Drivers of large, high-end vehicles like passenger cars should read this Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 review. It’s not perfect, but its off-road performance and durability stand out.
I will discuss the main features of the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1. Also, I’ll share my driving experiences to help you understand the tire better.
By the end, you’ll know the tire’s pros and cons, making it easier to decide on your purchase.
Keep reading to learn more!
An Overview Of Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
The Cooper brand made the Zeon RS3-G1 for high-performance vehicles like buses and cars.
It matches top all-season tires in performance and reliability.
Dry Performance: 9/10
Dry Traction: 9/10
The Zeon RS3-G1 is great on dry roads, feeling firm and secure. At first, it was a bit slow after sitting for a week. However, once moving, it gripped well and made driving confidently. Moreover, its quick response let you make sudden turns without losing grip.
Corner Stability: 8.9/10
The RS3-G1 tire’s corner stability is impressive. It uses spiral-wound nylon for reinforcement. It navigates corners smoothly, even at high speeds, with quick adjustments. However, in cold weather, this becomes difficult due to significant temperature changes.
Steering Response: 8.9/10
The steering response is mostly good. However, it lacks sharpness for aggressive cornering. The tire stays accurate and handles consecutive curves well on highways. Some found the steering too heavy, especially at high revs, and disliked the strong feedback.
Wet Performance: 8.3/10
Hydroplaning Resistance: 8.3/10
The tire’s hydroplaning resistance is average, not the best. It copes well with standing water, thanks to deep notches and full-depth grooves. However, it struggles in heavy rain or storms. The best speed for safety is 25 to 35 MPH. Yet, this makes the ride a bit less smooth.
Wet Traction: 8.3/10
The wet traction is adequate but not exceptional. The tire handles well in favorable weather but struggles with flowing water during rainstorms. Hard corners and hairpins require careful maneuvering to avoid skidding.
Winter/Snow Performance: 5.2/10
Light Snow Traction: 6.4/10
The RS3-G1’s performance on light snow is just enough. However, it struggles with traction in snow over 5 inches deep. Driving at moderate speeds and using snow chains helped. But, these steps didn’t fully prevent traction problems.
Deep Snow Traction: 4.7/10
The tire struggles significantly in deep snow, with traction loss occurring frequently. Even with snow chains, the tire’s performance was poor, necessitating frequent stops to warm the tires in cold temperatures.
Ice Traction: 4.5/10
The RS3-G1 performs poorly on ice, with frequent delays and freezing issues. Shorter rides are manageable, but for extended travel, aftermarket upgrades or dedicated winter tires are recommended.
Comfort: 8.3/10
Ride Quality: 8.4/10
The ride is smooth and confident in straight-line driving and non-aggressive corners, making it suitable for daily use. However, pushing the tire to its limits results in bumps and vibrations, particularly at higher speeds.
Noise Level: 8.2/10
Noise levels are generally low and manageable during typical driving. However, higher speeds result in increased noise, and certain frequencies can be annoying due to the tire’s design.
Treadwear and Durability: 7.6/10
The tire wear is disappointing. It often overheats in high temperatures. Its 45,000-mile warranty is less than competitors’ 60,000-80,000-mile warranties.
Who Should Choose The Cooper Zeon RS3-G1?
I recommend the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 for high-performance car owners in cities. This tire ensures comfort and quiet rides, making city driving enjoyable.
Its grip and traction are good, but not for off-road use, especially in mud, snow, or uneven terrains. So, for snowy areas, it’s best to consider other tires.
Cooper’s warranty is solid, but the Zeon RS3-G1’s durability and tread life could improve. If you drive a lot or prefer low-maintenance tires, consider other options.
Yet, for customers in dry areas with little snow or rain, the Zeon RS3-G1 stands out for comfort and handling. It’s a great choice for those who value smooth driving on city roads.
Pros And Cons Of Cooper Zeon RS3-G1
The Zeon RS3-G1 is a top-quality all-season tire, making its faults hard to find. However, it is not perfect, just like any other tire
Before buying, consider these pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers high comfort levels with excellent grip and handling | Winter and snow traction could be improved |
| Provides optimal quietness, with minimal to no cabin noise | Off-road driving experience is not satisfactory |
| Demonstrates excellent wet and dry traction on various terrains |
Zeon RS3-G1 Competitors & Alternatives
It outperformed these tires in some ways. But, it fell short in others. Similar sentiments were observed with the remaining three:
- Cooper Zeon RS3-G1: It excels at low-speed reflexes on dry pavements. But, it has weak winter traction and numb on-center steering.
- BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S: It has leads in sure-footed handling and a composed ride. Even its winter traction benefits from these designs. However, tread/impact noises could be improved.
- General G-MAX AS-05: Ranks first with confident, minimal-effort braking on wet traction. However, it resists hydroplaning poorly in winter. Also, it has noticeable tread noises.
- Kumho Ecsta PA51: Absorbs impact effectively, resulting in minimal noise and vibrations. However, its wet traction controls feel chaotic and out of character.
Vehicle Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 Will Fit
| Vehicle Type | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Car | Honda | Accord |
| Passenger Car | Toyota | Camry |
| Passenger Car | Ford | Mustang |
| Passenger Car | BMW | 3 Series |
| Passenger Car | Audi | A4 |
| Passenger Car | Mercedes-Benz | C-Class |
| Passenger Car | Volkswagen | Golf GTI |
| Passenger Car | Subaru | WRX |
| Passenger Car | Mazda | Mazda3 |
| Passenger Car | Nissan | Altima |
| Passenger Car | Hyundai | Sonata |
| Passenger Car | Kia | Optima |
| Passenger Car | Chevrolet | Malibu |
| Passenger Car | Dodge | Charger |
| Passenger Car | Lexus | IS |
| Passenger Car | Infiniti | Q50 |
| Passenger Car | Acura | TLX |
| Passenger Car | Volvo | S60 |
| Passenger Car | Tesla | Model 3 |
| Sports Car | Chevrolet | Corvette |
| Sports Car | Ford | Mustang GT |
| Sports Car | Subaru | BRZ |
| Sports Car | Nissan | 370Z |
| Sports Car | BMW | M3 |
| Sports Car | Audi | TT |
| Sports Car | Porsche | 911 |
| Sports Car | Mazda | MX-5 Miata |
| Sports Car | Toyota | Supra |
| SUV | Honda | CR-V |
| SUV | Toyota | RAV4 |
| SUV | Ford | Escape |
| SUV | Chevrolet | Equinox |
| SUV | Subaru | Forester |
| SUV | Jeep | Cherokee |
| SUV | Nissan | Rogue |
| SUV | Hyundai | Tucson |
| SUV | Kia | Sportage |
| SUV | Mazda | CX-5 |
| SUV | Volkswagen | Tiguan |
| SUV | GMC | Terrain |
| SUV | Buick | Encore |
| SUV | Mitsubishi | Outlander |
| SUV | Lexus | RX |
| SUV | Infiniti | QX50 |
| SUV | Acura | RDX |
| SUV | Lincoln | Corsair |
| SUV | Tesla | Model Y |
| Truck | Ford | F-150 |
| Truck | Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 |
| Truck | RAM | 1500 |
| Truck | Toyota | Tacoma |
| Truck | Nissan | Frontier |
| Truck | GMC | Sierra 1500 |
| Truck | Honda | Ridgeline |
| Truck | Jeep | Gladiator |
| Truck | Chevrolet | Colorado |
| Truck | Ford | Ranger |
| Truck | Toyota | Tundra |
| Truck | RAM | 2500 |
| Truck | Chevrolet | Silverado 2500 |
| Truck | GMC | Sierra 2500 |
Conclusion
The Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 tire shines on dry roads. Yet, it struggles on tough terrains or tight turns.
It’s not a terrible tire. However, it lands mid-pack in our tests. It might not be the best for high performance or spirited driving in all seasons. It’s okay for summer and rainy driving. But it’s not ideal for heavy use.
That’s our review of the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 tire. We hope this overview was helpful. If you have questions or comments, please share them in the comments. Thank you for reading!