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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.
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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
Why this score
| Source | Zeon RS3-G1 | G 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
Why this score
| Source | Zeon RS3-G1 | G 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
Why this score
| Source | Zeon RS3-G1 | G Max AS 05 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 59 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 50 | 53 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Zeon RS3-G1 | G 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
Why this score
| Source | Zeon RS3-G1 | G Max AS 05 |
|---|---|---|
| America's Tire owners | 88 | 90 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Zeon RS3-G1 | G Max AS 05 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 81 |
| America's Tire owners | 87 | 89 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Zeon RS3-G1 | G Max AS 05 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 44 | 80 |
| America's Tire owners | 94 | 94 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 | General 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.
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
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.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
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.
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.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
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.
“Treated my land yacht to some new rubber to keep it anchored in the snow. Cooper Zeon RS3-G1”
“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”
“[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”
“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?”
Based on 14 community posts
General G Max AS 05
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.
“18 ST on freshly refinished snowflakes and general g-max as-05 tires. Tire rack mobile install is awesome.”
“Thanks to the advice of this group got four new tires General G max AS05. Huge improvement so far”
“General Tire G-MAX AS-05 I just ordered a set of General Tire G-MAX AS-05 for my Bolt. Tirerack.com says that this is an "Ultra High Performance All-Season" tire. With 28,000 miles of wear on the factory tires, I can feel it starting to hydroplane in heavy rain. I'm swapping before something worse than "starting to hydroplane" happens. And I'm looking forward to it being a lot more fun to drive. :-) General Tire G-MAX AS-05”
“I am on my second set of GMAX AS05 tires on my '16 Miata. I got UHP A/S tires so I can drive them in colds temps and not be dead in the snow if I get caught on light snow. If the AS-07 tires are at least as good as the 05s, I will likely go ahead with them. I only get about 15k max out of a set of tires so I would be stuck with them for 2-3 years. The other one I am considering is the Conti DWS06+.”
Based on 19 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 | B · General G Max AS 05 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ultra High Performance All Season tire | All Season Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 8 | 1 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 20″ | 19″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | 10/32″ |
| UTQG | 500 AA A | 500 A - AA A |
| Treadwear warranty | 45,000 mi | 50,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | 50 - 51 psi |
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.
Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 scores 92 vs 84 on handling.
Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 scores 92 vs 86 on wet.
Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 scores 96 vs 91 on comfort.
General G Max AS 05 scores 67 vs 62 on snow.
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.