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Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D Test Results

Tested 2009 to 2011 6 publications

Tested 11 times by independent publications, the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D has taken 5 test wins with an average finish of 2nd.

  • 11Independent tests
  • 5Test wins
  • 10Podium finishes
  • 2ndAverage finish
  • 83%Field beaten on average
  • 6Publications
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

11 tests, 2009 to 2011

0%50%100%200920102011Average 83%2009 AMS Summer and Winter Tire Test - Winter (2009): P3 of 5, Beat 50% of the field2009 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tire Test (2009): P3 of 8, Beat 71% of the field2010 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2010): P3 of 13, Beat 83% of the field2010 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2010): P1 of 5, Beat 100% of the field2010 European Winter Tire Test (2010): P3 of 10, Beat 78% of the field2010 European Winter Tire Test Part 2 (2010): P1 of 12, Beat 100% of the field2010 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2010): P1 of 12, Beat 100% of the field2010 AMS Winter Tire Test (2010): P5 of 10, Beat 56% of the field2010 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2010): P3 of 8, Beat 71% of the field2010 Auto Bild Winter 4x4 Tire Test (2010): P1 of 8, Beat 100% of the field2011 Auto Bild 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2011): P1 of 8, Beat 100% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 83%

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Vredestein Snowtrac 3 6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind 6 6 0 - 100%
Nokian WRG2 6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind 6 6 0 - 100%
Continental WinterContact TS830 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ 5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind 5 2 3 - 40%
Kumho IZen KW23 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Pirelli Sottozero Serie II 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind 4 3 1 - 75%
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind 4 3 1 - 75%
Michelin Alpin A4 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Fulda Kristall Montero 3 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Continental WinterContact TS 830 P 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D This tire 11 5 2nd 83%
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D Successor 33 4 4th 72%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 11 tests. Updated October 15, 2025.

Across 11 winter tests, the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D delivers consistently high performance with an average overall position of 2.3, including five test wins and multiple podiums. It excels across sizes from compact to performance and SUV/4x4 fitments, repeatedly challenging top-tier rivals like Continental and Michelin.

While most results cluster in the top three, a mid-pack 5/10 in the 2010 AMS test indicates occasional variability under specific test protocols or conditions. Overall, its record shows balanced capability in wet, dry, and snow with strong awards momentum and minimal weaknesses.

Performance Strengths

  • Overall Consistency and Awards Strong
    Details
    • Average overall position 2.3 across 11 tests
    • 1st place in 2011 Auto Bild 4x4 (1/8)
    • 1st place in 2010 Auto Bild Winter 4x4 (1/8)
    • 1st place in 2010 Auto Bild Winter (195/65 R15, 1/12)
    • 1st place in 2010 European Winter Test Part 2 (185/65 R15, 1/12)
  • Wet and Dry Performance Moderate
    Details
    • Auto Express 2010: wet braking outperformed summer tire at near-freezing (noted alongside Continental)
    • Auto Express 2010: dry handling just 2% slower than summer tire
    • Multiple podiums in mixed-condition tests: 2010 European Winter Test (225/45 R17, 3/10), 2009 Sport Auto (3/8), 2009 AMS Winter (3/5)
  • Snow and Winter Traction Strong
    Details
    • Strong winter-focused podiums: 2010 Auto Zeitung (195/65 R15, 3/13)
    • European Winter Test Part 2 improvement from 3rd to 1st in smaller size indicating robust snow/winter adaptability
    • Multiple wins in broad winter batteries (Auto Bild 2010 195/65 R15, 1/12)
  • Size Versatility (Compact to Performance and 4x4/SUV) Strong
    Details
    • Wins in 185/65 R15, 195/65 R15, 245/45 R18, and 4x4 sizes 215/65 R16 and 255/55 R18
    • Top-3 in 225/45 R17 across different publications (3/10 in 2010 European, 3/8 in 2009 Sport Auto)
  • Wet grip Strong in 5 of 9 tests
    Details
  • Aquaplaning resistance Strong in 4 of 9 tests
    Details
  • Snow traction Strong in 3 of 9 tests
    Details
  • Dry braking Strong in 3 of 9 tests
    Details

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D (9 tests) and 30 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Wet grip strength in 5 of 9 tests 9 praise, 4 criticise of 30 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Snow traction strength in 3 of 9 tests 14 praise, 1 criticise of 30 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry grip strength in 1 of 9 tests 8 praise, 0 criticise of 30 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 2 of 9 tests 3 praise, 0 criticise of 30 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • Ice grip no test mentions it 4 praise, 1 criticise of 30 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Slush performance no test mentions it 3 praise, 0 criticise of 30 reviews · Read those reviews

Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners

  • Dry braking strength in 3 of 9 tests no owner mentions it

Every test, newest first 11

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2011 1 test
2010 8 tests
P3 of 13 Beat 83% of the field

2010 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 195/65 r15

The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D provides excellent all round snow control, a high level of aquaplaning resistance and shortest braking distances in the wet and dry. The WinterSport 3D only loses a few points for high rolling resistance.

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS830

2009 2 tests

Back to the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D overview

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