81
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
82/100
93 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Avon ZZ5 vs Avon ZZR — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
75/100
11 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Avon ZZ5 — better wet and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
ZZ5 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | ZZ5 | ZZR |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 89 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
ZZ5 leads by 22
Why this score
| Source | ZZ5 | ZZR |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 61 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
ZZ5 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | ZZ5 | ZZR |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 70 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | ZZ5 | ZZR |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 70 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | ZZ5 | ZZR |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 86 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon ZZ5 | Avon ZZR |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 73 |
| Dry | 90 | 89 |
| Wet | 83 | 61 |
| Comfort | 82 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 70 |
| Handling | 86 | 86 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
81
/ 100
Tire A
73
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon ZZ5 is widely regarded as a high-value, performance-oriented summer tire that frequently outperforms more expensive premium brands in terms of ride comfort, noise reduction, and dry-weather grip. While many users praise its handling and wet-weather confidence, there is a notable divide regarding tread longevity, with some drivers experiencing rapid wear, particularly on high-torque or front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Pros
- Excellent dry and wet grip performance
- High value-for-money compared to premium competitors
- Noticeable reduction in road noise and improved ride comfort
- Progressive handling and predictable feedback at the limit
- Effective rim protection design
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life, with some users reporting premature wear
- Poor performance in snow or icy conditions
- Occasional reports of increased noise or 'droning' as the tire wears
- Some users report a 'bedding-in' period where initial handling feels vague or twitchy
Observations
- Users with high-torque, front-wheel-drive vehicles frequently report faster front-tire wear compared to rear-wheel-drive setups.
- Owners of vehicles with firm, sporty suspension (e.g., Mazda MX-5, VW GTI) report the tire complements the car's handling characteristics well.
- Drivers of heavy, high-powered diesel sedans noted that while the tire improves comfort, the weight of the vehicle can accelerate tread depletion.
The Avon ZZR is a specialized track-focused tire that delivers exceptional dry-weather grip and performance, particularly for lightweight sports cars like the Caterham and Lotus Elise. While highly regarded for track use, users consistently warn that its wet-weather capabilities are severely limited, making it unsuitable for year-round road driving or inclement conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and traction
- Strong performance consistency during consecutive track laps
- Lightweight construction ideal for track-oriented vehicles
- Good longevity and wear characteristics when used appropriately
Cons
- Poor wet-weather performance and high risk of aquaplaning
- Sensitive to low temperatures
- Thin sidewalls provide minimal rim protection
- Prone to flat-spotting if left stationary for extended periods
Observations
- Highly praised by owners of lightweight, track-focused vehicles like the Caterham 7 and Lotus Exige.
- Users noted that tire pressure management is critical for optimal performance, with some reporting significant handling improvements at higher PSI settings.
- Performance on heavier road cars is mixed, with reports of uneven wear and less predictable breakaway characteristics compared to dedicated track platforms.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon ZZ5 | B · Avon ZZR |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Trackday and Competition tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Avon
73
/ 100
Avon
Winner: Avon ZZ5 — better wet and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Avon ZZ5 scores 83 vs 61 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Avon ZZ5 scores 82 vs 70 on comfort.
Tire A · Avon ZZ5
Tire B · Avon ZZR
More comparisons
Also compared with
Avon ZZ5 also compared with
Avon ZZR also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.