Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Pirelli P Zero appear in 33 tests, 3 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. 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 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 performs. It takes the win in wet, noise / comfort, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 86/100, based on 30 tests.
How the Pirelli P Zero performs. It takes the win in dry, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 85/100, based on 3 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 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Pirelli P Zero still wins on dry, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise efficiency
Test profile
| Metric | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | Pirelli P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | UHP | UHP |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 30 | 3 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 8.0 | 11.1 |
| Latest test | 2026 | 2020 |
| Tire Lab Score | 86.1 | 85.3 |
Tire Lab Score
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Pirelli P Zero
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | Pirelli P Zero | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 7.7 692 | Avg rank 9.3 3 | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 8.0 27 | Avg rank 6.5 1 | Pirelli P Zero |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 7.9 33 | Avg rank 10.0 1 | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 7.4 11 | Avg rank 14.0 | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 7.1 3 | Avg rank 5.0 | Pirelli P Zero |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 3 independent tests:
💧 Wet: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.7, compared to 9.3 for the Pirelli P Zero.
☀️ Dry: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero
The Pirelli P Zero wins this category with an average rank of 6.5, compared to 8.0 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.9, compared to 10.0 for the Pirelli P Zero.
📏 Mileage: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.4, compared to 14.0 for the Pirelli P Zero.
🔋 Efficiency: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero
The Pirelli P Zero wins this category with an average rank of 5.0, compared to 7.1 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 or Pirelli P Zero?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 ranks higher on average than the Pirelli P Zero.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Pirelli P Zero 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 Pirelli P Zero.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 shows better mileage performance than the Pirelli P Zero.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 appears in 30 independent tests, Pirelli P Zero in 3, with 3 head-to-head tests where both were measured.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →