Pirelli Tires Review: Best Choice for Drivers Who Demand the Best
Did you know that Pirelli is the sole tire supplier for Formula One World Championship? When you add test sessions and race weekends to the mix, the Italian tire manufacturing giant provides approximately 1,800 tires per race and as many as 40,000 tires per season.
However, while racing car tires have become an important part of Pirelli’s brand identity, the Italian tire manufacturer also offers decent options for everyday driving. Its all-season, winter, and all-terrain tires are equally reliable as the ones winning racing competitions.
Bear in mind, though, that Pirelli tires do not come cheap. The company offers its tires at prices that put away customers looking for bargain-basement rubber. As such, only those who want world-class quality and are willing to pay for it will find a Pirelli product for them.
Still interested? Then you must read this comprehensive Pirelli Tires Review. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about this company’s radials. Aside from that, we’ll give you the lowdown on Pirelli’s operations, its tire manufacturing facilities, and more.
Pirelli Tires Review
Here are the best Pirelli tires currently on the market:
#1. Pirelli P Zero (PZ4) – Best Summer Performance
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A successor to the world-famous Pirelli P Zero, the PZ4 has built on its predecessor’s strengths and improved on areas where its ancestor struggled.
Like its previous version, the PZ4 is aimed at the mass market rather than the sporting one. That is why its fuel economy is excellent, especially when compared with rivals. That too without compromising on wet traction – often the first casualty of low rolling resistance.
An asymmetric tread design and wider shoulder blocks give this model the handling characteristics you’d expect from an ultra-high-performance tire. Plus, thanks to Pirelli’s Noise Canceling System (PNCS), it rolls without making much noise, something you don’t expect from UHP tires.
Pros
- Offers excellent dry and wet performance
- Super-responsive and direct handling
- Provides decent refinement for everyday driving
- Comes in a wide range of sizes
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
- Noise-cancelling system isn’t available on all models
#2. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-Season Plus II – Best All-Season Tire for Passenger Cars
Price Check
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The Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-Season Plus II will spoil you with its performance.
Despite offering high levels of refinement, this model doesn’t wobble if pushed to the limits. It can also handle mild-to-moderate wintry conditions without fuss. Plus, its aquaplaning resistance is so high that you won’t experience any slipping driving in the rain.
A 70,000-mile treadwear warranty means you can easily get 5 to 6 years out of this tire with proper care. Such high mileage guarantee is exceptional for a tire priced much lower than rival models from Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental.
Pros
- Superior wet and light wintry traction
- Provides a quiet and comfortable driving experience
- Backed by a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Isn’t the quickest to respond to steering inputs
#3. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II – Best All-Season Tire for SUVs
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The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II checks several boxes for SUV drivers.
Apart from offering outstanding fuel economy, this model offers high levels of traction on wet roads. It also provides you with a noise-free driving experience, as long as the remaining tread is above 2/32″. Plus, you can count on it to keep you safe in the snow.
Yet there is one area where this model could do better. At a time when all-season tires come with eye-watering warranties, its 65,000-mile mileage guarantee looks lackluster, even though it’s only 5,000 miles shorter than what you get from the competition.
Pros
- Provides superior traction on wet surfaces
- Can handle mild wintry roads without much fuss
- Offers excellent fuel economy, even for an all-season tire
Cons
- Treadwear warranty is lower than the competition
#4. Pirelli Scorpion ATR – Best All-Terrain Tire
Price Check
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The Scorpion ATR proves that Pirelli’s expertise extends beyond racing car tires.
Befitting a premium all-terrain tire, this model comes with a reinforced sidewall. One that doesn’t let rocks, tree stumps and other road debris damage this tire. Plus, thanks to wide independent shoulder blocks, it provides additional grip in soft, muddy and even rocky terrains.
Off-roads aren’t just where this model excels. Just like its rivals, this all-terrain tire can hold its own on the highway, too, with a silica-enhanced tread compound and a symmetric tread design improving its grip, driving stability and steering response at high speeds.
Pros
- Brilliant off-road traction
- Boasts impressive highway manners
- Pretty quiet for an all-terrain tire
Cons
- Unreliable on ice
#5. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 – Best Winter Tire
Price Check
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The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 has everything you may look for in winter tires.
For instance, its tread compound doesn’t stiffen up when temperatures drop below freezing points. Instead, it remains flexible to continue to provide adequate traction. Next, the circumferential grooves ensure quick and effective water evacuation to minimize the risk of aquaplaning.
Multiple sipes on its tread area help this tire dig into the snow, safely carrying you from point A to point B in harsh wintry conditions. On top of everything else, its tread features an additional layer of foam to absorb the noise this model makes on the road.
Pros
- Marvelous grip on snow and ice
- Incredibly short braking distances on slippery surfaces
- Very comfortable ride for a winter tire
Cons
- May wear more quickly than rivals
#6. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus – Best UHP All-Season Tire
Price Check
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Since its release in 2014, the P Zero All-Season Plus has undergone several upgrades.
The model we’re recommending here offers much better performance in snow and colder weather than the one it replaced. Another added benefit the new tread compound offers is keeping the grip levels intact even as the tire is exposed to freezing weather.
On dry and wet roads, its asymmetric tread design guarantees short braking distances while improving the tire’s handling. To further sweeten the deal, Pirelli backs this tire to last 50,000 miles, an excellent treadwear warranty for a UHP A/S tire.
Pros
- Offers outstanding dry and wet traction
- Excellent handling performance and steering response
- Delivers great grip on the street
Cons
- May wear quickly than rivals
#7. Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive – Best All-Weather Tire for SUVs
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Launched in September 2022, Pirelli’s WeatherActive Series currently comprises two tires: Scorpion WeatherActive and Cinturato WeatherActive.
Among the two, the Scorpion WeatherActive deserves your attention if you’re an SUV owner and hates replacing tires when the seasons change. This model has what it takes to keep you (and your SUV) safe, regardless of whether it’s dry, wet, or wintry out there.
Pirelli backs the WeatherActive with a 60,000-mile warranty, which is considered one of the highest mileage warranty value for this segment. Throw the UTQG tread wear value of 700 into the mix, and it should translate into years and years of road life.
Pros
- Best-in-class treadwear warranty (60,000 miles)
- Combines superb wet performance with outstanding (light) snow traction
- Comes in a large number of sizes
Cons
- Tread pattern may growl at lower speeds
#8. Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive – Best All-Weather Tire for Sedans
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One-half of the WeatherActive Series, this model is designed for sedan drivers who want something more than what all-season tires could offer on wet and snow-laden surfaces.
And what is something more? For one, this model’s wet and light wintry traction is much improved than your standard all-season tire. The added grip, in turn, translates into shorter braking distances, which means better riding safety in inclement weather.
A Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) symbol on its tread proves that this model is much better in snow than the all-season tire you might be currently using.
Pros
- Offers premium ride in any weather situation
- Backed by an above-average treadwear warranty
- Carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) rating
Cons
- Not the most responsive tire
Pirelli Tires Buying Guide
What is there to like about Pirelli tires? What is it that distinguishes these tires from the chasing pack? Are there areas where Pirelli tires could or should have done better? Any shortcomings that could potentially be deal-breakers? This section has all the answers.
Why Should You Buy Pirelli Tires?
Here’s why Pirelli tires should be on your short list of tire brands to buy next:
High Rate of Customer Satisfaction
In 3 out of the last four years, Pirelli has ranked first in the J.D. Power Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study for passenger tires. Out of 1,000 possible points, the Italian tire manufacturer has constantly received over 780 in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
This study measures tire owner satisfaction in four areas: tire ride, wear, traction/handling/ and appearance. As such, the fact that Pirelli is consistently finishing first in the rankings speaks volumes about the quality of its tires.
Comfortable and Quiet Ride
Almost every Pirelli tire released in the last decade comes with the proprietary Pirelli Noise Cancellation System (PNCS). This technology utilizes a layer of foam inside the tread to absorb road noise before it can reach the cabin. The result, as you might guess, is a quiet ride.
On top of the PNCS, new Pirelli tires come equipped with superior shock absorption qualities to offer a plush driving experience on the highway. That is especially true with the company’s all-season, UHP and winter tires. All three of which keep things comfortable inside the cabin.
Impressive Dry Handling
Given that Pirelli is renowned for UHP tires, it shouldn’t be surprising to note that its tires offer high levels of dry handling. So, if you want to enjoy excellent steering feedback, cornering grip, and steering response, Pirelli tires deserve to be on top of your tire shopping list.
Why Should You NOT Buy Pirelli Tires?
Here’s why Pirelli tires should not be on your short list of tire brands to buy next:
Comparatively Expensive Asking Prices
It is fairly common for Pirelli tires to cost north of $100 per tire. This makes them a hard sell to drivers looking for cheap or mid-range rubber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Pirelli tires?
Pirelli tires are made by ChemChina, a Chinese tire manufacturing giant that acquired Pirelli’s operations in a $7.7 billion deal in 2015.
Where are Pirelli tires made?
Pirelli has production facilities all over the world. The company has many plants in Italy, including one in Milan, Turin, and Bollate. Pirelli also has manufacturing plants in China, the United Kingdom, Romania, and Mexico.
How long do Pirelli tires last?
Pirelli tires are typically backed to last from 45,000 to 70,000 miles. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, the company specializes in manufacturing high-performance tires, a category of tires which doesn’t last as long as all-season tires.
Is Pirelli a good brand?
Pirelli is an exceptional brand known for the excellent performance, high-quality construction, and innovative design of its tires. Its radials provide a quiet and comfortable experience on all surfaces and give you a wide range of options to choose from.
Are Pirelli tires noisy?
Pirelli tires tend to be quieter. Most come with the company’s proprietary noise-cancellation system that helps minimize road noise for a relatively soundless driving experience.
Are Pirelli tires good for snow?
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is an excellent option for snow driving. This dedicated winter tire has all the attributes you can expect from high-performing snow tires. Additionally, it doesn’t make as much noise as the competition.
Conclusion
Pirelli tires are an excellent choice if you can afford to pay a little over the odds. Their repeated top rankings in customer satisfaction surveys indicate that these tires justify their high asking prices with excellent road manners, long wear, and superb handling.
