Pirelli

Pirelli's summer tyre range spans a wide array of sizes, positioning, and price points, so rather than cataloguing everything the brand offers, we've focused this overview on the handful of models that have actually distinguished themselves in recent independent tests. The three highlighted below represent Pirelli's current strongest performers across touring, SUV, and ultra-high-performance segments.

The Pirelli Cinturato (C3) is the standout of the lineup, backed by an unusually consistent run of strong results across five separate tests in 2026. It topped the field outright at both AvD and TYRE REVIEWS, earning "Testsieger" and "vítěz testu" honours respectively, with particular strength in wet braking, wet handling, and dry braking — TYRE REVIEWS clocked its dry braking at a class-best 35.75m. Autobild rated it "příkladné" and praised its agile wet-weather manners, fine braking, and notably low rolling resistance, while ADAC placed it second overall with "gute" wet performance and a well-balanced overall package. Autoexpress also recommended it, citing strong wet braking, wet handling, and dry braking, though it flagged the tyre as the most expensive on test at £124.58. The recurring weak points across testers are relatively unremarkable: slightly below-average rolling resistance in AvD's test, marginally weaker dry properties than Continental's rival in ADAC's test, a mid-pack result for standing-water aquaplaning, and the highest measured noise level in the TYRE REVIEWS field. The Cinturato (C3) succeeds the earlier Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 and, before that, the original Pirelli P7 Cinturato, continuing a nameplate with a long track record in the touring segment.

The Pirelli SCORPION is a newer addition aimed at SUVs and crossovers, and it's already backed by more than one test. Autobild rated it "příkladné" in its most recent 2025 test, following a "dobré" rating in an earlier 2024 SUV-labelled test, where it earned praise for strong traction on grass and mud, short dry braking distances, convincing rolling comfort, and fuel-saving rolling resistance, offset only by a slightly spongy feel on dry tarmac. Vibilagare also rated it "dobré" in a 2025 test. Together, these results point to a tyre that's carving out a solid reputation for SUV owners who want secure traction without sacrificing comfort or efficiency.

At the performance end of the range sits the Pirelli P Zero R, which claimed outright victory in its TYRE REVIEWS test with the best dry braking distance recorded (31.7m) alongside the best dry and wet handling in the field, and a wet braking result close to the class leader. Its trade-offs are the kind typical of ultra-high-performance tyres: rolling resistance (9.8 kg/t) wasn't the strongest in the test, and comfort came in only middling. For drivers prioritising outright grip and precision over efficiency or ride comfort, it's currently one of the sharpest tools in Pirelli's summer range.

Beyond these three, Pirelli's broader summer catalogue also includes the Pirelli P ZERO PZ4, which hasn't featured in enough recent independent testing to warrant a detailed breakdown here but remains part of the brand's wider UHP offering.