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.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Avon ZZR vs Toyo R888 R — Compared (September 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
68
/ 100
Objective (60%)
70/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
74/100
29 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Avon ZZR — better dry, treadwear 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)
ZZR leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | R888 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 69 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 90 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
R888 R leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | R888 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 63 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
ZZR leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | R888 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 62 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
ZZR leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | R888 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 60 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
ZZR leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | R888 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 85 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon ZZR | Toyo R888 R |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 68 |
| Dry | 89 | 77 |
| Wet | 61 | 63 |
| Comfort | 70 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 60 |
| Handling | 86 | 85 |
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
73
/ 100
Tire A
68
/ 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 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.
The Toyo R888 R is a polarizing semi-slick tire that excels in dry track conditions, offering sharp steering response and high levels of mechanical grip. While enthusiasts praise its performance on lightweight vehicles, many users report significant noise, rapid tread wear, and inconsistent performance in wet or cold conditions, leading to a mixed consensus regarding its value for street-driven vehicles.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and cornering stability
- Sharp, communicative steering feedback
- Strong, stiff sidewall construction
- Predictable handling once the tire reaches optimal operating temperature
Cons
- High levels of road noise, particularly at highway speeds
- Rapid tread wear and short lifespan
- Poor performance and potential for aquaplaning in standing water
- Performance degradation after multiple heat cycles
Observations
- Lightweight, track-focused vehicles like the Caterham or Clio 197 report significantly better satisfaction than owners of modern, heavy vehicles exceeding 1400kg.
- High-horsepower applications (700whp+) may experience accelerated wear and reach the tire's thermal limits quickly.
- Users note that the tire requires specific alignment settings to maximize longevity and prevent uneven wear.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon ZZR | B · Toyo R888 R |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Trackday and Competition tires | Summer Trackday and Competition tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
73
/ 100
Avon
68
/ 100
Toyo
Winner: Avon ZZR — better dry, treadwear and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Avon ZZR scores 89 vs 77 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Avon ZZR scores 70 vs 60 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Avon ZZR scores 70 vs 62 on comfort.
Tire A · Avon ZZR
Tire B · Toyo R888 R
More comparisons
Also compared with
Avon ZZR also compared with
Toyo R888 R 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.