73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
69/100
5 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
3 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
General Altimax Winter 3 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 noise, wet and dry. Pick the General Altimax Winter 3 if snow and treadwear matter most to you.
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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 11
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 75 | 88 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 92% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 61 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 86% | 89% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 94% | 95% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Altimax Winter 3 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 91% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 97% | 97% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 76% | 81% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Altimax Winter 3 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 37
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 25 | 38 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Altimax Winter 3 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 87 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | General Altimax Winter 3 | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 80 |
| Dry | 78 | 89 |
| Wet | 69 | 83 |
| Snow | 84 | 76 |
| Comfort | 80 | 79 |
| Noise | 25 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 81 |
| Handling | 80 | 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
73
/ 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 | 92% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -8.3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -2.8 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 82% #14/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -18.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 95% #5/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 94% #13/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +0.4 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 69% #3/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -30.6 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 82% #15/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 70% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +11.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 3% #35/56 · 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | 11% #9/12 · 2019 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | -8.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #6/30 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | 91% #24/30 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | +7.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #16/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 97% #12/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -0.3 | Same test |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 76% #4/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 81% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -4.9 | Same test |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 90% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 94% #15/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -4.5 | Same test |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #11/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% #36/56 · 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | 89% #8/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -2.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 94% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 95% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -0.5 | Same test |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The General Altimax Winter 3 is viewed as a capable, budget-friendly winter tire that provides reliable traction in snow and slush. While users appreciate its value and resistance to aquaplaning, some find the handling feedback and noise levels at higher speeds to be less refined compared to premium competitors.
Pros
- Strong performance in snow and slush conditions
- Effective resistance to aquaplaning
- Competitive price-to-quality ratio
Cons
- Increased road noise at highway speeds
- Soft sidewalls resulting in vague handling and road feedback
- Mediocre emergency wet braking performance
Observations
- Users noted that the rubber compound feels firmer than premium alternatives like Michelin, impacting overall ride comfort.
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 · General Altimax Winter 3 | 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?
73
/ 100
General
80
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — better noise, wet and dry. Pick the General Altimax Winter 3 if snow and treadwear matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 62 vs 25 on noise.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 83 vs 69 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 89 vs 78 on dry.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
General Altimax Winter 3 scores 84 vs 76 on snow.
Tire A · General Altimax Winter 3
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
More comparisons
Also compared with
General Altimax Winter 3 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.