Pirelli P Zero PZ4 - Test Results

Test Statistics

31

Tests Completed

5th

Average Position

1st

Best Result

20th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Pirelli P Zero PZ4 - Official Image

Across 31 summer tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 consistently excels in grip-led disciplines, especially wet and mixed handling, while showing recurring weaknesses in aquaplaning, wear, rolling resistance, and value. It has multiple overall wins and frequent top-3s in objective and subjective handling, indicating a dynamically focused UUHP tyre that performs best for enthusiastic driving. However, OE-marked variants (e.g., AO, PZ4*) can underperform in wet braking, and efficiency/comfort metrics often drag down overall rankings in mainstream tests.

Performance Strengths
  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    • 1st place wet braking and wet handling in 2019 EVO (1/7)
    • 1st place wet handling in 2021 Auto Bild 19" (1/15)
    • 2nd place wet handling and subjective wet in 2024 EVO (2/7)
    • 2nd place wet braking in 2025 Autobild Sports Cars (2/8, +5.7%)
    • Led wet braking in 2023 AutoBild UHP (2/21, +0.5%)
  • Dry and Mixed Handling Strong
    • Overall winner 2021 EVO with 1st wet handling and strong dry; 2019 EVO winner with 1st dry & wet handling
    • Dry handling 1/7 in 2020 EVO; tied fastest lap (article)
    • 3rd overall 2023 AutoBild Sports Cars with 3rd dry handling (+0.3%)
    • Fastest dry handling 2017 AMS (1/10)
    • Top-3 overall placements in multiple performance-focused tests (2019 Auto Bild Sports Car 1/11; 2022 Sport Auto 3/10)
  • Subjective Dynamics / Steering Feel Strong
    • Subjective wet/dry wins in 2018 AMS (Subj. Dry 1/11; Subj. Wet 1/11)
    • Positive steering feedback in 2021 Tyre Reviews (noted fast, direct, well weighted)
    • Subjective wet handling 1/10 in 2021 Auto Zeitung; 2024 EVO subjective wet 2/7
Performance Weaknesses
  • Aquaplaning Resistance Strong
    • Straight aqua bottom group in 2021 AZ (10/10, +7%)
    • Straight aqua 7/7 in 2024 EVO and 6/8 in 2025 Autobild Sports Cars (+7%)
    • Curved aquaplaning 7/8 in 2025 Autobild Sports Cars (+16.6%)
    • EVO 2017 struggled in curved aquaplaning (8th, ~20% behind)
  • Rolling Resistance / Efficiency Strong
    • Last or near-last RR in 2021 EVO (9/9, +17.9%)
    • High RR 2023 AutoBild Sports Cars (12/13, +39.4%)
    • High RR 2021 Auto Bild 19" (14/15, +25.2%)
    • High RR 2025 Autobild Sports Cars (8/8, +47.2%)
  • Wear and Value Strong
    • Worst wear in 2020 ADAC (16/16)
    • High wear penalty in 2023 AutoBild UHP (wear 17/20; value 20/20 +124.3%)
    • Poor value 2025 Auto Bild 225/40 R18 (value 20/20, +139.2%)
    • Wear mid-low in 2025 AZ (6/10; abrasion 9/10)
  • Wet Braking Variability (OE variants) Moderate
    • 2025 Sport Auto UUHP PZ4* last in wet braking (+27.1%)
    • 2025 Auto Bild full test AO variant wet braking 20/21 (+18.3%)
    • 2023 Sport Auto wet braking 11/11 (+11.8%) despite strong wet handling
  • Noise/Comfort Consistency Minor
    • Noise mid-pack to lower in several tests (2023 AutoBild UHP 17/21; 2025 Autobild Sports Cars noise 6/8)
    • Comfort variable (2025 AZ comfort 8/10; 2025 Auto Bild 5/20 best)
Performance Over Time

Test History

3
of 8
2025 Sports Cars Tyre Test

2025
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

The Pirelli impressed with balanced handling in both wet and dry conditions. It features precise turn-in behaviour, stable lateral grip, and short braking distances. The tyre achieved nearly the sa...
Strong:
Dry Braking, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance, Curved Aquaplaning
View Test
4
of 4
2025 Sport Auto UUHP Tyre Test

2025
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

This OE-spec Pirelli P Zero PZ4 tyre (marked with BMW's star symbol) showed notable weaknesses in wet braking, with stopping distances nearly 8 meters longer than the best performer. The Pirelli's...
Strong:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Noise, Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test
14
of 21
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test

2025
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 AO (Audi OE version which means it shouldn't have really been in this test) offered good driving dynamics with short braking distances and secure handling on dry surfaces, sh...
Strong:
Subj. Comfort
Weak:
Value, Wet Braking
View Test
5
of 10
2025 AZ Summer Tyre Test

2025
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

The Pirelli demonstrates excellent dry handling with sharp steering response and good braking performance. It feels balanced and neutral but with slightly less comfort than ideal. In wet conditions...
Weak:
Abrasion, Value, Straight Aqua
View Test
20
of 52
2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout

2025
Winner: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

View Test
6
of 7
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test

2024
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 finished sixth in testing, showing better performance than previous versions but still lagging behind the top performers. The tyre showed strong wet subjective scores and per...
Strong:
Curved Aquaplaning, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Handling
Weak:
Dry Braking, Subj. Dry Handling, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking
View Test
5
of 11
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

Strong when dry. Weaknesses in wet braking for the PZ4.
Weak:
Wet Braking
View Test
11
of 21
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Strong:
Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Price, Value
View Test
3
of 10
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

Once again the Pirelli P Zero, this time in the PZ4 S.C. version, can establish itself at the forefront with its dynamic talents and its meticulously balanced steering characteristics. Level on poi...
Strong:
Wet Circle, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
3
of 13
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

Exemplary.
Strong:
Wet Circle
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
3
of 48
2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview

2023
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Strong:
Wet Braking
View Test
2
of 7
2023 ACE / Gute Fahrt UHP Summer Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

No weakness at all.Very Good.
View Test
3
of 10
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test

2022
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

Strong:
Noise, Wet Handling
View Test
1
of 9
2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test

2021

The PZ4 is a tyre that offers (almost) everything, being top ranked subjectively in the dry and wet and offering excellent grip.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Subj. Dry Handling, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Circle, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
3
of 3
Road Tyres vs Track Tyres vs Slick Tyres

2021
Winner: Pirelli Slick DHB

As a track tyre, the PZ4 is understeer primary. It has soft handling, but stable and predictable and it felt very safe and easy to drive fast. To get the most from the tyre you had to be delicate w...
Weak:
Dry Handling
View Test
4
of 14
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test

2021
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 is a rare tyre that seems to blend good grip in the dry and wet, sporty handling, low rolling resistance and good levels of comfort. IF this tyre had slightly better aquaplan...
Strong:
Dry Braking
View Test
4
of 15
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test

2021
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Highly Recommended.
Strong:
Dry Handling, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
3
of 10
2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test

2021
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

The Pirelli PZero PZ4 has a strong balance wet handling performance, propelling it to third overall.
Strong:
Noise, Subj. Dry Handling, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance, Straight Aqua
View Test
3
of 7
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test

2020
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

The ‘PZ4’ P Zero was outstanding in the wet, setting the fastest time and feeling the most connected and grippy on the wet circuit, which it backed up with strong aquaplaning performances. It l...
Strong:
Dry Handling, Straight Aqua, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Circle, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
4
of 11
2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test

2020
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

Very good - Confident summer tyres with strengths on dry roads.
Strong:
Dry Handling
View Test
9
of 16
2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test

2020
Winner: Continental Premium Contact 6

Recommended
Weak:
Wear
View Test
1
of 7
2019 EVO Summer Tyre Test

2019

There may be a slight home advantage in tyre testing, but with no fewer than six top spots, the PZ4 P Zero totally dominated this test. The tyre dominated in both wet and dry testing, objectively a...
Strong:
Subj. Comfort, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
1
of 11
2019 Auto Bild Sports Car Tyre Test

2019

Exemplary / Test Winner.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test
7
of 12
2019 Gute Fahrt Summer 18 Inch Tyre Test

2019
Winner: Continental Premium Contact 6

Good.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Wet Braking
View Test
4
of 11
2018 AMS Summer UHP Tyre Test

2018
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Recommended.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Subj. Dry Handling, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Handling
Weak:
Noise, Straight Aqua
View Test
3
of 5
2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test

2017
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Pirelli’s latest P Zero—reengineered for 2016 and identified by a small PZ4 molded into the sidewall—can be driven fairly quickly, as evidenced by its dry lap time, the second ...
Strong:
Noise, Dry Handling
Weak:
Wet Braking
View Test
3
of 9
2017 Motor Mag UHP Tyre Test

2017
Winner: Continental ContiSportContact 5 P

View Test
2
of 9
2017 EVO Summer Tyre Test

2017
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Wet Handling
View Test
5
of 10
2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test

2017
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Recommended
View Test
2
of 10
2017 AMS Summer UHP Tyre Test

2017
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Recommended
Strong:
Dry Handling, Wet Handling
View Test
6
of 9
2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tyre Test

2017
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 6

Satisfactory
Strong:
Dry Braking, Wet Handling
View Test