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Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7 Test Results

Tested 2010 to 2024 12 publications

Tested 27 times by independent publications, the Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7 has taken 2 test wins with an average finish of 5th. Its strongest discipline is Wet Braking, beating 62% of the field across 6 tests; its weakest is Wet Handling, at 53% across 5 tests.

  • 27Independent tests
  • 2Test wins
  • 8Podium finishes
  • 5thAverage finish
  • 61%Field beaten on average
  • 12Publications
Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7

27 tests, 2010 to 2024

0%50%100%2010201120122013201420182019202020232024Average 61%2010 AMS Premium Brand Tyre Test (2010): P3 of 10, Beat 78% of the field2010 European Summer Tyre Test (2010): P1 of 17, Beat 100% of the field2010 Auto Zeitung Premium Touring Tyre Test (2010): P2 of 10, Beat 88% of the field2010 Auto Bild Eco Tyre Test (2010): P1 of 5, Beat 100% of the field2011 Finnish ECO Touring Tyre Test (2011): P5 of 15, Beat 71% of the field2012 ACE Touring Summer Tyre Test (2012): P8 of 15, Beat 46% of the field2012 European Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2012): P6 of 15, Beat 62% of the field2012 Autobild 50 Tyre Braking Test (2012): P5 of 50, Beat 91% of the field2012 Auto Bild Max Performance Tyre Test (2012): P7 of 15, Beat 57% of the field2012 Autoreview Touring Tyre Test (2012): P3 of 9, Beat 75% of the field2013 European Summer Sports Tyre Test (2013): P11 of 19, Beat 41% of the field2013 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test (2013): P11 of 12, Beat 9% of the field2013 Test World Summer Tyre Test (2013): P5 of 13, Beat 67% of the field2014 Test World Summer Tyre Test (2014): P4 of 16, Beat 80% of the field2014 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test (2014): P4 of 12, Beat 73% of the field2014 AMS Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2014): P3 of 11, Beat 80% of the field2014 Auto Review Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2014): P2 of 16, Beat 93% of the field2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test (2018): P11 of 16, Beat 33% of the field2018 Auto Review 225/45 R17 Tyre Test (2018): P7 of 11, Beat 40% of the field2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test (2019): P4 of 10, Beat 67% of the field2019 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test (2019): P4 of 11, Beat 50% of the field2019 ACE Summer Tyre Test (2019): P9 of 9, Beat 0% of the field2020 ADAC SUV Summer Tyre Test (2020): P3 of 12, Beat 73% of the field2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test (2020): P5 of 8, Beat 29% of the field2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test (2020): P4 of 10, Beat 56% of the field2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested (2023): P6 of 12, Beat 55% of the field2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test (2024): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 61%
The latest test

2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test P6 of 8

Summary The Pirelli Cinturato P7 (P7C2) delivered a mixed performance across various tests. Its standout features were excellent fuel efficiency, topping the rolling resistance test, and strong refinement, ranking second in cabin noise reduction. However, it struggled in both wet and dry performance tests. In wet conditions, it ranked lower in handling, braking, and aquaplaning tests. Dry performance was also below average, with the tyre ranking sixth in handling and seventh in braking. Despite these challenges, the tyre demonstrated good grip and was described as willing and exploitable at its limit. Its low rolling resistance made it the most economical tyre in the test, nearly achieving a higher EU label rating for efficiency. Results The Pirelli Cinturato P7 achieved an overall score of 99.00%, priced at £120.20. It excelled in rolling resistance, ranking 1st (100.00%), and performed well in cabin noise, ranking 2nd (96.00%). However, it struggled in wet conditions, ranking 6th in wet braking (95.8%), 7th in wet handling (98.10%), 5th in wet cornering (98.6%), 7th in curved aquaplaning (85.90%), and 8th in straight aquaplaning (95.20%). Dry performance was also below average, with 7th in dry braking (94.80%) and tied for 6th in dry handling (98.50%). .

Winner: Vredestein Ultrac

Record by discipline

Where the Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 6 P5.3 of 11.2 57% 1
Dry Handling 3 P3.7 of 11 73% -
Subj. Dry Handling 3 P4.3 of 11.7 70% 1
Wet
Wet Braking Strong 6 P4.5 of 11.2 62% -
Wet Handling Weak 5 P6.4 of 11.8 53% -
Subj. Wet Handling 3 P4.7 of 11.7 67% -
Wet Circle 2 P4.5 of 10 53% -
Straight Aqua 6 P6.2 of 11.2 55% 1
Curved Aquaplaning 1 P3 of 12 82% -
Off road
Gravel Traction 1 P12 of 12 0% -
Dirt Handling 1 P1 of 12 100% 1
Sand Traction 1 P9 of 12 27% -
Grass Traction 1 P10 of 12 18% -
Mud Traction 1 P12 of 12 0% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 3 P1.3 of 9.7 96% 2
Subj. Noise 1 P4 of 8 57% -
Noise 4 P6.8 of 12.3 46% -
Tyre Weight 1 P3 of 10 78% -
Value
Wear 1 P11 of 12 9% -
Rolling Resistance 5 P5.4 of 10.2 54% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Continental Premium Contact 5 9 shared: 2 ahead, 7 behind 9 2 7 - 22%
Michelin Primacy 3 7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind 7 6 1 - 86%
Hankook Ventus Prime2 7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind 7 5 2 - 71%
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 7 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 7 2 4 1 33%
Bridgestone Turanza T001 6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind 6 4 2 - 67%
Goodyear EfficientGrip 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%
Uniroyal RainSport 2 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response 5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind 5 3 2 - 60%
Nokian V 5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind 5 3 2 - 60%
Dunlop Sport BluResponse 5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind 5 2 3 - 40%
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 5 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 5 2 2 1 50%
Continental Sport Contact 5 5 shared: 1 ahead, 4 behind 5 1 4 - 20%
Bridgestone Turanza T005 5 shared: 1 ahead, 4 behind 5 1 4 - 20%
Continental Premium Contact 6 5 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 5 0 4 1 0%
Michelin Primacy 4 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Barum Bravuris 2 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Sava intensa hp 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Nexen N8000 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Toyo Proxes CF2 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Kumho Ecsta KU39 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind 4 3 1 - 75%

Against its own line

The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.

Tyre Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7 This tyre 27 2 5th 61%
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue Successor 17 1 5th 64%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 27 tests. Updated September 2, 2025.

Pirelli Cinturato P7 delivers a balanced touring bias with standouts in dry braking and subjective comfort/handling, plus occasionally excellent aquaplaning resistance. It has multiple podiums and historic test wins (notably 2010-2014), and still shows flashes of top-tier wet and dry capability in recent SUV testing. However, performance has become more variable in newer tests, with mediocre to weak wet handling/aquaplaning in some sizes, elevated noise in places, and notably poor wear in at least one ADAC SUV test. Value can be a drawback due to high purchase price in certain markets.

Overall, the pattern indicates a comfort-efficient touring tyre with solid wet safety when conditions suit, but inconsistency across sizes/years and some clear trade-offs in wear, noise, and off-road traction for SUV applications.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Wear/Longevity Strong
    Details
    • High wear flagged in 2020 ADAC SUV (position 11/12, 35,000 km; noted as drawback)
    • Historical eco focus does not consistently translate to strong wear results
  • Noise Moderate
    Details
    • Last place noise (74.5 dB, 11/11) in 2019 AMS SUV
    • 9/12 noise in 2023 AutoBild SUV (+4.2% from best)
  • Wet Handling Variability Moderate
    Details
    • 14/16 wet handling and 14/16 straight aquaplaning in 2018 Test World 225/45 R17
    • 8/10 wet braking (+9.6%) in 2020 Teknikens Värld 225/50 R17
  • Price/Value Moderate
    Details
    • 10/12 price in 2023 AutoBild SUV (+96.7% from best)
    • Mid-pack to high pricing noted in 2019 Auto Zeitung (price 5/10, +75.5% from best)
  • Off-Road Traction (SUV-specific) Strong
    Details
    • 12/12 gravel traction and 12/12 mud traction in 2023 AutoBild SUV
    • Bottom-third sand/grass traction (9/12 and 10/12) in 2023 AutoBild SUV
  • Recent Competitiveness Drift Moderate
    Details
    • 6/8 overall in 2024 Auto Express 225/45 R17
    • 9/9 overall in 2019 ACE 205/55 R16 and 11/16 in 2018 Test World 225/45 R17
  • Rolling resistance Strong in 5 of 18 tests
    Details
  • Behaviour at the limit Moderate in 2 of 18 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7 (18 tests) and 154 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Dry grip strength in 3 of 18 tests 59 praise, 10 criticise of 154 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 10 of 18 tests 22 praise, 4 criticise of 154 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Steering feel strength in 2 of 18 tests 5 praise, 15 criticise of 154 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre

  • Sidewall stiffness no test mentions it 1 praise, 17 criticise of 154 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Puncture resistance no test mentions it 1 praise, 14 criticise of 154 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 27

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2024 1 test
P6 of 8 Beat 29% of the field

2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

Summary The Pirelli Cinturato P7 (P7C2) delivered a mixed performance across various tests. Its standout features were excellent fuel efficiency, topping the rolling resistance test, and strong refinement, ranking second in cabin noise reduction. However, it struggled in both wet and dry performance tests. In wet conditions, it ranked lower in handling, braking, and aquaplaning tests. Dry performance was also below average, with the tyre ranking sixth in handling and seventh in braking. Despite these challenges, the tyre demonstrated good grip and was described as willing and exploitable at its limit. Its low rolling resistance made it the most economical tyre in the test, nearly achieving a higher EU label rating for efficiency. Results The Pirelli Cinturato P7 achieved an overall score of 99.00%, priced at £120.20. It excelled in rolling resistance, ranking 1st (100.00%), and performed well in cabin noise, ranking 2nd (96.00%). However, it struggled in wet conditions, ranking 6th in wet braking (95.8%), 7th in wet handling (98.10%), 5th in wet cornering (98.6%), 7th in curved aquaplaning (85.90%), and 8th in straight aquaplaning (95.20%). Dry performance was also below average, with 7th in dry braking (94.80%) and tied for 6th in dry handling (98.50%). .

WinnerVredestein Ultrac

2023 1 test
P6 of 12 Beat 55% of the field

2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested

Auto Bild Allrad 225/65 R17

Good.

StrongDry BrakingDry HandlingWet CircleDirt Handling WeakGravel TractionMud Traction WinnerMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

2020 3 tests
P5 of 8 Beat 29% of the field

2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test

Gute Fahrt 215/50 R18

Good - A good balance of performance, but not on the level of the best in test.

StrongStraight AquaSubj. ComfortRolling Resistance WeakWet Circle WinnerGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

2019 3 tests
P4 of 11 Beat 50% of the field

2019 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 215/55 R17

StrongSubj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingSubj. Comfort WeakNoise WinnerNokian WetProof

2018 2 tests
2014 4 tests
P2 of 16 Beat 93% of the field

2014 Auto Review Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16

Auto Review 205/55 R16

This is the 5th year the P7 Cinturato has been i our tests, but the second place in our ranking confirms that the tyres have been successfully updated over the years. In traction on wet roads, they are second only to Continental, and resist aquaplaning better than any tyre. On the track, wet handling is not always appropriate, marked by a sometimes excessive propensity to drift. In the dry, the grip is excellent. And no noise. Small joints and seams are smoothed well, but bigger bumps noticeably felt in the cabin. Feels like a high "carcass stiffness." Good option for active drivers.

WinnerContinental Premium Contact 5

P4 of 12 Beat 73% of the field

2014 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test

Auto Zeitung 225/50 R17

Pirelli Cinturato P7 is balanced at the limit - on wet and dry roads

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 5

P4 of 16 Beat 80% of the field

2014 Test World Summer Tyre Test

Test World 205/55 R16

The Pirelli has good results on dry and wet roads, and a high resistance to aquaplaning. The tyre reacts quickly and accurately, but their behavior in an emergency situation may be too nervous. One of the disadvantages - high rolling resistance

WinnerContinental Premium Contact 5

2013 3 tests
P5 of 13 Beat 67% of the field

2013 Test World Summer Tyre Test

Test World 205/55 R16

Pirelli demonstrated excellent wet grip and excellent resistance to aquaplaning but like the Dunlops, they can be a little snappy in the wet. In the dry the front of the car accurately and quickly respond during severe direction changes, providing the optimum level of security. With comfort and noise scores also high, the only draw back is rolling resistance.

WinnerGoodyear EfficientGrip Performance

P11 of 12 Beat 9% of the field

2013 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test

Auto Zeitung 215/55 R16

Except in aquaplaning, the Pirelli doesn't really shine in any category

WinnerDunlop Sport BluResponse

2012 5 tests
2011 1 test
P5 of 15 Beat 71% of the field

2011 Finnish ECO Touring Tyre Test

205/55 r16

The Pirelli P7 Cinturato is most at home on the dry tarmac with excellent grip and a sharp steering response. Only slightly let down by its wet braking leaves the Pirelli in 5th

WinnerContinental Premium Contact 2

2010 4 tests

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