Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

In this article we will be looking at independent tyre test data, and real world driver reviews of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 to find out which tyre is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 are Max Performance Summer tyres designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tyres is relatively simple.

Both tyres are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tyre tests.

In This Article
Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion
Potenza-Sport VS P-Zero-PZ4

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 eight tests which compare both tyres directly!

Out of these eight tests:

  • Bridgestone Potenza Sport finished ahead of the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in five of the tests
  • Pirelli P Zero PZ4 finished ahead of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport in three of the tests

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.

Lets look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 stopped the vehicle in 0.38% less distance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
34.14M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
34.01M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 34.7M ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.5M
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 33.4M ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.34M
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 35.7M ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.6M
2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 33.9M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.3M
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 33.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.5M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 32.6M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32.7M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 35.2M ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 1.04% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
86.58s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
87.49s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 94.34s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 95.17s
2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 67s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67.2s
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 98.4s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.1s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.94% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
117.35Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
116.25Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 119.7Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 118.8Km/H
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 133.1Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 130.6Km/H
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 115.5Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 115.1Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 101.1Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.5Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 13.16% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
49.5 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
57 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 49.5 Points ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 57 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 1.07% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
35.3M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
35.68M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 48.8M ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 48.6M
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 34.79M ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.29M
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 30.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32.4M
2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 28.3M ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 27M
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 41.2M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 41.3M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 38.1M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 39.6M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 25.4M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 26.6M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.11% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
65.88s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
65.95s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 64.53s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 64.84s
2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 66.6s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.3s
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 66.5s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.7s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.29% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
84.88Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
84.63Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.9Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.2Km/H
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 90Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 89.4Km/H
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 86.9Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 85.2Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 88.7Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 86.7Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 0.87% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
57 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
57.5 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 57 Points ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 57.5 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.98% faster around a wet circle than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
13.25s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
13.12s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 15s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 14.9s
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 11.04s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 11.05s
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 13.72s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 13.41s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during six straight aqua tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport floated at a 2.14% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
74.79Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
73.19Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 74Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.6Km/H
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.4Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.3Km/H
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 69Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 65.4Km/H
2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 69.7Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.3Km/H
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 77.8Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.5Km/H
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 80.3Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.3Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 79.3Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.9Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport slipped out at a 5.29% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
5.29m/sec2
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
5.01m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 2.72m/sec2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.43m/sec2
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 1.93m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2m/sec2
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 2.29m/sec2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.2m/sec2
2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 18.7m/sec2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 17.3m/sec2
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 2.72m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.75m/sec2
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 3.38m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 3.4m/sec2

Noise

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during six noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 measured 1.98% quieter than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
71.23dB
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
69.82dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.7dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.5dB
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 71.7dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70.5dB
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 70.4dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67.9dB
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 69dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.9dB
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 71dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70dB
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 71.6dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.1dB

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.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
373.7
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
359.85
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 630 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 585
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 78.2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 81.1
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 200 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 202
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 460 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 435
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 760 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 745
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 114 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 111

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during five rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 had a 0.21% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.72kg / t
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
9.7kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.57kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.9kg / t
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.47kg / t ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.44kg / t
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.9kg / t ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.8kg / t
2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.5kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.9kg / t
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.9kg / t ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.83kg / t
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.47kg / t ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.46kg / t
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 10.2kg / t ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.6kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

In total the Bridgestone Potenza Sport has been reviewed 89 times and drivers have given the tyre 83% overall.

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 has been reviewed 58 times and drivers have given the tyre 77% overall.

This means drivers in real world driving, people prefer the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Best Review for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Given 81% 225/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
I have had these on the rear of my XFR for a few months now, it has the optional "R-S" size of 295/30/20. They get a hard life on a heavy >500bhp RWD car with quite relaxed electronics, and these are by far the best tyres I have used on the rear of an XFR - various models of which have been my daily driver for 6.5 years now (about 90k miles covered in that time). Traction is superb in wet and dry conditions, and resistance to aquaplaning has been good as well. It is slightly concerning they come with
Helpful 1010 - tyre reviewed on November 22, 2021
View all Bridgestone Potenza Sport driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/40 R18 W on for 0 miles
Really good !
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
Helpful 256 - tyre reviewed on June 27, 2017
View all Pirelli P Zero PZ4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better in dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], straight aqua and curved aquaplaning tests, whereas the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better in dry braking, subj. dry handling, subj. wet handling, wet circle, noise, price and rolling resistance tests.

Which tyre is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tyre, but comparing all the data in the tyre reviews database, on balance the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 seems to be the best tyre overall.

Overall Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Overall Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

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 Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Pirelli P Zero PZ4, 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.