Tested 3 times by independent publications, the Pirelli Ice Friction averages a finish of 2nd.
2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test P3 of 5Nordic Friction Winter Tires
The Pirelli Ice Friction finished third of the five Nordic friction tires. It is a capable winter tire with good snow manners and low rolling resistance, held back slightly by its ice grip and stability.
Where the Pirelli Ice Friction 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 | 1 | P1 of 8 | 100% | 1 |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1 | P1 of 8 | 100% | 1 |
| Subj. Road Score | 1 | P3 of 5 | 50% | - |
| Dry Lane Change | 1 | P1 of 5 | 100% | 1 |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 1 | P2 of 8 | 86% | - |
| Wet Handling | 1 | P2 of 8 | 86% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2 | P3.5 of 6 | 58% | 1 |
| Straight Aqua | 3 | P2.3 of 6.7 | 78% | 2 |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 1 | P1 of 8 | 100% | 1 |
| Snow Traction | 1 | P1 of 8 | 100% | 1 |
| Snow Handling | 1 | P2 of 8 | 86% | - |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 2 | P1.5 of 6 | 88% | 1 |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 1 | P4 of 8 | 57% | - |
| Ice Traction | 1 | P5 of 8 | 43% | - |
| Ice Handling | 1 | P3 of 8 | 71% | - |
| Subj. Ice Handling | 2 | P2.5 of 6 | 63% | 1 |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 2 | P2 of 6 | 79% | - |
| Noise | 1 | P8 of 8 | 0% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Fuel Consumption | 3 | P4.7 of 6.7 | 34% | - |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Pirelli Ice Friction. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
3 shared: 1 ahead, 1 behind
Compare with UltraGrip Ice 3 |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
 Continental VikingContact 8
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
Compare with VikingContact 8 |
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirelli Ice Zero FR Predecessor | 4 | 0 | 4th | 57% |
| Pirelli Ice Friction This tire | 3 | 0 | 2nd | 67% |
Drawn from 3 tests. Updated September 29, 2026.
Across three Nordic friction (studless) winter tire tests, the Pirelli Ice Friction is consistently a front-runner, averaging 2.3 overall and finishing 2nd of 8 (Vi Bilägare 2025) plus 2nd of 7 and 3rd of 5 within its class in Teknikens Värld's mixed-class winter tests (2025 and 2026). The pattern is a very high, broadly balanced performance level across winter surfaces, with repeated stand-out ability on snow and strong road manners for the category: it topped snow traction and snow braking in Vi Bilägare 2025 (both 1st of 8), and was rated best-in-class for snow and ice handling in Teknikens Värld 2025 (both 1st of 7). Testers also repeatedly highlighted its engaging, crisp feel on dry asphalt (Vi Bilägare: best on dry; 1st of 8 in dry braking and subjective dry handling).
The main exceptions are that ice performance is not always class-leading in objective-style braking/traction metrics, and on-road stability/efficiency can trail the very best. In Vi Bilägare 2025, it was only mid-pack on ice traction (5th of 8, +4% from best) and ice braking (4th of 8, +1.5%), and Teknikens Värld 2026 placed it 4th of 5 for ice handling (+20% from class best), with the magazine also noting it was "not as stable on the road as the test winner". Comfort is usually praised (2nd of 7 and 2nd of 5 in Teknikens Värld), but noise is a clear weak point where measured (8th of 8, +2.5% from best in Vi Bilägare 2025), and rolling resistance/fuel consumption is mixed: one test called fuel use low, but it placed 4th of 5 (+4.2%) and 5th of 8 (+2.4%) in fuel consumption in others.
On snow, it performs excellently and can compete with the best in the test- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
Pirelli also performs at the top on snow- 2025 Friction Winter Tire Test (2025)
took full marks for snow braking- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
it also receives top marks in both braking and cornering on rain-soaked asphalt- 2025 Friction Winter Tire Test (2025)
the tire delivers respectable handling characteristics- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
It shared the best aquaplaning resistance of the Nordic tires,- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
no other tire in the test has such good resistance to aquaplaning- 2025 Friction Winter Tire Test (2025)
The ice grip is better and fully in the class of good studded tires,- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
it also receives top marks in both braking and cornering on rain-soaked asphalt- 2025 Friction Winter Tire Test (2025)
On dry asphalt, it's the best performer with crisp steering feel- 2025 Friction Winter Tire Test (2025)
On dry asphalt, it's the best performer with crisp steering feel- 2025 Friction Winter Tire Test (2025)
It had a little less grip on ice than the Continental and Goodyear, with ice braking a step behind the Continental,- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
shows slightly worse stability than the test winner- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
somewhat poorer fuel efficiency- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The Pirelli Ice Friction finished third of the five Nordic friction tires. It is a capable winter tire with good snow manners and low rolling resistance, held back slightly by its ice grip and stability.
The Pirelli Ice Friction earns the title of "Debut of the Year" with an unusually large improvement over its predecessor, the Asimmetrico. Pirelli has excelled in the wet rounds with flying colors - no other tire in the test has such good resistance to aquaplaning, and it also receives top marks in both braking and cornering on rain-soaked asphalt. Despite these excellent wet weather characteristics, Pirelli also performs at the top on snow and isn't far behind the leaders on ice, with a slightly oversteering rear that helps with cornering. On dry asphalt, it's the best performer with crisp steering feel and good driving enjoyment. The tire maintains a high and consistent level across all surfaces, with an emphasis on dry pavement performance, earning it second place overall. The only average aspect is road noise levels.
The Pirelli Ice Friction is this year's most interesting newcomer, finishing joint second of the seven Nordic friction tires with Goodyear in an impressive debut. This Nordic friction tire grips genuinely well across winter surfaces, though it shows slightly worse stability than the test winner and somewhat poorer fuel efficiency. The ice grip is better and fully in the class of good studded tires, allowing the tire to handle difficult situations where grip level is sufficient. On snow, it performs excellently and can compete with the best in the test. While wet road performance follows the typical Nordic friction pattern of being adequate but not outstanding, the tire delivers respectable handling characteristics. The slightly softer character compared to Continental means it doesn't quite match the precision and stability of the test winner, but it remains an accomplished all-round performer that validates Pirelli's development in the Nordic friction category.
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