72
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
73/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop Direzza DZ102 vs Dunlop Direzza ZIII — 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
80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
76/100
2 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop Direzza ZIII — better treadwear, handling and dry. Pick the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 if comfort matters most to you.
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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)
Direzza ZIII leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 85 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 75 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Direzza DZ102 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 60 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 23
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 90 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 85 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Direzza DZ102 | Dunlop Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 80 |
| Dry | 82 | 85 |
| Wet | 73 | 75 |
| Comfort | 70 | 60 |
| Treadwear | 67 | 90 |
| Handling | 69 | 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
72
/ 100
Tire A
80
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Direzza DZ102 is widely regarded as a high-value, entry-level Ultra-High Performance summer tire that balances impressive dry grip and comfort with an attractive price point. While many users praise its handling and road manners, consensus is split regarding its longevity and wet-weather performance, with some users reporting rapid tread wear and inconsistent traction in heavy rain.
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Strong dry pavement grip and cornering stability
- Surprisingly high levels of ride comfort for a performance tire
- Low road noise levels compared to competitors in the segment
Cons
- Rapid or inconsistent tread wear
- Inconsistent wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- Increased road noise as the tire ages
- Difficult to balance for some users
Observations
- Users with high-torque or tuned vehicles (300hp+) report that the tire provides sufficient grip to manage power delivery effectively.
- Drivers on 17-inch and 18-inch setups frequently highlight a significant improvement in comfort compared to previous touring or OEM tires.
- Some users noted that the tire's performance is highly sensitive to correct inflation pressures, with improper settings leading to immediate degradation in feel.
The Dunlop Direzza ZIII is widely regarded as a reliable, predictable 200tw tire that excels in consistency and ease of use rather than outright competitive speed. It serves as a versatile option for drivers who prioritize longevity and manageable handling characteristics over peak performance in specialized environments like autocross.
Pros
- High level of predictability and ease of handling
- Consistent performance during extended track sessions
- Good durability and tread life for a 200tw tire
- Reliable wet and dry grip characteristics
Cons
- Lacks the peak grip required for top-tier competitive autocross
- Tendency to 'grease up' or lose optimal grip after prolonged hard driving
- Not the fastest option in its category for pure lap times
Observations
- Proven durability in endurance racing environments, specifically noted on heavier platforms like the Lexus LS400.
- Performance remains consistent across varied track conditions, making it a suitable 'baseline' tire for endurance racing teams.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Direzza DZ102 | B · Dunlop Direzza ZIII |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Extreme Performance tires | Summer Extreme Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Dunlop
80
/ 100
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop Direzza ZIII — better treadwear, handling and dry. Pick the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 if comfort matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 90 vs 67 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 85 vs 69 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop Direzza DZ102 scores 70 vs 60 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 85 vs 82 on dry.
Tire A · Dunlop Direzza DZ102
Tire B · Dunlop Direzza ZIII
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Direzza DZ102 also compared with
Dunlop Direzza ZIII 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.