Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 15
- TR Score
- 9.6/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 73
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 finished ahead 8 times and the N Blue 4Season 2 not once. The N Blue 4Season 2 stopped 5.1% shorter on ice; the Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped 7% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 if you want the most dependable all-season performance, particularly for wet safety and aquaplaning resistance, as shown across every shared test. The Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 is mainly for drivers prioritising low noise and, in some tests, efficiency, but you need to be comfortable with the repeated wet and, in Auto Bild 2026, snow performance shortfalls.
Where the N Blue 4Season 2 is stronger
- Often very quiet in measured noise, for example quieter than the Pirelli in ADAC 2025 and ADAC 2026, and also lower noise in Auto Bild 2026.
- Strong efficiency showing in Auto Bild's 2026 all-season test, with joint-lowest rolling resistance and low abrasion, plus slightly better cost per kilometer there.
- Can be very capable on ice and occasionally on snow, highlighted by ADAC 2025 where it stops shorter on ice and matches or beats the Pirelli on snow braking and traction.
Where the Cinturato All Season SF3 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet braking across all shared tests, ranging from about 2% to around 12% better depending on the test (for example the 2025 30-tire braking test).
- Much stronger aquaplaning resistance, including a very large advantage in ADAC's 2025 curved aquaplaning result.
- More consistently high overall performance, taking 1st in the 2024 sports car all-season test and placing 2nd or 3rd in Auto Bild 2026 and both ADAC tests.
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
N Blue 4Season 2 vs Cinturato All Season SF3 at a glance
| Category | N Blue 4Season 2 | Gap | Cinturato All Season SF3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won8 shared tests | 0 | 8 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 0 | The Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped 4.3% shorter in the dry (8 tests) | 11 |
| Wet26 measurements | 1 | The Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped 7% shorter in the wet (8 tests) | 25 |
| Snow16 measurements | 4 | The Cinturato All Season SF3 averaged a 3.7% higher speed on the snow handling course (3 tests) | 12 |
| Ice2 measurements | 2 | The N Blue 4Season 2 stopped 5.1% shorter on ice (2 tests) | 0 |
| Comfort6 measurements | 4 | The N Blue 4Season 2 was 0.8 dB quieter (5 tests) | 2 |
| Value11 measurements | 4 | The Cinturato All Season SF3 lasted 10% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 7 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.8/10 | The Cinturato All Season SF3 by 0.8 | 9.6/10 |
| Owner rating15 and 73 reviews | 78% | The Cinturato All Season SF3 by 6 points | 84% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 86% | The N Blue 4Season 2 by 6 points | 80% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Cinturato All Season SF3 was dearer in 4 of 4 | +17.3% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 118 | 61 sizes made in both | 70 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 8 tests, 2024 to 2026
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 | N Blue 4Season 2 | Field | Cinturato All Season SF3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild All Season Tire Test | P15 of 15 | P2 of 15 | |
| 2026 All Season Tire Braking Test - 30 Sets | P9 of 30 | P2 of 30 | |
| 2026 ADAC All Season Tire Test - 185/65 R15 | P9 of 16 | P3 of 16 | |
| 2025 All Season 30 Tire Braking Test | P20 of 30 | P3 of 30 | |
| 2025 ADAC All Season Tire Test | P11 of 16 | P3 of 16 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tire Test | P8 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| 2024 All Season Tire Market Overview | P16 of 37 | P2 of 37 | |
| 2024 Sports Car All Season Tire Test | P6 of 11 | P1 of 11 |
Performance profile
18 measurements from the 8 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
N Blue 4Season 2
Cinturato All Season SF3
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. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
N Blue 4Season 2
Cinturato All Season SF3
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.
Where owners rate each higher
N Blue 4Season 2
Cinturato All Season SF3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the N Blue 4Season 2 78% from 15 reviews and the Cinturato All Season SF3 84% from 73. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
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. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | N Blue 4Season 2 | Gap | Cinturato All Season SF3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 129 | 4.3% | 124 | 0-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 61.1 | 2.7% | 62.8 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 156 | 7% | 144 | 0-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 134 | 1.3% | 133 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 45.6 | 4.4% | 47.5 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14.2 | 3.8% | 13.66 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 44.9 | 10.4% | 49.4 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.1 | 21.3% | 9.6 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 65 | 0.5% | 64 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 484 | 7.3% | 524 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | 3.7% | 34.2 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12.7 | 4.6% | 12.2 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.2 | 8% | 11 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 57 | 5.1% | 60 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 25% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 71.32 | 0.8 dB | 72.16 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29,567 | 10% | 31,970 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.07 | 4.9% | 7.63 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.6 | = | 5.6 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 74.5 | 21.5% | 58.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 215 | 13.3% | 248 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the N Blue 4Season 2 scores 8.8 and the Cinturato All Season SF3 9.6 out of 10.
| N Blue 4Season 2 | Category | Cinturato All Season SF3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | Dry | 98 | ||
| 51 | Wet | 99 | ||
| 71 | Comfort | 77 | ||
| 64 | Value | 51 | ||
| 47 | Snow | 82 | ||
| 91 | Ice | 60 | ||
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.
What owners say
| N Blue 4Season 2 | Category | Cinturato All Season SF3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 7.9 | Wet Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 7.6 | Road Feedback | 8.4 | ||
| 7.7 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 8.5 | Wear | 7.8 | ||
| 8.5 | Comfort | 7.9 | ||
| 7.2 | Snow Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 6.4 | Ice Grip | 7.8 | ||
Owners rate the N Blue 4Season 2 78% from 15 reviews and the Cinturato All Season SF3 84% from 73. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
- 78%from 15 reviews
- 86%would buy again
- 145,500 milesdriven by reviewers
With an 80% average score and 10 of 12 reviews rating it positively, owners generally find the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 to be a capable all-season option with dependable dry and wet grip, plus reassuring traction in snow for everyday driving. A notable minority mention ice performance, and opinions are mixed here (around a third of owners commenting), with a couple finding it excellent and a similar number reporting it's not as confidence-inspiring as a dedicated winter tire. Comfort and refinement also come through strongly, with several owners describing it as particularly quiet.
- Strong dry grip for an affordable all-season
- Confident wet grip in mixed conditions
- Surprisingly capable traction in snow
- Very low road noise
- Mixed ice grip versus a proper winter tire
- Soft/squishy feel or sidewalls when pushed
Summarised by AI from 12 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 15 N Blue 4Season 2 reviewsIn the meantime, I've driven 32,000 miles (51,000 km) on these tires (see current photos), and I have to say, they're still performing excellently on my car. Summers here are hot, and winters are mild; we rarely get snow, just wet and slushy roads. These all-season tires are the perfect choice for these conditions, eliminating the need for unnecessary tire changes (except for swapping the front tires to the rear and vice versa). And they’re a great fit for my car (Kia Optima K5). The only downside is that at highway speeds, within a certain speed range, a pulsating noise occurs due to the tread pattern, but as soon as the speed goes above or below that range, it goes away. I highly recommend them for everyday driving—I’d buy them again.
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
- 84%from 73 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 578,592 milesdriven by reviewers
Most owners rate the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 highly, with the bulk of feedback praising its dependable wet and dry grip (mentioned by over half of reviewers) and an easy, confidence-inspiring feel for year-round use. Around a third of owners also highlight strong snow traction for an all-season tire, alongside generally low road noise and good ride comfort. A small minority report vibration/balancing issues, while roughly one in six mention steering feel is a bit soft or less direct than sportier or summer-focused alternatives; aquaplaning feedback is more mixed.
- Strong wet grip and reassuring confidence in the rain
- High dry grip for an all-season tire
- Impressive snow traction for winter days
- Generally low road noise, especially at cruising speeds
- Vibration or balancing/run-out problems reported by some owners
- Steering feel can be a bit soft or less direct than alternatives
- Aquaplaning resistance gets mixed reports in standing water
Summarised by AI from 70 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 73 Cinturato All Season SF3 reviewsGreat tires! In autumn and winter conditions, I found them better than the Continental TS860 in mud and snow, but worse on ice.
In summer, compared with the Continental PremiumContact 6, they offered better aquaplaning resistance, but slightly worse wet grip and overall handling. Lateral stability was by far their weakest point compared with my old Conti.
These were my first all-season tires, a bit of a gamble for me, but overall, I would recommend them. After 40,000 km over two years, they are showing some wear, so I plan to replace them by 50,000 km to stay on the safe side. My original plan was to use them for 40,000–60,000 km and less than four years.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 118 sizes of the N Blue 4Season 2 and 70 of the Cinturato All Season SF3, 61 of them made in both.
| Category | N Blue 4Season 2 | Cinturato All Season SF3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| Sizes made | 118 sizes, 14 to 21 inch | 70 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 61 sizes 185/65 R15195/45 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/45 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16and 49 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B86%A14%C1% | A95%B5% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C81%D18%B2% | B64%C36% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 69-72 dB B95%A5% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 200 of 200 | 73 of 73 |
| On the market since | 2022 | - |
| Replaced | - | Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 (2020) |
| Awards | - | Recommended: Best All Season Tires (DriverReviews, 2026/27) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Cinturato All Season SF3 was the dearer tire in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 17.3% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
These two tires have been compared directly in eight independent tests: Auto Bild's all-season test (2026), Auto Bild's SUV all-season test (2024), ADAC's all-season tests (2026 in 185/65 R15 and 2025 in 225/45 R17), a 2026 all-season 30-tire braking test, a 2025 all-season 30-tire braking test, a 2024 all-season market overview, and a 2024 sports car all-season test.
Across those shared outings, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 comes out ahead every time overall, typically landing on or near the podium, while the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 tends to sit mid-pack or lower. The biggest and most repeatable gaps are in wet braking, wet handling and aquaplaning, where the Pirelli is consistently stronger.
The Nexen's better moments come in refinement and running costs related metrics, with several tests showing lower noise, and Auto Bild's 2026 test highlighting low rolling resistance and good wear behavior. It also has a couple of standout winter results in ADAC's 2025 test, particularly on ice.
Conclusion
Looking at all eight shared tests together, the story is very consistent on the key safety disciplines. The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is repeatedly shorter braking in both dry and wet, and it is regularly quicker and more controllable through wet handling and aquaplaning. The margins are not just one-off tenths either, in the 2025 and 2024 braking-only comparisons the Pirelli stops around 12% shorter in the wet, and in ADAC's 2025 test it is dramatically stronger in curved aquaplaning, by roughly half again as much lateral grip as the Nexen. That breadth of advantage explains why the Pirelli is 1st to 3rd in multiple tests, while the Nexen is 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 15th and even last in Auto Bild's 2026 full test.
Winter performance is more nuanced, but it still tends to favor the Pirelli overall. In Auto Bild's 2026 all-season test the Nexen is the weakest tire on snow and is penalised for it, while the Pirelli is only mid-pack on snow but still clearly ahead of the Nexen across the snow metrics. Against that, ADAC's 2025 test is the unusual one, where the Nexen is strong on winter surfaces, sharing the shortest snow braking, edging snow traction, and stopping notably shorter on ice. So if you know you regularly see ice and proper snow, the Nexen can show flashes of real competence, but it is not a consistent pattern across publications and sizes.
For comfort and running behavior, the split is clearer. The Nexen is often the quieter tire in ADAC's 2025 and 2026 tests and Auto Bild's 2026 test, and Auto Bild 2026 also credits it with very low rolling resistance and low abrasion. The Pirelli, however, tends to balance that with better longevity results in ADAC's 2025 and 2026 tests, where its predicted mileage is about 15% higher. In short, the Pirelli suits drivers who prioritize wet and dry safety and predictable handling year-round, especially in milder winter climates. The Nexen makes most sense for drivers who place a premium on low noise and efficiency, and who can accept that several tests show it giving away meaningful safety margin in the wet and, in Auto Bild's 2026 test, on snow as well.
N Blue 4Season 2 vs Cinturato All Season SF3: your questions
Is the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 or the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 the better tire?
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 finished ahead 8 times and the N Blue 4Season 2 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the N Blue 4Season 2 scores 8.8 and the Cinturato All Season SF3 9.6 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the N Blue 4Season 2 or the Cinturato All Season SF3?
The Cinturato All Season SF3 led 25 of the 26 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7% shorter in the wet across 8 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Cinturato All Season SF3 led 11 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.3% shorter in the dry across 8 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Cinturato All Season SF3 led 12 of the 16 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 3.7% higher speed on the snow handling course across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Cinturato All Season SF3 lasted 10% longer in the wear tests (3 tests), had 4.9% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) and shed 21.5% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.5/10 for the N Blue 4Season 2 and 7.8/10 for the Cinturato All Season SF3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The N Blue 4Season 2 was 0.8 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.5/10 for the N Blue 4Season 2 and 7.9/10 for the Cinturato All Season SF3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the N Blue 4Season 2 78% from 15 reviews and the Cinturato All Season SF3 84% from 73. 86% of N Blue 4Season 2 owners would buy it again, against 80% for the Cinturato All Season SF3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Cinturato All Season SF3 was the dearer tire in 4 of them, by 17.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The N Blue 4Season 2 is made in 118 sizes (14 to 21 inch) and the Cinturato All Season SF3 in 70 (15 to 20 inch). 61 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the N Blue 4Season 2 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Cinturato All Season SF3 A and B.
More comparisons with these tires
vs
Continental AllSeasonContact 2 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
10-15 in 26 shared tests
vs
Michelin CrossClimate 3 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
1-9 in 10 shared tests
vs
Goodyear Vector All Season 4 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
5-2 in 7 shared tests
vs
Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
3-9 in 12 shared tests
vs
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
2-13 in 15 shared tests
vs
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
5-1 in 6 shared tests
vs
Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
8-0 in 8 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
5-23 in 29 shared tests
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.
Review the N Blue 4Season 2 Review the Cinturato All Season SF3
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.
Discussion