Exhilarate tire?

Thanks to its SoundComfort Technology foam liner, it is generally quieter than many other ultra-high performance tires. Road noise is well-managed, especially on smoother pavement, though some coarse road texture can still be heard.

What is the mileage warranty on the Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate?

Goodyear offers a 45,000-mile limited treadwear warranty on the Eagle Exhilarate. Always check the specific warranty details at the time of purchase as terms can change.

Can I use the Eagle Exhilarate on my performance SUV or crossover?

Yes, absolutely. It is available in many sizes that fit popular performance-oriented crossovers and SUVs. It can provide a significant upgrade in handling and wet grip over standard all-season SUV tires.

How does it compare to the older Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric?

The Eagle Exhilarate is generally considered the successor or a closely related development to that line. It builds upon that foundation with updated compounds and technologies like the SoundComfort foam, offering improved wet performance and noise reduction.

Are there any common problems with these tires?

No widespread defects are commonly reported. The main “issue” some drivers note is the firm ride quality, which is a design characteristic for handling, not a flaw. As with any tire, proper maintenance is key to avoiding premature or uneven wear.