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Last updated 10/04/2024 - Originally published 10/04/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Those familiar with the Pirelli brand will know that the company has been making the best Ultra-high Performance (UHP) tires for more than a century. The company is well known for bringing expertise from the world of motorsports into road tires, so they would be very likely to be several times better than Falken tires. However, we’re sure you would see a fair number of surprises during the comparison between Pirelli P Zero Nero All-Season and Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S here.
Both the above tires are UHP all-season tires, and while the P Zero Nero All-Season is suitable for sporty sedans and CUVs, the Ziex ZE960 A/S is specially built for coupes and sedans. Both tires sport the same tread depths and asymmetrical tread patterns. Both tires provide limited manufacturer tread life warranties, but the Falken is ahead of the Pirelli in this aspect. To find out how similar or different the two tires are and how well they meet your needs, we’ll be comparing them as per our in-house rating system SimpleScore.
Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season tires
The Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season is a tire designed for exceptional handling in light, wet, and dry winter weather. Its all-season tread design helps provide traction and performance throughout the year and the silica-rich rubber compound enhances performance. This UHP tire sports a sturdy center rib that, in combination with the tread depth, enhances straight-line stability and steering response. If it’s better fuel economy you’re looking for, the Pirelli ensures low rolling resistance. Overall, the superb handling available here (inspired by motorsports) allows the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season to gain an excellent average handling SimpleScore of 9.1.
Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S tires
Now it is incorrect to say that only Pirelli participates in motorsports and not Falken. A Falken Motorsports team is sent every year to the ADAC Zurich 24-hour race, which means they do have some degree of experience. The Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S is known for offering drivers a high degree of year-round reliability.
Suitable technologies are available on the Falken for enhancing wet weather grip, snow traction, and hydroplaning resistance. The tire has been designed to match the performance requirements of today’s performance-based coupes and sedans, providing confidence and control at every step. It is available with a limited manufacturer tread life warranty as well and deserves an average SimpleScore of 8.6 due to a combination of great handling, high traction, and reliable longevity.
Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season vs Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S tires on traction
Throughout the year, the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season provides exceptional traction thanks to its all-season tread design. For traction in damp or icy situations, the P Zero Nero All Season features a thick network of sipes in addition to a combination of circumferential and angled grooves. Based on the above, the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season scores an amazing 9.6 for traction.
Compared to the above, Flask Siping on the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S increases grip in wet weather and improves hydroplaning resistance, ensuring stability in rainy conditions. It also has great snow traction thanks to the state-of-the-art Canyon Groove technology, which receives an impressive traction score of 8.5.
When it comes to traction, the P Zero Nero All Season outperforms the Ziex ZE960 A/S by a fair margin.
ADVANTAGE: Pirelli P Zero Nero All-Season
Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season vs Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S tires on handling
The term "handling" describes how a tyre responds to the demands of the driver, including braking, turning, and acceleration. UHP all-season tires require handling for both driving pleasure and vehicle stability. In both dry and rainy conditions, the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season's solid centre rib offers a consistent and homogenous contact patch with the road, reducing stopping distances and accelerating times. When cornering, multiple lateral and four longitudinal grooves decrease the chances of hydroplaning. The P Zero Nero All Season offers outstanding wet road handling, thanks to its silica compound, while its strong center rib enhances straight-line stability and steering responsiveness. Therefore, we found ourselves awarding the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season with an outstanding handling score of 9.4.
The Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S also manages to score a fairly high 8.6 here due to various features, one of which is Flask Siping which guarantees stability in wet conditions. Asymmetrical tread patterns allow unfettered rotation on both tires while also improving handling. Canyon Groove technology is responsible for ensuring that the ride is always smooth.
ADVANTAGE: Pirelli P Zero Nero All-Season
Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season vs Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S tires on longevity
It is here that Falken comprehensively outscores the Pirelli. Backed by a 45,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season showcases dual steel belts for maximum strength and longevity while on top of a polyester cord body.
Tread depths are the same on both tires, as are the asymmetrical tread patterns. The Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S is backed by a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. While the Pirelli scores an 8.2, the Falken beats it this time with an 8.7.
ADVANTAGE: Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S
When to use each
The aspirations of drivers seeking year-round UHP performance are realized through UHP all-season tires. Both the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season and the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S fall in this category, offering all-season traction, thrilling performance, and stylish looks. You will not be able to utilize them in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit since they are not Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified. Additionally, their rubber compound reacts poorly to very low temperatures. If you're looking for tires that last long and have a higher warranty, the Ziex ZE960 A/S is your pick. For everything else, there's the P Zero Nero All Season.
Which one should you choose?
Which of these two exceptionally effective all-season tires best meets your requirements? The Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season outperforms the Falken Ziex Ze960 A/S when compared to the overall SimpleScore, being ahead in terms of traction and handling as well. But in terms of longevity, it's the Falken that walks away with the greatest accolade. To evaluate how significant is the difference, let's compare the starting prices of the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season with the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S.
While the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season costs about $206, the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S starts off at a mere $81. In other words, a set of four Pirelli tires will set you back by $824 as compared to $324 for the Falken, thus leading to a massive difference of $500!
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season if you:
- Drive a a 4-seater coupe like the BMW M6, a mid-size AWD sedan like the Subaru Legacy, or a luxury sport sedan like the Audi A6
- Want better handling
- Want superior traction
- Want a run-flat tire
In comparison, you should purchase the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S if you:
- Drive a Toyota Corolla , a Lexus LS430, or a Mazda 3
- Want a better mileage warranty
- Want a cheaper tire
Your vehicles and the things that matter most to you, like price, traction, handling, and longevity, will ultimately influence which option you pick.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.