Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4
The Potenza Sport consistently delivers class-leading grip and lap-time pace, especially in the wet, while the PZ4 leans into refinement and efficiency. Recent tests amplify the split: Bridgestone dominates objective braking and handling (including a 1/52 overall in a 2025 shootout), whereas Pirelli scores for noise and rolling resistance, and can feel more polished day to day. Cost per kilometre and wear also separate them more than headline lap times suggest.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been twelve tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone Potenza Sport | nine | |
| Pirelli P Zero PZ4 | three |
While it might look like the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is better than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Outstanding wet and dry handling pace; dominant in 10/10 dry handling and 8/10 wet handling wins
- Consistently shorter braking, especially wet (e.g., 27.6 m vs 32.3 m; ~15% better in 2025 shootout)
- Strong aquaplaning resistance and wet circle performance across sizes
- Superior value and wear in costed tests (e.g., +63% mileage; nearly half the €/1000 km vs PZ4 in 2025 Auto Bild)
- Low noise and better refinement; frequent winner in noise tests
- Lower rolling resistance in most tests, aiding fuel economy
- Balanced, precise steering feel; strong subjective scores in select tests/sizes
- Competitive dry braking and handling in warmer/drier conditions
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eleven tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during seven dry braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 1.47% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Dry Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during five dry handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.73% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during five dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.81% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 4.87% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eleven tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during seven wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 4.01% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.4% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.46% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 0.43% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three wet circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.08% faster around a wet circle than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Wet Circle: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from ten tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during eight straight aqua tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport floated at a 1.86% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Straight Aqua: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport slipped out at a 0.79% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 6.36% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 6.38% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Subj. Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during eight noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 measured 1.76% quieter than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two wear tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is predicted to cover 25.05% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Wear: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two value tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport proved to have a 29.31% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Value: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during four price tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 cost 3.71% less than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Price: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from ten tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during eight rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 had a 2.87% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport wore 26.67% less per 1000km driven than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.
Best In Abrasion: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Bridgestone Potenza Sport Driver Reviews
Across 115 reviews, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is praised for exceptional dry and wet grip, sharp steering response, strong braking, and confidence-inspiring handling, often rivaling or beating PS4/PS4S and PZ4. Many note it performs best when warmed and can be superb for spirited road use, with some citing good value. The most common drawbacks are rapid tread wear, higher noise and a firm ride, noticeable grip drop when cold, and poor durability on track abuse; a few also report slightly higher fuel consumption. Overall sentiment is strongly positive for performance-focused drivers, with caveats on longevity and comfort.
Based on 120 reviews with an average rating of 80%
Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Driver Reviews
Drivers generally describe the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 as a sporty, high-grip summer tyre with excellent dry performance, sharp steering response, and strong braking/feedback when warm. Wet grip is often rated good in light rain or when up to temperature, but many report reduced confidence in cold conditions and a notable weakness in standing water/aquaplaning, especially as tread depth drops. A frequent theme is fast wear and a performance drop-off (more noise and less wet security) as the tyre wears, making running costs feel high for some owners.
Based on 85 reviews with an average rating of 74%
Replace very very good Yokohama V105 one year old.
To try them out.
First-class comfort (top) + rolling silence
A little above the Yoko on the dry,
In the rain, they are incredible ! Well above all that I have tried :
Dunlop RT, PS3, Yoko V105, Hankook V12 K110.
No idea about wear again ... The +:
- Braking (this is a big highlight)
- Motricity
- Handling
They are equipped with protections of the rims although the option is not specified (in France).
The sides are stiffer than the PS3 for... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
The PZ4 remains appealing for drivers who value cabin refinement, lighter steering/rolling feel, and efficiency. It is often quieter and easier on fuel, with competitive dry balance and strong subjective feel in some sizes, but it trails Bridgestone in critical wet metrics and long-term economy. In short: choose Bridgestone for maximum pace and wet-grip safety; choose Pirelli for lower noise/consumption and a smoother daily drive.
Key Differences
- Wet braking: Potenza Sport repeatedly stops shorter (often 5-15% advantage in 2023-2025).
- Handling pace: Bridgestone leads most dry and wet handling laps; Pirelli competitive but less often fastest.
- Aquaplaning: Bridgestone generally better in straight and curved tests; Pirelli occasionally matches on curved.
- Efficiency/refinement: PZ4 usually quieter with lower rolling resistance; Potenza rides firmer and louder.
- Economy over time: Potenza Sport shows significantly longer wear life and lower cost per 1000 km in costed studies.
- Price/positioning: PZ4 often pricier at purchase; Bridgestone tends to offer stronger price-performance overall.
Overall Winner: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
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Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.