We’ll go into great detail about Pirelli tires in this review, including the brand’s reputation for excellence, popular models, price points, client feedback, and more. We’ll also discuss which types of drivers ought to think about some of the other top tire manufacturers in the sector.
- In our most recent review and tire research, Pirelli tires received an overall score of 4.0 out of 5.0.
- The business manufactures some of the top high-performance tires available.
- Pirelli tires are expensive, therefore drivers on a tight budget might want to think about less expensive options.
The design of Pirelli tires prioritizes comfort, speed, and precise handling. Some of the most prestigious automakers and motorsports experts in the world have confidence in the organization. To find out if they are a good option for more widespread use.
When compared to other, more well-known brands, we appreciate Pirelli tires. In addition to being more affordable than tires from other, more well-known companies, Pirelli tires deliver excellent performance in all driving conditions and racing applications.
- Best Overall: Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season PLUS II
- Best All-Season Tire: Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus
- Best All-Terrain Tire: Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus
- Best Touring Tire: Pirelli Scorpion Zero All-Season Plus
- Best Winter Tire: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
- Best Summer Tire: Pirelli P Zero
- Best Durable Tire: Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus
The LaFerrari and the McLaren P1, two of the fastest hypercars currently in production, are outfitted with Pirelli P Zero tires for a reason. Pirelli tires are trusted by prominent companies like Ferrari and McLaren, so why shouldn’t you?
Let’s return to the cost. Of course, the cost will depend on the tire’s performance attributes. It is reasonable to pay more for a tire that uses cutting-edge tire compounds and green technology to provide increased levels of traction on both dry and wet pavement, but Pirelli seems to go above and beyond by making its tires less expensive. Although Pirelli has been around since 1872, its most recent generation of tires is praised for being cheaper without losing wet and dry performance.
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About Pirelli
Pirelli is an Italian tire manufacturer that was founded in 1872 and is well known for its high-performance tires. According to this review, some of the top premium brands in the business, including Maserati, Lamborghini, Audi, BMW, and Porsche, utilize Pirelli tires. The business is a mainstay of the motorsports industry because it has been the exclusive supplier of tires for Formula 1 since 2010.
Although the corporation is headquartered in Milan, Italy, its North American headquarters are located in Rome, Georgia. The seventh-largest tire maker in the world right now is Pirelli.
Tires are produced by Pirelli for automobiles, small trucks, SUVs, motorbikes, and bicycles. Pirelli tires are known for their performance, so while we wouldn’t review and recommend them for a daily driver, they’re a great alternative for sports cars. Models from the firm are designed for speed, superb handling, and grip in both dry and rainy situations. Pirelli has also put a lot of work into sustainability, such as by acquiring synthetic rubber and plant-based components.
Giovanni Battista Pirelli established Pirelli & C. S.p.A. in Milan, Italy, in 1872. Following Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental, and Goodyear on the list of top tire producers worldwide are Pirelli tires. The company is a global OEM tire provider for more than 2,300 automobile models and is present in 160 nations across all five continents.
Want more? From 2011 until 2019, Pirelli will serve as the Formula One Championship’s official tire sponsor. The FIM World Superbike Championship is another event that Pirelli is happy to support.
Pirelli and Cons
Widely accessible
There are a ton of models and sizes
Genuinely effective tires
Dependable comfort and toughness
Seldom is the cheapest
Some tires have no mileage warranties
Why Choose Pirelli Tires?
One of the oldest and most reputable tire manufacturers is Pirelli. The business is currently the fifth-largest tire producer in the world. Pirelli tires are a common feature on many of the top automobiles in the world. The Italian business became well-known through motorsport and by producing tires that could resist the strain of competition and high speeds. Today, the company is in a unique position to create tires that are innovative, robust, and true performers because of its background.
Inexpensive price
Pirelli tires are without a doubt among the best on the market, but they stand out from the competition even more by giving a somewhat lower pricing than other top names. According to a recent review, Pirelli tires are not inexpensive, but their slightly higher-than-average price is a huge draw for buyers who like to stick to a strict budget.
Motorsports background
Pirelli tires have a rich athletic history that began with the Peking-Paris race in 1907. The company is a significant sponsor of both FIM Superbike racing and Formula 1. Because racing is the ideal testing ground for creating fresh, cutting-edge products for the consumer market, we choose tire companies that are active in the racing scene. Pirelli applies what it discovers on the racetrack to our basic interstates and metropolitan streets.
Good looks
It is folly to judge a tire based on appearance, as we have repeatedly stated, but it always helps if the tire is trendy enough to complement the aesthetic of your vehicle. It is difficult to disagree with the Italians when it comes to fashion and automobiles. One of the most attractive tire brands in the industry is Pirelli. Even Pirelli’s entry-level all-season tire has a stylish appearance without being overly expensive.
Pirelli Tires Price
The majority of Pirelli tires often cost well over $100 per. Although this is pricey, it is comparable to the price of Michelin and Goodyear tires. As a result of their high level of specialization and frequent creation for luxury automakers, many drivers don’t mind spending more for Pirelli tires.
We’ve included a few Pirelli tires’ typical prices below.
| Pirelli Tire Model | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus | $88 to $135 |
| Pirelli Scorpion Asimmetrico | $165 to $453 |
| Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus | $150 to $292 |
Industry Ratings for Pirelli Tires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) developed an evaluation system for passenger tire brands, including Pirelli, to use when reporting tire ratings. This method, known as Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), assigns grades to tires based on their treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance, except for specialist tires.
A description of the UTQG grading scheme is provided below:
Treadwear
The tread life of your tires is predicted by this rating. Tires are compared to a control tire with a rating of 100 to determine treadwear. A tire’s treadwear rating of 500 indicates that it outlasted the control tire by a factor of five. SaferCar.gov data show that most passenger tires have a treadwear rating of between 300 and 500.
Traction
This rating reflects how effectively your tires “grip” a slick surface. There are four traction grades: AA, A, B, and C. An A rating is normally given to good daily passenger tires.
Temperature
This rating assigns a letter grade—A, B, or C—to the heat resistance of a tire. In their area of expertise, tires must resist a variety of temperatures. For instance, performance tires need greater temperature ratings than all-season tires since they typically travel at considerably higher rates.
It’s crucial to understand that the NHTSA doesn’t regulate UTQG exams. Manufacturers themselves or external analysts hired by manufacturers test and report on tires.
Best Pirelli Tires by Car Type
Cinturato P7 a.k.a P7C2 – Best for Passenger Cars
With North American drivers in mind, Pirelli’s best-selling tire is the Cinturato P7. It has an excellent tread life warranty, provides low noise, and provides reliable traction in the majority of circumstances. Due to its affordable pricing and good fuel efficiency, the Cinturato P7 is also easy on the wallet.
Specs:
Brand: Pirelli
Model: Cinturato P7
Weight: Varies
Available Sizes: 16”, 17”, 18”,19”, 20”, 21”
P Zero – Best Performance Tire
The P Zero has long served as a benchmark for performance tires, and the most recent iterations are no exception. The tires provide an outstanding braking reaction, an asymmetrical tread pattern, and a good grip in both wet and dry conditions. In Pirelli Tires the P Zero appears to be impenetrable to hydroplaning, according to the review. This claim may be exaggerated, but it shows how effectively the tire was made to function under different circumstances.
Specs:
Brand: Pirelli
Model: P Zero
Weight: Varies
Available Sizes: 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”, 22”
Scorpion Zero – Best SUV Tire
The Scorpion Zero performs admirably in both wet and dry conditions, and it handles winter and snow reasonably well. It is comfortable on the road and capable of off, however, several reviewers have complained that the tires don’t live up to its tread life warranty. However, the Scorpion Zero tires have received positive feedback from hundreds of customers.
Specs:
Brand: Pirelli
Model: Scorpion Zero
Weight: Varies
Available Sizes: 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”
Pirelli Scorpion ATR – Best Truck Tire
The Scorpion ATR is a great and well-behaved tire on the road even if it has an off-road attitude. It has a tread compound with silica enhancement that helps keep it quiet on the road, and it has unique traction blocks that direct water away from the center tire.
Specs:
Brand: Pirelli
Model: Scorpion ATR
Weight: Varies
Available Sizes: 15”, 16”, 18”, 20”, 22”
Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II – Best All-Season Tire
While not the cheapest tires you’ve ever purchased, they might be some of the best. The Scorpion Verde All Season Plus offers strong traction in almost every situation and a long 65,000-mile tread life warranty. The ALL SEASON PLUS II was created with a revised tire compound, an optimized footprint, and improved wet braking and handling to better satisfy the needs of drivers in the North American market.
Specs:
Brand: Pirelli
Model: Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II
Weight: Varies
Available Sizes: 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 22”
Winter Sottozero 3 – Best Winter Tire
The Pirelli Sottozero 3 is the company’s third attempt to create a high-performance winter tire, and it’s the greatest so far. It is made to offer the best traction in dry or rainy circumstances as well as in frigid and icy weather. The Sottozero 3 is rated for heavy snow service because the rubber compositions are made with specific polymers that increase the tires’ thermal resistance.
Specs:
Brand: Pirelli
Model: Winter Sottozero 3
Weight: Varies
Available Sizes: 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”
Scorpion All Terrain Plus – Best Off-Road Tire
A newer tire that builds on the Scorpion ATR’s foundation is the Scorpion All Terrain Plus. It has a novel rubber composition, a unique symmetrical tread pattern, deep grooves, and tread that offers a powerful clawing motion as a consequence. The tires perform well both on and off-road since they were made with water evacuation and hydroplaning resistance in mind.
Specs:
Brand: Pirelli
Model: Scorpion All Terrain Plus
Weight: Varies
Available Sizes: 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”
Pirelli Tires UTQG Scores
Using information from SaferCar.gov, we’ve included several top-rated Pirelli tire models below along with their ratings for treadwear, traction, and temperature.
| Pirelli Tire | Tire Type | Treadwear Score | Traction Score | Temperature Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P4 Four Seasons Plus (T-speed rated) | Passenger Standard touring All-season | 760 | A | B |
| Scorpion Verde All Season | Crossover/SUV Touring All-season | 600 | A | A |
| Scorpion ATR | Light truck/SUV All-terrain | 520 | A | B |
| P Zero Nero All Season | Passenger Max performance Summer | 400 | A | A |
You can look for the UTQG rating on a Pirelli tire’s sidewall to learn more about one you already own.
Why Choose Pirelli Tires?
Pirelli has a long history in motorsports and a rich tradition of producing tires that can keep up with some of the most thrilling automobiles on the planet. In addition, the tires are of good quality and come in a range of styles and dimensions to accommodate practically every vehicle, driving situation, and setting. Pirelli tires are consistently among the highest-rated and most well-trusted brands on the market right now, even though they aren’t always the cheapest.
Reason to Choose Pirelli Tires
Pirelli is one of the oldest tire companies in the world and is currently ranked as the fifth-largest tire company worldwide. Manufacturers frequently pick Pirelli as their preferred tire brand and install them in their factories. Given that, it should come as no surprise that Pirelli tires are among the most dependable ones available.
Pirelli produces a wide range of high-speed tires that are rated for speed, and it was one of the first companies to produce extra-wide tires, which provide drivers with the best wet and dry traction when traveling at a high speed.
Important Factors to Keep in Mind When Selecting a Tire Brand
The only thing that matters is that you choose a tire that suits your spending limit, driving preferences, and geographic location. We can sit in our ivory castle all day and tell you which tire companies to buy. Pirelli tires are a good option in almost any configuration, but there shouldn’t be anything stopping you if you find a tire from another company that better suits your needs.
Most popular models of Pirelli tires
Pirelli manufactures both original equipment (OE) and replacement tires and provides them to several famous automakers. Performance-oriented tires from Pirelli are the most often utilized. Although the brand does provide a few good all-terrain and winter tire variants, Pirelli tires work best on open roads or near tracks.
We’ve included some of the most well-liked Pirelli tires below using a customer review from Tire Rack, the review for these models have been overwhelmingly favorable and they are highly regarded in the industry.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3: a reliable winter tire with a high-performance design that frequently appears on lists of the best winter tires.
Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus: a grand touring all-season tire with an eco-friendly design and a 70,000-mile tread life warranty.
P Zero: Exceptional dry handling and quiet maximum performance summer tires, albeit the tread may wear down quickly.
Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus: An all-season touring tire with improved fuel economy and standout dry and wet handling capabilities.
Buying Guide for Pirelli Tires
Numerous premium automobile tires are produced by Pirelli. However, no matter how wonderful the tire is, it won’t provide the performance and safety you require if it isn’t the proper tire for your car, where you live, and the manner you drive. Finding the right tire for you requires knowing what to look for in a tire.
Pirelli Tires Factors To Consider
Graph titled “Tire Buying Guide: Factors to Consider” with six red icons standing in for tread pattern, weather rating, speed rating, noise rating, mileage/lifetime, and tire build.
The best use for a tire depends on several criteria. An understanding of the variations and how they affect performance can aid in finding the ideal tire for your vehicle. These elements consist of:
Tread pattern: Tires have four most common tread patterns: diagonal, symmetrical, asymmetrical, and mixed.
Weather rating: Even though many tires are rated for all-weather performance, some tires are made for more specific weather situations. For example, some winter tires contain studs that aid in retaining traction on slippery ground.
Tire build: People make tires in three different ways: radially, bias-ply, and bias-belted. Radial tires are often more durable overall, while bias-built tires are typically more cost-effective.
Tire life: The manufacturer normally expresses the anticipated tread life of tires in miles.
Noise rating: Manufacturers make some tires to be more silent while driving. For passengers within the cabin, the difference between these and noisier ones can be significant.
Speed rating: Additionally, tires have a top safe speed. For those who enjoy driving fast and driving sports cars, this is a crucial factor to take into account.
The Outstanding Features of Pirelli Tires
A well-known international brand, Pirelli creates high-performance tires for a variety of vehicle markets. This brand performs a terrific job of optimizing both efficiency and exceptional riding comfort for customers in everything from massive trucks to luxury sedans and F1 cars with cutting-edge technology.
Pirelli products combine high-quality rubber with components like polymer and nanocomposite. These elements significantly contribute to the durability and life extension of tires.
Additionally, the near-perfect output quality is a result of this European manufacturer’s ongoing research into cutting-edge technology and stringent testing procedures. The tires produced by Pirelli are a great option because of all of these factors. Someone nicely spent the money on it.
The Pirelli tire’s design is likewise highly opulent, with twin steel belts and nylon top plies giving it a strong appearance.
Understanding Pirelli Tire Sizes
Pirelli and other tire manufacturers list the measurements of a tire in a consistent format. Until you are aware of what each number and letter in the sequence means, this can be challenging to understand.
We’ll take the typical tire size of P225/65R17 as an example to deconstruct the meaning of each component.
P: The first letter indicates the type of vehicle the tire is meant to be used on. The “P” on our sample tire stands for passenger, indicating that it is intended for a personal vehicle.
225: The first number in the series indicates the millimeter-based width of the tire. You can infer that our example tire is 225 millimeters wide from this.
65: The second number in the series gives the percentage indicating the height-to-width ratio of the tire. In our case, this number is 65, which indicates that the height is 65% of the width.
R: The second letter in alphabetical order indicates the tire’s construction. The “R” in this instance denotes the radial structure of the tire.
17: The final number in the series indicates the wheel diameter in inches that the tire fits. We designed our sample tire to suit 17-inch rims.
Review on Warranties for Pirelli tires
For the P4 Four Seasons Plus, Pirelli provides a 90,000-mile treadwear warranty, one of the longest in the tire business. However, the majority of its guarantees for treadwear are ordinary. The manufacturer’s specialization in high-performance tires makes this expected.
The treadwear warranties for replacement versions of Pirelli tires are as follows:
Pirelli Scorpion STR: 65,000 miles
Cinturato P7 All Season Plus: 70,000 miles
Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season: 45,000 miles
After the first year from the date of purchase or before the tire wears to 2/32 of an inch of the original tread, Pirelli’s limited guarantee covers repairs of any defective materials or workmanship.
Customer Review for Pirelli Tires
You may learn more about Pirelli Tire’s performance on the road and how they handle various situations by reading customer evaluations. In the 2020 J.D. Power Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction StudySM for passenger tires, Pirelli received high marks. Pirelli finished first in the survey with a score of 788 out of 1,000 potential points.
To give you a comprehensive understanding of Pirelli’s benefits and drawbacks, we have listed below both favorable and unfavorable client experiences.
Positive Customer Reviews
“[In] October 2016, the factory tires were replaced with Pirelli Cinturato P7s, and [I] immediately wondered why I waited so long to replace the old tires. Highway tire noise went to almost zero, [and] handling dry, wet, or [in] snow was a definite improvement. Fuel mileage [also] picked up about 0.5 mpg.”
– via Tire Rack
“[The Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow] are by far the best tires I’ve ever driven on in the winter. Five inches of ice and snow to three feet of snow… these tires did very well. Very comfortable tires, they do not wear fast, and they are quiet.”
– via Tire Rack
Negative Customer Reviews
“If you are driving in any significant amount of rain, [the Scorpion Verde All Seasons] are terrible. Traction is horrible. There is not much of a tread pattern to them. Driving in heavy rain recently, I had to slow down to 55 mph on the highway.”
– via Tire Rack
“[Pirelli P6000] OEMs are horrible. Tire noise is so loud that you think you are driving a monster truck vs. an Audi A6 4.2. Someone at Audi must have paid off the OEM to use up these tires. I [cannot] see any engineer in his right mind putting these tires on this car.”
– via Tire Rack
Pirelli Tires Review and Recommendations for Alternatives
Two of the best tire manufacturers in our opinion are Michelin and Cooper. They are both highly renowned in the field and have a lot of satisfied clients. In our evaluation of 2021 tires, we ranked Cooper tires as the most reasonably priced and Michelin tires as the Best Overall.
Michelin: Best Tires Overall
All-season, summer, and all-terrain tires are just a few of the outstanding tire alternatives produced by Michelin. Although Michelin models are more expensive, their superior rubber and design make them a wise choice.
Learn more in our evaluation of Michelin tires, or visit TireRack.com right away to compare prices on Michelin tires.
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Cooper: Most Affordable
Drivers looking for reasonably priced tires that don’t sacrifice quality can consider Cooper. Cooper, a relatively new tire maker, sells replacement tires for as little as $84 per. The tire producer competes with the more experienced firms in the market by providing extensive treadwear warranties up to 80,000 miles.
Read more in our in-depth study of Cooper tires, or visit TireRack.com to start looking for Cooper tires.
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Pirelli Tires Review: FAQ
Is Pirelli tires any good?
Pirelli is a strong choice for performance models and even a few winter models. The company specializes in highly specialized tires that are not the right choice for every driver.
Is Pirelli better than Michelin?
We rated Pirelli lower than Michelin in our 2021 best tires review, but Pirelli makes great options for luxury passenger cars. Which tire is right for you will depend on what you’re looking for.
Who are Pirelli tires made by?
ChemChina makes Pirelli tires. The company took a controlling interest in Pirelli in 2021.
How long do Pirelli tires last?
The longest Pirelli tread life warranty is 90,000 miles, but most of its models last between 50,000 and 65,000 miles.
Are Pirelli tires made in China?
Pirelli makes many tires in Shandong, China. The company has maintained its reputation for quality since moving much of its production to China.
Is Pirelli a premium brand?
Pirelli is a premium tire brand. Worldwide motorsports professionals prefer this brand of tire for high-performance applications.
Are Pirelli good tires?
Yes. Pirelli is a globally-respected brand. Many automakers use Pirelli as the tire choice for their best models.
How long do Pirelli tires last?
Some Pirelli models carry tread life warranties that reach nearly 70,000 miles, but it’s important to remember that many of the company’s tires do not carry a mileage guarantee. That’s not particularly shocking, especially for high-performance and winter tires.
What size tires does Pirelli offer?
Pirelli offers tires in sizes that range from 14 inches up to 22 inches. There are also a variety of widths and sidewall sizes.
What brands are comparable to Pirelli?
Pirelli competes with top-tier tires from Michelin, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, and others.
Where can I buy Pirelli tires online?
Nearly anywhere online, you can find Pirelli, an extremely popular brand. Larger sites like SimpleTire and Tire Rack offer the most heavily discounted tires. Read more on the Best Places to Buy Tires Online and Save Hundreds here.
How is the Pirelli DOT to be read?
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) legally requires that the DOT code be printed in smaller letters typically close to the tire bead. The relevant government body approves tires that have the letters “DOT” on them, which stands for “Department of Transportation.” Given that they reveal the tire’s age, the final four digits of the DOT code are frequently the most helpful for automobile owners.
The year in which the tire was created is represented by the first two digits of the last four numerals, and the week is represented by the last two. For instance, a tire with the DOT code 1119 was created in the eleventh week of 2019. This knowledge is crucial since, due to chemical breakdown. Tire performance and safety deteriorate over time, even if the tire is not being used. The DOT code also contains information about the size and kind of tire, as well as the location of the manufacturer.
What does M+S on tires mean?
The M+S sign on the sidewall, together with a representation of a mountain with a snowflake inside, serve as indicators of winter tires. A winter tire can be legally recognized by its M+S label alone. However, the tire industry has adopted the Snowflake marking to distinguish genuine winter products from All-season products, which just have the M+S designation.
How can I tell whether a tire is a Pirelli RUN FLAT?
Before purchasing a Pirelli tire, you should check Pirelli.com to see if it has the RUN FLAT technology. After you purchase a tire, you can find the RUN FLAT marking on the outside/inside shoulder of the tire.
How frequently should the air pressure be checked?
Using the same precise tire pressure gauge, check the air pressure in your tires once every month. Do the pressure check while the tires are cold, or after the automobile has been parked for at least three hours.
How much tire pressure should I apply?
We advise you to always maintain your tire pressure at the level listed on the inside of the driver’s door. If you can’t locate any stickers here that show the tire pressure, you can seek them in the owner’s manual for your automobile.
How much air should be inflated in Run Flat tires?
To function properly and achieve maximum tire performance, RUN FLAT tires need to have their internal pressure properly maintained, just like conventional tires do. We always advise consulting your car’s registration book to determine the maximum pressure restriction that is appropriate for your tires.
Where is the headquarters of Pirelli?
Pirelli, a Milan, Italy-based company, was established in 1872.
Our Methodology
Our research team offers the most precise, comprehensive, and objective information to enable consumers to choose the right tires. To make sure that our review of Pirelli Tires is consistent and comparable, we apply a set of established criteria.
Industry Reputation: We evaluated each company’s overall reliability by considering its duration, industry ratings from agencies like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other considerations.
Tire Variety: Our team took into account the entire tire lineup for each manufacturer, awarding higher marks to businesses that provided wider and more varied selections.
Affordability: You must take costs into account when purchasing tires. To assess each company’s affordability in comparison to rivals, we looked at the price range of its items.
Customer Satisfaction: To gauge how happy consumers are with their brand experience, our researchers combed the internet for the review of the customer, we took review ratings about Pirelli Tires into account and searched for recurring patterns of criticism or acclaim.
Final Verdict Pirelli Tires Review
If you don’t mind spending a bit more, Pirelli is a reliable option for performance tires. Their quiet operation and dry handling frequently astound customers. The firm also creates high-quality vehicles for environmentally aware drivers.
Pirelli tires, however, are comparatively pricey; they frequently cost more than $100 per tire. Although less expensive tire brands might not quite live up to Pirelli quality standards, there are plenty of alternatives that are ideal for the typical driver.