Firestone Firehawk SZ90

The Firestone Firehawk SZ90 is a High Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

This tire replaced the Firestone firehawk S790 and this tire has been replaced by the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Dry Grip 77%
Wet Grip 68%
Road Feedback 74%
Handling 71%
Wear 70%
Comfort 60%
Buy again 57%

Tire review data from 25 tire reviews averaging 68% over 279,775 miles driven.

The Firehawk SZ90 is ranked 115th of 201 Summer High Performance tires.

Latest Tire Test Results

2017 Auto Bild UHP Tire Test - 9th of 9 tires

  • Positive - Acceptable resistance to aquaplaning
  • Negative - Unbalanced handling and long braking distances on wet and dry roads. High noise levels
  • Overall - Not recommended
View Full Test >>

2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tire Test - 8th of 9 tires

  • Positive - Good resistance to aquaplaning, low rolling resistance, cheap
  • Negative - Low lateral stability, strong understeer and long braking distances on wet surfaces, slow response to steering and unbalanced behavior on dry surfaces
  • Overall - Not recommended
View Full Test >>

2016 ADAC Tire Test - 225/45 R17 - 12th of 16 tires

  • Positive - Low wear
  • Negative - Weak in the wet
View Full Test >>

2017 Tire Tests

  • 8th: 2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tire Test (235/35 R19)
  • 9th: 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tire Test (245/40 R18)
  • 2016 Tire Tests

  • 12th: 2016 ADAC Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (225/45 R17)
  • 2012 Tire Tests

  • 20th: 2012 Autobild 50 Tire Braking Test (225/45 R17)
  • 2011 Tire Tests

  • 14th: 2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance Tire Test (225/45 R17)
  • 2010 Tire Tests

  • 11th: 2010 European Summer Tire Test (225/45 r17)
  • Size Fuel Wet Noise Weight
    205/45 R16 87W XL   E B 71 7.60kgs
    225/50 R16 92W   E A 71 10.56kgs
    205/55 R16 91V   E A 71 8.26kgs
    205/40 R17 84W XL   E B 71 8.70kgs
    205/45 R17 88V XL   E B 71 9.84kgs
    215/45 R17 91Y XL   E B 71 8.43kgs
    225/45 R17 94Y XL   E B 71 9.03kgs
    225/45 R17 91W   E B 71 9.13kgs
    235/45 R17 97Y XL   E B 71 9.32kgs
    235/45 R17 94Y   E B 71 9.32kgs
    245/45 R17 99Y XL   E B 72 10.67kgs
    205/50 R17 93W XL   E A 72 10.05kgs
    205/50 R17 89V   E A 72 10.05kgs
    215/50 R17 95W XL   E A 71 10.78kgs
    255/35 R18 94Y XL   E B 73 12.17kgs
    225/40 R18 92Y XL   E B 71 9.50kgs
    235/40 R18 95Y XL   E B 71 9.67kgs
    245/40 R18 97Y XL   E B 72 11.36kgs
    245/40 R18 93Y   E B 71 11.36kgs
    225/45 R18 95Y XL   E B 71 11.86kgs
    235/45 R18 98Y XL   E B 72 11.86kgs
    245/45 R18 100Y XL   E B 71 11.68kgs
    235/35 R19 91Y XL   E B 71 11.83kgs
    255/35 R19 96Y XL   E A 72 11.32kgs

    Questions and Answers for the Firestone Firehawk SZ90

    2018-10-11 - Hi Are Firestone SZ90 directional tires

    No, the Firestone Firehawk SZ90 is an asymmetric tire.


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    Top 3 Firestone Firehawk SZ90 Reviews

    Given 46% while driving a Audi A4 2.0 TDI 140 SLine (245/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 16,250 spirited miles
    These tires were solely on the rear of the car.

    Wore out on the shoulder of the near side tire after approx. 26,000 km. The rest of the tire is about 2.5 mm, and about 3 mm left on the offside tire shoulder.

    As they were only on the rear I can’t comment on steering feel, however, the rear was liable to stepping out on very wet roads. Not something I’d expect from a front wheel drive daily. Above 90 km/h the risk of aqauplaning the rear was high.

    Comfort wasn’t the worst, they handled bumps relatively well. Noise was above average but not unbearable for long motorway journeys.
    Helpful 17 - tire reviewed on September 2, 2023
    Given 86% while driving a Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
    I'm really impressed by these tires. Had a quick look at the reviews here before buying and there were several negative ones, which almost turn my decision on buying them. But actually the tires are great in dry, wet, wet & cold handling and braking... They grip in turns with high speed and road feedback is good.
    I can say they are a bit noisy, but it's not something bothering. Wear is less than 1mm after 15000km. Will buy again and recommend for sure!
    Helpful 89 - tire reviewed on October 28, 2016
    Given 74% while driving a Volkswagen golf 2.0 gt tdi (225/45 R17 W) on mostly town for 18,000 easy going miles
    Decent tires for the price. Wet grip good, dry grip good only negative is that they have started to crack at 3mm and 18000 miles.
    Helpful 30 - tire reviewed on December 22, 2017
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    Latest Firestone Firehawk SZ90 Reviews

    Given 53% while driving a Opel Corsa D 1.4 (195/50 R15) on a combination of roads for 15 average miles
    I don’t even care how this tires are on dry or wet road because you can’t hear anything inside car except noise of tires, this noise make you mad, no chance to handle it, never again firestone
    Helpful 27 - tire reviewed on April 22, 2018
    Given 92% while driving a SEAT 1.4 TSI (195/55 R15) on mostly country roads for 80,000 average miles
    Really great Tires. I had them on my new Seat. Lasted 80.000 km. They were used in all seasons. Great handling in every conditions. Hever had a problem with them. Great eaven on snow.
    Very recommandable tire. I would buy it again for sure.
    Helpful 22 - tire reviewed on January 17, 2017
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    Given 80% while driving a Mercedes Benz C180 (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 17,500 average miles
    Bought the tires in May 2013, have done 28000 km with them. Two tires down to wear sign, two still have about 3 mm. So I will change them in the spring with a new set of something else. They had very good grip on dry and wet, on curves the car was very stable, feedback also good, you felt the car when it started to slide. Negative aspects: noise, low comfort and high fuel consumption.
    Helpful 25 - tire reviewed on November 13, 2016
    Given 69% while driving a Rover 75 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 100 spirited miles
    I have recently bought a set of these tires for my car having been informed that they had a new tread pattern. I have found that they have good cornering and braking characteristics in wet or dry conditions on all road surfaces.

    I recently took a friend who races street cars as a hobby for a drive on dual carriageways and motorway and he even remarked how quiet they were regarding road noise over other comparable makes.

    I would definitely recommend these tires to anyone.
    Helpful 22 - tire reviewed on September 24, 2016
    Given 20% while driving a Mitsubishi Lancer GLXi (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 27,000 spirited miles
    These tires are hard, noisy and slippery compared with Pirelli Cinturato P1 and Fulda carat Progresso. Car is unstable on korners, not good handling on dry & wet surfaces and not safe feeling when driving faster on corners at all.
    I recommend from my experience Fulda and Pirelli summer and winter tires.
    These tires are not sport tires at all, I wouldn't buy again and don't recommend them to anyone.

    Helpful 18 - tire reviewed on August 16, 2016
    Given 43% while driving a Audi A3 2.0T Sporkback (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 4,000 spirited miles
    Very noisy after 90mph and feeling insecure eve tho I have sport suspension. Wouldnt buy again.
    Helpful 17 - tire reviewed on July 21, 2016
    Given 61% while driving a SEAT Exeo (225/40 R18 W) on mostly town for 13,000 spirited miles
    I replaced my Goodyear Eagle F1s, which I'd had on since the car was new, with the Firestone Firehawk SZ90u to try and save a few quid. But as soon as I drove away from the garage I could tell the difference. The car seemed more bouncier as I steered (not in a good way) and felt unstable. It felt like the car was swaying. I beared with it to see if it was just psychological but when I took some corners at what I deemed to be my usual way, the traction control would come on and the car didn't handle anything like it did with the Goodyears. I had never really noticed much difference in handling over the years when I've changed my tires but maybe as I'm driving a faster, sportier car that I enjoy driving well maybe this is the difference. I was that concerned I took my car back to the garage to ask them if they could check that nothing had been disturbed or fiddled with when changing the tires! A technician came out with me and drove the car but he couldn't notice anything wrong with the way it handled. I can only put it down to the difference in tires and when they showed me the difference in the side wall firmness between the Goodyear and the Firestone, the Goodyear are reinforced and solid, preventing rolling and improving stability. The Firestones have now worn on the outside circumference (fronts only) after approx. 13,000 miles, requiring replacement. The rest of the tire and the rears have plenty of tread left on them but I am putting Goodyear Eagle F1s back on the fronts for now and the rears when they're also worn. Hopefully I will get the trusty road holding and handling I was accustomed to again..
    Helpful 20 - tire reviewed on July 20, 2016
    Opel Corsa 1.2 80Hp (195/50 R15) on a combination of roads for 13,000 easy going miles
    My worse tires, very noisy- this noise make you crazy, after 15000 km I've decided bined them as couldn't use them any more, wear quite quick so in this tires is huge advantage, positive is good grip on wet and dry, fuel consumption was increased too. After this tires I won't buy any Firestone again
    Helpful 17 - tire reviewed on July 6, 2016
    Given 73% while driving a BMW 316d (225/50 R17) on mostly motorways for 5,000 average miles
    Run flat version. Very harsh. Good wear rate and dry grip but found slippery in the wet and despite many attempts at balancing struggled to get them them to settle, they just seemed skittish and unpredictable Replaced early.
    Helpful 18 - tire reviewed on December 24, 2015
    Given 86% while driving a Mercedes Benz C180 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 12,000 average miles
    I gave grades to these tires after first impressions and now, after 20000 km, I'm back with new verdicts. Grip on dry and wet almost perfect, braking the same. Lateral side very strong, car doesn't bend on corners. Wear is somewhere at half. Negative aspects: noise, consumption and comfort.
    Helpful 19 - tire reviewed on September 24, 2015
    Given 90% while driving a Ford Mustang GT (245/45 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 500 spirited miles
    My second set of these tires as I was so impressed with them on my daily car, and they're just as capable on a much more powerful car.

    Highly recommended, much better grip, comfort, stability and quieter than the tires they replaced.
    Helpful 19 - tire reviewed on August 29, 2015
    Given 85% while driving a Ford Fiesta Zetec S (195/45 R16 V) on mostly country roads for 1,000 spirited miles
    I've always bought Continental Sport Contact, but this time I decided to try out these Firestone Firehawk SZ90's.
    I searched a lot online to try and find a comparison review between the Contis and the Firestones and unfortunately came up with nothing, but decided to take the plunge anyway.

    I'm VERY impressed with these tires. Continental Sport Contact always finish high up in tire tests and I have to say the Firestone's are every bit as good even with my spirited driving style.

    Both dry and wet grip is progressive and strong and I can feel absolutely NO deficit to the Continental tire. I see there is a review below that states the wet grip is poor, but either that reviewer is a complete maniac on the road, or there is something seriously wrong with their vehicle.

    I highly recommend these tires and as an added bonus they were £20 per tire cheaper than the ContiSports. I can't comment on wear yet, but they are excellent in every other department.
    Helpful 19 - tire reviewed on August 24, 2015