Tested 6 times by independent publications, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 has taken 2 test wins with an average finish of 3rd. Its strongest discipline is Dry Handling, beating 78% of the field across 5 tests; its weakest is Rolling Resistance, at 45% across 5 tests.
Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tire Test P3 of 3
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 finished third overall, a result at odds with the reputation of the P Zero name. It is quick and precise in the dry and impressively quiet and efficient, but weak wet braking and wet handling leave it behind two rivals that cope far better once the road is wet.
Where the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 5 | P3.8 of 7.2 | 47% | - |
| Dry Handling Strong | 5 | P2.6 of 7.2 | 78% | 3 |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3 | P2.7 of 6.3 | 65% | - |
| Subj. Road Score | 1 | P8 of 9 | 13% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 5 | P3.4 of 7.2 | 54% | 1 |
| Wet Handling | 5 | P2.2 of 7.2 | 69% | 1 |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 3 | P3 of 6.3 | 49% | - |
| Wet Circle | 3 | P2 of 6.7 | 74% | 1 |
| Straight Aqua | 5 | P4.2 of 7.2 | 50% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4 | P3.5 of 7 | 68% | 1 |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 3 | P3 of 6 | 60% | 1 |
| Subj. Noise | 1 | P3 of 9 | 75% | - |
| Noise | 3 | P2.7 of 6 | 75% | 1 |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance Weak | 5 | P5 of 7.2 | 45% | 1 |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Pirelli P Zero PZ5. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Continental SportContact 7
6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind
Compare with SportContact 7 |
6 | 2 | 4 | - | 33% |
 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind
Compare with Pilot Sport 4 S |
4 | 2 | 2 | - | 50% |
 Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
Compare with Eagle F1 SuperSport |
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
 Bridgestone Potenza Sport
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
Compare with Potenza Sport |
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Predecessor | 33 | 3 | 5th | 56% |
| Pirelli P Zero PZ5 This tire | 6 | 2 | 3rd | 58% |
Drawn from 6 tests. Updated July 7, 2026.
Across six summer tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 shows a clear performance-focused character with standout circuit pace, repeatedly featuring at or near the top for dry handling and often strong in wet handling/grip metrics. This pace can translate into overall wins in some test environments (1st/9 in Auto Express 2025; 1st/7 with a test-winner award in 2025), indicating genuine top-tier potential when conditions and weighting align.
However, the PZ5's results are more variable than the very best all-rounders, with notable inconsistencies in wet braking and some hydroplaning measures (particularly straight-line aquaplaning in certain sizes/rigs). Efficiency and comfort are also mixed: it can be class-leading (rolling resistance 1/3 and noise 1/3 in one test) but also drop to the lower end of the field in others (rolling resistance 7/8; comfort 6/8), which likely contributes to its mid-pack finishes in broader group tests despite strong handling speed.
It was the best tire in straight-line aquaplaning, holding on until 51.3 mph, and scored 10 out of 10 in curve aquaplaning- 2026 ACE Summer Tire Test (2026)
good safety reserves against aquaplaning- 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test (2026)
cleared standing water best through a curve- Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tire Test (2026)
scoring well in both the shallow and deep water tests- Best Performance Tires For 2025 (2025)
On the wet handling circuit it was excellent, with positive turn-in and terrific traction allowing throttle early in turns- 2025 EVO Summer Tire Test (2026)
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 is a wet specialist, second for wet handling- 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test (2026)
blended wet braking, handling and deeper water aquaplaning tests extremely well- Best Performance Tires For 2025 (2025)
highest marks on both the dry handling course (19 out of 20) and the lane-change maneuver (9 out of 10), where it was singled out for notably precise steering feel- 2026 ACE Summer Tire Test (2026)
set the quickest dry handling lap of the test- Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tire Test (2026)
easy precision and confident agility in direction changes- 2025 EVO Summer Tire Test (2026)
produced the quietest cabin- Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tire Test (2026)
It was also much quieter than many others while delivering its strong, rewarding performance- 2025 EVO Summer Tire Test (2026)
imprecise steering response- 2026 ACE Summer Tire Test (2026)
on the road route its steering feel was only acceptable- 2025 EVO Summer Tire Test (2026)
Steering a little light in the 18" size- Best Performance Tires For 2025 (2025)
It was also the weakest tire under dry braking- Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tire Test (2026)
fifth in the wet and sixth in the dry- 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test (2026)
Its rolling resistance is the second highest- 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test (2026)
Its rolling resistance was higher than the Goodyear, Michelin and Continental- Best Performance Tires For 2025 (2025)
Every tester write-up on the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 (6 tests) and 18 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 finished third overall, a result at odds with the reputation of the P Zero name. It is quick and precise in the dry and impressively quiet and efficient, but weak wet braking and wet handling leave it behind two rivals that cope far better once the road is wet.
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 is a wet-weather specialist with good aquaplaning resistance on both axles. Wet handling is dynamic and it generates strong lateral grip on the skidpad. However, braking distances are somewhat longer in both wet and dry conditions, and dry handling is a weaker area - it sits toward the back of the pack on the dry circuit. Overall a solid safety-oriented choice but not the sharpest tool on a dry road.
Pirelli P Zero PZ5 finished fifth on 133 points with a "recommended" rating, despite delivering some of the test's most impressive individual results. Its dry safety score of 54 - tied for best in the test - included the highest marks on both the dry handling course (19 out of 20) and the lane-change maneuver (9 out of 10), where it was singled out for notably precise steering feel. It was the best tire in straight-line aquaplaning, holding on until 51.3 mph, and scored 10 out of 10 in curve aquaplaning. The downside was dramatic: its wet safety score of 60 was the lowest in the entire field, with a wet handling result of just 11 out of 20. It was described as feeling less secure on the wet circuit, with too much sliding in the bends, imprecise steering response, and weaker lateral guidance. This stark wet-dry personality split prevented it from challenging for the podium.
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 finished sixth but was so close to the mid-field pack that it could easily have been fourth. It didn't top any individual test but scored well pretty much across the board. On the wet handling circuit it was excellent, with positive turn-in and terrific traction allowing throttle early in turns. It was solidly composed in the sweeps, very stable braking slightly downhill for the tight right, and proved agile, able and very reassuring overall. In the dry it felt willing and capable, with strong grip, easy precision and confident agility in direction changes. It was also much quieter than many others while delivering its strong, rewarding performance. Where it unravels slightly is in refinement – on the road route its steering feel was only acceptable, and it proved quite boomy and tactile, with troughs and ridges feeling abrupt. Overall though, a great driver's tire.
The new Pirelli P Zero PZ5 impressed with three test wins—more than any other tire—including first place in both wet and dry handling. In the wet, it was agile, stable, and well-balanced, taking second in braking just 2ft behind the leader, though its pace was greater than its feel suggested. Aquaplaning results were good but not class-leading. In the dry, it showed strong grip, throttle adjustability, and composure, matching the fastest lap time with Bridgestone and placing fourth in braking. Quiet and comfortable over rough asphalt, its only notable drawback was relatively high rolling resistance.
The newest tire in the test has turned out to be the best tire in this test! The new Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was the best overall in the dry, even if the steering was a touch lighter at the very limit, joint best in the wet, scoring well in both the shallow and deep water tests, and had excellent comfort, though the margins were small. Its rolling resistance was higher than the Goodyear, Michelin and Continental, but it would be an insignificant amount in the real world. Great job Pirelli, the new PZ5 is now leading the UUHP / max performance segment.
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