Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 72
- TR Score
- 9.0/10
- Owners say
- 74% · 96
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 4 times and the P Zero PZ4 once. The PremiumContact 7 lasted 50.9% longer in the wear tests; the P Zero PZ4 lapped the wet circle 1.6% faster.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
For daily drivers prioritizing wet safety, longevity, comfort, and running costs, pick the Continental PremiumContact 7. For drivers seeking a sportier steering feel and lateral grip and who accept higher wear and cost, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 fits-ideally in enthusiast-focused or OE-matched setups.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Outstanding wet braking and aquaplaning safety margins
- Significantly longer tread life and lower cost per 1000 km
- Low rolling resistance with high comfort and stability
Where the P Zero PZ4 is stronger
- Sharp steering and engaging dry handling feel
- Strong lateral grip, particularly in wet circle tests
- Short braking in select tests and sporty road feedback
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
PremiumContact 7 vs P Zero PZ4 at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | P Zero PZ4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 4 | 1 | |
| Dry8 measurements | 4 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 0.5% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 2 |
| Wet15 measurements | 7 | Level between the two. | 7 |
| Comfort5 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Value7 measurements | 7 | The PremiumContact 7 lasted 50.9% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.5 | 9.0/10 |
| Owner rating72 and 96 reviews | 82% | The PremiumContact 7 by 8 points | 74% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The PremiumContact 7 by 19 points | 55% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The P Zero PZ4 was dearer in 3 of 3 | +6.8% |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 5 tests, 2023 to 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | PremiumContact 7 | Field | P Zero PZ4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | P4 of 20 | P14 of 20 | |
| 2025 AZ Summer Tyre Test | P2 of 10 | P5 of 10 | |
| 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | P8 of 52 | P20 of 52 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | P3 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview | P5 of 50 | P3 of 50 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
P Zero PZ4
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
P Zero PZ4
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
PremiumContact 7
P Zero PZ4
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 72 reviews and the P Zero PZ4 74% from 96. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | P Zero PZ4 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.04 | 0.5% | 34.22 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.3 | 0.3% | 69.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 120.1 | 0.6% | 120.8 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35.82 | 5.9% | 38.36 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.2 | = | 70.2 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 74.75 | 0.2% | 74.9 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.23 | 1.6% | 13.05 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 86.1 | 0.5% | 85.77 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.57 | 6% | 3.4 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 33.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.33 | 0.1 dB | 72.23 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 46,783 | 50.9% | 31,140 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.25 | 4% | 8.6 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.11 | 27.2% | 0.15 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the P Zero PZ4 9 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | P Zero PZ4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 93 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 91 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 49 | ||
| 67 | Value | 7 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | P Zero PZ4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 7.5 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 8.2 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8.1 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 5.9 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 6.8 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 72 reviews and the P Zero PZ4 74% from 96. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental PremiumContact 7
- 82%from 72 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 720,352 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are largely impressed with the Continental PremiumContact 7, rating it 82.9% on average with no outright negative reviews, and the standout theme is strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both dry and wet conditions. Nearly half of owners mention excellent dry and wet grip, often backed up by praise for secure handling and stability. The main drawback is refinement: around a quarter to a third of owners report notable road noise, and a similar share are disappointed by tread life, with wear sometimes described as quicker than expected. Comfort is generally viewed positively overall, though opinions vary, and steering feel is more mixed than the outright grip levels suggest.
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Very confident wet grip
- Secure, planted handling in the dry
- Comfortable ride over bumps and on longer runs
- Noticeable road noise, especially on coarse surfaces
- Tread life can be disappointing for a premium tyre
- Steering feel/precision can be inconsistent (some find it vague)
Summarised by AI from 58 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 72 PremiumContact 7 reviewsThe PremiumContact 7 offers a great balance of touring longevity, comfort, and sufficiently precise handling to keep you safe at higher speeds and in unexpected situations. These tires provide near-perfect grip across various conditions, performing exceptionally well on both dry and wet roads. On the other hand, they can get a bit noisy on rough surfaces.
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- 74%from 96 reviews
- 55%would buy again
- 952,792 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners tend to rate the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 as a strong dry-road performance tyre, with clear majorities praising dry grip and crisp steering response. Comfort and road noise are also more often seen as positives than negatives, making it a surprisingly civilised option for a UUHP fitment. The main sticking point is durability: around two in five owners mention tread life and most of them report fast wear, while a smaller but notable group (around one in eight) highlight aquaplaning concerns, especially as the tread gets lower or in standing water.
- Strong dry grip
- Sharp steering response and good feedback
- Confident, sporty dry handling
- Low road noise for the category
- Fast wear / short tread life
- Aquaplaning in standing water, especially at speed
- Poor cold-weather grip and needs heat to work properly
Summarised by AI from 85 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 96 P Zero PZ4 reviewsGood grip all arround, especially in the dry where they really shine. Used them as front tires on high power rwd car. They maintain good grip under heavy braking, and are very progressive at the limit. The only downside i found is that the got oval shaped and the car started vibrating at high speeds, wich cannot be resolved by balancing since they were not perfectly round.aybe the car being rarely used, it sits in the garage over winter, and only moved around a bit every few weeks, but maybe that was not enough, even though the rear ones, a different brand did not suffer the same problems.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | P Zero PZ4 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| On the market since | 2022 | - |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Replaced by | - | Pirelli P Zero PZ5 |
| Awards | Recommended: Best Tyres for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) | Recommended: Best Tyres for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Highly Recommended: Best Tyres for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Performance Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) Winner: Performance Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2022) |
| Price in the shared tests | The P Zero PZ4 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 6.8% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This comparison pits two different philosophies against each other: Continental's PremiumContact 7, a premium-touring summer tyre tuned for all-round safety and efficiency, versus Pirelli's P Zero PZ4, a max-performance summer tyre aimed at sporty response. Across five shared tests in 18-inch fitments, both deliver strong dry-road capability, but they diverge sharply in wet safety, durability, and cost-per-kilometer.
The data show the Continental repeatedly finishing near the top overall (4/21, 2/10, 8/52, 3/21, 5/48), while the PZ4 ranges mid-pack to upper-mid (14/21, 5/10, 20/52, 11/21, 3/48). Expect the PZ4 to feel a touch keener on turn-in and lateral grip in certain dry and wet circle metrics, but the PremiumContact 7 consistently brakes shorter in the dry, is markedly stronger in wet braking and aquaplaning, and offers far better wear and value.
Conclusion
Continental's PremiumContact 7 delivers the broader, safer envelope: class-leading wet braking margins in multiple tests (e.g., 44.2 m vs 50.5 m; 28.3 m vs 32.3 m), superior aquaplaning reserves, lower rolling resistance, and dramatically longer mileage (often 30-65% better). It also maintains high comfort with precise, stable handling-close to dedicated UHP tyres-making it a standout daily choice that reduces both risk and running costs.
Pirelli's P Zero PZ4 remains engaging for enthusiasts, with sharp steering, competitive dry handling, and strong lateral grip (notably on wet circle). However, its shorter lifespan and higher cost-per-1000 km weaken its value proposition. If you prioritize wet safety, longevity, and everyday refinement, choose the Continental. If you want a sportier feel and are willing to trade wear and economy, the PZ4 can still satisfy-especially in OE-tuned applications.
PremiumContact 7 vs P Zero PZ4: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 the better tyre?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 4 times and the P Zero PZ4 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the P Zero PZ4 9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the P Zero PZ4?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 7-7 between the PremiumContact 7 and the P Zero PZ4.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 4 of the 8 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.5% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 50.9% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 4% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 5.9/10 for the P Zero PZ4.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 6.8/10 for the P Zero PZ4.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 72 reviews and the P Zero PZ4 74% from 96. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 55% for the P Zero PZ4.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the P Zero PZ4 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 6.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
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Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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