Performance Overview
This radar chart shows relative performance across all test categories, with 100% representing the best performance in each category. Reference tires may have gaps where data is not available.
Dry Performance Overview
Dry Braking (M)
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
Dry Handling (s)
Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Subj. Dry Handling ( Points)
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
Wet Performance Overview
Wet Braking (M)
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
Wet Handling (s)
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
Subj. Wet Handling ( Points)
Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)
Straight Aqua (Km/H)
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
Comfort Performance Overview
Subj. Comfort ( Points)
Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)
Noise (dB)
External noise in dB (Lower is better)
Value Performance Overview
Rolling Resistance (kg / t)
Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)
Overall Findings
Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:
| Position | Tyre | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Pirelli P Zero R | 98.9% | |
| 2 | Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo | 97.3% |
| 3 | Continental SportContact 7 | 96.6% |
| 4 | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 | 95.1% |
| 5 | Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport | 95.1% |
| 6 | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129 | 94.5% |
| 7 | Falken Azenis RS820 | 93.8% |
| 8 | Kingboss G866 | 86.3% |
Test Winner
Kingboss G866
86.3%
Can you tell me how you tested the Pirelli P Zero R when they are not in production yet? Or at least not in the UK yet.
Naming tyres Kingboss needs a significant dose of overconfidence and serious lack of invention ???
so, best one for 18" goes on Bridgestone?
This is a FWD car.
Would love to see the exact tyre test on a mid engined car to see what the differences are.
And if using a 4.0 718 GTS Boxster, doing the wet laps with the top down to dodge the sprinklers. Would be a fun end to the video...
This Pirelli is crazy. Lets be honest, dry handling is the only major thing for these tyres. And the Pirelli beat the semislick CUP2? What the hell. And its not a hard compund, so its not a pain for everyday use, to heat them up before the playtime. I hate Pirelli from my heart... having 3 different compounds in the last 4 years, and every single one of those gone rubish after 3-4years passed...they are getting harder, rigid, and very very very bad...dangeouros wet performance. Do you have any kind of information if these latest class leading tyres are somehownl different? (I had issues with the classic P Zero, and sottozero 2) I'm a follower since about 10years, and was waiting to have something better then PS4S. Last year I went with the SC7, since that is a tiny bit better. Vut omg!!! 2 seconds improvement? Perfect feeling? Semislick killer??? It was never heard. 2 seconds is a unuverse difference. I have to try this . My mk3 Focus Rs has the exact sime size :D .
Btw what happened? Last years the SC7 was the awesome perfect nonplusultra. (Much better then Supersport) but now seems mediocre. Did the compoune change?
I completely disagree, living in the UK. Last 6 months in the UK have been 50% more rain than the long term average. Now finally the sun came out and took my MX5 for a spin
Stuck behind
Learner
Dustbin van
Two blokes on 1950s motobikes
cyclists
In that order.
Not sure my tyres even warmed up !
Having said that, the Pirelli R does seem fast.
Yeah, we can agree, that in the UK its hard to have a proper weather for a spirited drive. I dont live in the UK, I can have my sprints in the dry :D
Thanks for the review !
Now it's getting a bit older, good to see where the Continental is
Too bad :( It seams this new Pirelli is only available from 19" at the moment :-/ (My car drives on 18")
I would have like to see the Kumho Ecsta PS72 instead of this KingBoss
Thanks a lot. The "Pirelli P Zero R" is a positive surprise!
Please consider for next test: Use Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect instead of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (without Connect) as tire rubber compound (among other things) has changed in 2020 with version "Connect" (off. treadwear 240 instead of 180 .. / change is more on paper). "Connect" rubber with slightly better results in wet and cold conditions.
Thanks for the great data. I’ll probably go with the Potenza Sport Evos for my Golf MK 8 GTE. I was debating between the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and the Pirelli PZ5, but considering the milder climate here in the Netherlands, I think this might be the best choice.
Yep. Same for me. I'm currently on GY Asym 6 on my Fiesta ST. Brilliant tyre but fitted as you don't get the really good tyres in 17 inch so the 6 does a fine job. But Bridgestone have seen the light ! Happy days.
Exellent point, I have exactly the same problem with my MX5 which has 17 inch wheels, so also went with the Asym 6 and will be going Bridgestone next also. 17 inch wheels are also limited in choice.
I think some companies are missing out a trick not doing 16/17 inch anymore. Certainly limits our choice, which is unfortunate.
I also have an ND MX-5 and I’m currently running 5-year-old Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 2s. Since I’ve never had to shop for tyres before, I’ve been trying to do as much research as possible.
Right now I’m leaning towards the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 or something from Continental. Unfortunately, the roads where I live are pretty rough, and the Miata is my daily driver.
One thing I really miss is steering feedback, which is why I’ve pretty much ruled out the Michelin PS5 and PS4S - from what I’ve gathered, they’re very grippy but a bit numb and less communicative.
I’m mainly looking for something that’s fun and progressive, with good feedback and more controllable oversteer compared to my current tyres (which are fun but can be a bit snappy and hard to catch, especially now that they’re worn).
Curious to hear what you guys are running in 205/45 R17 on stock 17" wheels.
Unfortunately I can’t change tyre sizes here without paying around €200 for legalisation, so I’m sticking with OEM size.
Well I am running the Asymetric 6 but not done enough miles in all conditons to give you advice on your particular requirement of a good feedback tyre that stops it going from great to pear shaped very quickly.
Previously I had Michelin Pilot SuperSports on which were very grippy on track, but then I ended up in a nettle patch on a cold wet UK day with them.
I think the Continentals might be a good bet, but they probably cost more. The Goodyears have always been a good bang for buck tyre and a jack of all trades tyre, which is not a negative comment, they are well rounded, good on those spider graphs tyre companies love.
Good luck, and great choice of car of course :)
Agree with all that. Also have supersports on my Lotus, would like to try the Pzero R but size not available. Will settle for Corsa's next.
Thanks guys, I think I’m going to go with the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6.
After checking a bunch of local shops, it seems to be the best all-round bang for buck. It’s about €100-150 cheaper than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Bridgestone Potenza Sport, and only around €60 more than the Falken FK520.
Best prices I've found for 4x Tyres (including fitting, balancing, and alignment):
PS5 - €668
Asym 6 - €568
Potenza Sport - €668
Falken FK520 - €508
Given that, the Goodyear just feels like the sweet spot for a daily-driven ND.
Also, if anyone here is from Portugal and looking for a good shop, I had the best experience/quotes from Riamar Pneus - highly recommended.
I’ll probably pair them with a custom alignment setup as well to improve steering feedback, something along the lines of the Flying Miata specs.
I don't think you will be disappointed with the Goodyear. It's a fantastic tyre, good price point to ( in the UK). I found it sharper than the Pilot Sport 4 which I guess is it's nearest competitor). We still stick with the PS4 for the wifes BMW as its slightly more comfortable on a very stiff BM and one thing MIchelin excell in ( I think ) is still very good wet braking when worn down. Perfect for the wife. GY but now moving to Bridgestone for me. (205/40/17)