77
/ 100
Objective (60%)
73/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
61/100
13 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV vs Pirelli Cinturato P7 — 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
76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
81/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
73/100
188 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV and Pirelli Cinturato P7 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV is stronger on dry, handling and wet. Pirelli Cinturato P7 is stronger on comfort, treadwear and noise.
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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)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Cinturato P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 95 | 76 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 83 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 98% | 94% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Cinturato P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 87 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 73 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 96% | 93% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Cinturato P7 leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Cinturato P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 92 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 74 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 94 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Cinturato P7 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Cinturato P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 68 | 72 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 90 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Cinturato P7 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Cinturato P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 75 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 40 | 69 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 86 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Cinturato P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 75 |
| DriverReviews owners | 84 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Pirelli Cinturato P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 76 |
| Dry | 91 | 79 |
| Wet | 85 | 81 |
| Comfort | 72 | 85 |
| Noise | 68 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 63 | 69 |
| Handling | 87 | 75 |
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
77
/ 100
Tire A
76
/ 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% #2/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 94% #4/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | +3.9 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #5/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 99% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 80% #10/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 89% #7/12 · 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested | -9.1 | Different tests |
| Grass Traction | Grass | 91% #4/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 82% #10/12 · 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested | +9.2 | Different tests |
| Mud Traction | Mud | 96% #2/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 72% #12/12 · 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested | +24.3 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #6/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 98% #4/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | -0.4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 88% #9/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 72% #5/10 · 2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test | +15.5 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 25% #4/8 · 2019 Auto Express SUV Tyre Test | 20% #5/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test | +5 | Different tests |
| Sand Traction | Sand | 91% #8/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 90% #9/12 · 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested | +0.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 96% #8/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 94% #6/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | +2 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 96% #2/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 93% #3/10 · 2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test | +3.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #2/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | 97% #8/10 · 2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test | +1.3 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV is generally regarded as a high-performance tire that excels in dry handling, cornering predictability, and cabin quietness. While many users praise its performance as an original equipment choice for performance-oriented vehicles, there are notable concerns regarding tread longevity and potential structural deformation issues.
Pros
- Exceptional dry handling and cornering stability
- Low road noise levels contributing to a quiet ride
- Predictable performance and driver confidence in various conditions
- Strong performance as an original equipment (OE) fitment for performance vehicles
Cons
- Reports of premature tread wear and limited mileage
- Significant concerns regarding structural deformation and vibration
- Noticeable decline in wet weather traction as the tread wears down
- Higher price point compared to some competitors with similar performance ratings
Observations
- Users with high-performance vehicles like the Subaru STi and Nissan GTR report that the stiff sidewall construction is well-matched to their handling characteristics.
- Drivers of SUVs and 4x4s have reported issues with tire deformation when the vehicle is left stationary for extended periods.
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 is widely regarded as a competent, comfort-oriented touring tire that excels in dry weather conditions and offers a quiet, refined ride. While many users praise its longevity and road manners, a significant portion of the user base reports inconsistent performance in wet conditions, rapid tread wear, and susceptibility to sidewall damage, particularly with run-flat variants.
Pros
- Excellent dry weather grip and predictable handling
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong fuel efficiency and low rolling resistance
- Good overall durability for long-distance touring
Cons
- Inconsistent or poor wet weather traction
- Premature tread wear and rapid performance degradation over time
- Weak sidewall construction prone to bulges and punctures
- Noticeable drop in performance as the tire ages
Observations
- Users with run-flat versions frequently report a harsh, noisy ride and increased susceptibility to pothole damage compared to non-run-flat alternatives.
- Drivers of performance-oriented compacts (e.g., Mini Cooper, VW Golf) often find the sidewalls too soft for spirited driving, leading to excessive roll and lack of feedback.
- Owners of heavy SUVs and high-torque vehicles report significantly faster tread wear and occasional tire deformation.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | B · Pirelli Cinturato P7 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Premium Touring Summer tire |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 48 |
| Rim diameters | — | 16″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | — | 11/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 260 A A |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 44 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
77
/ 100
Dunlop
76
/ 100
Pirelli
Too close to call: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV and Pirelli Cinturato P7 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV is stronger on dry, handling and wet. Pirelli Cinturato P7 is stronger on comfort, treadwear and noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Pirelli Cinturato P7 scores 85 vs 72 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV scores 91 vs 79 on dry.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV scores 87 vs 75 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Pirelli Cinturato P7 scores 69 vs 63 on treadwear.
Tire A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
Tire B · Pirelli Cinturato P7
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV also compared with
Pirelli Cinturato P7 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.