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Nexen N Fera SU1 vs Pirelli P Zero — 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 | N Fera SU1 | P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 75 | 86 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 84 |
| SimpleTire owners | 93 | 93 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 94% | 97% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | N Fera SU1 | P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 84 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 68 |
| SimpleTire owners | 89 | 83 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 87% | 99% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | N Fera SU1 | P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | 78 | 72 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | N Fera SU1 | P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 40 | 26 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 80 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 63 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | 88 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | N Fera SU1 | P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 73 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | 84 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | N Fera SU1 | P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 63 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 57 |
| SimpleTire owners | 87 | 73 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | N Fera SU1 | P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 72 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Nexen N Fera SU1 | Pirelli P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 70 |
| Dry | 78 | 85 |
| Wet | 81 | 78 |
| Snow | 76 | 80 |
| Comfort | 56 | 42 |
| Noise | 87 | 78 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 58 |
| Handling | 75 | 72 |
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 | 94% #4/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 97% #5/45 · 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout | -3.7 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #4/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -1.7 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 99% #2/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 73% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | +25.8 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #3/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 98% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | +0.9 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 10% #10/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 13% #8/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -2.5 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 98% #5/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 93% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | +5.7 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 40% #8/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 67% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -26.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 87% #10/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 99% #3/45 · 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout | -12.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #10/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 99% #3/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Nexen N Fera SU1 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-range summer tire that frequently punches above its weight class, often compared favorably to premium brands like Continental and Michelin. While most users praise its exceptional comfort, low noise levels, and reliable wet/dry grip, a notable segment of reviewers reports concerns regarding premature sidewall cracking and soft sidewall construction that can impact handling precision on heavier or performance-oriented vehicles.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium competitors
- Very low road noise and high ride comfort
- Strong wet and dry traction for daily driving
- Predictable handling characteristics for standard road use
Cons
- Reports of premature sidewall cracking and tread block degradation
- Soft sidewalls can lead to vague steering feel or instability on heavy vehicles
- Performance drop-off noted as tread depth decreases
- Not suitable for winter conditions despite occasional mislabeling
Observations
- Owners of heavier vehicles (e.g., SUVs, EVs, or large sedans) frequently report that the soft sidewalls lead to a 'floating' sensation or lack of cornering confidence.
- Users replacing factory-fitted run-flat tires on BMWs and other luxury vehicles consistently report significant improvements in ride comfort and noise reduction.
- Performance-oriented drivers note that the tire lacks the necessary rigidity for track use or aggressive spirited driving compared to dedicated UHP tires.
The Pirelli P Zero is widely regarded as a high-performance summer tire that excels in dry, warm-weather conditions, offering sharp handling and significant grip. However, user consensus is polarized by its rapid tread wear, inconsistent performance in cold or wet weather, and reports of high road noise, leading many owners to favor competitors like Michelin for daily driving.
Pros
- Exceptional dry weather grip and cornering stability
- Precise steering feedback and handling responsiveness
- Strong rim protection due to robust sidewall design
- Effective performance once the tire reaches optimal operating temperature
Cons
- Rapid and often uneven tread wear
- Poor traction and confidence in cold, wet, or damp conditions
- High levels of road noise, particularly as the tire ages
- Susceptibility to tramlining and vibration issues
Observations
- Users with high-performance EVs and heavy sedans (e.g., Tesla Model Y, Audi S7) frequently report faster-than-expected tread wear.
- Owners of front-wheel-drive hot hatches (e.g., Hyundai i30N, Fiesta ST) note significant wheel spin and traction loss in damp conditions.
- Drivers using larger rim diameters (19-inch+) often report a harsher ride quality and increased sensitivity to road imperfections.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Nexen N Fera SU1
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Pirelli P Zero
Community opinion on the Pirelli P Zero lineup is sharply divided based on the specific variant. While summer tires and certain OEM specifications face severe criticism for poor wet weather grip, rapid wear, and difficult installation (particularly in cycling applications), the aftermarket All Season Plus 3 and newer high-performance variants receive strong praise for comfort, quietness, and excellent value compared to Michelin and Continental competitors.
“After one year with Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus Elect 2020 SR+ I replaced the Michelins on my 2020 SR+ at 42,000 miles and 3.5 years with the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus Elect on my 2020 SR+. Since there are so many "What tire should I buy" posts, I thought I would give a one year review. Background: Live in the Washington, DC area so mild winters and 85% of my miles are local, suburban driving. With local traffic and traffic cameras all around, I drive pretty conservatively only occasionally punching it. Efficiency- Pirellis are about 3% less efficient than Michelins Michelin OEM MXMs 42,006 miles before replacing, 204 Wh/mi lifetime Pirelli P Zero All Season Elect Plus 13,832 miles 210 Wh/mi after 1 year. started out higher for the first 1,000 miles or so, so I expect this to drop to 208 or 209 lifetime. Ride is definitely smoother and quieter. Handling, well, I don't push it, so for me, equal. Grew up locally learning to drive in snow with 60's and 70's RWD cars, so I know how to drive in the light snow we get and the Pirellis handled the snow we got just fine. Just a few inches of heavy, wet snow at a time. Overall I would recommend the Pirellis. I am a bit efficiency minded but am debating taking another hit and getting the caps and pulling the aero covers off, but keeping them for the couple of road trips I do. I expect that would take another 3% hit, so still better than the EPA rated 220 Wh/mi.”
“I put a set of Pirelli P Zero AS3's on my 2019 Mazda 3. After driving about 1,500 miles, I can say that I love them. The steering has a very direct feel - it turns in almost immediately. Needless to say the grip is fantastic. ... and that is only with outside air temps in the 50's. I can't wait to see how they perform when it gets to be in the 70's and they can get some heat in them. One of the reasons I was attracted to this tire is that Pirelli claims to have incorporated technology that helps the tires maintain the same level of performance as they wear over time. I have been frustrated in the past to see how tires loose their grip long before the treadwear gets low. Also, it didn't hurt that Pirelli had a $100 instant rebate!”
“I just put PZ5 on my vehicle! I live in Louisiana ! They are absolutely insanely sticky! Especially in the rain! My vehicle came with the P-zeros. I’ve had Pirelli’s on my car’s in the past and yes, Pirelli’s are soft. The trade off is sticking to the road! I am an aggressive driver & was aware the sacrifice. I have to change my tires every oil change. 9-12k miles. These PZ5’s grip in the rain. Crazy awesome! Pirelli knocked these suckers out!!! I love ‘em!!!”
“I used to ride Conti since the GP4K and switched over to Pirelli when I had my new bike 3 years ago. The P-Zero Race was fine I guess but the P-Zero Race RS TLR were the worst. Nightmare to put on and wore out quite fast as well. Punctured the one in the back after 300km and couldn’t seal it. I’m back on the GP5k STR now with no issues or mounting problems. Probably gonna stick to them for some time longer”
Based on 99 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Nexen N Fera SU1 | B · Pirelli P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Max Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 58 | 89 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 24″ | 17″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | 10/32″ |
| UTQG | 300 A A | 220 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | 25,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | 50 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
Nexen
Pirelli
Winner: Nexen N Fera SU1 — better comfort, treadwear and noise. Pick the Pirelli P Zero if dry and snow matter most to you.
Nexen N Fera SU1 scores 56 vs 42 on comfort.
Nexen N Fera SU1 scores 72 vs 58 on treadwear.
Nexen N Fera SU1 scores 87 vs 78 on noise.
Pirelli P Zero scores 85 vs 78 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.