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Avon ZZR vs Hankook Ventus TD Z221 — 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.
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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
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus TD Z221 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 97 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus TD Z221 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 57 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus TD Z221 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 20 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus TD Z221 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 17 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus TD Z221 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 97 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon ZZR | Hankook Ventus TD Z221 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 53 |
| Dry | 89 | 97 |
| Wet | 61 | 57 |
| Comfort | 70 | 20 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 17 |
| Handling | 86 | 97 |
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
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon ZZR is a specialized track-focused tire that delivers exceptional dry-weather grip and performance, particularly for lightweight sports cars like the Caterham and Lotus Elise. While highly regarded for track use, users consistently warn that its wet-weather capabilities are severely limited, making it unsuitable for year-round road driving or inclement conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and traction
- Strong performance consistency during consecutive track laps
- Lightweight construction ideal for track-oriented vehicles
- Good longevity and wear characteristics when used appropriately
Cons
- Poor wet-weather performance and high risk of aquaplaning
- Sensitive to low temperatures
- Thin sidewalls provide minimal rim protection
- Prone to flat-spotting if left stationary for extended periods
Observations
- Highly praised by owners of lightweight, track-focused vehicles like the Caterham 7 and Lotus Exige.
- Users noted that tire pressure management is critical for optimal performance, with some reporting significant handling improvements at higher PSI settings.
- Performance on heavier road cars is mixed, with reports of uneven wear and less predictable breakaway characteristics compared to dedicated track platforms.
The Hankook Ventus TD Z221 is widely regarded as a high-performance tire that delivers exceptional dry-weather grip and handling precision for both daily driving and track use. While users consistently praise its predictable cornering behavior and value, the tire's aggressive compound results in rapid tread wear and potential durability issues like surface cracking when used frequently.
Pros
- Exceptional dry-weather grip and handling
- Predictable cornering with minimal understeer or oversteer
- High value-for-money proposition
- Suitable for a dual-purpose daily and track role
Cons
- Short tread life, often lasting between 5,000 and 7,000 km
- Susceptibility to compound cracking after short periods of use
- Not optimized for longevity in daily driving scenarios
Observations
- Users report consistent performance across various compact platforms, including the Mk5 Golf GTI and Nissan Pulsar N15.
- Performance remains stable regardless of power output, with users noting success on vehicles ranging from 85kw to 150kw at the wheels.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon ZZR | B · Hankook Ventus TD Z221 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Trackday and Competition tires | Summer Trackday and Competition tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Avon
Hankook
Winner: Avon ZZR — better treadwear, comfort and wet. Pick the Hankook Ventus TD Z221 if handling and dry matter most to you.
Avon ZZR scores 70 vs 17 on treadwear.
Avon ZZR scores 70 vs 20 on comfort.
Hankook Ventus TD Z221 scores 97 vs 86 on handling.
Hankook Ventus TD Z221 scores 97 vs 89 on dry.
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.