81
/ 100
Objective (60%)
77/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
80/100
17 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Pirelli Scorpion 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.
VerdictToo close to call: Pirelli Scorpion Winter and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 are within 2 points overall. Pirelli Scorpion Winter is stronger on noise. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is stronger on treadwear 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)
Scorpion Winter leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Scorpion Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 94 | 88 |
| Tire Rack owners | 90 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | 100 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 99% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Scorpion Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 81 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | 91 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | 90 | 98 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 91% | 86% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 97% | 96% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Scorpion Winter leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Scorpion Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 81 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | 93 | 100 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 95% | 99% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 97% | 81% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Scorpion Winter leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Scorpion Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | 93 | 100 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Scorpion Winter leads by 23
Why this score
| Source | Scorpion Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | 38 |
| SimpleTire owners | 73 | 98 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Scorpion Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | 73 | 100 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Scorpion Winter | Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 87 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Pirelli Scorpion Winter | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 80 |
| Dry | 91 | 89 |
| Wet | 82 | 83 |
| Snow | 78 | 76 |
| Comfort | 80 | 79 |
| Noise | 85 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 73 | 81 |
| Handling | 80 | 87 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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
81
/ 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 | 99% #3/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -1.3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% #8/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +1.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 97% #4/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 97% #11/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 81% #6/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 54% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +26.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 6% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +44.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 95% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #10/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -3.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #9/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +3 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 97% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 81% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | +15.4 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #6/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 87% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +6.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #6/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 86% #18/48 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | +4.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #9/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Pirelli Scorpion Winter is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet and dry conditions, often mimicking the handling characteristics of a summer tire. While many users praise its confidence-inspiring grip on highways and in heavy rain, consensus is mixed regarding its performance in severe ice and deep slush, where some drivers report a lack of traction.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to aquaplaning
- Strong dry road handling and stability at high speeds
- Comfortable and quiet ride quality for long-distance cruising
- Predictable and confidence-inspiring grip in light to moderate snow
Cons
- Inconsistent performance on hard ice and slushy conditions
- Faster tread wear compared to standard summer tires
- Reduced snow traction as the tire ages and tread depth decreases
- High-speed stability can feel vague at extreme velocities
Observations
- Users with heavy SUVs and performance crossovers report high satisfaction with highway handling but note faster tread wear.
- Drivers utilizing staggered fitments on 20-inch wheels report good feedback and handling, though some note the design is aging compared to newer iterations.
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 Scorpion Winter | B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 44 | 32 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 22″ | 17″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Pirelli
80
/ 100
Pirelli
Too close to call: Pirelli Scorpion Winter and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 are within 2 points overall. Pirelli Scorpion Winter is stronger on noise. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is stronger on treadwear and handling.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli Scorpion Winter scores 85 vs 62 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 81 vs 73 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 87 vs 80 on handling.
Tire A · Pirelli Scorpion Winter
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
More comparisons
Also compared with
Pirelli Scorpion 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.