TopTire Review

    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

    2026 test data · 61 independent tests · 14 head-to-head

    → See full Dunlop vs Pirelli brand comparison

    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 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 PZ4 appear in 61 tests, 14 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 mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 86/100, based on 30 tests.

    How the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 84/100, based on 31 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 mileage and Tire Lab Score. The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    Choose Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 if

    Overall winner
    • You prioritise mileage

    Choose Pirelli P Zero PZ4 if

    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise noise / comfort

    Test profile

    MetricDunlop SportMaxx RT 2Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    SegmentUHPUHP
    TypeSummerSummer
    Tests used3031
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank8.05.6
    Latest test20262025
    Tire Lab Score86.183.7

    Tire Lab Score

    86.1
    Very Good · Summer
    83.7
    Very Good · Summer

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryDunlop SportMaxx RT 2Pirelli P Zero PZ4Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 7.7
    692
    Avg rank 5.4
    101310
    Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 8.0
    27
    Avg rank 4.3
    10712
    Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 7.9
    33
    Avg rank 5.6
    146
    Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 7.4
    11
    Avg rank 11.8
    1
    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 7.1
    3
    Avg rank 3.6
    722
    Pirelli P Zero PZ4

    Tests used in this comparison

    Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 14 independent tests:

    💧 Wet: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

    The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 wins this category with an average rank of 5.4, compared to 7.7 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    ☀️ Dry: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

    The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 wins this category with an average rank of 4.3, compared to 8.0 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

    The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 wins this category with an average rank of 5.6, compared to 7.9 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    📏 Mileage: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

    The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.4, compared to 11.8 for the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

    🔋 Efficiency: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

    The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 wins this category with an average rank of 3.6, 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 PZ4?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 ranks higher on average than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 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 Pirelli P Zero PZ4 ranks better than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 shows better mileage performance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 appears in 30 independent tests, Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in 31, with 14 head-to-head tests where both were measured.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →