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Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 Test Results

Tested 2011 to 2015 7 publications

Tested 24 times by independent publications, the Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 6th.

  • 24Independent tests
  • 1Test wins
  • 4Podium finishes
  • 6thAverage finish
  • 54%Field beaten on average
  • 7Publications
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3

24 tests, 2011 to 2015

0%50%100%20112012201320142015Average 54%2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2011): P6 of 14, Beat 62% of the field2011 ACE Winter Tire Test (2011): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2011 European Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2011): P6 of 14, Beat 62% of the field2011 AMS Winter Tire Test (2011): P7 of 14, Beat 54% of the field2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tire Braking Test (2012): P4 of 43, Beat 93% of the field2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2012): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field2012 European Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2012): P12 of 16, Beat 27% of the field2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012): P7 of 8, Beat 14% of the field2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Test (2012): P8 of 15, Beat 50% of the field2012 EVO Winter Tire Test (2012): P7 of 9, Beat 25% of the field2012 European Tire Test - 165/70 R14 (2012): P3 of 13, Beat 83% of the field2013 ACE Winter Tire Test (2013): P7 of 9, Beat 13% of the field2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/60 R15 (2013): P10 of 17, Beat 44% of the field2013 Winter Tire Overview - Braking (2013): P1 of 50, Beat 100% of the field2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013): P2 of 15, Beat 93% of the field2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2013): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2014): P9 of 14, Beat 38% of the field2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14 (2014): P8 of 14, Beat 46% of the field2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014): P5 of 10, Beat 56% of the field2014 AZ Winter Tire Test (2014): P6 of 11, Beat 50% of the field2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2014): P7 of 10, Beat 33% of the field2015 Winter Tire Market Overview (2015): P6 of 51, Beat 90% of the field2015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 165/70 R14 (2015): P9 of 16, Beat 47% of the field2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter Tire Test (2015): P2 of 18, Beat 94% 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 54%

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Michelin Alpin A4 21 shared: 5 ahead, 16 behind 21 5 16 - 24%
Nokian WR D3 20 shared: 9 ahead, 11 behind 20 9 11 - 45%
Continental WinterContact TS 850 19 shared: 2 ahead, 17 behind 19 2 17 - 11%
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 16 shared: 4 ahead, 12 behind 16 4 12 - 25%
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D 16 shared: 3 ahead, 13 behind 16 3 13 - 19%
Vredestein Snowtrac 3 13 shared: 6 ahead, 6 behind 13 6 6 1 50%
Hankook Winter i cept RS 12 shared: 10 ahead, 2 behind 12 10 2 - 83%
Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 12 shared: 9 ahead, 3 behind 12 9 3 - 75%
Semperit Speed Grip 2 12 shared: 3 ahead, 9 behind 12 3 9 - 25%
Kleber Krisalp HP2 9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind 9 9 0 - 100%
Falken Eurowinter HS449 8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind 8 7 1 - 88%
Barum Polaris 3 8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind 8 7 1 - 88%
GT Radial Champiro Winterpro 7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind 7 7 0 - 100%
Fulda Kristall Control HP 7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind 7 6 1 - 86%
Dunlop Winter Response 2 7 shared: 2 ahead, 5 behind 7 2 5 - 29%
Fulda Kristall Montero 3 6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind 6 4 2 - 67%
Firestone Winterhawk 3 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 6 shared: 1 ahead, 5 behind 6 1 5 - 17%
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Linglong Winter Hero Radial 650 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%

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 This tire 24 1 6th 54%
Pirelli Cinturato Winter Successor 18 0 8th 53%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 24 tests. Updated November 26, 2025.

Across 24 winter tests, the Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 delivers solid, well-rounded performance with standout braking and competent wet capability, complemented by reliable snow manners. It posts multiple top-three finishes (including wins/near-wins in major braking-focused screens) alongside frequent mid-pack results, indicating consistency rather than dominance.

Weaknesses appear around value and longevity, with several notes on wear/price and some lower midfield finishes in larger 205/55 R16 group tests. Overall, it's a balanced winter tire performing best in braking and wet/slush safety metrics, while durability/value and occasional dry or overall handling competitiveness trail class leaders.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Wear and Value (Price/Cost of Ownership) Strong
    Details
    • 2013 Auto Bild Top 15: "Let down by wear and price"
    • Mixed mid-pack outcomes in value-sensitive group tests (e.g., 7/10 2014 Auto Express, 8/14 2014 ADAC 175/65 R14)
  • Dry/Overall Handling Competitiveness in Larger Sizes Moderate
    Details
    • 7/9 (2012 EVO 205/55 R16)
    • 12/16 (2012 European 205/55 R16)
    • 6/8 (2012 Auto Zeitung 205/55 R16)
    • 7/8 (2012 Auto Express 205/55 R16)
  • Result Variability Across Tests Minor
    Details
    • Range from podiums (2/18 in 2015 Auto Bild, 2/15 in 2013 Auto Bild) to low-mid results (10/17 in 2013 ADAC 185/60 R15, 9/14 in 2014 ADAC 195/65 R15)
  • Aquaplaning resistance Strong in 4 of 16 tests
    Details
  • Tread life Strong in 3 of 16 tests
    Details

Every test, newest first 24

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

2015 3 tests
2014 5 tests
P7 of 10 Beat 33% of the field

2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Auto Express 205/55 R16

Competent, but aquaplaning performance needs looking at, as does fuel efficiency

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

P6 of 11 Beat 50% of the field

2014 AZ Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 205/55 R16

Good wet performance for the Pirelli Snow Control Series 3, and safe in the snow

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

P5 of 10 Beat 56% of the field

2014 AMS Winter Tire Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 205/55 R16

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

2013 5 tests
P5 of 8 Beat 43% of the field

2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 195/65 R15

The Pirelli shines with very good results in the wet and slush, but falters in the snow

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

P7 of 9 Beat 13% of the field

2013 ACE Winter Tire Test

ACE 185/60 R15

Recommended

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

2012 7 tests
P6 of 8 Beat 29% of the field

2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 205/55 R16

The Pirelli Snow Control Series 3 is strong in the wet and good on slush

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

2011 4 tests
P5 of 8 Beat 43% of the field

2011 ACE Winter Tire Test

ACE 205/55 r16

The new Pirelli Winter Snow Control Serie3 has a good all round performance, only slightly let down by its snow braking and price

WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip 8

P6 of 14 Beat 62% of the field

2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 205/55 r16

Compared to the predecessor, the Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 is a better all round tire.

WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip 8

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