79
/ 100
Objective (60%)
70/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
77/100
11 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 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.
VerdictToo close to call: Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 are within 2 points overall. Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 is stronger on noise and treadwear. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is stronger on wet and handling.
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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 1
Why this score
| Source | Winguard Snow G WH2 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 88 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 97% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Winguard Snow G WH2 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 66 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 84% | 86% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 96% | 95% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winguard Snow G WH2 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Winguard Snow G WH2 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 94% | 91% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 95% | 96% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winguard Snow G WH2 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winguard Snow G WH2 leads by 24
Why this score
| Source | Winguard Snow G WH2 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 38 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winguard Snow G WH2 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Winguard Snow G WH2 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Winguard Snow G WH2 | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 87 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 80 |
| Dry | 88 | 89 |
| Wet | 69 | 83 |
| Snow | 77 | 76 |
| Comfort | 77 | 79 |
| Noise | 86 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 87 | 81 |
| Handling | 74 | 87 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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
79
/ 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 | 97% #5/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -3.2 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #6/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 98% #10/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 93% #7/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +4.5 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #7/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 96% #11/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | +3.1 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 90% #3/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 81% #13/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +9.2 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 5% #21/51 · 2018 51 Winter Tyre Shootout | 6% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -0.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% #6/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 91% #20/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +2.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 95% #9/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 96% #20/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -1 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 84% #10/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 86% #10/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 84% #6/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 86% #16/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -1.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #6/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 95% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | +1.2 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that offers impressive snow performance and comfort for its price point. While most users find it to be a reliable and cost-effective alternative to premium brands, opinions on wet-weather handling and noise levels are polarized, suggesting inconsistent performance across different driving styles and road conditions.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium competitors
- Strong traction and confidence-inspiring grip in snow
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise levels for many users
- Good tread longevity and durability
Cons
- Inconsistent performance in wet and slushy conditions
- Reports of increased road noise as the tire wears
- Handling can feel 'spongy' or lacking in steering precision
- Polarized feedback regarding wet-weather safety
Observations
- Users driving higher-horsepower vehicles, such as a 210 hp Honda Accord, reported that the tire remains stable and capable in varied conditions.
- Performance feedback is highly subjective, with some users noting significant noise increases after 10,000km, while others praise the quiet ride.
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 · Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 | B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter High Performance 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?
79
/ 100
Nexen
80
/ 100
Pirelli
Too close to call: Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 are within 2 points overall. Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 is stronger on noise and treadwear. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is stronger on wet and handling.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 scores 86 vs 62 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 enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 87 vs 74 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 scores 87 vs 81 on treadwear.
Tire A · Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
More comparisons
Also compared with
Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 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.