73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
76/100
8 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 vs Dunlop SP Sport Maxx — 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
69
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
67/100
180 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop Direzza DZ101 — better handling, comfort and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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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 DZ101 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ101 | SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
SP Sport Maxx leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ101 | SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 69 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 60 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ101 | SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | – | 60 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Direzza DZ101 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ101 | SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 64 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ101 | SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | – | 80 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Direzza DZ101 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ101 | SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 63 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 80 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Direzza DZ101 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ101 | SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 67 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Direzza DZ101 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 69 |
| Dry | 85 | 80 |
| Wet | 68 | 70 |
| Snow | – | 70 |
| Comfort | 76 | 66 |
| Noise | – | 95 |
| Treadwear | 67 | 64 |
| Handling | 79 | 67 |
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
69
/ 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 DZ101 is a polarizing entry-level performance tire that is frequently praised for its aggressive aesthetic, comfort, and affordability. While some users report excellent dry grip and wet weather handling, others note inconsistent quality control, rapid tread wear, and lackluster performance under spirited driving conditions.
Pros
- Highly competitive price point
- Aggressive and attractive tread design
- Surprising levels of ride comfort and low noise
- Good resistance to hydroplaning in wet conditions
Cons
- Short tread life and rapid wear
- Inconsistent performance and grip quality between different sets
- Uninspiring wet weather traction for aggressive driving
- Tendency to lose grip under high-torque applications
Observations
- Users with high-horsepower vehicles (300HP+) report difficulty maintaining traction in dry conditions.
- The tire is noted for its aesthetic appeal when used in 'stretched' fitments, popular within specific enthusiast subcultures.
The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx is a polarizing ultra-high-performance tire that excels in dry-weather handling and steering responsiveness but faces significant criticism regarding tread longevity and noise levels. While many users praise its initial grip and stability, a substantial portion of the user base reports inconsistent performance in wet conditions and premature wear, leading to a mixed overall consensus.
Pros
- Strong dry-weather grip and cornering stability
- High level of steering feedback and precision
- Effective rim protection design
- Good aquaplaning resistance in straight lines
Cons
- Rapid and often uneven tread wear
- High levels of road noise, particularly as the tire ages
- Inconsistent or poor wet-weather traction
- Susceptibility to sidewall cracking and bubbling
Observations
- Owners of high-torque, rear-wheel-drive vehicles frequently report excessive wheel spin and poor traction off the line.
- Drivers of heavier luxury sedans and SUVs often note that the tire's stiff sidewall provides good handling but can lead to a harsh ride and increased cabin noise.
- Users with high-performance hatchbacks frequently report 'sawtoothing' wear patterns, resulting in significant humming noises.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Direzza DZ101 | B · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Max Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | — | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
73
/ 100
Dunlop
69
/ 100
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop Direzza DZ101 — better handling, comfort and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 scores 79 vs 67 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 scores 76 vs 66 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 scores 85 vs 80 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 scores 67 vs 64 on treadwear.
Tire A · Dunlop Direzza DZ101
Tire B · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Direzza DZ101 also compared with
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 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.