Maxxis Premitra HP6 vs Pirelli Cinturato C3
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 three tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Pirelli Cinturato C3 | three |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is better than the Maxxis Premitra HP6 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
- Strong dry handling potential: quickest lap in one test (72.83 s vs 72.97 s in 235/35 R19) with sporty steering response
- Better measured efficiency: lower rolling resistance in two tests (e.g., 7.58 vs 8.18 kg/t) and slightly better fuel consumption in ADAC (5.6 vs 5.7 l/100 km)
- Lower measured noise in two tests (e.g., 70 dB vs 72 dB; and a small edge 73.9 vs 74.1 dB)
- Can be competitive in specific water metrics: wins curved aquaplaning in the 19-inch test (3.68 vs 3.42 m/s²)
- Consistently top overall results across all shared tests (1st/13, 2nd/16, 3rd/10) with no major weak areas in performance scoring
- Clear braking superiority in both dry and wet across all tests (dry braking wins 3/3; wet braking wins 3/3, with up to 8.9% shorter wet stops)
- High wet confidence and controllability: strong objective wet handling plus much higher subjective wet ratings (e.g., 41 vs 20 points in Auto Zeitung; 8.6 vs 6.3 in the 19-inch test)
- Much stronger durability/eco balance: higher predicted mileage (up to +54% in Auto Zeitung; +31% in ADAC) and low abrasion metrics supporting long service life
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 5.57% less distance than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Maxxis Premitra HP6 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra HP6 was 0.03% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Maxxis Premitra HP6
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 16.95% more points than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 7.16% less distance than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 2.1% less distance than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 4.27% faster around a wet lap than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 46.98% more points than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 4.06% faster around a wet circle than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 floated at a 3.02% higher speed than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 slipped out at a 4.84% higher speed than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 25.64% more points than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Maxxis Premitra HP6 was better during two noise tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra HP6 measured 1.51% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Noise: Maxxis Premitra HP6
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wear tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is predicted to cover 29.08% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Wear: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one value tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 proved to have a 9.4% better value based on price/1000km than the Maxxis Premitra HP6.
Best In Value: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Maxxis Premitra HP6 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra HP6 had a 5.67% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Maxxis Premitra HP6
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Maxxis Premitra HP6 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra HP6 used 1.75% less fuel than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Maxxis Premitra HP6
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Maxxis Premitra HP6 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra HP6 emitted 3.8% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Abrasion: Maxxis Premitra HP6
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Maxxis Premitra HP6 and Pirelli Cinturato C3.
In total the Maxxis Premitra HP6 has been reviewed 1 times and drivers have given the tyre 73% overall.
The Pirelli Cinturato C3 has been reviewed 10 times and drivers have given the tyre 94% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Continental Premium Contact 6 tires are used up front.
The MAXXIS tires are very quiet, precise, and light. I'm convinced they're absolutely on par with the Continentals, as my car zips around fast corners with absolute neutrality and remains neutral with every load change.
Conclusion
The Maxxis Premitra HP6's case is narrower but not nonexistent: it can feel lively and quick in the dry, even topping dry handling in the 19-inch test (72.83 s vs 72.97 s), and it tends to be the more efficient/quiet option on instruments (rolling resistance wins in two tests; noise wins in two tests). However, its recurring weakness is wet-limit behaviour and overall balance. Even where objective wet times are mid-pack, testers repeatedly flagged low confidence at the limit and more abrupt breakaway characteristics, and its durability is a clear disadvantage versus the Pirelli. The practical takeaway: the HP6 can appeal if you prioritise steering response and lower running costs in mild, mostly-dry use-but if you regularly drive in rain, do motorway miles, or want predictable safety margins, the Cinturato C3 is the smarter buy despite its higher noise and typically higher purchase price.
Key Differences
- Safety margins in braking: Pirelli is consistently shorter in dry (e.g., 35.75 m vs 38.66 m) and wet (e.g., 56.4 m vs 61.9 m), which is a real-world difference in emergency stops
- Wet-limit behaviour: tests repeatedly describe the Maxxis as less progressive/less confidence-inspiring at the limit, while the Pirelli is neutral and easy to drive quickly
- Aquaplaning pattern: Pirelli dominates straight aquaplaning in all tests and is very strong in ADAC curved aquaplaning, while Maxxis only occasionally leads in a single curved-aqua metric
- Durability: Pirelli's predicted wear is dramatically better (48,600 vs 37,200 km; 44,750 vs 29,000 km), changing the long-term value equation
- Efficiency/refinement: Maxxis tends to have lower rolling resistance and slightly lower measured noise, while Pirelli is repeatedly called out as relatively noisy
- Character: Maxxis leans “sporty and reactive” in dry but with stability/consistency caveats; Pirelli is more rounded and secure, prioritising repeatable grip over edgy responses
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 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.