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Summer tire Summer Trackday and Competition tires Updated May 2026

Dunlop Direzza DZ03 review

The Dunlop Direzza DZ03G is widely regarded as a high-performance competition tire that excels in dry track and tarmac rally environments. While it offers exceptional grip and lap time improvements over competitors, users note significant trade-offs in road noise and rapid tread wear, making it better suited for dedicated track use than daily driving.

Relative score
72/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
79/100
7 reviews
Dunlop Direzza DZ03
Scores

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

By owner reviews

79%
Would buy again 94%
Dry
Overall dry
94%
Corner stability
89%
Dry traction
94%
Steering response
89%
Wet
Overall wet
66%
Wet traction
66%
Comfort
Overall comfort
47%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
71%
Handling
Overall handling
89%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 7 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Dunlop Direzza DZ03G is widely regarded as a high-performance competition tire that excels in dry track and tarmac rally environments. While it offers exceptional grip and lap time improvements over competitors, users note significant trade-offs in road noise and rapid tread wear, making it better suited for dedicated track use than daily driving.

Pros

  • Exceptional dry grip and cornering confidence
  • Significant lap time improvements compared to entry-level semi-slicks
  • High durability and consistent performance under intense heat cycles
  • Predictable handling characteristics on track

Cons

  • Extremely high road noise, often compared to failing wheel bearings
  • Rapid tread wear and short lifespan
  • Poor performance in standing water with high risk of aquaplaning
  • Not recommended for daily driving due to comfort and noise levels

Worth knowing

  • Users on lightweight platforms like the MR2 and MX-5 report excellent handling improvements, though rear tire wear is a common concern.
  • High-horsepower AWD vehicles like the Mitsubishi EVO 9 benefit from the tire's grip but emphasize the extreme noise levels during road use.
  • Users noted that the tire's performance remains consistent even when pushed to the limit in competitive tarmac rally settings.
Head-to-head

Dunlop Direzza DZ03 compared

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