Tested 32 times by independent publications, the Nokian WR D3 has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 6th.
2015 Auto Express Winter Tire Test P3 of 8
Good on snow, not as good as the best in the wet and dry
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Nokian WR D3. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Michelin Alpin A4
27 shared: 8 ahead, 18 behind
|
27 | 8 | 18 | 1 | 31% |
 Continental WinterContact TS 850
25 shared: 1 ahead, 24 behind
|
25 | 1 | 24 | - | 4% |
 Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
23 shared: 8 ahead, 15 behind
|
23 | 8 | 15 | - | 35% |
 Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
20 shared: 11 ahead, 9 behind
|
20 | 11 | 9 | - | 55% |
 Goodyear UltraGrip 8
17 shared: 6 ahead, 11 behind
|
17 | 6 | 11 | - | 35% |
 Semperit Speed Grip 2
16 shared: 7 ahead, 9 behind
|
16 | 7 | 9 | - | 44% |
 Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
13 shared: 8 ahead, 5 behind
|
13 | 8 | 5 | - | 62% |
 Fulda Kristall Control HP
12 shared: 11 ahead, 1 behind
|
12 | 11 | 1 | - | 92% |
 Hankook Winter i cept RS
12 shared: 10 ahead, 2 behind
|
12 | 10 | 2 | - | 83% |
 Vredestein Snowtrac 3
11 shared: 10 ahead, 1 behind
|
11 | 10 | 1 | - | 91% |
 Kleber Krisalp HP2
10 shared: 9 ahead, 1 behind
|
10 | 9 | 1 | - | 90% |
 Falken Eurowinter HS449
9 shared: 7 ahead, 2 behind
|
9 | 7 | 2 | - | 78% |
 Barum Polaris 3
9 shared: 6 ahead, 3 behind
|
9 | 6 | 3 | - | 67% |
 Toyo Snowprox S953
8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
|
8 | 7 | 1 | - | 88% |
 BFGoodrich gForce Winter
7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind
|
7 | 6 | 1 | - | 86% |
 GT Radial Champiro Winterpro
6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind
|
6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Sava eskimo hp
6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind
|
6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Uniroyal MS+ 77
6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind
|
6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% |
 Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind
|
6 | 3 | 3 | - | 50% |
 Goodyear UltraGrip 9
6 shared: 1 ahead, 5 behind
|
6 | 1 | 5 | - | 17% |
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nokian WR D3 This tire | 32 | 1 | 6th | 61% |
| Nokian WR D4 Successor | 25 | 1 | 6th | 63% |
Drawn from 30 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.
The Nokian WR D3 most consistently earns praise for dry-road handling and snow performance across its winter tests. It won Sport Auto's 2011 performance comparison, finishing first of five with wins in the snow and dry assessments. Auto Zeitung placed it second of eight in 2012 with the best snow performance, and Auto Bild placed it fourth of 16 in 2014, praising snow braking, dry handling and steering precision. Aquaplaning resistance is another frequently noted strength. Several Recommended verdicts support a generally capable record, though overall placings vary by size and test.
Wet braking and wear are recurring reservations. Auto Bild's 2013 Top 15 test noted longer wet stops and high wear, while its 2015 Top 18 test placed it tenth of 18 and again criticised wet braking and cornering, despite finding wear good. Wet handling is less consistent than dry handling, with some positive assessments and others describing weak grip or changing balance at the limit. Auto Express's 2012 result was unusual on snow: last by a small margin, contrasting with the snow-leading Auto Zeitung result that year, despite fourth of eight overall. The record supports strong dry and winter qualities, with less dependable wet braking and tread life.
Dynamic handling- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2014)
Excellent all round grip in the snow, good cornering in the dry, high resistance to aquaplaning, good all round performance in the dry- 2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014)
Top performer on snow and in dry conditions in the cold- 2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2014)
Dynamic sporty handling qualities with precise steering on dry roads- 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)
best handling on dry surfaces- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)
Convincing winter qualities, safe handling and short braking distances on hard-packed snow- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test (2015)
Excellent all round grip in the snow, good cornering in the dry, high resistance to aquaplaning, good all round performance in the dry- 2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014)
Top performer on snow- 2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2014)
Good in the wet and snow- 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/60 R15 (2013)
top snow performance- 2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2012)
good braking on dry roads- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2014)
short braking distances on snow and dry roads- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
short dry braking distances- 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)
The shortest braking distances- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)
have some of the best dry braking on the market- 2012 Winter Tire Buying Guide (2012)
Good safety reserves with aquaplaning- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test (2015)
Excellent all round grip in the snow, good cornering in the dry, high resistance to aquaplaning, good all round performance in the dry- 2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014)
Very high aquaplaning safety- 2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2013)
good aquaplaning performance- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
Very strong aquaplaning resistance- 2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012)
The strengths of the Nokian WR D3 show up on wet and dry surfaces- 2014 AZ Winter Tire Test (2014)
almost as good as a summer tire in the dry- 2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2013)
Top marks on dry pavement- 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2013)
Top marks on dry pavement- 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/60 R15 (2013)
good dry performance- 2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012)
Top performer on snow and in dry conditions in the cold- 2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2014)
Balance winter tire with safe handling- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2014)
confident behavior in the snow- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)
Exemplary handling with more stable cornering on snow and dry conditions- 2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Test (2012)
Excellent handling on snow- 2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2011)
Convincing winter qualities, safe handling and short braking distances on hard-packed snow- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test (2015)
Short braking distances on snow- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2014)
short braking distances on snow and dry roads- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
precise steering- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2014)
Good steering precision- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
precise steering on dry roads- 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)
extended braking distances on wet roads- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test (2015)
Relatively long braking distances in the wet, high rolling resistance- 2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014)
slightly longer wet braking distances- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
High Wear- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
Reduced mileage- 2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Test (2012)
poor wear- 2011 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2011)
Somewhat weaker in the wet- 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2013)
Relatively weak performance in the wet- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)
Only moderate wet performances- 2011 AMS Winter Tire Test (2011)
Moderate cornering- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test (2015)
When wet, the D3 score slightly weakens due to poor "on the limit handling- 2011 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tire Test (2011)
only average ride comfort- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test (2015)
Moderate ride comfort- 2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2013)
tendency to understeer- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)
switching between under and oversteer- 2011 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tire Test (2011)
Every tester write-up on the Nokian WR D3 (21 tests) and 31 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
Good on snow, not as good as the best in the wet and dry
Top performer on snow and in dry conditions in the cold, but not the cheapest to run
The strengths of the Nokian WR D3 show up on wet and dry surfaces
A very balance result ensures the Finnish winter pro Nokian WR D3 second place in this test
Recommended
Particularly recommended
Satisfactory
Recommended
Recommended
With the top snow performance, the Nokian secures second overall
The Finnish brand Nokian clearly show their snow expertise by winning the snow and dry tests, combining two key qualities of a winter tires. When wet, the D3 score slightly weakens due to poor "on the limit handling", switching between under and oversteer.
Good on snow, best on dry roads
As with most Nokians aimed at the European market, the Nokian WR D3 scores well in the wet and dry tests but is a little let down by its snow handling. Top marks in subjective dry handling indicates this will be an excellent cold weather tire for the less snowy areas
Excellent handling on snow and good overall handling characteristics leave the Nokian WR D3 in a strong 3rd.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Nokian tires