Comparison: Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2 vs. Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 vs. Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 2 vs. Pirelli P ZERO PZ4
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The Pirelli stops shorter, corners cleaner, and rides better — the Dunlop only leads in aquaplaning.
These two premium summer tyres share a segment but precious little else in character. The Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2 is a long-in-the-tooth performer that leans on aquaplaning resistance and ride comfort to stay competitive, while the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 — the upgraded successor to the legendary P7 Cinturato — is a genuinely well-rounded touring tyre that earns its place as original equipment on BMWs and other premium cars. One is aging gracefully but struggling to keep pace; the other scores convincingly across the board. The gap between them is wider than the price tags suggest.
SP Sport MAXX RT2
Cinturato P7 C2
The verdict is not close. The Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 earns 89/100 against 69/100 for the Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2, and those numbers reflect a real-world performance gap rather than a statistical quirk. For the vast majority of drivers — particularly those doing regular motorway miles in premium saloons or SUVs — the Pirelli is the smarter choice. It stops shorter, handles more predictably, rides more comfortably, and is trusted by manufacturers like BMW as factory-fit equipment. Its successor, the Pirelli Cinturato C3, is now available for those wanting the latest iteration.
The RT2 is not without merit: its aquaplaning resistance is genuinely good, and its interior refinement is competitive. But as the rest of the premium segment has moved on, it has struggled to keep pace — and recommending it at premium pricing is difficult when the Pirelli delivers so much more across the board. The Dunlop makes most sense for drivers specifically worried about standing water and who can find it at a meaningful discount; for everyone else, the Pirelli wins clearly.
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