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Firestone Winterhawk 3

Touring Winter Winter rated

Replaced by the Firestone Winterhawk 4 Replaces the Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO

The Firestone Winterhawk 3 is a Central European winter tire with generally favorable dry-grip feedback and repeated test praise for low noise and ice performance. Wet braking is a recurring weakness, while snow performance varies between tests and owners.

The quick answer

Owners say 68% from 8 owner reviews 57% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 14th average finish across 18 independent tests Latest: P33 of 51 · 2020 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Snow, Value Dry, Comfort Relative to its rivals across every test we hold

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated January 2025.

  • 8owner reviews
  • 71,427miles driven
  • 18professional tests
Firestone Winterhawk 3 1 photos

Tire Reviews Score

Firestone Winterhawk 3

6.5/10

Better than 37% of winter tires

  • Medium Confidence
  • 4 tests
  • 8 owner reviews
Scores of the 278 winter tires we have tested

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent tests4 tests · 1 publication · 2017-2020 39% 90%
Owner reviews8 owner reviews · rated 68% 22% 10%
Combined 37% 6.5

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Category by category

How it compares with other winter tires in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 40% 30% 4
SnowBraking, traction and handling on snow 50% 23% 3
IceBraking, traction and handling on ice Not tested, counted as average 18% –
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 27% 17% 2
ValueWear, efficiency and cost 41% 6% 2
ComfortNoise and ride comfort 24% 5% 2

Weights are shares of the test result. Owner reviews are blended in afterwards. Faded bars rest on one or two tests.

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tire was doing. They are not counted a second time.

BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 46% 4
HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 24% 2

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 86% of the test figure. The other 14% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

Only measured results count. A test that published its placings alone is listed, but not scored.

  1. 2020 2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test Auto Bild · 245/45 R18 P33 / 51
  2. 2019 2019 Winter Tire Test Market Overview Auto Bild · 225/45 R17 P24 / 53
  3. 2018 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 195/65 R15 P19 / 20
  4. 2018 2018 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14 ADAC · 175/65 R14 P3 / 12 Placing only
  5. 2018 2018 51 Winter Tire Shootout Auto Bild · 195/65 R15 P19 / 52 Placing only
  6. 2017 2017 50 Winter Tire Shoot Out Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P18 / 50 Placing only
Show all 18 tests
  1. 2017 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P19 / 20
  2. 2017 2017 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 ADAC · 195/65 R15 P10 / 16 Placing only
  3. 2016 2016 Winter Tire Market Overview Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P24 / 49 Placing only
  4. 2016 2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 ADAC · 185/65 R15 P14 / 15 Placing only
  5. 2016 2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 ADAC · 225/45 R17 P3 / 13 Placing only
  6. 2015 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 185/60 R15 P14 / 18 Placing only
  7. 2015 2015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 165/70 R14 ADAC · 165/70 R14 P12 / 16 Placing only
  8. 2015 2015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 ADAC · 205/55 R16 P8 / 19 Placing only
  9. 2015 2015 Winter Tire Market Overview Auto Bild · 185/60 R14 P16 / 51 Placing only
  10. 2014 2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14 ADAC · 175/65 R14 P4 / 14 Placing only
  11. 2013 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/60 R15 ADAC · 185/60 R15 P3 / 17 Placing only
  12. 2013 2013 ACE Winter Tire Test ACE · 185/60 R15 P4 / 9 Placing only
All Tests
View Test Results

Tested 18 times by independent publications, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 averages a finish of 14th.

18 Tests
0 Test Wins
14th Average
3rd Best
33rd Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20132020

Finishing position in each test

YearTestResultAward
20202020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking TestAuto Bild · 245/45 R18P33 / 51
20192019 Winter Tire Test Market OverviewAuto Bild · 225/45 R17P24 / 53
20182018 Auto Bild Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 195/65 R15P19 / 20
20182018 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14ADAC · 175/65 R14P3 / 12
20182018 51 Winter Tire ShootoutAuto Bild · 195/65 R15P19 / 52
20172017 50 Winter Tire Shoot OutAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P18 / 50
20172017 Auto Bild Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P19 / 20
20172017 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15ADAC · 195/65 R15P10 / 16
20162016 Winter Tire Market OverviewAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P24 / 49
20162016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15ADAC · 185/65 R15P14 / 15
20162016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17ADAC · 225/45 R17P3 / 13
20152015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 185/60 R15P14 / 18
20152015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 165/70 R14ADAC · 165/70 R14P12 / 16
20152015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16ADAC · 205/55 R16P8 / 19
20152015 Winter Tire Market OverviewAuto Bild · 185/60 R14P16 / 51
20142014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14ADAC · 175/65 R14P4 / 14
20132013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/60 R15ADAC · 185/60 R15P3 / 17
20132013 ACE Winter Tire TestACE · 185/60 R15P4 / 9

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

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Running Costs
View Test

In 195/65 R15, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 is projected to cost €21.11 per 1,000 miles to buy and run - about €528 over 25,000 miles - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test.

Goodyear UltraGrip 9€15.68
Continental WinterContact TS 860€19.69
Firestone Winterhawk 3€21.11
Hankook Winter i cept RS2€21.72
Tire purchase + fittingExtra fuel vs the most efficient tirecost per 1,000 miles
Assumes a typical car doing 29 mpg (rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €6.25 per gallon and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2018 test; financing costs are excluded.
Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range42 sizes available

155-245Width40-80Profile13-18Rim75-101 T-VLoad/Speed Index2013First On Market

EU LabelAcross 42 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

71-72dB

3PMSF on every size

Popular sizes225/45 R17185/65 R15225/50 R17155/65 R14195/65 R15205/55 R16
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Firestone Winterhawk 3 in the wet?
Across the 4 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 stops 10.3% longer than premium rivals, 5% longer than mid-range rivals and 1.4% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 40/100, and owners rate it 6.9/10 in the wet from 8 reviews.
How good is the Firestone Winterhawk 3 in the dry?
Across the 2 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 stops 0.5% longer than premium rivals, 0.6% longer than mid-range rivals and 5% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 27/100, and owners rate it 7.8/10 in the dry from 8 reviews.
How good is the Firestone Winterhawk 3 in the snow?
Across the 3 snow-braking tests it has featured in, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 stops 0.1% longer than premium rivals, 0.4% longer than mid-range rivals and 14.8% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews snow score of 50/100, and owners rate it 6/10 in the snow from 8 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Firestone Winterhawk 3?
Across the 2 tests measuring rolling resistance, the Firestone Winterhawk 3's rolling resistance is 4.1% higher than premium rivals, 5.8% higher than mid-range rivals and 8% higher than budget rivals.
How many miles does the Firestone Winterhawk 3 last?
Based on test and owner data, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 is expected to last around 24,816 miles (39,937 km).
More questions about the Firestone Winterhawk 3 (9)
What do owners say about the Firestone Winterhawk 3?
Across 8 owner ratings the Firestone Winterhawk 3 averages 68%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 7.8 out of 10 and Ice Grip lowest at 6. 3 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 57% of owners score it 70% or better.
How much does the Firestone Winterhawk 3 cost to run?
In 195/65 R15, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 is projected to cost €21.11 per 1,000 miles to buy and run - about €528 over 25,000 miles - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test. The cheapest to run in that test is the Goodyear UltraGrip 9, at €15.68.
What is the Firestone Winterhawk 3's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 most commonly carries EU label ratings of D for fuel efficiency, C for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Firestone Winterhawk 3?
Owners rate the Firestone Winterhawk 3 7.3 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 7 reviews.
How well do the Firestone Winterhawk 3 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Firestone Winterhawk 3 7.5 out of 10 for wear across 7 reviews. 3 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 12,427 miles.
Would owners buy the Firestone Winterhawk 3 again?
57% of owners say they would buy the Firestone Winterhawk 3 again, based on the 7 owner reviews that answered the question. 29% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What does the Firestone Winterhawk 3 replace?
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 is the successor to the Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO in Firestone's range.
Has the Firestone Winterhawk 3 been replaced?
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 has been replaced by the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
What sizes does the Firestone Winterhawk 3 come in?
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 is available in 61 sizes, ranging from 155-245/40-80 R13-18.
Owner Questions
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Firestone Winterhawk 3 Owner Reviews

Review this tire

What owners say summarised from 7 reviews

Dry grip is the more consistently liked aspect of the Firestone Winterhawk 3, with three favorable mentions and no criticism, while two owners also praise comfort. Snow traction is more divided, with three positive comments against two complaints, so it is not a settled strength in this small group. Wet grip attracts two criticisms against one favorable account, and ice feedback is evenly split. Five of the seven reviews are mid-life reports, including useful remaining tread after substantial use, but there is also a wear complaint. There are no end-of-life or follow-up reviews to establish a shared ageing pattern. The 66.1% average reflects four positive reviews, two neutral and one below 40%, with marked disagreement about winter grip.

What owners mention most counted across 7 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 8 ratings

  • Owner score 68%
  • Dry Grip 78%
  • Wear 75%
  • Comfort 73%
  • Wet Grip 69%
  • Road Feedback 69%
  • Handling 68%
  • Snow Grip 60%
  • Ice Grip 60%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 78%

“Good looking tire with reliable grip. I'm a sporty driver, although my car isn't sporty. The tires give me a good grip, maybe not the best, but i've never felt losing grip while driving. Also in the snow it's very good...”

  • Volkswagen T Cross
  • 12,427 miles
Read full review → 995 found this helpful
Most critical 23%

“Hello, I have Mercdes Benz. I have driven on lot of tires, winter and summer. This is not my first snow or rain with this car. Firestone Winterhawk 3 is the worst tire I had opportunity to drive on. On dry roads are...”

  • Mercedes Benz E220Cdi
Read full review → 692 found this helpful
Longest term 74%

“Been driving them around 40 000km (4 winters and 1 summer) on 2 wheel FWD car (1.6 atmo engine, no turbo so no torque). They are a pretty average tire. Handles everything well, master of none. Never got to the max of...”

  • Renault Megane 2 sedan
  • 25,000 miles
Read full review → 1,069 found this helpful

All 7 Firestone Winterhawk 3 reviews

Score spread across 7 written reviews
78%
Member
Good looking tire with reliable grip. I'm a sporty driver, although my car isn't sporty. The tires give me a good grip, maybe not the best, but i've never felt losing grip while driving. Also in the snow it's very good. I would buy these again!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 8
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 8
Helpful 995
48%
Member
Got them as a used set of four. All same age - 2 years. The previous driver seemed to be an honest person. So nothing to say about that. I was used to having Uniroyals on my previous car. No comparison to them. In dry and wet conditions the tires are quite all right, but last winter luckily gave us a bit of slush and snow. The car behaved not good. Steering wasn't put through to the road. I'll buy a pair of new ones soon. It'll not be the Winterhawk 3 again.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 6
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 4
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 1
  • Snow Grip 3
  • Ice Grip 3
Helpful 887
74%
Member
Been driving them around 40 000km (4 winters and 1 summer) on 2 wheel FWD car (1.6 atmo engine, no turbo so no torque). They are a pretty average tire. Handles everything well, master of none. Never got to the max of the tire (I drive 10-20kmh above limit and I'm a steady driver, no sharp turns, heavy braking or hard acceleration ), never had a scary situation, but never also had "wow this tire rocks" moment. It never stuck in the snow, never had problems with aquaplaning or on ice.

I even had it as a summer tire this year and it still didn't wear (it is a better summer tire than Micheling Energy Saver). I'm currently on 5.5mm of thread which is outstanding. Not sure if its the tire or my suspension on the car, but bot tires (Energy Saver and WinterHawk 3) easily activated the ABS during braking. WinterHawk was little better in braking than the Energy Saver. For instance, on my other car (Skoda Fabia), you could brake harder and stop faster on less known tires (like the Barum Polaris or Bravuris 3HM). Skoda just digged in the asphalt or snow, while on my Megane ABS starts and the braking feeling is not so great. But this are two different cars, Megane is more comfortable than the Å koda but is also way more wallowy as the Å koda is much more direct in steering and grip.

I will replace them with premium All Season tires so will see if its the car or the tires.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 7
  • Snow Grip 7
  • Ice Grip 7
Helpful 1,069

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697 reviews submitted this month Earn your Contributor badge No account needed
23%
Member
Hello, I have Mercdes Benz. I have driven on lot of tires, winter and summer. This is not my first snow or rain with this car. Firestone Winterhawk 3 is the worst tire I had opportunity to drive on. On dry roads are relative ok, on wet roads it is better to stay home. On the snow also, like you don't have tires. One season, around cca 10 000 km passed on these tire and it will go to rubish... Very expensive tires, and very bad tires. I would never buy Firestone again.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 4
  • Wet Grip 2
  • Road Feedback 2
  • Handling 2
  • Wear 2
  • Comfort 2
Helpful 692
69%
Member
Nothing to impress. It is balanced and affordable tire. Performance on snow is Ok if you drive normally. Dry and wet handling are satisfactory.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 6
Helpful 735
71%
Member
In my opinion Firestone Winterhawk 3 is at most an average performance tire. Maybe this should be correlated with my car tire size (155/65 R14)...
In dry conditions it is a fair tire, though it has a pronounced understeering tendency. The wet grip is acceptable if you don't need to brake suddenly :), and the snow/ice grip is poor.

Positive:
- Comfortable tires
- Low rolling resistance
- Low wear

Negative:
- Wet grip.
- Poor snow and ice grip.
- Understeering behavior.

Next time I will not buy these tires again.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 6
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 4
Helpful 671
100%
Member
Excellent dry and wet grip, super quiet, super comfortable. I had previously Continental, and I must say that these tires are nozaj excellent and I dare say that even better.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 783
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