Falken ZIEX ZE320 vs Pirelli Cinturato C3
In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Falken ZIEX ZE320 and the Pirelli Cinturato C3 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.
The good news is that both the Falken ZIEX ZE320 and Pirelli Cinturato C3 are Premium Touring Summer tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.
Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been four tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Falken ZIEX ZE320 | one | |
| Pirelli Cinturato C3 | three |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is better than the Falken ZIEX ZE320 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Dry Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 stopped the vehicle in 1.41% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Dry Braking: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was 0.08% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 scored 0.55% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 1.94% less distance than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 1.06% less distance than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 0.08% faster around a wet lap than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 scored 2.66% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 1.99% faster around a wet circle than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 floated at a 1.58% higher speed than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 slipped out at a 13.23% higher speed than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 2.16% more points than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 7.14% more points than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Subj. Noise: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one noise tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 measured 0.97% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Noise: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rough Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one rough noise tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 measured 2.01% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Rough Noise: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Rough Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wear tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is predicted to cover 22.84% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Wear: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 had a 0.9% lower rolling resistance than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 used 1.77% less fuel than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 emitted 10.13% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Abrasion: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Falken ZIEX ZE320 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Falken ZIEX ZE320 highly for strong dry and wet grip, confident handling, and generally low noise, positioning it as a sporty-leaning touring tire with good value. Comfort is praised by several users, though one hybrid owner reports intrusive high-pitch noise and a harsh, hollow feel. Wear feedback is mixed but limited: one mid-score review reports fast front wear, while others note early days or acceptable longevity. A few note increased fuel consumption versus competitors, but overall sentiment is strongly positive.
Based on 7 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Pirelli Cinturato C3 Driver Reviews
Drivers report the Pirelli Cinturato C3 as a highly confidence-inspiring tire, with standout wet and dry grip, strong braking, and very safe, predictable handling. Many also praise its quick steering/turn-in and good comfort, often describing it as quiet and refined for a touring-focused design. A small minority note that noise can vary by road surface and that the sporty, stiffer feel may be a bit harsher over bigger impacts.
Based on 11 reviews with an average rating of 94%
Conclusion
In conclusion the Falken ZIEX ZE320 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], subj. dry handling, subj. wet handling, noise, rough noise, fuel consumption and abrasion, while the Pirelli Cinturato C3 performed better in wet braking, wet braking - concrete, wet handling [s], wet circle, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, subj. comfort, subj. noise, wear and rolling resistance.
Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in dry handling and wet handling, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.
Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Pirelli Cinturato C3 seems to be the best tire overall.
However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.
Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Falken ZIEX ZE320 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Pirelli Cinturato C3 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.