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.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop Direzza ZIII vs Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ — 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
71
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
60/100
44 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop Direzza ZIII — better treadwear, dry and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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Category breakdown
7 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 8
Why this score
| Source | Direzza ZIII | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 80 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Direzza ZIII | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 69 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Direzza ZIII | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 60 | 62 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | Direzza ZIII | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 81 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Direzza ZIII leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Direzza ZIII | Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Direzza ZIII | Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 71 |
| Dry | 85 | 77 |
| Wet | 75 | 67 |
| Snow | – | 90 |
| Comfort | 60 | 59 |
| Noise | – | 90 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 74 |
| Handling | 85 | 78 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
80
/ 100
Tire A
71
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
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.
The Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ receives a polarized reception, often serving as a divisive Original Equipment (OE) choice for premium vehicles. While many users praise its dry-weather handling and value-for-money proposition, a significant portion of owners report severe dissatisfaction regarding cabin noise, ride harshness, and unpredictable wet-weather performance.
Pros
- Strong dry-weather grip and cornering stability
- Competitive pricing compared to premium European rivals
- Good tread longevity for a performance-oriented tire
- Responsive steering feedback
Cons
- High levels of road and cabin noise
- Harsh ride quality and lack of comfort
- Poor wet-weather traction and susceptibility to hydroplaning
- Inconsistent performance on uneven road surfaces
Observations
- Owners of Lexus and Infiniti models frequently cite this tire as a major detractor from the vehicle's intended luxury and comfort experience.
- Users transitioning from Run-Flat tires to the 050+ often report an improvement in ride comfort, whereas those moving from premium touring tires report a significant increase in noise.
- Performance-oriented drivers on high-power sedans generally report higher satisfaction with grip levels than those using the tire for daily commuting on standard passenger vehicles.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Direzza ZIII | B · Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Extreme Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | — | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Dunlop
71
/ 100
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop Direzza ZIII — better treadwear, dry and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 90 vs 74 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 85 vs 77 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 75 vs 67 on wet.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 85 vs 78 on handling.
Tire A · Dunlop Direzza ZIII
Tire B · Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Direzza ZIII also compared with
Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ 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.