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Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Test Results

Tested 2013 to 2021 8 publications

Tested 30 times by independent publications, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 has taken 3 test wins with an average finish of 7th. Its strongest discipline is Dry Braking, beating 74% of the field across 8 tests; its weakest is Snow Braking, at 20% across 10 tests.

  • 30Independent tests
  • 3Test wins
  • 8Podium finishes
  • 7thAverage finish
  • 52%Field beaten on average
  • 8Publications
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

30 tests, 2013 to 2021

0%50%100%201320142015201620172018201920202021Average 52%2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2013): P11 of 15, Beat 29% of the field2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test (2013): P2 of 8, Beat 86% of the field2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test (2013): P1 of 9, Beat 100% of the field2014 50 Winter Tire Braking Overview (2014): P1 of 49, Beat 100% of the field2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2014): P7 of 16, Beat 60% of the field2014 AutoBild 235/35 R19 Winter Tire Test (2014): P1 of 6, Beat 100% of the field2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2015): P3 of 8, Beat 71% of the field2015 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2015): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field2015 Sport Auto 19 Inch Winter Tire Test (2015): P3 of 7, Beat 67% of the field2015 ACE 17 Inch Winter Tire Test (2015): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field2015 AMS UHP Winter Tire Test (2015): P2 of 10, Beat 89% of the field2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2016): P2 of 13, Beat 92% of the field2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tire Test (2016): P4 of 8, Beat 57% of the field2016 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2016): P4 of 6, Beat 40% of the field2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test (2017): P5 of 10, Beat 33% of the field2017 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2017): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field2017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tire Test (2017): P4 of 8, Beat 57% of the field2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017): P18 of 20, Beat 11% of the field2017 50 Winter Tire Shoot Out (2017): P8 of 50, Beat 84% of the field2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2017): P4 of 10, Beat 67% of the field2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2017): P6 of 10, Beat 44% of the field2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tire Test (2018): P7 of 10, Beat 33% of the field2019 AMS Winter SUV Tire Test (2019): P9 of 11, Beat 20% of the field2019 Winter Tire Test Market Overview (2019): P16 of 53, Beat 67% of the field2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test (2019): P18 of 20, Beat 11% of the field2019 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2019): P8 of 12, Beat 27% of the field2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test (2020): P20 of 51, Beat 60% of the field2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2020): P19 of 20, Beat 5% of the field2020 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 235/55 R17 (2020): P9 of 13, Beat 33% of the field2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter Tire Test (2021): P12 of 18, Beat 18% 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 52%

Record by discipline

Where the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 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 Strong 8 P3.8 of 14.5 74% -
Dry Handling 8 P8.1 of 14.5 44% -
Subj. Dry Handling 1 P6 of 11 50% -
Wet
Wet Braking 10 P7.8 of 20.9 58% -
Wet Handling 8 P8 of 14.5 49% -
Subj. Wet Handling 1 P6 of 11 50% -
Straight Aqua 7 P8.1 of 15 53% -
Snow
Snow Braking Weak 10 P14.4 of 17.6 20% -
Snow Traction 1 P18 of 21 15% -
Snow Handling 8 P10.1 of 14.3 35% -
Subj. Snow Handling 1 P8 of 11 30% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 1 P2 of 11 90% -
Noise 7 P9.9 of 15.1 34% -
Value
Wear 3 P17 of 20 16% -
Value 3 P19.7 of 20 2% -
Rolling Resistance 7 P6.6 of 15 59% 2

Head-to-head record

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

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 18 shared: 1 ahead, 17 behind Compare with Winter Sport 5 18 1 17 - 6%
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P 13 shared: 2 ahead, 11 behind 13 2 11 - 15%
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1 12 shared: 1 ahead, 11 behind 12 1 11 - 8%
Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S 10 shared: 10 ahead, 0 behind 10 10 0 - 100%
Uniroyal MS+ 77 10 shared: 4 ahead, 6 behind 10 4 6 - 40%
Kleber Krisalp HP3 9 shared: 1 ahead, 8 behind 9 1 8 - 11%
Vredestein Wintrac Pro 9 shared: 0 ahead, 9 behind 9 0 9 - 0%
Nokian WR D4 8 shared: 5 ahead, 3 behind 8 5 3 - 63%
Continental WinterContact TS 850 8 shared: 3 ahead, 5 behind 8 3 5 - 38%
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 8 shared: 2 ahead, 5 behind 8 2 5 1 29%
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ 8 shared: 0 ahead, 8 behind 8 0 8 - 0%
Cooper Weather Master SA2+ 7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind 7 6 1 - 86%
Hankook Winter i cept evo2 7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind 7 6 1 - 86%
Kumho WinterCraft WP71 7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind 7 5 2 - 71%
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 7 shared: 3 ahead, 4 behind 7 3 4 - 43%
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 7 shared: 0 ahead, 7 behind 7 0 7 - 0%
Semperit Speed Grip 3 7 shared: 0 ahead, 7 behind 7 0 7 - 0%
Continental WinterContact TS 860 7 shared: 0 ahead, 7 behind 7 0 7 - 0%
Sava Eskimo HP2 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%
Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 30 tests. Updated September 10, 2025.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 delivers a mixed but clearly UHP-leaning profile: repeatedly strong in dry braking/handling and consistently efficient in rolling resistance, yet often let down by snow performance, aquaplaning limits, wear and value. Early tests (2013-2015) include multiple wins and podiums, but later large-comparison tests (2017-2021) show mid-to-lower placements driven by weak snow grip and durability. Wet braking/handling ranges from very good to mid-pack, indicating size/test variability.

Overall, it suits performance-oriented drivers prioritizing dry road precision and fuel efficiency over deep-winter snow capability and longevity. Awards and top-3 category results show it can shine in select metrics, but aggregate rankings (avg. 7.4/field) reflect notable trade-offs in snow, aquaplaning, and wear/value.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 (18 tests) and 53 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Snow traction strength in 5 of 18 tests 17 praise, 2 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Snow handling strength in 6 of 18 tests 15 praise, 2 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet braking strength in 7 of 18 tests 3 praise, 0 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Steering feel strength in 6 of 18 tests 6 praise, 2 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Road noise weakness in 3 of 18 tests 3 praise, 14 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 4 of 18 tests 7 praise, 0 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • Ice grip no test mentions it 8 praise, 2 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Ride comfort no test mentions it 8 praise, 1 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Slush performance no test mentions it 5 praise, 0 criticise of 53 reviews · Read those reviews

Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners

  • Dry braking strength in 5 of 18 tests no owner mentions it

Every test, newest first 30

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

2021 1 test
2020 3 tests
2019 4 tests
P18 of 20 Beat 11% of the field

2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test

Auto Bild 225/45 R17

Ok

StrongDry Braking WeakSnow BrakingSnow HandlingWearValue WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

P9 of 11 Beat 20% of the field

2019 AMS Winter SUV Tire Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 215/55 R17

Average

StrongSubj. Comfort WeakDry HandlingStraight AquaSnow BrakingNoise WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip Performance+

2018 1 test
2017 7 tests
P18 of 20 Beat 11% of the field

2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

Auto Bild 225/50 R17

Average.

StrongDry BrakingWet BrakingWet Handling WeakSnow BrakingWearValue WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

P6 of 8 Beat 29% of the field

2017 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

The Pirelli Sottozero 3 proved to be happiest in the dry, but struggled in the wet and snow testing.

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

2016 3 tests
2015 5 tests
P6 of 8 Beat 29% of the field

2015 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

Poor snow performance, good in the wet and dry

WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1

2014 3 tests
2013 3 tests
P2 of 8 Beat 86% of the field

2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 225/50 R17

Particularly recommended

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

Back to the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 overview

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