72
/ 100
Objective (60%)
64/100
5 professional tests
User signal (40%)
78/100
7 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 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 comfort, dry and handling. Pick the Pirelli Cinturato Winter if noise and snow 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 19
Why this score
| Source | Cinturato Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 67 | 88 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 96% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Cinturato Winter leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Cinturato Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 96% | 86% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 96% | 96% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Cinturato Winter leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Cinturato Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 81 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 97% | 91% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 100% | 95% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 94% | 81% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 46
Why this score
| Source | Cinturato Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 1 | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Cinturato Winter leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | Cinturato Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 38 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 98 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Cinturato Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 100 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Cinturato Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 87 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Pirelli Cinturato Winter | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 80 |
| Dry | 70 | 89 |
| Wet | 85 | 83 |
| Snow | 84 | 76 |
| Comfort | 33 | 79 |
| Noise | 78 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 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
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 | 96% #11/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 96% #2/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -0 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #10/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 98% #10/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 84% #6/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -15.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #5/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 95% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 59% #10/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 81% #13/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -21.8 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 100% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 40% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 83% #13/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -43.2 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 14% #7/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 14% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% #4/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 91% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +5.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 95% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +4.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 94% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 81% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | +12.8 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 95% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -5.2 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 50% #12/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -40 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 40% #13/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -40 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 80% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 40% #8/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 70% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -30 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #5/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 96% #9/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 86% #18/48 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | +9.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #8/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 96% #8/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -0.3 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter is generally regarded as a highly capable winter tire, particularly excelling in wet, icy, and snowy conditions. While users praise its initial comfort and winter-weather traction, there is a consensus that performance, particularly regarding dry-road grip and noise levels, tends to degrade noticeably as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional traction on snow and ice
- Strong performance in wet conditions
- Competitive pricing compared to premium rivals
- Comfortable ride quality when new
Cons
- Noticeable increase in road noise over time
- Average to poor dry-road handling and emergency braking
- Significant degradation of performance characteristics after several seasons
- Soft sidewall construction affecting steering feedback
Observations
- Users driving smaller, efficiency-focused vehicles like the Toyota Prius report high satisfaction with the tire's wet and icy road performance.
- Drivers note that the tire's soft sidewall design may not be ideal for those seeking sharp, sporty handling characteristics.
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 · Pirelli Cinturato Winter | 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
Pirelli
80
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — better comfort, dry and handling. Pick the Pirelli Cinturato Winter if noise and snow matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 79 vs 33 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 89 vs 70 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli Cinturato Winter scores 78 vs 62 on noise.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 87 vs 74 on handling.
Tire A · Pirelli Cinturato Winter
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
More comparisons
Also compared with
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 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.