Comparison: Pirelli P ZERO vs. Firestone Roadhawk vs. Bridgestone Turanza T005 vs. Continental UltraContact NXT

Pirelli P ZERO vs. Firestone Roadhawk—a focused comparison for drivers choosing a proven summer tyre for everyday road use and spirited driving. Below we summarise how these two tyres stack up in independent tests, their key strengths and weaknesses, and which one is the better pick when fitted to the same car under the same conditions.

Test performance and head-to-head results
In the major Autobild summer tyre test (53 tyres evaluated), the Pirelli P ZERO finished 4th, while the Firestone Roadhawk placed 13th. This is a clear advantage for the P ZERO in direct competition. Autobild also highlighted the P ZERO’s excellent dry handling, confirming the tyre’s dynamic focus. The Roadhawk, though well-rounded, couldn’t quite match the P ZERO’s pace in this large group test.

Strengths and weaknesses

• Pirelli P ZERO — A performance-oriented summer tyre with standout dry handling precision and stability at speed. It’s an excellent choice for drivers who value steering response and confidence on warm, dry tarmac. While our platform does not yet show an aggregated score for this model, its top-5 placement out of 53 in Autobild is a strong indicator of overall capability. Made in Italy, it also benefits from Pirelli’s motorsport-derived development.


• Firestone Roadhawk — Designed as a balanced, everyday summer tyre with dependable road manners. On our site, it holds an overall rating of 57%, reflecting solid—if not class-leading—performance. Its 13th place in the same Autobild test shows it can compete well in a crowded field, though it trails the P ZERO when ultimate dry performance is the priority.

Model lifecycle and replacements
The Firestone Roadhawk has been replaced by the Firestone Roadhawk 2, which is intended to improve on wet safety and efficiency without sacrificing wear. If you are considering the Roadhawk, it’s worth checking availability and pricing of the newer version. The Pirelli P ZERO remains a current fixture in Pirelli’s performance lineup with multiple OE-tuned variants, though naming can vary by fitment.

Which tyre is better overall?
Based on their mutual test, the Pirelli P ZERO is the stronger performer overall, particularly for drivers who prioritise dynamic dry handling and steering accuracy. The Firestone Roadhawk is a competent all-round summer tyre and a sensible value choice, but in direct comparison it typically ranks behind the P ZERO in enthusiast-focused criteria.

Verdict

• Choose Pirelli P ZERO if you want top-tier dry-road performance, high-speed stability, and a sportier feel. It placed 4th out of 53 in Autobild—impressive evidence of its capability.


• Choose Firestone Roadhawk if you’re after a balanced, everyday summer tyre with decent test pedigree and are budget-conscious. Also consider the Roadhawk 2 as the updated successor.

Learn more about the brands: Pirelli and Firestone.