Cooper RS3 RS vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Cooper RS3 RS and Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 appear in 31 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Cooper RS3 RS performs. It takes the win in dry. It has limited comparative test data, so treat its results as indicative.
How the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 performs. It takes the win in wet, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 86/100, based on 30 tests.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Cooper RS3 RS and Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 are closely matched. Pick based on the category that matters most to your driving — wet, dry, comfort, mileage, or price.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise mileage
Test profile
| Metric | Cooper RS3 RS | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | UHP | UHP |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 1 | 30 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 4.5 | 8.0 |
| Latest test | 2021 | 2026 |
| Tire Lab Score | — | 86.1 |
Tire Lab Score
Cooper RS3 RS
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Cooper RS3 RS | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | No data | Avg rank 7.7 692 | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 1.0 1 | Avg rank 8.0 27 | Cooper RS3 RS |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | No data | Avg rank 7.9 33 | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 |
| 📏Mileage | No data | Avg rank 7.4 11 | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 |
| 🔋Efficiency | No data | Avg rank 7.1 3 | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 |
💧 Wet: Cooper RS3 RS vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.7, compared to no data for the Cooper RS3 RS.
☀️ Dry: Cooper RS3 RS vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
The Cooper RS3 RS wins this category with an average rank of 1.0, compared to 8.0 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Cooper RS3 RS vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.9, compared to no data for the Cooper RS3 RS.
📏 Mileage: Cooper RS3 RS vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.4, compared to no data for the Cooper RS3 RS.
🔋 Efficiency: Cooper RS3 RS vs Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.1, compared to no data for the Cooper RS3 RS.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Cooper RS3 RS or Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 ranks higher on average than the Cooper RS3 RS.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Cooper RS3 RS averages a better dry-braking rank than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 ranks better than the Cooper RS3 RS.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 shows better mileage performance than the Cooper RS3 RS.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Cooper RS3 RS appears in 1 independent tests, Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 in 30.
Also compare
Cooper RS3 RS vs…
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs…
Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
