Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 90%
Wet Conditions – 80%
Snow – 60%
Comfort – 90%
Noise Reduction – 90%
Durability – 90%
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The occasional upgrade or release of a completely new model has become an industry standard when it comes to tires. Sure, the tires from several decades ago were good, but for that time and the vehicles we had then. Today, they would do a poor job, so manufacturers do their best to help out with that.
It doesn’t matter what kind of upgrade we’re talking about; every tire company aims to deliver a product that’s better than the previous one. Failure to do so means that the competition will get ahead and sell more tires. Manufacturer are pushing the boundaries of what they can do, but at the end of the day, they’re doing this for profits, so it’s in their interest to make better tires.
Every manufacturer follows this trend but with a different rhythm. In recent years, the industry saw plenty of new models, including the one we have today. In 2011, Pirelli announced the P7 AS Plus 3, an all-season grand touring tire designed to compete with the best in its class.
Did Pirelli manage to do that? Let’s find out.
Pros
- Excellent performance in dry conditions
- Handles well and providers enough feedback through the steering wheel
- High refinement levels
- 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- The wet performance is a bit disappointing
- It will struggle a bit in harsher winter conditions
The Features of the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3
The P7 AS Plus 3 is part of the Plus models from Pirelli, meaning that it uses the latest and greatest technologies from the manufacturer to deliver the promised performance.
Pirelli used its innovative rubber compound for this tire, which is designed to help with two aspects. The first one is all-season performance, making it usable in winter and the second one is in terms of longevity, which should help the tire deliver its performance for many miles.
As tires wear, the depth decreases, and it can lead to loss of performance. To combat this, the tire is designed with full depth sipes, which will help the tire offer consistent performance throughout its lifespan. The area where we should see them help is traction on wet and slippery surfaces.
To achieve its performance, the company went with a 3D sipe design, which can be helpful in winter conditions. They should help the tire with traction on snow, especially packed one, which can a problematic for many tires. Wet performance is backed by another crucial design feature – the grooves. The tire’s circumferential and lateral grooves work to evacuate water and keep the tire planted when driving in harsh rain.
Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 in Dry Conditions
On dry roads, the P7 AS Plus 3 is a tire that will deliver all the performance most drivers would ask of it.
It’s a tire that will tackle daily driving with ease, thanks to the high levels of grip and traction. They’re more than enough to provide you with a safe driving experience. Looking at the braking distances further acknowledges this. The tire manages to stop better than some of its rivals in this segment.
When it comes to aggressive driving, it’s a tire that will handle it, up to a certain point. There is some room to get carried away and push it, so you won’t experience slip whenever you press the gas pedal. With that said, it’s still a grand touring tire, so don’t expect it to be the star of the show on the track.
The handling is pretty good, again, considering the category. It’s pretty responsive and precise, so if you’re an enthusiast, you won’t be too disappointed. The best part is that as long as you stay within its limits, it will remain neutral.
Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 on Wet or Slippery Roads
Driving the P7 AS Plus 3 in wet conditions left me asking for more. It’s far from a poor performer, but I was expecting a bit more.
The tire’s traction on damp roads is excellent – for the average driver. Using it sensibly isn’t an issue, and the performance is there. It will deal with most daily driving scenarios well, so most people won’t complain about it. The only noticeable thing is the braking distances. Even though they’re short and safe, they’re behind models like the DriveGuard Plus.
Pushing it is something that this tire doesn’t handle well. Sure, you won’t be reaching the limits getting out of your driveway, but it doesn’t take a lot for it to break traction. The cornering grip isn’t the most impressive in this category, so you can expect a good amount of understeer whenever you go into a corner too fast. One saving grace is that it continues to communicate well, so you’ll know when it let goes.
Things improve a bit in terms of aquaplaning resistance, but not by a lot. The tire remains stable in these conditions, meaning that most people won’t notice anything wrong. Once you push it, you’ll notice that there are some slightly better models for driving in these conditions.
Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 in Snow
Winter performance is something that the P7 AS Plus 3 does well for an all-season model.
In lighter snow conditions, the traction is pretty good, making this a pretty usable tire. You won’t have massive issues on unpacked snow and as long as it’s shallow, the tire will remain a solid option. As for packed snow, it’s decent as well. The tire stays usable if you’re not the type of person who has a heavy foot. The braking distances are good for the category. You shouldn’t compare it with a winter tire, but it’s a much better option than a summer tire in snowy conditions.
Driving on ice isn’t something that these tires excel at, so don’t expect this one to do a phenomenal job. It’s usable enough in a pinch if you’re mindful of its limitations.
Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 Off-Roading
Performance on non-paved surfaces is reserved for off-road capable tires, something that the P7 AS Plus 3 is not. While it may give you some usable performance on hard-packed surfaces, that’s as much as you should expect. Mud or rocks are off limits because it’s not designed for that, both from a performance and durability standpoint.
Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 for Sporty Driving
Grand touring tires fall in a segment between touring and performance tires. As such, the P7 AS Plus 3 offers some sportiness, at least enough not to leave you disappointed. The tire’s performance combined with the handling makes this a decently dynamic tire. It won’t wow you, but it can be fun enough on a twisty road.
Does the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 Ride Comfortably?
One thing most premium tires do well is refinement, and the P7 AS Plus 3 is no exception.
The comfort levels are excellent, and you can expect a plush ride. Despite the dynamic handling and the stiffer sidewall, it absorbs bumps well without feeling harsh. On the other hand, it’s not overly soft and doesn’t feel bouncy.
It’s similarly impressive when it comes to the noise levels. It’s a quiet tire by touring standards. As you can expect, there is a hum, but there aren’t any secondary noises that will catch your ear. The tire is very quiet even when you’re driving on rougher surfaces.
Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 Warranty
Pirelli offers the P7 AS Plus 3 with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, putting it near the top of the premium segment. As a comparison, it’s on the same level as the PureContact LS.
Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
The price is another aspect of the P7 AS Plus 3 that deserves to be praised. A 17-inch model costs somewhere in the middle of the premium segment, making this a more affordable tire than the CrossClimate 2.
Should I Buy the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3?
If you look at each aspect of the P7 AS Plus 3 individually, you’ll notice that it has flaws. With that said, as a package, it’s an excellent tire.
The performance is a mixed bag. It offers exceptional dry performance, but not the best wet performance. It’s usable in winter, but it’s a bit behind some premium models. The best part is that the handling is pretty good, with a good amount of responsiveness and feedback.
Refinement is something that this tire does well. The high comfort and low noise levels make this one of the best in its class. It comes with a premium treadwear warranty and a price tag that’s not the highest in its segment.
The P7 AS Plus 3 isn’t a perfect tire, and the wet performance is the biggest problem. Don’t get me wrong, it’s safe, but you’ll need to be a bit more cautious. If you’re fine with that, then it’s an excellent tire to go for.
What Vehicles Will the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 will fit:
- Acura TL
- BMW 3 Series
- Chevrolet Impala
- Ford Fusion
- Honda Civic
- Hyundai Genesis
- Lexus ES
- Mini Cooper
- Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen Jetta
- Volvo V60
