72
/ 100
Objective (60%)
73/100
2 professional tests
User signal (40%)
64/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO vs Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
76/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
61 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — better treadwear, snow and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | 88 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 96% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 83% | 89% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 95% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 73 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 91% | 94% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 91% | 97% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 64 | 38 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 87 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 80 |
| Dry | 83 | 89 |
| Wet | 80 | 83 |
| Snow | 66 | 76 |
| Comfort | 71 | 79 |
| Noise | 54 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 81 |
| Handling | 83 | 87 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
Tire A
80
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #15/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 96% #2/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -1.3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #18/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -1.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 87% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -13.3 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 95% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 94% #13/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 68% #7/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 100% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -32 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 54% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -45.7 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 60% #9/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 83% #13/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -22.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 10% #10/51 · 2018 51 Winter Tyre Shootout | 5% #19/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | +4.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 91% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 94% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -3.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 91% #11/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -6 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 93% #5/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -6.8 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #5/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 83% #3/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 89% #8/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -6.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #3/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 95% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | +3.2 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO is a polarizing winter tire that excels in wet and cold conditions but faces significant criticism regarding tread longevity and deep snow performance. While some users praise its handling and braking capabilities, others report rapid wear and diminished effectiveness as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance in wet and cold conditions
- Sharp steering response and handling characteristics
- Low noise levels when new
- Reliable traction in slushy environments
Cons
- Rapid tread wear and short service life
- Below-average performance in deep snow compared to dedicated winter tires
- Increased road noise as the tire ages
- Diminished aquaplaning resistance over time
Observations
- Users reported premature wear issues on specific vehicles like the Subaru Forester, with some dealers advising against the fitment.
- The tire's soft compound, while beneficial for grip, leads to accelerated degradation when used in milder, dry winter conditions.
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet, slushy, and cold dry conditions. Users consistently praise its sporty handling and confidence-inspiring grip, though it is frequently noted that the tire's performance and longevity are compromised if used in warm temperatures or during summer months.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to hydroplaning.
- Strong dry-road handling and steering precision for a winter tire.
- Excellent traction and stability in snow and slush.
- Comfortable and relatively quiet ride quality.
- Aesthetically pleasing design with effective rim protection.
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly if driven in temperatures above 15°C or year-round.
- Susceptibility to sidewall damage and bubbling when encountering road hazards.
- Increased noise levels as the tire ages and tread depth decreases.
- High price point compared to some competitors.
Observations
- Drivers of high-torque, rear-wheel-drive performance vehicles report high satisfaction with the tire's ability to maintain traction and control.
- Users with staggered fitments on luxury sedans (e.g., BMW 5-series, M240i) note that the tire maintains its sporty character well in cold climates.
- Some owners of heavier vehicles or those with high-horsepower setups noted that the tire's longevity is significantly reduced under aggressive driving styles.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO | B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 32 |
| Rim diameters | — | 17″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Bridgestone
80
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — better treadwear, snow and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 81 vs 65 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 76 vs 66 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 79 vs 71 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 62 vs 54 on noise.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO also compared with
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.