This is a review of Dunlop Direzza DZ102 tires, a high-performance summer tire that is specifically made for sedans and sporty cars.
This tire is a cost-efficient option that provides ample traction, aggressive handling, and comfort during dry conditions. We have researched manufacturer statistics and real-life reviews to see if this tire can stand up to high-performance standards.
Don’t have time to read everything? Here’s a quick summary of our review as well as pros & cons listed.
Conclusion:
Tests have shown that users loved this tire performed at a high level in almost every area, especially during tight turns and dry conditions.
The preceding model, the Dunlop Direzza DZ101, struggled in wet road conditions - however, the new-model Dunlop Direzza DZ102 provides ample grip on most circumstances. This low-priced and high-performance summer tire is compatible with all types of cars, such as sports cars, performance sedans, and sporty coupes.
Pros
Cons
Dunlop Direzza DZ102 Performance Breakdown
Now we will take a look into the comprehensive breakdown of the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 tires to see how it stacks up against the competition.
Performance
According to Tirerack, one of the only instances the Dunlop tire did not perform well was during snow or icy conditions. Even though this tire can handle high speeds and tight turns, this tire is typically meant for summer use.
Most users also note that the tire is excellent during dry performance, scoring 93% better than other ultra-high-performance summer tires.
The characteristics of this tire that are stand-out in dry conditions are cornering stability, dry traction, and excellent steering response. These features are great for increased safety during dry conditions, sharp turns, and quick braking.
This tire earned middle-of-the-road standings in the dry handling category, successfully maintaining 67.4km/h in dry speeds, which was 4 km/h slower than the leading tire.
The negatives from users regarding the tire traction focus on the lack of control during wet and snowy conditions. According to users on Tirerack, these tires are slippery, shaky, and unstable during braking. According to tests, the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 earned 12th place in the Wet Braking category, taking 4.6m longer than the highest-scoring tire to stop in wet conditions.
Handling
The dual steel belts on the Dunlop Direzza tires reduce premature tread wear, increase handling and agility, and improve cornering at high speeds.
Tests have shown that these tires can provide most drivers with sufficient grip on a variety of conditions, despite being a typically summer-only tire. This high-grip feature is great for most drivers, because it can be versatile enough to use in a wide range of weather and road conditions.
However, this tire might not have the long-lasting durability and performance required for high-speed drivers who frequently drive in very wet conditions.
In the Wet handling category, the Dunlop Direzza 102 earned 9th place, driving 3.9km/h slower than the top-scoring tire – the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 maintained 65.1km/h in wet conditions, whereas the top tier could maintain speeds of 69km/h.
Noise and Comfort
Users state these tires have a high-scoring ride quality with minimal noise. According to user reviews, the comfort is excellent and provides only marginal noise at extremely high speeds. This means that this tire is beneficial for casual drivers who want a relaxing, low-noise ride.
Other user reviews on GoodYear stated these tires earn a 4 out of 5 stars for ‘Ride Comfort.’ However, only 75% of users state they would buy these tires again due to some premature tire wear.
According to user reviews, drivers have ranked the comfort for these tires 3.8 out of 5 stars. Users state this tire has a controlled and consistent feel, which is great for the price point of this product compared to other high-end options.
User Reviews and Durability
Regarding the overall user reviews of the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 tires, this product has scored favorably on various websites. According to user reviews, this product scored a 75/100 based on 13 customer ratings.
On Tirerack, this tire scored a 4 out of 5 with over 155 customer ratings. According to user reviews on GoodYear, this tire earned a 4.5 out of 23 reviews. Lastly, according to the user reviews on other several websites, users gave this tire an overall 78/100.
According to Priority Tire, this product is cost-efficient since its trade life is long-lasting and durable compared to other options. Since the tire evenly distributes pressure across the entire surface area of the tread, the tree breaks down slower, leading to a more durable product.
Price
According to user reviews, the price of this tire is quite low versus other high-performance tires. Very few high-quality and durable tires are in the same price range as the Dunlop Direzza DZ102, making this a great option for elite drivers who do not want to spend a fortune.
Competition
Here are the top five competing tires to the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 in the High-Performance Summer tire class:
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
- Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport
- Continental ExtremeContact Sport
- Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position
Recommendations and Conclusions
Recommendations
The Dunlop Direzza DZ102 tires are high-performance designed for summer and dry weather. Although they have fair handling during wet and snowy conditions, these tires stand out in terms of performance during tight turns, aggressive driving, and comfortable cruising in dry conditions.
According to testing on Tirerack, the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 earned fourth place according to road manners in the dry and wet track category. Even though this may seem like a low score, the tires perform well in dry conditions, and the score suffers from the lack of agility and handling in wet track conditions.
In this test, the three tires that performed better than the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 are the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2, Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport, and Yokohama S.drive.
Conclusion
Featuring a durable and long-lasting tread combined with a lower price point, this tire is a great choice for those who enjoy driving in dry conditions and don’t want to spend excess money on a top-tier product.
Even though this summer tire option may not stand out among the rest of the competition in terms of outstanding performance or incredible features, it can hold its own in most weather conditions.
References
[1] Ultra High Performance Summer Tire Test Results – Tirerack.com