Continental SportContact 7 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ5
- TR Score
- 9.7/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 134
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 94% · 20
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental SportContact 7 finished ahead 4 times and the P Zero PZ5 twice. The SportContact 7 stopped 2.9% shorter in the dry; the P Zero PZ5 held 11.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental SportContact 7 if you want the most dependable fast-road performance with consistently shorter braking (especially in the wet) and strong all-round control across many tests. Choose the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 if your priority is sharp lap-time style handling and best-in-comparison curved aquaplaning resistance-and you're comfortable that its wet braking/handling performance can vary more with size, surface and test conditions.
Where the SportContact 7 is stronger
- Class-leading braking consistency (wins dry braking 5-0; repeatedly shorter wet braking, e.g., 33.4 m vs 38.8 m in Top Tire Review 2026; 42.4 m vs 46.7 m in Autobild 2026)
- High, confidence-inspiring wet performance overall (often best objective wet handling and strongest subjective wet scores/feedback in 2026 testing)
- Very strong all-round dry grip and precision (frequently near the top for dry handling and subjective control, with strong limit composure)
Where the P Zero PZ5 is stronger
- Quicker lap-time tendency on dry handling courses (wins dry handling 3-1; quickest dry handling in Top Tire Review 2026)
- Excellent deeper-water security, especially in bends (wins curved aquaplaning 4-0; frequently the standout differentiator)
- Can be class-leading overall when wet and dry balance “clicks” in a given size/test (overall wins in Auto Express 2025 and Best Performance Tires for 2025)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
SportContact 7 vs P Zero PZ5 at a glance
| Category | SportContact 7 | Gap | P Zero PZ5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 4 | 2 | |
| Dry14 measurements | 9 | The SportContact 7 stopped 2.9% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 4 |
| Wet25 measurements | 11 | The P Zero PZ5 held 11.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning (4 tests) | 13 |
| Comfort7 measurements | 2 | 3 | |
| Value5 measurements | 4 | The SportContact 7 had 2.3% lower rolling resistance (5 tests) | 1 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.7/10 | The SportContact 7 by 0.3 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating134 and 20 reviews | 84% | The P Zero PZ5 by 10 points | 94% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 80% | The P Zero PZ5 by 20 points | 100% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The P Zero PZ5 was dearer in 1 of 2 | +3.3% |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 6 tests, 2025 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | SportContact 7 | Field | P Zero PZ5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tire Test | P1 of 3 | P3 of 3 | |
| 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test | P1 of 8 | P3 of 8 | |
| 2026 ACE Summer Tire Test | P2 of 10 | P5 of 10 | |
| 2025 EVO Summer Tire Test | P3 of 9 | P6 of 9 | |
| 2025 Auto Express Summer Tire Test | P8 of 9 | P1 of 9 | |
| Best Performance Tires For 2025 | P2 of 7 | P1 of 7 |
Performance profile
12 measurements from the 6 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
SportContact 7
P Zero PZ5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 94%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
SportContact 7
P Zero PZ5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
SportContact 7
Not ahead in any category
P Zero PZ5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 134 reviews and the P Zero PZ5 94% from 20. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | SportContact 7 | Gap | P Zero PZ5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | 2.9% | 112 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.91 | 0.5% | 69.62 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 67.4 | 2.3% | 65.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.1% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 7.9% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 107 | 2.1% | 111 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 88.58 | 0.1% | 88.65 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49 | 3.1% | 47.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 7.3% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 20.5 | 0.3% | 20.35 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.91 | 1% | 0.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.1 | 0.4% | 48.9 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 17 | 11.9% | 18.2 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 6.4% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 6.9% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.27 | 0.2 dB | 70.07 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.77 | 2.3% | 8.97 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportContact 7 scores 9.7 and the P Zero PZ5 9.4 out of 10.
| SportContact 7 | Category | P Zero PZ5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | Dry | 95 | ||
| 98 | Wet | 95 | ||
| 29 | Comfort | 37 | ||
| 39 | Value | 19 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| SportContact 7 | Category | P Zero PZ5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | Dry Grip | 9.9 | ||
| 9.1 | Wet Grip | 9.6 | ||
| 8.7 | Road Feedback | 9.6 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 9.6 | ||
| 6.7 | Wear | 8.8 | ||
| 7.7 | Comfort | 8.7 | ||
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 134 reviews and the P Zero PZ5 94% from 20. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental SportContact 7
- 84%from 134 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 1,308,502 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Continental SportContact 7 very highly overall (average 83%), with the strongest agreement around outstanding dry and wet grip, backed up by confident handling and strong steering response. Comfort and noise are often described as better than expected for a UHP summer tire, though experiences vary by car and set-up. The main recurring drawback is wear: around a third of owners who mention tread life report rapid wear, meaning running costs can be high if you drive hard or run a heavier, high-torque car.
- Exceptional dry grip and traction
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in rain
- Sharp, secure dry handling
- Good steering feel and feedback
- Rapid tread wear and short life for many drivers
- Ride can feel harsh or uncomfortable on some set-ups
- Road noise can be intrusive on rough surfaces
Summarised by AI from 117 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 134 SportContact 7 reviewsIn comparison with non sport tires like the Continental PremiumContact 6 the grip in dry conditions is outstanding and better like other tires I have driven (e.g. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric). The Wet-Grip is surprisingly good and did not fade with lower tread depth (yet). No disturbing noise while driving.
Pirelli P Zero PZ5
- 94%from 20 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 120,924 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are overwhelmingly happy with the Pirelli P Zero PZ5, praising its strong dry grip and confident, sporty handling, with many also highlighting improved comfort for a UHP tire. Around two in five owners comment on steering feel, and while the balance is generally positive, a noticeable minority report a softer or more muted initial response compared with sharper rivals. A smaller group mentions trade-offs such as higher rolling resistance and slightly weaker dry braking, while road noise feedback is mixed rather than clearly better or worse.
- Outstanding dry grip and traction
- Sporty, confidence-inspiring dry handling
- More comfortable than expected for a UHP tire
- Strong wet grip and confidence in rain
- Steering can feel muted or slower on initial turn-in
- Rolling resistance higher, hurting fuel economy
- Dry braking can feel a bit longer than key rivals
Summarised by AI from 17 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 20 P Zero PZ5 reviewsPreviously had continental sportcontact 5p and michelin pilot supersports and the pirellis are way better especially in the wet. So much confidence.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | SportContact 7 | P Zero PZ5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Replaced | Continental Sport Contact 6 (2015) | Pirelli P Zero PZ4 |
| Awards | Highly Recommended: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (Compact Sports Cars) (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Commended: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Best Tires for Large Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2023) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) Winner: Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) | Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2025) |
| Price in the shared tests | The P Zero PZ5 was the dearer tire in 1 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 3.3% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Previous generation: Continental SportContact 7 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (10 shared tests)
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Continental's SportContact 7 and Pirelli's P Zero PZ5 sit in the same max-performance summer bracket, but the six shared tests show they chase speed in noticeably different ways. Across multiple publications and sizes (225/40 R18 through 255/35 R19), the SportContact 7 repeatedly positions itself as the “default benchmark”: it tends to deliver the most dependable braking and high-grip composure, especially when conditions are mixed or the test weighting favors wet safety.
The P Zero PZ5, meanwhile, reads like a more “specialist” performance tire depending on fitment and test surface. It is frequently among the quickest for dry handling (and often objectively quick in wet handling too), and it has a consistent advantage in deeper-water security-particularly curved aquaplaning-while also often scoring well for refinement (noise) and sometimes efficiency. The headline question this comparison answers is whether that sharper lap-time potential and water-clearing strength outweigh the Continental's more repeatable braking and wet-confidence advantage.
Conclusion
Looking across the six shared tests, the Continental SportContact 7 is the more consistently high-performing and easier-to-recommend tire for real-world fast road driving. It wins 4 of 6 overall comparisons and dominates dry braking (5-0). The braking margins are not trivial: for example, in Top Tire Review's 255/35 R19 test it stops ~2.0 m shorter in the dry (32.1 m vs 34.1 m) and a big ~5.4 m shorter in the wet (33.4 m vs 38.8 m). Autobild shows the same pattern (34.2 m vs 36.0 m dry; 42.4 m vs 46.7 m wet). Add in repeatedly stronger subjective wet scores, and the Continental comes out as the safer, more confidence-inspiring “point and shoot” option when you drive hard on unpredictable roads.
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5's case is compelling if your priority is outright agility and water management. It wins dry handling more often (3-1) and is the clear leader in curved aquaplaning across the dataset (4-0), sometimes by large margins (e.g., +16.7% in “Best Performance Tires for 2025”, and +15.3% in Top Tire Review). In certain tests and sizes it also flips the wet story entirely-most notably Auto Express and “Best Performance Tires for 2025”, where it takes overall wins and posts the shortest wet braking (30.8 m vs 35.0 m in Auto Express; 22.48 m vs 23.09 m in the other). The trade-off is variability: in several 2026 tests (Top Tire Review, Autobild, ACE) the PZ5's wet braking/handling results fall behind enough to cost it overall rankings.
Practical takeaway: if you want the tire that most reliably turns braking zones shorter and keeps wet-road confidence high across many test environments, the SportContact 7 remains the segment's “safe bet” performance benchmark. If you're chasing steering sharpness and lap-time style responsiveness-and you value strong resistance to (especially curved) aquaplaning-the PZ5 can be the more exciting pick, but you should be mindful that its wet performance appears more fitment- and test-surface-dependent than the Continental's.
SportContact 7 vs P Zero PZ5: your questions
Is the Continental SportContact 7 or the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 the better tire?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental SportContact 7 finished ahead 4 times and the P Zero PZ5 twice. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportContact 7 scores 9.7 and the P Zero PZ5 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the SportContact 7 or the P Zero PZ5?
The P Zero PZ5 led 13 of the 25 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 11.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The SportContact 7 led 9 of the 14 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.9% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The SportContact 7 had 2.3% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 6.7/10 for the SportContact 7 and 8.8/10 for the P Zero PZ5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.7/10 for the SportContact 7 and 8.7/10 for the P Zero PZ5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 134 reviews and the P Zero PZ5 94% from 20. 80% of SportContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 100% for the P Zero PZ5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the P Zero PZ5 was the dearer tire in 1 of them, by 3.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
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Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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