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Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 vs General G Max AS 05 — 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.

Tire A Cooper

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1

Ultra High Performance All Season tire

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
71/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
89/100
195 owner reviews
Dry
85
Wet
92
Snow
62
Comfort
96
Noise
87
Treadwear
86
Handling
92

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VS
Tire B General

General G Max AS 05

All Season Ultra High Performance tires

General G Max AS 05 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
73/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
83/100
128 owner reviews
Dry
88
Wet
86
Snow
67
Comfort
91
Noise
89
Treadwear
84
Handling
84

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictWinner: Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 — better handling, wet and comfort. Pick the General G Max AS 05 if snow and dry matter most to you.
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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

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) G Max AS 05 leads by 3
A — Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
85
B — General G Max AS 05
88
Why this score
SourceZeon RS3-G1G Max AS 05
Professional tests (TWG score) 78 86
Tire Rack owners 91 –
Tyre Reviews owners 78 80
America's Tire owners 95 96
Dry Braking (% of best) 98% 93%
Dry Handling (% of best) 100% 100%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Zeon RS3-G1 leads by 6
A — Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
92
B — General G Max AS 05
86
Why this score
SourceZeon RS3-G1G Max AS 05
Professional tests (TWG score) 94 87
Tire Rack owners 85 –
Tyre Reviews owners 76 71
America's Tire owners 90 90
Wet Braking (% of best) 100% 92%
Wet Handling (% of best) 96% 99%

Snow

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) G Max AS 05 leads by 5
A — Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
62
B — General G Max AS 05
67
Why this score
SourceZeon RS3-G1G Max AS 05
Professional tests (TWG score) 59 –
Tire Rack owners 59 –
Tyre Reviews owners 50 53

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Zeon RS3-G1 leads by 5
A — Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
96
B — General G Max AS 05
91
Why this score
SourceZeon RS3-G1G Max AS 05
Professional tests (TWG score) 100 96
Tire Rack owners 85 –
Tyre Reviews owners 84 76
America's Tire owners 90 92

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) G Max AS 05 leads by 2
A — Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
87
B — General G Max AS 05
89
Why this score
SourceZeon RS3-G1G Max AS 05
America's Tire owners 88 90

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Zeon RS3-G1 leads by 2
A — Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
86
B — General G Max AS 05
84
Why this score
SourceZeon RS3-G1G Max AS 05
Tire Rack owners 81 –
Tyre Reviews owners 68 81
America's Tire owners 87 89

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Zeon RS3-G1 leads by 8
A — Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
92
B — General G Max AS 05
84
Why this score
SourceZeon RS3-G1G Max AS 05
Tyre Reviews owners 44 80
America's Tire owners 94 94

Scores at a glance

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 vs General G Max AS 05: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryCooper Zeon RS3-G1General G Max AS 05
Relative Score 86 84
Dry 85 88
Wet 92 86
Snow 62 67
Comfort 96 91
Noise 87 89
Treadwear 86 84
Handling 92 84

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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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.

Neutral
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Important
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Important
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score

Tire A

Tire B

Test data

The professional test results behind the scores

Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.

DisciplineCategoryTire ATire BΔBoth?
Dry Braking Dry 98% #3/7 · 2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test 93% #6/7 · 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test +4.1 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 100% #6/7 · 2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test 100% #6/7 · 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test -0.5 Different tests
Price Other 82% #3/7 · 2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test 87% #2/7 · 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test -5.1 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 25% #4/7 · 2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test 17% #6/7 · 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test +8.3 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 100% #1/7 · 2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test 98% #2/7 · 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test +2 Different tests
Subj. Noise Subj 80% #5/7 · 2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test 98% #2/7 · 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test -18 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 100% #2/7 · 2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test 92% #5/7 · 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test +7.7 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 96% #5/7 · 2020 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test 99% #6/7 · 2023 Tyre Reviews UHP All Season Tyre Test -3.2 Different tests
From owners

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Cooper Zeon RS3-G1

The Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 is widely regarded as a high-value, performance-oriented all-season tire that excels in dry and wet handling while maintaining a quiet, comfortable ride. While many users praise its affordability and grip, there is a notable divide regarding tread longevity, with some reporting premature wear, and mixed feedback regarding its capability in true winter conditions.

Pros

  • Excellent price-to-performance ratio
  • Strong dry and wet pavement traction
  • Low road noise levels and high ride comfort
  • Responsive handling and cornering stability

Cons

  • Inconsistent tread life with reports of premature wear
  • Limited performance in heavy snow or ice
  • Potential for slight decrease in fuel economy
  • Occasional reports of increased noise as the tire ages

Observations

  • Users with high-torque vehicles like the Mustang GT and Dodge Challenger report strong grip and confidence during spirited driving.
  • Some owners of front-wheel-drive vehicles noted significant noise increases as the tires wore down, emphasizing the need for frequent rotation.
  • Drivers of heavier or performance-oriented sedans occasionally reported a 1-2 MPG reduction in fuel efficiency.
Tire B General G Max AS 05

The General G-Max AS-05 is widely regarded as a high-value, performance-oriented all-season tire that competes favorably with premium brands at a lower price point. While most users praise its dry handling, steering responsiveness, and wet-weather confidence, experiences regarding ride comfort and tread longevity are polarized, with some users reporting exceptional mileage and others experiencing premature wear.

Pros

  • Excellent price-to-performance ratio compared to premium competitors like Michelin and Continental.
  • Sharp, responsive steering feel and high levels of dry grip.
  • Strong wet-weather traction and hydroplaning resistance.
  • Attractive aesthetic and inclusion of a rim protection bead.
  • Generally quiet and smooth ride quality for most daily driving applications.

Cons

  • Inconsistent tread life, with some users reporting premature wear or exposure of cords well before the warranty mileage.
  • Increased road noise reported by some users as the tread wears down.
  • Stiff ride characteristics that can feel harsh on certain vehicles or road surfaces.
  • Limited performance in deep snow or icy conditions compared to dedicated winter tires.
  • Occasional reports of balancing issues causing highway vibrations.

Observations

  • Users transitioning from factory run-flat tires consistently report significant improvements in ride comfort and noise reduction.
  • Drivers of high-performance or modified vehicles (e.g., Mustangs, BMWs, Abarths) frequently highlight the tire's sharp turn-in response and sporty handling characteristics.
  • Owners of wider tire sizes noted increased susceptibility to hydroplaning in deep standing water compared to narrower fitments.
Community buzz

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1

Mixed

Community opinion on the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 is generally mixed, leaning positive due to its competitive pricing and value compared to premium alternatives like the Continental DWS06+. While many users appreciate them as an affordable, high-performance all-season option, others question how they compare in cold or wet weather or note distinct changes in steering feel and handling.

r/CrownVictoria ·31 upvotes ·2024-01-17

“Treated my land yacht to some new rubber to keep it anchored in the snow. Cooper Zeon RS3-G1”

r/mazda3 ·3 upvotes ·2021-11-15

“New tires made car steering different I recently replaced my all my tires on my 2017 Mazda3. All of them are basically brand new (original owner of tires did not like it after installing it and took it off right away). However, after installing them I noticed the handling just doesn't feel as nice as before. The steering feels lighter and I feel like have to put in more input on the steering wheels. I don't know if it's the size of it (225/4OR18XL instead of the P215/45R18), brand (cooper zeon rs3-g1 ( supposed to be all season/ high performance tires)), tires aren't broken in yet, or where I got my tires installed at (Firestone). Is this normal with new tires? Read more”

r/ShopCanada ·3 upvotes ·2020-03-02

“[Canadian Tire] [Canadian Tire] Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 All Season Tire $109.73 Certain Sizes YMMV Deal Link Price: $109.73 Savings: 40% Expiry: March 26, 2020 Retailer: Canadian Tire Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 All Season Tire CLEARANCE (ON SELECT STYLES/SIZES) Copper Zeon RS3-G1 is a high-performance tire tuned for three-season and light snow conditions providing exceptional grip, handling and durability to your sports sedan or coupe. FEATURES Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 All Season Tire is for high performance vehicles and enthusiast drivers The tread compound and design features great grip, stability and durability Delivers great performance on dry and wet pavement 3-D Micro Gauge sipes improve the stability of tread elements providing enhanced handling in wet and dry roads Asymmetrical tread pattern provides grip and stability during cornering maneuvers and reduced tire noise Made with a silica tread compound that is specially formulated to provide maximum dry and wet traction Cooper’s trademarked visual wear indicator provides peace of mind through informing drivers how worn their tires are ... 80013.html CLEARANCE (ON SELECT STYLES/SIZES) 225/40/18 for example, $109.73 EACH Stocktrack for 225/40/18 TireRack Review ... eon+RS3-G1 Stack with the SDM Can Tire $300 for $325 GC for more savings! Happy Hunting”

r/Mustang ·2021-08-04

“Are Cooper ZEON RS3-G1 - SIZE: 275/40R19 enough for an ecoboost? I got a flat rear tire and only changed 1 tire. I ended up with a cooper zeon RS3. The other 3 tires are fairly worn Michelin pillot sports of the same size. No one near me had the pilot sports and I needed to get this done fast as I had to go to work still. Now my car veers to the left when accelerating and to the right when I left off the pedal. Would replacing the other rear tire with the same cooper zeon solve the issue or do I need to change all 4 tires? Are the coopers good enough? The guy at ford said he'd never put a cooper on a mustang but maybe he though I had a GT?”

Top themes
#Price and Value#Continental DWS06 Comparison#Wet and Cold Traction#Handling and Steering Feel#Tread Pattern Design

Based on 14 community posts

Tire B

General G Max AS 05

Positive

Community members generally view the General G-Max AS-05 as a strong, budget-friendly alternative to premium ultra-high-performance all-season tires like the Continental DWS06 or Michelin Pilot Sport AS. Users praise its solid dry and wet grip, value for money, and capability in cold weather or light snow, though some note that its snow performance is only mediocre and tread life can vary.

Top themes
#Value and Pricing#Wet and Dry Grip#Snow and Winter Performance#Comparison to Premium Brands#Tread Wear and Longevity

Based on 19 community posts

Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 B · General G Max AS 05
CategoryUltra High Performance All Season tireAll Season Ultra High Performance tires
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available81
Rim diameters17″ – 20″19″
Tread depth10 - 11/32″10/32″
UTQG500 AA A500 A - AA A
Treadwear warranty45,000 mi50,000 mi
SidewallBlack Side WallBlack Side Wall
Max pressure50 - 51 psi50 - 51 psi
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Cooper

General

Winner: Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 — better handling, wet and comfort. Pick the General G Max AS 05 if snow and dry matter most to you.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 scores 92 vs 84 on handling.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 scores 92 vs 86 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 scores 96 vs 91 on comfort.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

General G Max AS 05 scores 67 vs 62 on snow.

Tire A · Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
Tire B · General G Max AS 05

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.