Goodyear Assurance MaxLife vs. Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3: A Tire Engineer’s Breakdown of Durability, Performance & Value

First of all, if you’ve selected the right tire, this section mostly comes down to your driving habits and the conditions you frequently encounter.

I’ll break down this section based on your specific needs to help you make the most informed decision. Let’s dive in.

Tread Life & Durability

When it comes to durability and treadwear, it’s essential to distinguish between tread life and chunking resistance. I consider durability mainly as chunking resistance—how well the tire handles cuts, tears, and general damage from rough surfaces.

Goodyear Assurance MaxLife offers an impressive 85,000-mile treadwear warranty, whereas Pirelli Scorpion P7 AS Plus 3 provides only 70,000 miles. Why the difference? Pirelli is designed for larger vehicles like CUVs and SUVs, which naturally results in shorter tread life compared to standard touring tires.

Here’s why: The Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3, as a grand touring tire for CUVs and SUVs, uses a softer compound. This provides superior traction most of the time, but the trade-off is quicker wear. Additionally, its wider tread pattern creates more friction, leading to higher heat buildup and accelerated tread wear.

One critical note: The Goodyear Assurance MaxLife isn’t going to deliver the stability SUVs require. While it may seem fine initially, over time, this mismatch often results in uneven wear. And believe me, if your tires start wearing unevenly due to improper selection, that 85,000-mile treadwear warranty won’t mean much.

To sum it up, if you own an SUV, the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife simply isn’t the right choice. However, if you drive a sedan or coupe and prioritize long-lasting tread life, the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife is the better option. For everyone else—especially CUV and SUV drivers—the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 is the smarter, more reliable choice.

All-Season Performance

First of all, both tires isn’t marked with 3PMSF. This actually decreases their performance below freezing degrees.

Wet Performance:

For standard touring tires like Goodyear Assurance MaxLife, the key to maximizing performance is simple: brake sooner, drive slower, and avoid pushing the tire too hard. Let’s be honest—if a tire offers an 85,000-mile treadwear warranty, it’s not going to deliver top-tier wet performance. To get the most out of these tires, you have to drive with a little restraint.

Interestingly, the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife is slightly wider than typical standard touring tires. Goodyear designed it this way to enhance traction, but as I mentioned before, aggressive driving will make this tire prone to hydroplaning. The extra width doesn’t necessarily translate to better performance if you push the tire beyond its intended usage.

Now, if we shift our focus to the Pirelli Scorpion P7 AS Plus 3, it’s a different story. This tire provides significantly better grip and evacuates water more effectively, thanks to its softer compound and optimized tread design. Plus, it performs slightly better in colder conditions, making it a versatile option for varying climates.

If you live in warm areas with minimal heavy rain, the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife is a solid choice. However, if you drive a larger vehicle or live in colder, wetter regions, I’d confidently recommend the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3. Its superior traction and wet handling simply outclass the Goodyear in those conditions.

Winter Performance:

Since neither tire is marked with the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol, I wouldn’t consider either one a solid choice for winter. However, Pirelli’s softer, more notched compound does give it a slight edge when dealing with light snow or slush. Its tread design allows for better grip and improved traction compared to the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife.

That said, while both tires can handle light snow to some extent, I wouldn’t recommend pushing them too hard in harsh winter conditions. They’re simply not designed for extreme cold or icy surfaces. If you frequently encounter deep snow or ice, investing in a dedicated winter tire is a much better choice.

Comfort & Road Noise

From my perspective, this is where the Pirelli Scorpion P7 AS Plus 3 truly sets itself apart.

The Goodyear Assurance MaxLife offers acceptable comfort and road noise for everyday driving. It’s not going to blow you away with smoothness, but it’s manageable. However, when compared to the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3, the difference in noise levels becomes apparent. Goodyear’s stiff compound and wider tread pattern contribute to a noisier ride, especially at higher speeds or on rougher roads.

The tire’s construction also plays a role here. Unlike Pirelli’s two-ply casing, the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife relies on a one-ply casing with a polyamide reinforcement — essentially a 1.5-ply structure. While this design improves durability and helps with handling, it compromises comfort and increases noise levels. The shoulder stabilizer, intended to enhance stability, makes the tire noticeably stiff, which tends to generate additional noise on uneven or poorly maintained pavements.

To sum it up, the Pirelli P7 AS Plus 3 offers a much more refined and quiet ride. But if your driving is mostly within the city at normal speeds, the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife won’t make you feel like a champion of comfort, but it certainly won’t leave you overly disappointed either.