Continental SportContact 7 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

In this article we will be looking at independent tyre test data, and real world driver reviews of the Continental SportContact 7 and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 to find out which tyre is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Continental SportContact 7 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 are Max Performance Summer tyres designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tyres is relatively simple.

Both tyres are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tyre tests.

In This Article
Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion Similar Comparisons
SportContact-7 VS P-Zero-PZ4

Test Results

Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been six tests which compare both tyres directly!

Out of these six tests:

  • Continental SportContact 7 finished ahead of the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in six of the tests

While it might look like the Continental SportContact 7 is better than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during five dry braking tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 3.95% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Continental SportContact 7
32.56M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
33.9M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental SportContact 7

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:33.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.6M
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:33.3M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.5M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:31.6M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32.7M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:33.7M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:30.7M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.6M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 0.63% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Continental SportContact 7
100.04s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
100.67s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental SportContact 7

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:98.5s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.1s
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:101.58s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 101.23s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 1.17% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Continental SportContact 7
116.77Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
115.4Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental SportContact 7

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:133.3Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 130.6Km/H
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:115.2Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 115.1Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:101.8Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.5Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 scored 8.2% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Continental SportContact 7
61 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
56 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental SportContact 7

2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:61 Points Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 56 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during five wet braking tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 7.59% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Continental SportContact 7
32.16M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
34.8M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Continental SportContact 7

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:27.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32.4M
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:38.8M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 41.3M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:38.1M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 39.6M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:24.1M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 26.6M
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:32.3M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 2.46% faster around a wet lap than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
69.23s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
67.53s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:69.2s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.7s
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:69.25s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 68.36s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.54% faster around a wet lap than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
86.63Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
87.1Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:87.7Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 89.4Km/H
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:84.7Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 85.2Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:87.5Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 86.7Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 2.59% more points than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
56.5 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
58 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:56.5 Points ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 58 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.33% faster around a wet circle than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
12.27s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
12.23s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:11.09s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 11.05s
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:13.45s ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 13.41s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 floated at a 1.16% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Continental SportContact 7
75.26Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
74.39Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Continental SportContact 7

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:69.2Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 65.4Km/H
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:75.6Km/H ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.5Km/H
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:79.4Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.3Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:80.1Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.9Km/H
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:72Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 69.85Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 slipped out at a 1.52% higher speed than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
18.74m/sec2
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
19.03m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:2.1m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.2m/sec2
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:2.35m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.75m/sec2
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:3.37m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 3.4m/sec2
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:67.14m/sec2 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67.78m/sec2

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 scored 4.08% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Continental SportContact 7
24.5 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
23.5 Points
Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Continental SportContact 7

2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:24.5 Points Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 23.5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 measured 0.75% quieter than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
69.5dB
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
68.98dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:68.2dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67.9dB
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:67.5dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.9dB
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:69dB Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70dB
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:73.3dB ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.1dB

Price

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three price tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 cost 0.53% less than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
375.25
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
373.25
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:184 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 202
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:455 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 435
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 Continental SportContact 7:750 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 745
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Continental SportContact 7:112 ✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 111

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during five rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 had a 11.7% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Continental SportContact 7
8.45kg / t
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
9.57kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental SportContact 7

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:8.4kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.8kg / t
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:8.38kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.83kg / t
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:8.26kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.46kg / t
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:8.2kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.6kg / t
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Continental SportContact 7:9.01kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.17kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental SportContact 7 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

In total the Continental SportContact 7 has been reviewed 62 times and drivers have given the tyre 86% overall.

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 has been reviewed 69 times and drivers have given the tyre 75% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Best Review for the Continental SportContact 7
Given 93% 305/35 R19 on a combination of roads for 2,500 spirited miles
Bought these based on the group test results and was not disappointed. The wet grip is at a new level! I've tracked them several times both in dry and wet and they didn't fail. I was especially impressed with how they held up during the day and the tread that was left afterwards. These tyres transformed the driving experience both on the road and track.
Helpful 267 - tyre reviewed on August 19, 2022
View all Continental SportContact 7 driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/40 R18 W on for 0 miles
Really good !
Replace very very good Yokohama V105 one year old.
To try them out.
First-class comfort (top) + rolling silence
A little above the Yoko on the dry,
In the rain, they are incredible ! Well above all that I have tried :
Dunlop RT, PS3, Yoko V105, Hankook V12 K110.
No idea about wear again ... The +:
- Braking (this is a big highlight)
- Motricity
- Handling
They are equipped with protections of the rims although the option is not specified (in France).
The sides are stiffer than the PS3 for... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 299 - tyre reviewed on June 27, 2017
View all Pirelli P Zero PZ4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Continental SportContact 7 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], subj. dry handling, wet braking, straight aqua, subj. noise and rolling resistance, while the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performed better in wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, curved aquaplaning, noise and price.

Which tyre is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tyre. Comparing all the data in the tyre reviews database, on balance Continental SportContact 7 seems to be the best tyre overall.

However, it's important to note that both tyres have their strengths.

Remember, the best tyre for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Continental SportContact 7

Overall Winner: Continental SportContact 7

Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental SportContact 7 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.

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Continental SportContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
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Bridgestone Potenza Sport
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Bridgestone Potenza Sport
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Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Continental SportContact 7

Footnote

This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.

Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.