Best UUHP Tires Test 2026: In the ultra-high performance (UHP) category, every meter, every tenth of a second, every point of steering feedback matters. In this comparison, three major players go head-to-head to determine who truly delivers the sharpest wet grip, strongest braking, and most confidence at the limit: Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72, Pirelli P Zero PZ5, and the segment benchmark, Continental SportContact 7.
Table of Contents
Test Setup
In this test, brand new tires sized 255/55 R19 were fitted onto a Audi TT. Tire pressures were set to 2.4 bar at the front and 2.4 bar at the rear. For subjective evaluations, each point difference equates to a 10% performance difference. For example, if Tire A scores a 7 and Tire B an 8, Tire B is considered 10% superior. In noise tests, an increase of 1 dB signifies a 10% rating change due to the logarithmic nature of decibel measurements.
Overall test scores are calculated using the following weight distribution: Wet Performance at 40%, Dry Performance at 30%, Noise & Comfort at 25%, and Rolling Resistance (RR) at 5%.
Wet
In the UUHP world, wet grip isn’t optional — it’s the ultimate test of control when powerful cars hit soaked roads at speed.
Wet Braking Results
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 needed the longest distance to stop at 38.8 m (86%). The Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72 improved to 34.2 m, a full 4.6 m shorter and 14% better, while the Continental SportContact 7 delivered the best result at 33.4 m — 0.8 m shorter than Kumho, adding another 2% improvement in wet braking performance.
Wet Handling Results
Results are separated by objective metrics (lap time) & subjective perceptions.
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was slowest at 84.8 s (98%). The Kumho PS72 improved to 83.1 s, 1.7 s faster and 2% better, while the Continental SportContact 7 set the fastest time at 81.33 s — 1.77 s quicker than Kumho, giving it an additional 2% advantage in overall wet pace.
The Pirelli P Zero PZ5 scored lowest at 6.0/10 (96%), lacking steering precision. The Kumho PS72 improved slightly to 6.3/10, about 4% stronger, while the Continental SportContact 7 topped the group at 7.0/10 — 0.7 points higher than Kumho, adding a further 7% improvement in steering feel and wet balance.
The Kumho PS72 recorded 0.874 g (100%), forming the baseline. The Pirelli PZ5 improved to 0.897 g, 0.023 g higher (+3%), while the Continental SportContact 7 produced the strongest grip at 0.906 g — 0.009 g beyond Pirelli, adding an additional 1% improvement in wet cornering traction.
Aquaplaning Results
The Continental SportContact 7 lifted earliest at 74.7 km/h (98%). The Pirelli PZ5 improved slightly to 74.9 km/h, 0.2 km/h higher (+0%), while the Kumho PS72 held out longest at 76.4 km/h — 1.5 km/h more than Pirelli, marking a 2% advantage in straight-line aquaplaning resistance.
The Continental SportContact 7 showed the weakest lateral water clearance at 2.61 m/s² (89%). The Kumho PS72 improved to 2.93 m/s², 0.32 m/s² higher and 12% better, while the Pirelli PZ5 delivered the best result at 3.01 m/s² — 0.08 m/s² ahead of Kumho, adding another 3% improvement in lateral hydroplaning stabilit
Dry
For UUHP tires, dry performance sits just behind wet grip in importance — it’s critical for high-speed confidence, delivering sharp braking, planted stability, and precise control on every drive.
Dry Braking Results
The Pirelli PZ5 needed 34.1 m (99%), the longest in the group. The Kumho PS72 improved to 33.6 m, 0.5 m shorter (+1%), while the Continental SportContact 7 achieved the best stop at 32.1 m — 1.5 m shorter than Kumho, resulting in a 5% improvement in dry braking performance.
Dry Handling Results
In the UUHP segment, handling is everything — the real separator between an average tire and a true performance benchmark. This test looks at both hard data like lap times and the subjective feel that matters most: steering precision, balance, and the confidence to push the car to its limits.
The Kumho PS72 was slowest at 48.35 s (100%). The Continental SportContact 7 improved slightly to 48.23 s, 0.12 s faster (+1%), while the Pirelli PZ5 delivered the quickest time at 47.68 s — 0.55 s faster than Continental, adding another 1% advantage in dry lap pace.
The Kumho PS72 scored 7.0/10 (100%). The Pirelli PZ5 nudged ahead at 7.1/10, 0.1 points higher (+1%), while the Continental SportContact 7 led comfortably at 7.5/10 — 0.4 points above Pirelli, adding another 4% improvement in dry steering feedback and stability.
Noise
In the Asia region, noise and comfort remain significant factors for UUHP tires, as drivers prioritize a balanced experience that combines performance with everyday comfort on varying road surfaces.
Interior Noise Results
The Continental SportContact 7 was marginally loudest at 65.7 dB (99%). The Kumho PS72 followed at 65.6 dB, 0.1 dB quieter (+1%), while the Pirelli PZ5 produced the lowest cabin noise at 65.4 dB — 0.2 dB quieter than Kumho, adding another 1% improvement, though all three are extremely close.
Subjective comfort results
The Kumho PS72 offered the highest comfort at 6.5/10 (100%). Both the Pirelli PZ5 and Continental SportContact 7 scored 6.0/10, making them 0.5 points firmer, equal to a 5% reduction in comfort versus Kumho.
Rolling Resistance
The Kumho PS72 recorded the highest rolling resistance at 9.66 N/kN (100%). The Continental SportContact 7 improved to 9.24 N/kN, 0.42 N/kN lower and 4% better, while the Pirelli PZ5 delivered the most efficient result at 9.15 N/kN — 0.09 N/kN ahead of Continental, adding another 1% improvement in energy consumption.
Best UUHP Tires Test 2026: Final Standings
1. Continental SportContact 7
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 1st | 102% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 1st | 102% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 1st | 107% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 3rd | 98% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 3rd | 89% |
| Wet Cornering | 1st | 104% |
| Dry Braking | 1st | 105% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 1st | 101% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 1st | 105% |
| Subjective Comfort | 2nd | 95% |
| Interior Noise | 3rd | 99% |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd | 105% |
What we like:
- The SportContact 7 dominates the field — #1 in wet braking, #1 in wet handling (both lap time and subjective), #1 in dry braking, and #1 in dry handling feel. Steering precision and confidence are class-leading.
What could be improved:
- Almost no weaknesses. Only mid-pack rolling resistance and lower lateral aquaplaning performance leave slight room for improvement.
Tire Price (255/55R19): RM 1284
2. Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 2nd | 100% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 1st | 100% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 2nd | 100% |
| Wet Cornering | 3rd | 100% |
| Dry Braking | 2nd | 100% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 3rd | 100% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 3rd | 100% |
| Subjective Comfort | 1st | 100% |
| Interior Noise | 2nd | 100% |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd | 100% |
What we like
- A consistently strong performer with balanced wet and dry abilities. It delivers competitive wet braking and wet handling, neutral steering, and solid stability. Comfort and refinement are also respectable, making it a well-rounded UUHP option.
What could be improved
- While consistent, it rarely leads — sitting mostly in the middle of the pack across key categories. It could improve aquaplaning resistance and subjective handling precision to challenge the premium front-runners.
Tire Price (255/55R19): RM 689
3. Pirelli P Zero PZ5
| Ranking | % | |
| Wet Braking | 3rd | 86% |
| Wet Handling (lap time) | 3rd | 98% |
| Wet Handling (subj) | 3rd | 96% |
| Aquaplaning (longitudinal) | 2nd | 98% |
| Aquaplaning (lateral) | 1st | 103% |
| Wet Cornering | 2nd | 103% |
| Dry Braking | 3rd | 99% |
| Dry Handling (lap time) | 2nd | 100% |
| Dry Handling (subj) | 2nd | 101% |
| Subjective Comfort | 2nd | 95% |
| Interior Noise | 1st | 102% |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st | 106% |
What we like
- A polished, premium-feeling tire with excellent wet cornering, strong lateral aquaplaning, and very good dry handling stability. Steering response is sharp, and it offers one of the quietest cabins in the group.
What could be improved
- Its main weakness is longer wet braking, placing it behind its rivals when the road is soaked. Rolling resistance is also on the higher side, and overall subjective comfort trails the best in segment.
Tire Price (255/55R19): –
Test Summary
From weakest to strongest, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 struggled most, delivering the longest wet and dry braking distances and the slowest wet handling time — a truly disappointing performance given its premium reputation and what we expected from the PZ5 name. The Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72, meanwhile, proved to be a genuinely worthy contender in the UUHP segment, offering strong braking, balanced handling, solid comfort, and surprising competitiveness across multiple categories. But the Continental SportContact 7 remained the undisputed champion — stopping 4.6 m shorter than Pirelli in the wet and 2.0 m shorter in the dry, dominating wet handling both objectively and subjectively, and delivering the highest overall grip. A clear benchmark in modern UHP performance.