Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 Tire Review and Rating

Another area where the rubber compound helps is with wet performance. Thanks to the silica, the Zeon RS3-G1 should provide excellent levels of traction. In this case, the tread pattern should also help. Cooper designed 3D micro sipes down the central ribs, which should enable the tire to improve the levels of grip.

The micro sipes, along with the 4 circumferential grooves, enable the Zeon RS3-G1 to evacuate water more efficiently. As a result, the aquaplaning resistance should be excellent.

Most all-season tires come with the M+S rating, meaning they can be used in snow and mud. The Zeon RS3-G1 also has this rating, meaning that it should be usable in lighter conditions.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

The Zeon RS3-G1 is advertised as a UHP tire, and it delivers on the performance. It’s not as good as the sport-oriented options, but it still delivers superior performance when compared with a touring tire.

The Zeon RS3-G1 offers very high lelves of grip and traction in dry conditions, making it a true UHP tire. The tread design and large contact patch are responsible for this, resulting in a tire that won’t break away too easily. Even under very aggressive acceleration, the slip is very minimal, while the braking distances are very good for an all-season UHP tire.

Cornering grip is also excellent, enabling you to chug the tire into a corner much harder. The Zeon RS3-G1 features slightly wider shoulder blocks which, combined with the flat design, provide very high levels of stability.

Handling is another area where the Zeon RS3-G1 delivers a very dynamic driving experience. You will get a very responsive tire with plenty of feedback through the steering wheel.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

Wet performance is another area where the Zeon RS3-G1 is excellent. Even though you won’t get the same level of performance as in dry conditions, the tire still surpassed my expectations.

The tread design with the 3D micro sipes is doing their job and enable the Zeon RS3-G1 to produce plenty of traction. You can also rely on the lateral grip and ensure that the tire will keep you in check when cornering hard. With that said, the tire will let go when you push it too much, but it’s pretty progressive, and you’ll feel it.

Despite the high traction levels, the braking distances are slightly disappointing. The Zeon RS3-G1 stops in very short distances, but something like the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 will perform better.

The tread design features grooves and sipes to keep water away from beneath the tire. As a result, the Zeon RS3-G1 remains stable even at higher speeds.

How is it over snow?

As an all-season tire, the Zeon RS3-G1 performs acceptably well. Despite the M+S rating, it’s not a replacement for a proper winter tire.

The tire will perform acceptably well in lighter conditions, which is more or less what you’d get with tires from this similar class. It’s drivable over unpacked snow, and you can rely on a decent amount of grip and traction. In terms of safety, the Zeon RS3-G1 proves to be well mannered and delivers acceptably short braking distances.

Is it comfortable and refined?

The Zeon RS3-G1 isn’t made primarily to provide comfort and low noise levels. Despite that, the tire seems to be decently well refined.

Comfort isn’t as good as touring tires, but for a UHP, it’s not too bad. Despite the stiffer sidewall, which doesn’t flex too much, it does a decent job at absorbing bumps and minimizing vibrations.

As for the noise levels, they are pretty low, considering that the Zeon RS3-G1 isn’t a touring tire. You will hear some noise from it, but it won’t drone out the cabin.

Is it good for off-roading?

Tires designed for the road make for a poor off-roader, and the same can be said about the Zeon RS3-G1. There are some cases where it’s usable, but it’s not a replacement for off-road tires.

The M+S rating means that the tire can handle some mud, as long as we’re talking about lighter conditions. In shallow patches of mud, the Zeon RS3-G1 delivers usable performance, and you shouldn’t expect any more out of it.

Going for the more extreme situations isn’t recommended, mainly because the tire isn’t designed to withstand that kind of torture. Sharper rocks can damage the tread or get stuck in the grooves, resulting in uneven wear.

Is the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 ideal for sporty driving?

It absolutely is, and I wouldn’t cross it off the list even though it’s not on the same level as a dedicated sports tire like the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

In wet and dry conditions, the Zeon RS3-G1 can deliver marvelous levels of grip and traction, more than what you’d need on public roads. You can even take it on a track and get some pretty good times.

Along with the performance, the Zeon RS3-G1 has very good handling characteristics. The golden combo of an excellently responsive tire with good feedback is present here. Thanks to the stiffer sidewall, there is almost no sidewall flex when pushing the tire hard into a corner.

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 Warranty

As a mid-range option, the Zeon RS3-G1 comes with a pretty good warranty. Cooper offers the tire with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, as much as you’d get with the Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4. With that said, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 has a slightly longer 50,000-mile warranty.

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 Pricing: Is it worth the money?

Considering all that Cooper offers, the Zeon RS3-G1 is a very well-priced tire. It starts from a tad below the $120 mark, which is pretty affordable when you compare it with something like the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS.

Should I buy the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1?