Menu

Pirelli P Zero PZ5 - Test Results

Test Statistics

5

Tests Completed

3rd

Average Position

1st

Best Result

6th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Pirelli P Zero PZ5 - Official Image

Across five summer tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 shows a clear pattern as a high-grip, high-dynamics UHP tire: it repeatedly scores at or near the top for dry and especially wet handling, translating into two overall wins (1/9 Auto Express 2025, 1/7 in “Best Performance Tires For 2025”) and a strong 3/8 in the demanding Auto Bild Sportscars 2026 test. When the test weighting emphasises track-style control and lap-time pace, the PZ5 looks like a class leader.

The main trade-offs are efficiency and some safety metrics consistency. Rolling resistance is repeatedly near the bottom of the field (e.g., 7/8 Auto Bild 2026, 7/9 Auto Express 2025), and aquaplaning-particularly straight-line-swings from competitive to clearly below par (e.g., 8/9 in evo 235/35 R19). Dry and wet braking are generally decent to strong, but not consistently elite, with a notable weak dry-braking showing in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026.

Performance Strengths
  • Wet Grip & Handling (control/pace) Strong
    • 1st place wet handling and 1st place wet circle in 2025 Auto Express (225/40 R18); 2nd place wet braking (+2.7% from best)
    • 2nd place wet handling (+2.6% from best) and 1st place wet braking in “Best Performance Tires For 2025” (225/40 R18)
    • 2nd place wet handling (+3% from best) and 2nd place straight aquaplaning (+1.4% from best) in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars (255/35 R19)
  • Dry Handling (steering precision / lap time capability) Strong
    • 1st place dry handling in 2025 Auto Express (225/40 R18)
    • 1st place dry handling in “Best Performance Tires For 2025” (225/40 R18)
    • 3rd place dry handling (+0.2% from best) in evo UHP test (235/35 R19)
  • Overall Competitive Results / Winning Potential Moderate
    • Overall 1st/9 in 2025 Auto Express summer tire test
    • Overall 1st/7 with a Test winner award in “Best Performance Tires For 2025”
    • Despite mid-pack braking, still 3rd/8 overall in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars test, supported by top-tier wet dynamics (2nd wet handling, 2nd straight aquaplaning)
Performance Weaknesses
  • Efficiency (Rolling Resistance / Energy Use) Strong
    • 7th/8 rolling resistance (+17.4% from best) in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars
    • 7th/9 rolling resistance (+14.1% from best) in 2025 Auto Express
    • Rolling resistance remained only mid-pack to weak in other tests: 5th/9 (+15.2%) in evo and 5th/7 (+8.5%) in “Best Performance Tires For 2025”
  • Aquaplaning Resistance Consistency (especially straight-line) Moderate
    • 8th/9 straight aquaplaning (+5.6% from best) in evo (235/35 R19)
    • Only 6th/9 straight aquaplaning (+4%) in 2025 Auto Express (225/40 R18), despite winning overall
    • Curved aquaplaning also trends mid-pack: 6th/9 (+9.4%) in evo and 5th/9 (+8.2%) in Auto Express
  • Braking Consistency (dry and wet variability by test) Moderate
    • 6th/8 dry braking (36 m, +5.3% from best) and 5th/8 wet braking (+10.1%) in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars, with premium brands noted among the longest stopping distances
    • Wet braking ranges from class-leading (1st/7 in “Best Performance Tires For 2025”) to mid-pack (6th/9, +7.7% in evo)
    • Dry braking is good but not reliably best-in-class: 4th/9 (+3.5%) in Auto Express and 4th/9 (+2.4%) in evo, but 2nd/7 (+0.4%) in “Best Performance Tires For 2025”
Performance Over Time

Test History

3
of 8
2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

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 dist...
Strong:
Straight Aqua, Wet Handling
Weak:
Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance
View Test
5
of 10
2026 ACE Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

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 i...
View Test
6
of 9
2025 EVO Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

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. O...
Weak:
Subj. Road Score, Straight Aqua
View Test
1
of 9
2025 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

2025

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, takin...
Strong:
Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Circle, Wet Handling
View Test
1
of 7
Best Performance Tires For 2025 Winner

2025

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 limi...
Strong:
Subj. Comfort, Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling, Curved Aquaplaning, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test