66
/ 100
Objective (60%)
69/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
70/100
142 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Avon ZV7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R — 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.
VS
91
/ 100
Objective (60%)
84/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
94/100
1,988 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R — better noise, treadwear and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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Category breakdown
6 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)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | ZV7 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 71 | 92 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 100 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | ZV7 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 66 | 76 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 45 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 91% | 95% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 96% | 100% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | ZV7 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 95 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 42
Why this score
| Source | ZV7 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 50 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 34
Why this score
| Source | ZV7 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 56 | 60 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 25
Why this score
| Source | ZV7 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 95 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon ZV7 | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 66 | 91 |
| Dry | 75 | 94 |
| Wet | 70 | 83 |
| Comfort | 77 | 94 |
| Noise | 50 | 92 |
| Treadwear | 56 | 90 |
| Handling | 71 | 96 |
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
66
/ 100
Tire A
91
/ 100
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.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 79% #11/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test | 92% #5/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | -12.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% #11/45 · 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout | 99% #2/6 · The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 | -1.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #18/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 99% #3/5 · 2026 AutoBild Track Day Tyre Test | -2.7 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 81% #6/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test | 75% #5/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | +6.8 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 4% #23/48 · 2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview | 25% #4/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | -20.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/4 · The FASTEST Track Tyres In The World Tested | -3.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #13/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 95% #4/5 · The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 | -4.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #12/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test | 100% #5/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | -4.1 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon ZV7 is a polarizing mid-range tire that receives high praise for its initial wet and dry grip, quiet ride, and value-for-money proposition. However, a significant number of users report severe, premature structural issues, specifically cracking within the tread grooves, which often necessitates replacement long before the tread depth is exhausted.
Pros
- Excellent wet and dry traction when new
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality
- High value-for-money compared to premium brands
- Strong performance as a daily touring tire
Cons
- Widespread reports of premature tread cracking and perishing
- Inconsistent and often rapid tread wear
- Soft sidewalls leading to vague steering feedback
- Difficult and unhelpful manufacturer warranty/claims process
Observations
- Users with heavier vehicles (e.g., Ford S-Max, Volvo V70, Mondeo) frequently report faster, uneven center-tread wear.
- Drivers of performance-oriented or modified vehicles often find the sidewalls too soft, resulting in a lack of precision during spirited driving.
- Owners of smaller, lighter vehicles generally report higher satisfaction with longevity and comfort compared to those with larger, heavier saloons.
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R is a specialized, track-focused tire that offers exceptional dry-weather grip and steering precision for high-performance vehicles. While it excels in competitive driving and track-day environments, users emphasize that it is not suitable for daily driving, particularly due to its rapid tread wear, poor wet-weather performance, and lack of cold-temperature capability.
Pros
- Unrivaled dry-weather traction and cornering grip
- Precise steering response and communicative feedback
- Excellent performance consistency during track sessions
- Superior stability at high speeds
Cons
- Extremely short tread life and rapid wear
- Significant safety risks in wet or cold conditions
- High purchase price and high cost-per-mile
- Increased road noise and harsh ride quality
Observations
- Performance is highly dependent on vehicle-specific alignment settings; improper camber can lead to premature shoulder wear.
- Users note that the tire requires significant heat to reach optimal operating temperatures, making it feel 'sketchy' or stiff during short street trips.
- The tire is frequently cited as a 'one-trick pony' for track-day enthusiasts, with many users recommending the Pilot Sport 4S as a more practical alternative for street-driven vehicles.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon ZV7 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Trackday and Competition tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
66
/ 100
Avon
91
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R — better noise, treadwear and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 92 vs 50 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 90 vs 56 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 96 vs 71 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 94 vs 75 on dry.
Tire A · Avon ZV7
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
More comparisons
Also compared with
Avon ZV7 also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R 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.