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Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Ultra High Performance Winter Winter rated

A performance-biased Central European winter tire with strong dry-road precision and confidence in wet winter conditions, but with notable compromises in noise and longevity.

The quick answer

Owners say 81% from 59 owner reviews 81% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 7th average finish across 30 independent tests · 3 wins Latest: P12 of 18 · 2021 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Wet, Dry Comfort, Snow 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 October 2026.

  • 59owner reviews
  • 861,286miles driven
  • 30professional tests
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 3 photos

Tire Reviews Score

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

7.9/10

Better than 66% of winter tires

  • Medium Confidence
  • 10 tests
  • 59 owner reviews
Scores of the 278 winter tires we have tested

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent tests10 tests · 4 publications · 2017-2020 67% 88%
Owner reviews59 owner reviews · rated 81% 58% 12%
Combined 66% 7.9

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 77% 30% 10
SnowBraking, traction and handling on snow 23% 23% 10
IceBraking, traction and handling on ice Not tested, counted as average 18% –
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 63% 17% 8
ValueWear, efficiency and cost 34% 6% 7
ComfortNoise and ride comfort 31% 5% 7

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 68% 10
HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 62% 8
TractionEvery traction test, on any surface 28% 1

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 87% of the test figure. The other 13% 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. 2021 2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter Tire Test ADAC · 225/50 R17 P12 / 18 Placing only
  2. 2020 2020 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 235/55 R17 ADAC · 235/55 R17 P9 / 13 Placing only
  3. 2020 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 245/45 R18 P19 / 20
  4. 2020 2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test Auto Bild · 245/45 R18 P20 / 51
  5. 2019 2019 Auto Express Winter Tire Test Auto Express · 225/45 R17 P8 / 12 Placing only
  6. 2019 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test Auto Bild · 225/45 R17 P18 / 20
Show all 30 tests
  1. 2019 2019 Winter Tire Test Market Overview Auto Bild · 225/45 R17 P16 / 53
  2. 2019 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tire Test Auto Motor Und Sport · 215/55 R17 P9 / 11
  3. 2018 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 245/45 R18 P7 / 10
  4. 2017 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test Sport Auto · 225/40 R18 P6 / 10
  5. 2017 2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test Auto Bild Allrad · 225/55 R17 P4 / 10
  6. 2017 2017 50 Winter Tire Shoot Out Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P8 / 50 Placing only
  7. 2017 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P18 / 20
  8. 2017 2017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tire Test ACE · 235/55 R17 P4 / 8 Placing only
  9. 2017 2017 Auto Express Winter Tire Test Auto Express · 225/45 R17 P6 / 8 Placing only
  10. 2017 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test Auto Motor Und Sport · 225/40 R18 P5 / 10
  11. 2016 2016 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test Sport Auto · 235/40 R18 P4 / 6 Placing only
  12. 2016 2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tire Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 245/40 R18 P4 / 8 Placing only
  13. 2016 2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 ADAC · 225/45 R17 P2 / 13 Placing only
  14. 2015 2015 AMS UHP Winter Tire Test Auto Motor Und Sport · 225/50 R17 P2 / 10 Placing only
  15. 2015 2015 ACE 17 Inch Winter Tire Test ACE · 225/50 R17 P6 / 8 Placing only
  16. 2015 2015 Sport Auto 19 Inch Winter Tire Test Sport Auto · 235/35 R19 P3 / 7 Placing only
  17. 2015 2015 Auto Express Winter Tire Test Auto Express · 225/45 R17 P6 / 8 Placing only
  18. 2015 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 225/40 R18 P3 / 8 Placing only
  19. 2014 2014 AutoBild 235/35 R19 Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 235/35 R19 P1 / 6 Placing only
  20. 2014 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P7 / 16 Placing only
  21. 2014 2014 50 Winter Tire Braking Overview Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P1 / 49 Placing only
  22. 2013 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P1 / 9 Placing only
  23. 2013 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test Auto Motor Und Sport · 225/50 R17 P2 / 8 Placing only
  24. 2013 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 ADAC · 225/45 R17 P11 / 15 Placing only
All Tests
View Test Results

Tested 30 times by independent publications, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 has taken 3 test wins with an average finish of 7th.

30 Tests
3 Test Wins
7th Average
1st Best
20th Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20132021

Finishing position in each test

YearTestResultAward
20212021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter Tire TestADAC · 225/50 R17P12 / 18
20202020 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 235/55 R17ADAC · 235/55 R17P9 / 13
20202020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 245/45 R18P19 / 20
20202020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking TestAuto Bild · 245/45 R18P20 / 51
20192019 Auto Express Winter Tire TestAuto Express · 225/45 R17P8 / 12
20192019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire TestAuto Bild · 225/45 R17P18 / 20
20192019 Winter Tire Test Market OverviewAuto Bild · 225/45 R17P16 / 53
20192019 AMS Winter SUV Tire TestAuto Motor Und Sport · 215/55 R17P9 / 11
20182018 Autobild UHP Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 245/45 R18P7 / 10
20172017 Sport Auto Winter Tire TestSport Auto · 225/40 R18P6 / 10
20172017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire TestAuto Bild Allrad · 225/55 R17P4 / 10
20172017 50 Winter Tire Shoot OutAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P8 / 50
20172017 Auto Bild Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P18 / 20
20172017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tire TestACE · 235/55 R17P4 / 8
20172017 Auto Express Winter Tire TestAuto Express · 225/45 R17P6 / 8
20172017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire TestAuto Motor Und Sport · 225/40 R18P5 / 10
20162016 Sport Auto Winter Tire TestSport Auto · 235/40 R18P4 / 6
20162016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tire TestAuto Bild Sportscars · 245/40 R18P4 / 8
20162016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17ADAC · 225/45 R17P2 / 13
20152015 AMS UHP Winter Tire TestAuto Motor Und Sport · 225/50 R17P2 / 10
20152015 ACE 17 Inch Winter Tire TestACE · 225/50 R17P6 / 8
20152015 Sport Auto 19 Inch Winter Tire TestSport Auto · 235/35 R19P3 / 7
20152015 Auto Express Winter Tire TestAuto Express · 225/45 R17P6 / 8
20152015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 225/40 R18P3 / 8
20142014 AutoBild 235/35 R19 Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 235/35 R19P1 / 6
20142014 Auto Bild Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P7 / 16
20142014 50 Winter Tire Braking OverviewAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P1 / 49
20132013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire TestAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P1 / 9
20132013 AMS Sports Winter Tire TestAuto Motor Und Sport · 225/50 R17P2 / 8
20132013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17ADAC · 225/45 R17P11 / 15

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

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Running Costs
View Test

In 245/45 R18, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is projected to cost €28.94 per 1,000 miles to buy and run - about €723 over 25,000 miles - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3€28.94
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+€29.96
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5€33.08
Hankook Winter i cept evo3€34.31
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 2020 test; financing costs are excluded.
Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range99 sizes available

195-355Width25-65Profile16-21Rim84-110 T-WLoad/Speed Index2013First On Market

EU LabelAcross 99 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

68-75dB

3PMSF on every size

US ratingsUTQG grade and the maker's mileage warranty

Not gradedUTQG grade9-11/32"Tread depth (new)

Popular sizes225/45 R17225/50 R17225/45 R18225/40 R18235/45 R17275/40 R18
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 in the wet?
Across the 10 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 stops 2.2% longer than premium rivals, 2.4% shorter than mid-range rivals and 5.8% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 77/100, and owners rate it 8.8/10 in the wet from 59 reviews.
How good is the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 in the dry?
Across the 8 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 stops 1.9% shorter than premium rivals, 1.7% shorter than mid-range rivals and 3% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 63/100, and owners rate it 8.8/10 in the dry from 59 reviews.
How good is the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 in the snow?
Across the 10 snow-braking tests it has featured in, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 stops 5.1% longer than premium rivals, 3.2% longer than mid-range rivals and 24.9% shorter than budget rivals. Across the 1 snow-traction test, it is 5.1% worse than premium rivals, 0.8% worse than mid-range rivals and 38.4% better than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews snow score of 23/100, and owners rate it 7.9/10 in the snow from 59 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3?
Across the 7 tests measuring rolling resistance, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3's rolling resistance is 0.9% lower than premium rivals, 5.4% lower than mid-range rivals and 4.2% lower than budget rivals.
How many miles does the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 last?
Based on test and owner data, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is expected to last around 24,950 miles (40,153 km).
More questions about the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 (10)
What do owners say about the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3?
Across 59 owner ratings the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 averages 81%. Owners rate Wet Grip highest at 8.8 out of 10 and Ice Grip lowest at 7. 28 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 87% of owners score it 70% or better.
How much does the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 cost to run?
In 245/45 R18, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is projected to cost €28.94 per 1,000 miles to buy and run - about €723 over 25,000 miles - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test. Of the tires compared in that test, that makes it the cheapest to run.
What is the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 most commonly carries EU label ratings of C for fuel efficiency, B for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3?
Owners rate the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 7.6 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 55 reviews.
How well do the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 7.6 out of 10 for wear across 55 reviews. 28 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 10,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 again?
81% of owners say they would buy the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 again, based on the 58 owner reviews that answered the question. 47% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3's wet grip?
Of the 53 owner reviews analyzed for the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 22 mention wet grip: 21 praise it (confident wet grip) and 1 criticise it (weak wet grip). One owner wrote: "the best part is wet and slush grip, i am really surprised by the level of confidence i get from them". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3's snow traction?
Of the 53 owner reviews analyzed for the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 19 mention snow traction: 17 praise it (strong snow traction) and 2 criticise it (weak snow traction). One owner wrote: "Snow and ice: Very good grip". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3's road noise?
Of the 53 owner reviews analyzed for the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 17 mention road noise: 3 praise it (quiet) and 14 criticise it (noisy). One owner wrote: "Also the most noisy tire I have ever heard". Read those reviews
What sizes does the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 come in?
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is available in 232 sizes, ranging from 195-355/25-65 R16-21.
Owner Questions (2)
Ask a question
I was wondering if the difference between the Sottozero 3 and the Sottozero 3 Runflat could be explained, or at least more tangible. Show more I was wondering if the difference between the Sottozero 3 and the Sottozero 3 Runflat could be explained, or at least more tangible. I know there will be a noticeable difference, but any clue on how noticable? If I choose to order the winterset they come on Run Flats as most products of MINI/BMW. Show less
November 11, 2019
Runflat vs non-runflat is difficult, as it varies by brand. I've not tested these back to back, but as a rule you'll lose a significant amount of comfort and noise, and usually there's a slight reduction in grip too.
Show all questions (2)
I have a se of four Sottozero 3 tires on my Mazda 6 Estate. These are just four months old. Show more I have a se of four Sottozero 3 tires on my Mazda 6 Estate. These are just four months old. When I brake the car experiences juddering through the brake pedal with less judder through the steering wheel but judder nonetheless. This is more severe as speed ncreases. have had the car checked thoroughly including a brake test and the car passed the MOT test recently. No mechanical faults are evident. Why am I experiencing this judder as I find it unbelievable that Pirelli would make a tire that does this ! Show less
February 15, 2017
It would be surprising if the tire is at fault. Sometimes, with certain tire patterns and car suspension you can get "stepping" on the tire, where the tread wears unevenly and causes noise and vibration, but it would have to be severe to be caused by a tire like the SottoZero3. A more likely cause would be a very slightly warped brake disc which would only show up when braking.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Owner Reviews

Review this tire

What owners say summarised from 53 reviews

Owners rate the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 highly overall, most consistently praising the secure wet grip and strong winter ability, with good traction and predictable handling on snow (and reassuring ice performance for many). A notable downside is noise: around a third of owners mention it being loud, especially at motorway speeds and often more so as it wears. Tread life is more mixed (roughly three in ten discuss it), with plenty reporting long service but around one in eight to one in ten feeling it wears faster than expected, particularly if used outside its ideal winter window.

What owners mention most counted across 53 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 59 ratings

  • Owner score 81%
  • Wet Grip 88%
  • Dry Grip 88%
  • Handling 86%
  • Road Feedback 81%
  • Snow Grip 79%
  • Comfort 76%
  • Wear 76%
  • Ice Grip 70%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 86%

“One of the very best winter tires, 4 years of use and over 40000 miles driven, still acts as new tire in rain and snow, which cannot be seen with Michelins. Only down side the tire needs to be in operating temperature...”

  • BMW X2M35i
  • 42,000 miles
Read full review → 679 found this helpful
Most critical 40%

“OEM winter tire on a 2019 Golf GTI Performance. In my country, Andorra, a snowy country, I didn't like the grip on snow, especially after half its life, which was awful. In wet and even in dry conditions, there have...”

  • Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance Mk. 7.5
  • 19,500 miles
Read full review → 123 found this helpful
Longest term 89%

“These are the only winter tires I have used on my car. My new car was registered in January 2015 and I had the tires fitted on a different set of alloys. Almost 9 years later, I am going to replace them with the exactly...”

  • Audi a3 s line
  • 62,000 miles
Read full review → 1,039 found this helpful

All 55 Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 reviews

Score spread across 54 written reviews
57%
Member
Initial Impressions

Awful on ice and low temperature condition. Might be okay for mild winter situation.

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 6
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 3
  • Snow Grip 6
  • Ice Grip 3
Helpful 1
77%
Member
Initial Impressions

Had them on a 2019 Mini Cooper Countryman S all4. Used the two seasons. Both winters we had some good storms of two feet or more of snow. Only got stuck once because a lifted truck couldn’t get up my unplowed street that I had no problem on. I thought the handling in dry and wet were outstanding a fun to drive.

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 5
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 8
Helpful 2
79%
Member
Initial Impressions

Generally very good, i hope future upgrades can improve on comfort, as they are a rough,
But you do get Sharp responsive stop, start and handling for that exchange
Good tire, i would buy again

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 8
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 8
Helpful 8

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60%
SeanNyekjaer
Initial Impressions

I have had 2 sets of these tires, driven the same amount. They are very noisy even with one of the sets having the acoustic foam.
One set is uneven, so the car bounces up and down at 40-50km/t. It was not a mounting fault.

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 1
  • Buy again 1
  • Snow Grip 6
  • Ice Grip 6
Helpful 20
41%
Bumban
Initial Impressions

Worst winter tires I have ever driven.
I bought a set o wheels, for the rims, the tires came fitted.
Even when they had a lot of tread left it still EXTREMELY unstable on a road covered with snow. Even at 10 kmh the car was going left and right almost crashed a few times.
I thought I was crazy, I verified the tread wear at the tire shop, and they said it still has a decent amount. The dot was from 2022 at the moment they were 3 years old.
Also the most noisy tire I have ever heard.
The fuel avrege consumption went up by 1.5L
Surprisingly the tires felt GREAT on twisty roads (outside temp 10-15°, in a forest), after they warmed up the big side profile disappeared, it felt like a 35 side profile not a 55. Also the grip was amazing almost felt like a summer tire.
I personally change the wheels from summer to winter and back. When I put the winters wheels on (October) they were still good on tread wear (I knew it was their last season)by January the tires eat all the tread well over the tread wear marker, making them almost a slick tire (to be noted, that I only drove them in an out of the city on my daily comute).
One of the few great points was Seal Inside technology, saved me a few times, not even needing to add more air.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 owner photo
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 2
  • Comfort 4
  • Buy again 2
  • Snow Grip 1
  • Ice Grip 2
Helpful 36
76%
Ac257va
Initial Impressions
  • 225/60 R18
  • 20,500 miles
Feedback: Winter tires on BMW X3 30i xDrive Context: 3 winters of use, 20,500 km traveled.

Current wear: There is 5.5 mm of thickness remaining at the front and 4 mm at the rear.
Recommendation: As the 4 mm limit is the minimum required for proper grip on snow, a replacement will be necessary before next winter.
Performance:
Snow and ice: Very good grip.
Asphalt: The tires became noisy with wear. This phenomenon, which I also observed on an Alfa Stelvio, seems characteristic of the Pirelli brand.
Conclusion: Overall satisfied, although I note wear that I consider too rapid in view of my normal and smooth driving.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 5
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 6
  • Snow Grip 9
  • Ice Grip 9
Helpful 100
40%
Volki
Initial Impressions
OEM winter tire on a 2019 Golf GTI Performance. In my country, Andorra, a snowy country, I didn't like the grip on snow, especially after half its life, which was awful. In wet and even in dry conditions, there have been many losses of traction in this car. In my opinion, I wouldn't recommend it or buy it again. My next winter tires will be Goodyear Ultragrip Performance 3, which I expect will be much better.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 5
  • Wet Grip 5
  • Road Feedback 5
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 4
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
  • Snow Grip 3
  • Ice Grip 2
Helpful 123
86%
Member
One of the very best winter tires, 4 years of use and over 40000 miles driven, still acts as new tire in rain and snow, which cannot be seen with Michelins.
Only down side the tire needs to be in operating temperature for dry conditions, then you can feel the diference from others.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 owner photo
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 8
Helpful 679
80%
Member
The best UHP winter tires I ever had. Excellent handling, you really feel these are UHP tires, not just winter tires. Initially they were noisy, but improved a lot. Beautiful design, the biggest rim protector. Wear is bad, after 30 000 kms just above the wear indicator (TWI). But it worths, I recently purchased a new set of Sottozero 3 (A01) for my new car.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 4
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 7
  • Ice Grip 7
Helpful 1,042
73%
Member
I had a set as winter tires for Subaru WRX AWD. Although there is not a lot of snow where I live, they work well in dry, wet and occasional snow weather. Compared to a summer set of OEM Dunlop, steering feeling is a little fuzzy because of tall blocks and soft compounds but they are good tire even in subzero temp. Tire wear is acceptable and it makes more noise than summer tires around 60-70 mph range on dry freeway surface.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 7
  • Snow Grip 7
Helpful 1,016
81%
Member
  • BMW M240i
  • 255/35 R19
  • 5,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Spirited
Great overall UHP winter tire. They go on my 2022 BMW M240i xDrive in the fall and come off in the spring using 2 sets of identical wheels year-round. During the summer I run on Michelin PS4S so for several days each year I get to A/B compare this tire against one of the best tires ever made. The only difference in the tires being the front winters are 225/40/19's and the front summers are 245/35/19's. Rears are all 255/35/19's as I run a staggered setup. The major differences between the two tires are the road noise (higher on the Pirelli's) and a little more "sway" in the Pirelli's when pushing the car around bends. What I find impressive though is how well the Pirelli's communicate what they are doing. They have a very linear and predictable feel like the PS4S so I always know how much grip I have left which makes using them in winter more enjoyable as you can really drive the car as intended in the dry. The tires also don't need to be warmed up and feel compliant right out of the gate on a cold start and go. In the rain they behave as expected and hydroplane less than the PS4S do when driving in heavy rain with water accumulation on the road. I also had the chance to drive over a challenging mountain pass road during a snow storm in my first winter on them and really got to experience the difference. The tire was very predictable and kept me out of trouble. Combined with AWD, I felt completely safe and confident and drove right through the storm without any issues.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 8
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 7
Helpful 986
83%
Member
  • Porsche
  • 285/35 R20
  • 6,000 miles
  • Mostly Town
  • Spirited
Outstanding dry performance , which is 85% of our winter driving in northern metropolitan cities . The snow and ice is 80% as good as a snow /ice only low performance tire . But with my AWD sedan that is fine . Love these . P285 on back ; P245 on front . I am a car conniseur and could buy any tire period and i choose these . Mine are W rated look for that , though the V rated are great too I am sure .
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 5
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 6
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