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Head-to-head Updated

Dunlop Direzza DZ03 vs Dunlop SP Sport Maxx — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.

Direzza DZ03 is ahead, 68–59

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Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 73

    Dry

    Direzza DZ03 +12
    61
    Why this score
    SourceDirezza DZ03SP Sport Maxx
    Reviews found online7658
  2. 66

    Wet

    Direzza DZ03 +5
    61
    Why this score
    SourceDirezza DZ03SP Sport Maxx
    Reviews found online6558
  3. –

    Snow

    No comparison
    54
    Why this score
    SourceDirezza DZ03SP Sport Maxx
    Reviews found online–44
  4. 60

    Comfort

    Level
    60
    Why this score
    SourceDirezza DZ03SP Sport Maxx
    Reviews found online5152
  5. –

    Noise

    No comparison
    62
    Why this score
    SourceDirezza DZ03SP Sport Maxx
    Reviews found online–56
  6. 63

    Treadwear

    Direzza DZ03 +7
    56
    Why this score
    SourceDirezza DZ03SP Sport Maxx
    Reviews found online6249
  7. 74

    Handling

    Direzza DZ03 +19
    55
    Why this score
    SourceDirezza DZ03SP Sport Maxx
    Reviews found online7455
Scores at a glance
CategoryDunlop Direzza DZ03Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
Relative Score 68 59
Dry 73 61
Wet 66 61
Snow – 54
Comfort 60 60
Noise – 62
Treadwear 63 56
Handling 74 55

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.

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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.

Less important
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score

Direzza DZ03

SP Sport Maxx

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Direzza DZ03

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

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
All owner themes in the Direzza DZ03 review

Tire B SP Sport Maxx

Pros

  • Strong dry and wet grip when brand new
  • Responsive handling and sharp cornering precision
  • Low initial road noise and good ride comfort on smooth surfaces

Cons

  • Rapid and uneven tread wear (often wearing out in under 10,000–15,000 miles)
  • High road noise and 'sawtoothing' issues as the tires age
  • Noticeable drop in wet-weather traction and sudden loss of grip near the end of their lifespan
All owner themes in the SP Sport Maxx review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Dunlop Direzza DZ03 B · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available—8
Rim diameters—16″ – 21″
Tread depth—10/32″
Sidewall—Blackwall

Which one should you actually buy?

Dunlop Direzza DZ03

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx

Winner: Dunlop Direzza DZ03 — better handling, dry and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Dunlop Direzza DZ03 scores 74 vs 55 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Dunlop Direzza DZ03 scores 73 vs 61 on dry.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Dunlop Direzza DZ03 scores 63 vs 56 on treadwear.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Dunlop Direzza DZ03 scores 66 vs 61 on wet.

Tire A · Dunlop Direzza DZ03
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
Check price on Amazon

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How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.

68

Leads

Direzza DZ03

Amazon