Pirelli Scorpion Zero Review
Made to the exacting standards of several premium automakers, the Pirelli Scorpion Zero is designed to deliver superior on-road performance for crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks with some light off-road capability.
PROS
- Excellent dry grip and handling
- Some light off-road capability
CONS
- Could use better tread life and a warranty
In many ways, you can compare this tire to Pirelli’s own Scorpion STR tire, and it’s hard not to see how the Zero comes out ahead. That is, other than in one important area.
Sporting an original tread design, rather than the usual five rows of tread blocks, the Scorpion Zero makes use of a Z-shaped pattern, with either one large Z or two rows of smaller Zs, depending on the specific tire. Some clever branding on Pirelli’s part, the design serves a true purpose to deliver a focused center tread section to maximize performance and grip. That, combined with the specific tread compound make this tire really stand out in dry wether handling where it has the sort of grip you’d expect from a Pirelli tire. Pus, if you look to the exterior tread blocks you’ll see each of the shoulder blocks is actually joined to the one next to it in pairs, giving an even larger contact patch, especially where it matters in the corners. That said, we find this tire’s handling capability to be its best feature. So take note performance-focused drivers.
Wet weather traction is still solid with plenty of water evacuation capabilities in the tire. Meanwhile, the Z design mixed with plentiful siping allow for some extra grip on loose surfaces, giving the Scorpion Zero traction on gravel and grass.
And on top of all this you still end up with a ride that’s both quiet and comfortable, including a softer ride than the Scorpion STR. We’d expect no less from a Pirelli.
If this tire does have any drawbacks it’s that the added grip comes with reduced tread life. In fact, Pirelli doesn’t back this tire with a tread wear warranty (although take note, because some websites inaccurately claim it has a 70,000 mile warranty) and some owners complain of premature wear.
A factory option for some Mercedes-Benz and Porsche models, you’ll swap these tires out a bit more often than some competitor tires, but for many that’s a fair price to pay for the added grip these tires deliver.
Pirelli Scorpion Zero Price
Pricing for the Pirelli Scorpion Zero ranges from around $160 for an 18-inch fitment up to just over $400 for the largest 22-inch fitment.
Pirelli Scorpion Zero Warranty
The Pirelli Scorpion Zero does not come with a tread life warranty. Like all Pirelli tires its backed by the brand’s standard limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship for the first 2/32-inch of tread life or the first 12 months of ownership, whichever comes first. Beyond that, the warranty covers defective tires on a pro-rated basis down to the final 2/32-inch of usable tread life.
Pirelli Scorpion Zero Sizes
18-inch sizes
235/60/R18
255/60/R18
255/55/R18
285/55/R18
19-inch sizes
255/55/R19
275/55/R19
20-inch sizes
275/50/R20
255/50/R20
21-inch sizes
295/40/R21
285/45/R21
22-inch sizes
295/40/R22
Is the Pirelli Scorpion Zero a Run Flat Tire?
Pirelli does not offer the Scorpion Zero tire as a run flat, however, the similar Scorpion Zero All Season can be had as both a run flat and a conventional tire.
Is the Pirelli Scorpion Zero an All Season Tire?
Technically the Pirelli Scorpion Zero is an all-season tire, though it is more performance focused than many and really isn’t ideal for winter climates with snow. Pirelli does offer the Scorpion Zero All Season as well, which adds some inclement weather grip.