P6 of 10
Beat 33% of the field
Pirelli Cinturato Winter Test Results
Tested 2016 to 2021
6 publications
Tested 18 times by independent publications, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter averages a finish of 8th. Its strongest discipline is Snow Braking, beating 61% of the field across 5 tests; its weakest is Wet Braking, at 47% across 5 tests.
- 18Independent tests
- 0Test wins
- 3Podium finishes
- 8thAverage finish
- 53%Field beaten on average
- 6Publications
18 tests, 2016 to 2021
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 53%
The latest test
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test P6 of 10
Record by discipline
Where the Pirelli Cinturato Winter finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 4 | P9 of 14.3 | 39% | - |
| Dry Handling | 3 | P13.3 of 14.3 | 5% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1 | P12 of 14 | 15% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking Weak | 5 | P11 of 21.2 | 47% | - |
| Wet Handling | 3 | P4.7 of 14.3 | 62% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1 | P8 of 14 | 46% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 4 | P3.3 of 14.3 | 86% | 1 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1 | P2 of 10 | 89% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking Strong | 5 | P8.4 of 18.4 | 61% | - |
| Snow Traction | 2 | P2.5 of 12 | 88% | 1 |
| Snow Handling | 3 | P4.7 of 14.3 | 65% | - |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 1 | P4 of 14 | 77% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 1 | P11 of 14 | 23% | - |
| Noise | 3 | P3.7 of 14.3 | 75% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 1 | P21 of 21 | 0% | - |
| Value | 1 | P21 of 21 | 0% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 4 | P10.8 of 14.3 | 29% | - |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Pirelli Cinturato Winter. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hankook Winter i cept RS2
14 shared: 5 ahead, 9 behind
|
14 | 5 | 9 | - | 36% |
 Continental WinterContact TS 860
14 shared: 1 ahead, 13 behind
|
14 | 1 | 13 | - | 7% |
 Nokian WR D4
13 shared: 5 ahead, 8 behind
|
13 | 5 | 8 | - | 38% |
 Dunlop Winter Sport 5
12 shared: 4 ahead, 8 behind
|
12 | 4 | 8 | - | 33% |
 Goodyear UltraGrip 9
11 shared: 2 ahead, 9 behind
|
11 | 2 | 9 | - | 18% |
 Falken Eurowinter HS01
9 shared: 6 ahead, 3 behind
|
9 | 6 | 3 | - | 67% |
 Vredestein Snowtrac 5
9 shared: 6 ahead, 3 behind
|
9 | 6 | 3 | - | 67% |
 Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2
7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind
|
7 | 5 | 2 | - | 71% |
 Kumho Winter Craft WP51
7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind
|
7 | 5 | 2 | - | 71% |
 Michelin Alpin 5
7 shared: 3 ahead, 4 behind
|
7 | 3 | 4 | - | 43% |
 Bridgestone Blizzak LM001
6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind
|
6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% |
 Uniroyal MS+ 77
6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind
|
6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% |
 Barum Polaris 3
5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind
|
5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
5 shared: 4 ahead, 1 behind
|
5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% |
 Firestone Winterhawk 3
5 shared: 4 ahead, 1 behind
|
5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% |
 Fulda Kristall Control HP2
5 shared: 1 ahead, 4 behind
|
5 | 1 | 4 | - | 20% |
 Michelin Alpin 6
5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind
|
5 | 0 | 5 | - | 0% |
 Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind
|
5 | 0 | 5 | - | 0% |
 Kleber Krisalp HP3
5 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind
|
5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0% |
 Giti GitiWinterW1
4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind
|
4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 Predecessor | 24 | 1 | 6th | 54% |
| Pirelli Cinturato Winter This tire | 18 | 0 | 8th | 53% |
| Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 Successor | 21 | 1 | 7th | 53% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 18 tests. Updated October 13, 2025.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter delivers a mixed profile with standout snow and aquaplaning security but inconsistent wet and dry on-road performance. It has several strong showings and podiums in large-field tests (e.g., 3rd/14 AZ 2016, 3rd/8 AE 2016, 5/20 and 6/43 in Auto Bild 2016, 7/52 in AB 2018 braking shootout, 2/16 ADAC 2019), indicating competitive potential. However, average finishing position of 8.2 across 18 tests and multiple lower-mid results in 2018-2021 reflect variability across sizes and conditions.
Snow traction/handling and aquaplaning are recurring strengths, while wet braking and dry handling/braking frequently trail the leaders. Rolling resistance, wear/value, and pricing are also weak in several tests, dragging down overall value. Overall, it suits users prioritizing winter traction and hydroplaning resistance over shortest wet/dry stopping distances and efficiency.
Performance Strengths
-
Snow Performance
Strong
Details
- 1st place snow traction in 2021 AMS
- Snow braking 3rd/22 and snow handling 3rd/22 in 2018 Auto Bild
- Subj. snow handling 4th/14 and snow traction 4th/14 in 2020 Auto Zeitung
- Snow braking 4th/10 in 2021 AMS (+0.6% from best)
-
Aquaplaning Resistance
Strong
in 1 of 10 tests
Details
- Straight aquaplaning 1st/10 and curved aquaplaning 2nd/10 in 2021 AMS
- Straight aquaplaning 2nd/11 in 2018 AMS
- Straight aquaplaning 4th/14 in 2020 Auto Zeitung
excellent aquaplaning resistance
- 2018 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2018)
-
Overall Competitiveness in Large-Field Tests
Moderate
Details
- 3rd/14 in 2016 Auto Zeitung (top three mention)
- 3rd/8 in 2016 Auto Express
- 5th/20 and 6th/43 in 2016 AutoBild tests
- 7th/52 in 2018 AutoBild 51-tire braking shootout
- 2nd/16 in 2019 ADAC 185/65 R15
-
Wet Handling (balance, not braking)
Minor
Details
- Wet handling 2nd/22 (+0.4% from best) in 2018 Auto Bild
- Wet handling 4th/11 in 2018 AMS
- Wet handling 8th/10 in 2021 AMS despite very weak wet braking
-
Snow traction
Strong
in 6 of 10 tests
Details
Short braking distances and good traction on snow
- 2021 AMS Winter Tire Test (2021)Best in snow handling and a good snow performance overall
- 2020 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2020)Good results on snow, dry and wet roads
- 2019 ADAC 185/65 R15 Winter Tire Test (2019)Strong in snow
- 2018 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2018)Good in the snow
- 2018 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14 (2018)
-
Snow handling
Strong
in 4 of 10 tests
Details
Best in snow handling and a good snow performance overall
- 2020 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2020)Safe balance on snow
- 2018 AMS Winter Tire Test (2018)Dynamic sporty handling in the snow and wet
- 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2018)Dynamic handling in the snow
- 2016 AutoBild Winter Tire Test (2016)
-
Wet handling
Strong
in 4 of 10 tests
Details
second place during wet handling
- 2018 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2018)Dynamic sporty handling in the snow and wet
- 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2018)- 2016 AutoBild Winter Tire Test (2016)
good handling on wet surfaces
- 2016 AZ Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2016)
-
Wet grip
Moderate
in 2 of 10 tests
Details
Good results on snow, dry and wet roads
- 2019 ADAC 185/65 R15 Winter Tire Test (2019)Like the Nokian, the Pirelli was strong in the snow and the wet
- 2016 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2016)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Wet Braking Performance
Strong
Details
- 10th/10 (+18.8% from best) in 2021 AMS
- 25th/49 (+16.2% from best) in 2021 Auto Bild market overview
- 8th/14 (+11.8% from best) in 2020 Auto Zeitung
- 8th/22 (+4.7% from best) in 2018 Auto Bild
-
Dry Handling/Braking
Strong
Details
- Dry handling last 10th/10 (+3% from best) and dry braking 6th/10 in 2021 AMS
- Dry handling 11th/11 (+4%) and dry braking 8th/11 (+7.4%) in 2018 AMS
- Dry braking 9th/14 (+5.5%) and subj. dry handling 12th/14 in 2020 Auto Zeitung
- Dry handling 19th/22 (+4.3%) and dry braking 13th/22 (+15.7%) in 2018 Auto Bild
-
Efficiency and Value (Rolling Resistance, Wear, Price)
Strong
Details
- Rolling resistance 19th/22 (+27.6%) and wear 21st/21 (poor) with value 21st/21 in 2018 Auto Bild
- Rolling resistance 9th/11 (+23.1%) in 2018 AMS
- Price worst 10th/10 (+69.3%) in 2021 AMS
- Rolling resistance 9th/14 (+10.2%) in 2020 Auto Zeitung
-
Result Variability Across Sizes/Years
Moderate
Details
- High results: 2nd/16 ADAC 2019; 3rd/14 AZ 2016; 3rd/8 AE 2016
- Low results: 14th/16 ADAC 2018; 11th/12 ADAC 2018; 11th/12 ACE 2018; 27th/49 AB 2021 overview
-
Rolling resistance
Strong
in 4 of 10 tests
Details
Average wet performance, high rolling resistance
- 2020 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2020)high rolling resistance
- 2018 AMS Winter Tire Test (2018)tires rolling resistance was the real weakness, 15% worse than the best
- 2016 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2016)high rolling resistance
- 2016 AZ Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2016)
-
Dry handling
Moderate
in 2 of 10 tests
Details
Long wet braking, poor dry handling
- 2021 AMS Winter Tire Test (2021)placing sixth and seventh in dry braking and handling
- 2016 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2016)
-
Dry grip
Moderate
in 2 of 10 tests
Details
Average in the dry
- 2018 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2018)Relatively weak in the dry and wet, high wear
- 2018 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14 (2018)
-
Tread life
Moderate
in 2 of 10 tests
Details
Poor wear
- 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2018)Relatively weak in the dry and wet, high wear
- 2018 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14 (2018)
Every test, newest first 18
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2021 2 tests
P27 of 50
Beat 46% of the field
2020 3 tests
P7 of 14
Beat 54% of the field
P4 of 9
Beat 50% of the field
P11 of 15
Beat 29% of the field
2019 1 test
P2 of 16
Beat 87% of the field
2019 ADAC 185/65 R15 Winter Tire Test
Excellent
2018 7 tests
P5 of 11
Beat 60% of the field
2018 AMS Winter Tire Test
Recommended.
P5 of 9
Beat 50% of the field
P11 of 12
Beat 9% of the field
P13 of 20
Beat 37% of the field
P10 of 12
Beat 18% of the field
P14 of 16
Beat 13% of the field
P7 of 52
Beat 88% of the field
2016 5 tests
P3 of 8
Beat 71% of the field
2016 Auto Express Winter Tire Test
The new Pirelli Cinturato winter takes a well deserved third place. Like the Nokian, the Pirelli was strong in the snow and the wet, and while it didn't win any of the tests overall, it always placed strongly in the key areas. It struggled a little more in the dry, placing sixth and seventh in dry braking and handling, but neither result was more than 3% worse than the best, such as the closeness of the test. Again like the Nokian, the tires rolling resistance was the real weakness, 15% worse than the best.
P5 of 20
Beat 79% of the field
P6 of 49
Beat 88% of the field
P3 of 14
Beat 85% of the field
P8 of 15
Beat 50% of the field
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