Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs General G-Max RS tires

Firestone is among the world’s oldest tire brands and originated from the American shores in the early 1900s. Similarly, General tire was established in 1915 in Akron, Ohio. Both American brands offer an exceptional range of tires under different categories, including all-season, all-terrain, winter, all-weather, touring, highway terrain, mud-terrain, ultra-high-performance (UHP), UHP all-season, and others.

Within the UHP summer tire category, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 and the General G-Max RS are among the most popular entries. Since it evolved into the Indy 500 V2, it has remained a cult favorite for its razor-sharp steering response and aggressive, race-inspired tread.

On the other hand, the General G-Max RS - backed by the engineering prowess of its parent company, Continental - takes a more surgical approach to performance. While the Firestone focuses on driver engagement and ‘sticky’ road feel, the G-Max RS is designed for balanced excellence, often boasting superior results in objective wet braking and treadwear tests.

So, which tire is ideal for you? Let’s do the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs General G-Max RS tires comparison based on their performance in our SimpleScore, which rates each tire based on traction, handling, and longevity on a scale of 0 to 10. Read on.

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires

A UHP summer tire, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is designed for enthusiasts wanting superior agility on dry and wet pavement. Drawing inspiration from a legendary racing pedigree, the Firehawk Indy 500 utilizes an aggressive asymmetric layout with robust shoulder blocks to ensure great precision during high-speed cornering. A standout innovation is the proprietary Pulse Groove technology, which works alongside a refined wet-weather compound to accelerate water drainage and reduce stopping distances.

With great handling and hydroplaning resistance, the FireHawk Indy 500 delivers a significant safety and performance leap over previous generations. Although it lacks a traditional mileage warranty, its reputation for impeccable dry-road maneuvering and reliable wet braking makes it a high-value selection for modern sports car drivers.

Securing an 8.2 in its overall SimpleScore, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 offers precise steering response, stability, and improved traction with decent tread life.

Get Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

General G-Max RS tires

Designed for coupes, sedans, and sports cars, the General G-Max RS is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that features an aesthetically appealing design coupled with a specialized rubber compound. This unique rubber compound utilizes advanced temperature control technology to maintain superior grip even during extreme heat conditions.

For wet-weather safety, deep circumferential grooves efficiently clear water to mitigate the risk of hydroplaning and boost braking and handling on slick surfaces. The General tire is laced with driver-convenient features like built-in Visual Alignment Indicators and a Replacement Tire Monitor, which provide clear alerts beforehand and inform you when it is time for a new set.

The General G-Max RS scores a solid 8.2 in its overall SimpleScore and assures solid grip, traction, handling, and stability at high speeds.

Get General G-Max RS tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs General G-Max RS tires on traction

The traction in a UHP summer tire maximizes its grip in both dry and wet conditions when you drive at higher speeds. As you enjoy agile rides in warmer conditions, you need decent traction for a strong grip and braking.

The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 scores a decent traction score of 8.1 and delivers dependable performance, particularly in wet conditions. It comes with the Pulse Groove channel that can efficiently evacuate water, thereby reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Thanks to its improved rubber compound, you can shorten the stopping distances on wet surfaces, while the wider footprint provides better contact with the road surface. The Firehawk Indy 500 gives you dependable grip on dry surfaces, which makes the overall driving experience feel balanced.

With a traction score of 8.2, the General G-Max RS performs slightly better on this parameter. It comes with a compound rich in silica, while its large circumferential grooves improve grip in both dry and wet conditions. The G-Max RS has also been integrated with additional sipes and optimized block edges, which significantly improve your braking performance. During spirited rides, the tire maintains strong traction, so you feel more planted as you accelerate.

The General G-Max RS performs slightly better when it comes to traction, as evident from its score.

ADVANTAGE: General G-Max RS

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs General G-Max RS tires on handling

Summer tires are purchased for their superior handling and stable cornering on dry and wet surfaces. Their handling determines the overall control over your vehicle at high speeds. The Firestone and General UHP tires are very close in the handling race. Let’s see who wins the handling tussle.

At 8.8, the handling score of the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 looks great, thanks to its wider shoulders, which increase stiffness. You would experience improved stability while cornering with better steering precision. When you change directions, the steering feels responsive, and you can retain good control even while driving at higher speeds. The Firehawk Indy 500 balances performance and usability for everyday rides.

Securing 8.6 in handling, the General G-Max RS provides both precision and stability at high speed in dry and wet conditions. It comes with a strong centre rib and stable shoulder blocks, which help you improve steering response and control during spirited rides. The tire feels stable, which makes your drives on the highway predictable.

The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 emerges as the winner in handling, as it scores higher than the General tire.

ADVANTAGE: Firestone Firehawk Indy 500

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs General G-Max RS tires on longevity

The longevity of UHP summer tires determines how long they might last as you use them regularly at high speeds. You’d look for a tire with a durable compound that wears evenly to extend its lifespan.

The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 earns a respectable longevity score of 8.0, which looks decent for a performance tire. It comes with a strong rubber compound and a wider footprint, which resists uneven wear. Being a UHP summer tire, you don’t expect the tire to last too long owing to its softer rubber compound.

Contrarily, the General G-Max RS also scores 8.0 in longevity, which means it also offers a dependable tread life, equally matching most of its competitors. The advanced rubber compound, along with its temperature control technology, helps the tire perform even under heat and maintain consistent wear.

Since both tires are neck and neck in longevity performance, this section ends in a tie.

ADVANTAGE: Tie

When to use each

UHP summer tires are suitable to be used in dry and wet conditions during the warmer months. These tires offer sharper handling and better grip, which makes them ideal for drivers looking for performance-oriented rides.

If you love sporty rides that require sharper handling, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 would be the right choice. It is noted for its strong wet braking performance and is a good fit for enthusiasts who want a spirited driving experience.

The General G-Max RS would be a great choice for you if you are looking for a balanced performance tire. It offers slightly better traction and offers a decent tread life. Considering daily driving with performance features, it’s a more practical option.

Which one should you choose?

While both these UHP summer tires appeal to owners with strong performance, you need to consider your preferences as you choose one of these. The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 provides superior handling (8.8 vs 8.6), which makes it a better choice for drivers looking for sharp steering and confident cornering. You’d feel more engaged and responsive on the road with these tires. However, if you want better traction and a decent tread life, the General G-Max RS would be the better choice.

Considering the 205/50R17 tire size, the cost of one Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is around $186, which means four such tires would cost about $744. On the other hand, the price of each General G-Max RS tire is around $158, which brings the cost of four of those tires to about $632 (a difference of $112).

Based on SimpleScore, you may choose the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Audi S4, Dodge Challenger, BMW M3, or the Ford Mustang
• Want better handling (8.8 vs 8.6)
• Want a more performance-oriented feel

On the other hand, you may go for the General G-Max RS if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf, BMW X3, Chevrolet Corvette or the Toyota 86
• Want better traction (8.2 vs 8.1)
• Want an overall affordable UHP tire

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.