Avon ZZ3 review
The Avon ZZ3 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-range performance tire that offers impressive dry and wet grip for the price. While many users praise its predictable handling and longevity, a significant subset of owners reports issues with premature noise, irregular wear patterns like 'cupping,' and structural distortion on heavier vehicles.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
76%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 115 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Avon ZZ3 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-range performance tire that offers impressive dry and wet grip for the price. While many users praise its predictable handling and longevity, a significant subset of owners reports issues with premature noise, irregular wear patterns like 'cupping,' and structural distortion on heavier vehicles.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium brands
- Strong, predictable grip in both wet and dry conditions
- Progressive handling characteristics near the limit
- Attractive tread pattern and aesthetic appeal
Cons
- Tendency to develop significant road noise over time
- Prone to irregular wear (cupping) and structural distortion
- Performance can feel inconsistent or 'spongy' on heavier or high-performance vehicles
- Mixed reports on longevity, with some users experiencing rapid tread wear
Worth knowing
- Users with heavier vehicles or high-torque saloons frequently report faster tread wear and structural issues like sidewall distortion.
- Owners of performance-oriented hatchbacks (e.g., Civic Type R, Focus ST) report polarized experiences, with some finding them excellent and others noting a lack of feedback compared to dedicated performance rubber.
- Several users noted that the tire performs better on lighter, agile vehicles compared to heavy MPVs or large executive saloons.