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.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 vs Vredestein Wintrac Pro — 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
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
93/100
32 professional tests
User signal (40%)
87/100
30 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Vredestein Wintrac Pro — better noise, snow and treadwear. Pick the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 if handling matters most to you.
Read full
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
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)
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sottozero 3 | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | 89 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | 100 | – |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Wintrac Pro leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sottozero 3 | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 83 |
| Tire Rack owners | 90 | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | 98 | – |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 86% | 95% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 96% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Wintrac Pro leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sottozero 3 | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 71 | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 88 |
| SimpleTire owners | 100 | – |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 94% | 99% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 97% | 100% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 81% | 93% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sottozero 3 | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 74 |
| Tire Rack owners | 84 | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 87 |
| SimpleTire owners | 100 | – |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Wintrac Pro leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sottozero 3 | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 38 | 71 |
| SimpleTire owners | 98 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Wintrac Pro leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sottozero 3 | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 77 | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 87 |
| SimpleTire owners | 100 | – |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Sottozero 3 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sottozero 3 | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 82 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 | Vredestein Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 83 |
| Dry | 89 | 89 |
| Wet | 83 | 86 |
| Snow | 76 | 82 |
| Comfort | 79 | 79 |
| Noise | 62 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 81 | 87 |
| Handling | 87 | 82 |
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.
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
80
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 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 | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 99% #4/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #10/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 99% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -1.4 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 92% #8/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 84% #6/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | +8.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 95% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 95% #8/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -0.2 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 76% #6/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | +23.6 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 100% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 93% #15/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +6.6 | Same test |
| Wear | Other | 83% #13/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 69% #19/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +13.9 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 7% #14/18 · 2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter Tyre Test | 20% #5/13 · 2020 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 235/55 R17 | -12.9 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% #22/30 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | 99% #6/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | -4.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #12/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -2.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 81% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 93% #2/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | -11.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 86% #10/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 92% #8/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -6.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 80% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +10 | Same test |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 80% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 90% #3/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 80% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 80% #9/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 70% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 58% #5/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +12.2 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% #16/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 95% #4/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -8.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #8/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 99% #4/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | -2.7 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
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.
The Vredestein Wintrac Pro is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that bridges the gap between dedicated winter traction and the handling characteristics of a summer tire. Users consistently praise its exceptional wet-weather performance, steering feedback, and stability at high speeds, making it a favorite for owners of performance-oriented vehicles.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance
- High-speed stability and responsive steering feedback
- Strong performance in cold, dry conditions
- Excellent value for money compared to premium competitors
- Predictable handling and confidence-inspiring snow traction
Cons
- Noticeable increase in fuel consumption/rolling resistance
- Potential for accelerated tread wear if used in warmer temperatures
- Occasional reports of noise or 'squealing' during hard cornering in dry conditions
- Some users noted reduced traction when starting from a standstill on deep snow
Observations
- Performance sedan and coupe owners (e.g., BMW M-series, Audi S-series) report the tire maintains a 'summer-like' handling feel while providing necessary winter safety.
- Heavy vehicle owners (SUVs/Vans) report mixed results; while some appreciate the stability, others noted uneven wear patterns or reduced cornering precision on heavy commercial chassis.
- Drivers of high-horsepower RWD vehicles specifically highlight the tire's ability to manage torque and minimize wheelspin in cold conditions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 | B · Vredestein Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra 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?
80
/ 100
Pirelli
83
/ 100
Vredestein
Winner: Vredestein Wintrac Pro — better noise, snow and treadwear. Pick the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 if handling matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Vredestein Wintrac Pro scores 71 vs 62 on noise.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Vredestein Wintrac Pro scores 82 vs 76 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Vredestein Wintrac Pro scores 87 vs 81 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 87 vs 82 on handling.
Tire A · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Tire B · Vredestein Wintrac Pro
More comparisons
Also compared with
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 also compared with
Vredestein Wintrac Pro 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.