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Avon ZT7 vs Dunlop Direzza DZ03 — 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.
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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
Why this score
| Source | ZT7 | Direzza DZ03 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 94 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | ZT7 | Direzza DZ03 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 66 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | ZT7 | Direzza DZ03 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 47 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | ZT7 | Direzza DZ03 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 63 | 71 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | ZT7 | Direzza DZ03 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 66 | 89 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon ZT7 | Dunlop Direzza DZ03 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 70 | 72 |
| Dry | 79 | 94 |
| Wet | 74 | 66 |
| Comfort | 73 | 47 |
| Treadwear | 63 | 71 |
| Handling | 66 | 89 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon ZT7 is generally regarded as a budget-friendly, comfortable tire that performs adequately for daily commuting and standard driving conditions. While many users praise its quiet ride and impressive value, a significant portion of the user base reports concerns regarding premature sidewall cracking and inconsistent performance during spirited driving.
Pros
- High value for money compared to premium brands
- Impressively quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Reliable wet and dry grip for standard, non-aggressive driving
- Good tread longevity for many users
Cons
- Frequent reports of premature sidewall perishing or cracking
- Tendency to understeer when pushed hard in corners
- Inconsistent handling characteristics under spirited driving
- Reports of uneven tread wear in some applications
Observations
- Users operating small, lightweight vehicles report the tire is sufficient for daily use but lacks the precision required for spirited driving.
- Fleet van operators find the tire durable and quiet, suggesting it performs well under consistent, moderate commercial use.
The Dunlop Direzza DZ03G is widely regarded as a high-performance competition tire that excels in dry track and tarmac rally environments. While it offers exceptional grip and lap time improvements over competitors, users note significant trade-offs in road noise and rapid tread wear, making it better suited for dedicated track use than daily driving.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and cornering confidence
- Significant lap time improvements compared to entry-level semi-slicks
- High durability and consistent performance under intense heat cycles
- Predictable handling characteristics on track
Cons
- Extremely high road noise, often compared to failing wheel bearings
- Rapid tread wear and short lifespan
- Poor performance in standing water with high risk of aquaplaning
- Not recommended for daily driving due to comfort and noise levels
Observations
- Users on lightweight platforms like the MR2 and MX-5 report excellent handling improvements, though rear tire wear is a common concern.
- High-horsepower AWD vehicles like the Mitsubishi EVO 9 benefit from the tire's grip but emphasize the extreme noise levels during road use.
- Users noted that the tire's performance remains consistent even when pushed to the limit in competitive tarmac rally settings.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon ZT7 | B · Dunlop Direzza DZ03 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Trackday and Competition tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Avon
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop Direzza DZ03 — better handling, dry and treadwear. Pick the Avon ZT7 if comfort and wet matter most to you.
Avon ZT7 scores 73 vs 47 on comfort.
Dunlop Direzza DZ03 scores 89 vs 66 on handling.
Dunlop Direzza DZ03 scores 94 vs 79 on dry.
Avon ZT7 scores 74 vs 66 on wet.
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.