Head-to-head Updated

Pirelli P Zero vs Bridgestone Potenza S001 — Compared

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

Potenza S001 leads, 63–62 Narrow edge

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Tire APirelli

P Zero

Summer

Tests 73 · 3 tests Owners 51 · 3,469 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test (dry handling)

“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!!!”

Potenza S001

Summer

Tests 71 · 6 tests Owners 56 · 5,797 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test (wet braking)

“Mount all 4 tires Bridgestone Potenza S001 215/45R20 on i3s stock rims 5.5” front 15mm spacers and 6.5” rear After much convincing I have mounted all four tires of the same size purchased on TireRack for $83 each on i3s stock staggered rims. Smooth and stable. Looking gooddddddd!”

Category by category

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

  1. 73

    Dry

    P Zero +1
    72
    Why this score
    SourceP ZeroPotenza S001
    Professional tests (TWG score)7979
    Reviews found online6463
    Dry Braking (% of best)97%93%
    Dry Handling (% of best)100%98%
  2. 71

    Wet

    Potenza S001 +4
    75
    Why this score
    SourceP ZeroPotenza S001
    Professional tests (TWG score)8084
    Reviews found online5762
    Wet Braking (% of best)83%100%
    Wet Handling (% of best)99%94%
  3. 50

    Snow

    Potenza S001 +1
    51
    Why this score
    SourceP ZeroPotenza S001
    Reviews found online3739
  4. 62

    Comfort

    P Zero +3
    59
    Why this score
    SourceP ZeroPotenza S001
    Professional tests (TWG score)7063
    Reviews found online5152
  5. 59

    Noise

    P Zero +7
    52
    Why this score
    SourceP ZeroPotenza S001
    Professional tests (TWG score)6148
    Reviews found online5558
  6. 53

    Treadwear

    Potenza S001 +1
    54
    Why this score
    SourceP ZeroPotenza S001
    Professional tests (TWG score)6558
    Reviews found online3449
  7. 58

    Handling

    Potenza S001 +3
    61
    Why this score
    SourceP ZeroPotenza S001
    Reviews found online5861
Scores at a glance
Pirelli P Zero vs Bridgestone Potenza S001: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryPirelli P ZeroBridgestone Potenza S001
Relative Score 62 63
Dry 73 72
Wet 71 75
Snow 50 51
Comfort 62 59
Noise 59 52
Treadwear 53 54
Handling 58 61

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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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

P Zero

Potenza S001

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.

DisciplineCategoryP ZeroPotenza S001ΔBoth?
Dry Braking Dry 97% #5/45 · 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout 93% #7/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test +4.7 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 98% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test +2.3 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 73% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 73% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test +0.3 Different tests
Noise Other 97% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 99% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test −1.8 Different tests
Price Other 66% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 54% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test +11.9 Different tests
Value Other 53% #20/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 60% #19/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test −6.9 Different tests
Wear Other 66% #15/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 85% #12/16 · 2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test −18.9 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 33% #3/9 · 2010 EVO FWD Tyre Test 47% #9/14 · 2020 TCS Summer Tire Test R18 −13.3 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 93% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 93% #3/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test −0.5 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 67% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 70% #5/8 · 2019 Sport Auto 20 Inch UHP Tyre Test −3.3 Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #17/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 0% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 0.0 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 83% #28/49 · 2020 Tyre Market Overview Braking Test 100% #1/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test −17.1 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 99% #3/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 94% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test +4.5 Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A P Zero

Pros

  • Outstanding dry grip and handling performance
  • Precise steering feedback and high-speed stability
  • Good wet-weather braking and cornering when warm

Cons

  • Rapid and uneven tread wear, often requiring replacement much sooner than expected
  • Poor grip and unpredictable traction in cold temperatures (below 7°C/45°F)
  • Prone to tramlining and tracking road imperfections
All owner themes in the P Zero review

Tire B Potenza S001

Pros

  • Precise and sharp steering response
  • Strong dry-pavement cornering grip
  • Stiff sidewalls providing robust rim protection and high-speed stability

Cons

  • High levels of road noise and cabin drone
  • Stiff, harsh ride quality (particularly noticeable on run-flat versions)
  • Poor or unpredictable wet-weather grip and sudden loss of traction
All owner themes in the Potenza S001 review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Pirelli P Zero

Mixed

Community opinions on the Pirelli P Zero lineup are heavily polarized depending on the specific sub-model and application (automotive vs. cycling). While performance summer variants and the newer AS Plus 3 or PZ5 tyres receive strong praise for dry grip, steering feel, and value compared to Michelin or Continental alternatives, older OEM specs and certain summer variants face heavy criticism for poor wet weather traction, fast wear rates, and difficult mounting.

r/GolfGTI ·3 upvotes ·2025-09-23

“Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 OR Continental DWS06+ title pretty much says it all. wheel size is 235/35 19. plan on running these year round. TIA pirelli $1004 + tax installed Conti $1233 + tax installed Read more”

r/CarTalkUK ·1 upvote ·2026-01-24

“So many people seem to hate the p zero but I’ve got along with them so well, but yes they can go rock hard when they’re cold but once they’ve got some heat in them especially in the wet they grip so well for me. I have noticed though that anything below 4-5°c is when they become hard to keep heat in but once you work the tyre properly they’re brilliant. I have run them all winter on my 300bhp fwd car and can’t complain, I don’t get why no one likes them🤷‍♂️”

r/mazda3 ·3 upvotes ·2026-04-07

“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!”

Top themes
#Wet weather grip performance#Treadwear and mileage longevity#Ride comfort and low noise#Difficult tire mounting process#Comparison with Michelin and Continental

Based on 107 community posts

Tire B

Bridgestone Potenza S001

Mixed

Community opinion on the Bridgestone Potenza S001 is divided, with some users praising their dry grip and stability, while many others criticize their rapid wear, stiffness (especially run-flat variants), noise, and cracking issues. Owners frequently compare them unfavorably to alternatives like Michelin or Pirelli, though budget-friendly deals tend to draw occasional interest.

f30.bimmerpost.com

“Quote: Originally Posted by Josspeed Quote: Originally Posted by cfm56d7b +1 Bridgestone Potenza S001 are near the bottom of all run flat tires. If you prefer run flat tires, Pirelli P Zero are much better. GREAT! Thanks... so Pzero much better than B S001 To caveat the "much better" statement ... - All run flat tires generate more noise - Some run flat tires produce a harsher ride. In this case, S001 tires are harsher than P Zero tires. I've owned both - As the mileage increases, run flat tires generate more noise as the tread wears off. It's normal. The only question is whether the driver is willing to tolerate it - In average driving, P Zero tires will probably last 25K to 28K miles. Or less. I am replacing the OEM set at 24K miles. Yet the convenience of run flat tires is attractive. For me, P Zero tires represent a good compromise and a much better option than S001 which were exorbitantly harsh even when new.”

r/tires ·1 upvote ·2025-10-01

“Bridgestone Potenza S001 all year in Portland Oregon? As a second car in the family, do you think I can get away with running Bridgestone Potenza S001, with good tread depth, all year in Portland Oregon? I've lived here my whole life so I know the climate well. As long as I don't drive during the 1-3 snow days, do you think I'm good? My other car is a Honda Pilot AWD that we do summer/winter tire swap and take skiing ~20 times a year. For a car I never plan on taking in the snow, doing summer/winter swap or summer/all-season seems like overkill.”

r/Miata ·2022-03-30

“Potenza S001 cracking Has anyone had issues with their OEM Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires cracking? I have OEM tires on my 2018 CLub with 17k miles with cracking in the treads for all 4 tires and because they are 4 years + 3 months past manufacture date, Bridgestone told me to Beat It. These are $185 tires that don't last 4 seasons....why would I ever buy them if they are PoS?”

Top themes
#Tread Wear and Longevity#Run-Flat Stiffness and Comfort#Road Noise and Harshness#Dry Grip and Stability#Quality and Cracking Issues#Value and Deals

Based on 16 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Pirelli P Zero B · Bridgestone Potenza S001
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available8915
Rim diameters17″ – 22″17″ – 21″
Tread depth10/32″8/32″
UTQG220 A A280 A A
SidewallBlackwallBlackwall
Max pressure50 psi50 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Pirelli P Zero

Bridgestone Potenza S001

Too close to call: Pirelli P Zero and Bridgestone Potenza S001 are within 2 points overall. Pirelli P Zero is stronger on noise and comfort. Bridgestone Potenza S001 is stronger on wet and handling.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Pirelli P Zero scores 59 vs 52 on noise.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Bridgestone Potenza S001 scores 75 vs 71 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Pirelli P Zero scores 62 vs 59 on comfort.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Bridgestone Potenza S001 scores 61 vs 58 on handling.

Tire A · Pirelli P Zero
Tire B · Bridgestone Potenza S001

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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.

63

Narrow edge

Potenza S001

Amazon