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Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 vs Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
As far as close call comparison pieces go, it couldn't be tighter than between the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 and Goodyear's EfficientGrip Performance 2.
After all, both tyres fit the exact same segment – premium touring summer – and have both excelled in independent tests, with the split being about as even as it gets. Of thirteen shared tests, Goodyear has finished ahead in six, Pirelli has finished ahead in six, and one ended in a draw.
So the decision comes down to what matters most to you: outright wet-weather grip and shorter stopping distances, or the lowest running costs over the tyre's life. Don't fret, as our comparison guide will help make a difficult decision a bit easier!
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 vs Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2: What's the Difference?
The biggest difference between the two is what each tyre is engineered to prioritise.
The Cinturato P7 C2 leans into wet grip, aquaplaning resistance and braking response – the qualities that have earned it OE approval on premium compact-executive cars. The EfficientGrip Performance 2 is built around Goodyear's Mileage Plus technology, engineered to get more miles and better fuel economy out of every tyre – which shows up most in family hatchback and estate fitments.
In simple terms:
- Choose the Cinturato P7 C2 if short stopping distances and wet-road confidence matter most
- Choose the EfficientGrip Performance 2 if tread life, rolling resistance and value for money matter most
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 Overview
The Cinturato P7 C2 is Pirelli's premium touring summer tyre, developed as the successor to the original Cinturato P7. It is optimised specifically for wet performance, mileage and rolling resistance in balance with each other.
Its tread compound and profile are designed to shorten braking distances and reduce the risk of aquaplaning, while the tyre carries OE approval marks for several premium manufacturers – Audi (AO), Mercedes-Benz (MOE) and Porsche (N). Fitments for these brands exist within the range, which lines up with the fitment data showing the Audi A3 and BMW 3 Series among its most common cars on Blackcircles.com.
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 Overview
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
Goodyear have developed the Efficient Grip Performance 2 for increased braking performance in wet weather.
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The EfficientGrip Performance 2 is Goodyear's premium touring summer tyre, built around three named technologies: MileagePlus Technology, a highly flexible tread compound that minimises micro-cracking on rough road surfaces; Wet Braking Technology, using multiple micro-biting edges in the tread for wet grip; and Dry Stability Plus Technology for confident handling in the dry.
Goodyear states the tyre delivers around 50% more mileage than its predecessor, the original EfficientGrip Performance, which is the headline reason it consistently tops longevity and value comparisons against rivals.
Tyre Label Ratings
Tyre label ratings are regulated, and they are the only performance figures on either tyre that have been tested to a common standard.
Ratings vary between sizes and fitment variations, so the table below compares a single common size that both tyres are available in – 205/55 R16 91V.
| Label rating | Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Efficiency | C | B |
| Wet Grip | A | A |
| External Noise | 70dB | 69dB |
Both tyres hit the top A class for wet grip, so the label alone doesn't settle the argument. Goodyear's fuel efficiency edge and marginally lower noise figure show up here, but the real separation between the two is in the independent test data below.
Wet Grip, Aquaplaning & Braking
This is where the Cinturato P7 C2 pulls ahead. Across the thirteen tests that have compared both tyres directly, Pirelli was the better performer in ten of eleven dry braking tests, stopping the car in an average of 2.05% less distance than the Goodyear.
The gap is smaller but still consistent in the wet: Pirelli was better in eight of eleven wet braking tests, with an average stopping distance 1.6% shorter than the EfficientGrip Performance 2. Pirelli also edged ahead in dry handling speed across the tests where both were measured, by an average of 0.17%.
None of these margins is dramatic on their own, but they are consistent across a large number of independent tests rather than a one-off result, and they line up with Pirelli's own positioning of the tyre around wet performance and braking response.
Mileage, Fuel Economy & Rolling Resistance
This is where the EfficientGrip Performance 2 holds the answer. Goodyear's tyre was named the top-ranked tyre in ADAC's 50th anniversary '50 years – 50 tyres' summer tyre test, one of the most comprehensive tests run anywhere in the industry. Testers described it as enormously well-balanced and gave it the best score in the test for tread wear.
Goodyear states the tyre delivers around 50% higher mileage than its own predecessor and around 20% higher mileage than its closest tested competitor. That longevity advantage, combined with a fuel efficiency label of B against Pirelli's C in the shared 205/55 R16 size, is the basis for the EfficientGrip Performance 2's reputation as the lower-running-cost option of the two.
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 Awards & Recognition
- 3rd of 10 ("Outstanding"), Aftonbladet Summer Tyre Test 2025, 225/45 R17 – behind only the Michelin Primacy 5 and Continental PremiumContact 7
- 2nd of 9 ("Highly Recommended"), Autozeitung Summer Tyre Test 2024, 225/45 R17 – behind the Continental PremiumContact 7
- 2nd of 13, Tyre Reviews Summer Tyre Test 2023, 205/55 R16
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 Awards & Recognition
- 1st of 50, ADAC '50 years - 50 tyres' 50th anniversary Summer Tyre Test, 205/55 R16 – the highest-ranked tyre in one of the most comprehensive tests the industry runs
- 1st of 22, AutoBild Summer Tyre Test 2022
- 2nd of 12, Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer Tyre Test 2020, 205/55 R16
Customer Reviews
Customer feedback on Blackcircles.com is provided through DriverReviews, allowing drivers to share their experiences and opinions on tyres they have already purchased. The review categories are:
- Overall ratings
- Would the customer buy the tyres again
- Does the car feel better to drive
- Were the tyres value for money
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 as follows:
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 as follows:
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 Common Tyre Sizes
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 Common Tyre Sizes
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 Common Car Models
Fitment data from Blackcircles.com shows the Cinturato P7 C2 is most ordered for the premium, compact-executive skew that fits its wet-grip and handling strengths:
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 Common Car Models
Fitment data from Blackcircles.com shows the EfficientGrip Performance 2 is most ordered for high-volume family hatchbacks where its longevity and low running costs matter most:
Price Difference Between Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 vs Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
Prices for tyre ranges typically differ between sizes and specialised car manufacturer fitments.
Fully fitted prices for the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 range from £ to £ .
Fully fitted prices for the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 range from £ to £ .
Which Should You Choose?
If your priority is wet-weather confidence and shorter braking distances – particularly if you're on a premium compact-executive car the P7 C2 is OE-approved for – the Cinturato P7 C2 is the stronger pick, and independent testing backs that up consistently across dry and wet braking.
If your priority is getting the most miles and the lowest running cost out of a set of tyres – especially on a high-mileage family hatchback or estate – the EfficientGrip Performance 2 is the stronger pick, backed by its ADAC test win and Goodyear's own mileage claims against its predecessor and its closest tested rivals.
Where Can I Buy Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 or Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2?
You can buy both the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 and Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 directly from Blackcircles.com.
Simply enter your vehicle registration or tyre size to view available options, compare prices and book fitting at one of thousands of trusted local garages across the UK.
Blackcircles.com offers fully fitted prices, with fitting, balancing, new valves and tyre disposal included as standard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which tyre performs better in wet UK conditions?
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2, on balance. Across the tests that have run both tyres side by side, Pirelli won eight of eleven wet braking tests with an average stopping distance 1.6% shorter than the Goodyear. Both carry an A rating for wet grip on the EU tyre label, so the difference shows up in real-world braking distance rather than the label.
Which tyre lasts longer on UK roads?
The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2. It was named the top-ranked tyre in ADAC's 50th anniversary summer tyre test, with the best tread wear score in that test. In addition, Goodyear states it delivers around 50% more mileage than its own predecessor.
Is the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 worth the extra money over the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2?
It depends on what you value. If short braking distances and wet-road confidence matter most to you, then the P7 C2's independent test results justify the difference. If you're covering high mileage and want the lowest cost per mile, the EfficientGrip Performance 2's tread life and fuel efficiency advantage make it the better value choice.
Are Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 tyres quieter than Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 for motorway driving?
No – it's marginal, but the Goodyear is very slightly quieter. In the shared 205/55 R16 size, the EfficientGrip Performance 2 is rated at 69dB against 70dB for the Cinturato P7 C2.
Which tyre gives better fuel economy?
The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, which carries a B rating for fuel efficiency in the shared 205/55 R16 size, against a C rating for the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2. This tracks with Goodyear's lower rolling resistance in independent testing.
How do these two compare with the Michelin Primacy 4+?
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 tests ahead of the Primacy 4+ on outright wet grip, but it's closer than it looks: the Primacy 4+ carries an A wet grip rating across its full size range, while the Cinturato P7 C2 only hits A on some sizes. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 and Primacy 4+ are close to level on wet performance overall, with no clear winner either way.
Should I buy two or four tyres?
Four is always the safer choice on a performance-relevant tyre change, and it matters more here than on a budget tyre: mixing a Cinturato P7 C2 with an older tyre, or pairing it with an EfficientGrip Performance 2, means mismatched wet grip and braking behaviour axle to axle.
