Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 vs Toyo Observe EWS1
Ahead in each discipline
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 and the Toyo Observe EWS1 have met in 2 independent tests and the record is level at 1-1. The Cinturato Winter 2 was stronger in snow and comfort, the Observe EWS1 in dry, wet and value.
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Cinturato Winter 2
Observe EWS1
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
Cinturato Winter 2
Observe EWS1
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | Cinturato Winter 2 | Gap | Observe EWS1 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Observe EWS1 ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 145 | 2.7% | 141 | 0-1 |
| Dry Handling mph | 70.9 | 0.5% | 71.3 | 0-1 |
| Wet Observe EWS1 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 145 | 3.5% | 140 | 0-2 |
| Wet Handling mph | 52.4 | 2.6% | 51.1 | 1-0 |
| Wet Circle s | 12.11 | 0.5% | 12.17 | 1-0 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 46.6 | 1.3% | 47.2 | 0-1 |
| Curved Aquaplaning ft/s² | 7 | 18.8% | 8.3 | 0-1 |
| Snow Cinturato Winter 2 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 94 | 3.4% | 97 | 2-0 |
| Snow Traction lbf | 532 | 0.6% | 529 | 1-0 |
| Snow Handling mph | 36.7 | 6.7% | 34.4 | 1-0 |
| Snow Slalom ft/s² | 9.4 | 9.2% | 8.6 | 1-0 |
| Comfort Cinturato Winter 2 ahead | ||||
| Subj. Comfort pts | scored | 9.6% | scored | 1-0 |
| Noise dB | 65.6 | 1.4 dB | 67 | 1-0 |
| Value Observe EWS1 ahead | ||||
| Wear miles | 29,969 | 3.3% | 30,957 | 0-1 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 9.05 | 4.4% | 8.65 | 0-1 |
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared.
Head to head in 2 tests in 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Cinturato Winter 2 | Field | Observe EWS1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P10 of 20 | P16 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P9 of 51 | P8 of 51 |
Cinturato Winter 2 vs Observe EWS1: your questions
Is the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 or the Toyo Observe EWS1 the better tire?
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 and the Toyo Observe EWS1 have met in 2 independent tests and the record is level at 1-1. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Cinturato Winter 2 scores 9.3 and the Observe EWS1 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Cinturato Winter 2 or the Observe EWS1?
The Observe EWS1 led 4 of the 6 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.5% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Observe EWS1 led 2 of the 2 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Cinturato Winter 2 led 5 of the 5 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.4% shorter on snow across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.7/10 for the Cinturato Winter 2 and 7/10 for the Observe EWS1.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3 reviews and the Observe EWS1 85% from 2.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Cinturato Winter 2 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 29.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Cinturato Winter 2 is made in 41 sizes (16 to 20 inch) and the Observe EWS1 in 79 (15 to 21 inch). 30 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Cinturato Winter 2 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Observe EWS1 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Observe EWS1 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2024, the Cinturato Winter 2 in 2021. The Cinturato Winter 2 replaced the Pirelli Cinturato Winter.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.