Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Across multiple test sizes from 17-18 inches, Dunlop repeatedly pairs top-tier snow capability with strong wet security and competitive rolling resistance. Pirelli counters with shorter dry stopping distances and a taut steering feel, but its wet grip and snow performance fluctuate more, affecting overall rankings and value.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been twenty-two tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | twenty-one | |
| Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 | one |
While it might look like the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is better than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading snow performance (repeated wins in braking, traction, and handling)
- Consistently strong wet handling and aquaplaning resistance
- Better wear and overall value in multiple tests
- Low rolling resistance and quiet cruising in several evaluations
- Shorter dry braking and confident dry handling feel
- Sporty steering precision and stability
- Often low rolling resistance and lower noise
- Competent snow/drivability in select tests and sizes
Dry Braking
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 was better during five dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 stopped the vehicle in 3.01% less distance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was 0.04% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.45% less distance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was 0.17% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 floated at a 0.24% higher speed than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Straight Aqua: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during seven snow braking tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 6.47% less distance than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Snow Braking: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 had 2.89% better snow traction than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Snow Traction: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during five snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was 2.77% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 was better during four noise tests. On average the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 measured 1.98% quieter than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during three wear tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is predicted to cover 10.67% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Wear: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during three value tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 proved to have a 7.51% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Value: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 was better during one price tests. On average the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 cost 1.74% less than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Price: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 had a 0.74% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 for outstanding snow and ice traction, strong wet grip in cold conditions, predictable handling, good comfort/low noise (for a winter tire), and excellent tread life. A minority report softer sidewalls and reduced dry performance or understeer as temperatures rise, with a few notes on noise increase over time and isolated quality/balance issues. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most buyers willing to repurchase.
Based on 43 reviews with an average rating of 84%
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 for confident wet and snow/ice grip, stable handling, and predictable feedback, with many noting strong braking and overall safety. Comfort is generally good, but several mention higher road noise and faster wear if used in warm weather or year-round. Overall sentiment is strongly positive for winter use, especially on performance and AWD cars.
Based on 52 reviews with an average rating of 83%
Conclusion
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 suits drivers prioritizing crisp steering and short dry stops on cold, mainly clear roads. However, across tests it trails in wet and snow metrics and often shows higher wear and price sensitivity. For mixed or severe winter climates, choose Dunlop. For predominantly dry, cold urban use with occasional winter days, the Pirelli can fit-but with acknowledged wet/snow trade-offs. The practical takeaway: when winter gets real, Dunlop wins more of the moments that matter.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Dunlop leads 17 test wins to Pirelli's 1, indicating broader consistency.
- Snow dominance: Dunlop repeatedly outbrakes and out-handles Pirelli on snow (e.g., 3-8% shorter snow stops).
- Dry edge: Pirelli frequently stops shorter in the dry (around 3-5% advantage in several tests).
- Wet variability: Dunlop generally stronger in wet handling/braking; Pirelli shows more fluctuation and some weak wet results.
- Aquaplaning: Mixed, but Dunlop more often resists straight-line aquaplaning better; Pirelli occasionally leads.
- Running costs: Dunlop tends to wear slower and score better on value; Pirelli often shows higher wear and price sensitivity.
Overall Winner: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.