Winter tire Winter Premium Touring tires Updated September 2026
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 review
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is generally regarded as a highly capable winter tire that excels in wet and snowy conditions while providing a secure, planted feel. While users appreciate its safety and traction, there are notable concerns regarding its longevity and tread wear, as well as a shift toward a softer, touring-oriented handling profile compared to its predecessors.
Relative score
75/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
78/100
3 reviews
Road tests
89/100
21 published tests
Owners rate it 11.2 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
Scores
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
78%
Would buy again
80%
Dry
Wet
Snow & ice
Comfort
Treadwear
Handling
By road tests
89.2%From owners
What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 3 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is generally regarded as a highly capable winter tire that excels in wet and snowy conditions while providing a secure, planted feel. While users appreciate its safety and traction, there are notable concerns regarding its longevity and tread wear, as well as a shift toward a softer, touring-oriented handling profile compared to its predecessors.
Pros
- Excellent traction and confidence in wet and snowy conditions
- Strong braking performance on dry surfaces
- High level of subjective road feedback and handling security
- Comfortable touring-oriented ride quality
Cons
- Rapid tread wear and concerns regarding overall tire longevity
- Less precise handling and feedback compared to sportier winter tires
- Increased road noise and fuel consumption noted by some users
- Softer sidewall feel which may not suit performance-oriented driving
Worth knowing
- Users transitioning from the sportier Sottozero 3 noted a significant shift toward a touring-focused, less direct handling experience.
- The tire's performance is highly regarded for drivers seeking a balanced, safe option for cold, rainy, and occasional mountain winter conditions.
Test results
21 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2025 Autobild Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
10th of 20
Best: Wet Handling · 1st
Weakest: Dry Handling · 18th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 1st of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 18th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 17th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 17th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 5th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 16th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 14th of 20 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 4th of 20 | |
| Noise | 7th of 20 | |
| Value | 16th of 20 | |
| Wear | 7th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 18th of 20 |
2025 Winter tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! · 225/40 R18
9th of 51
Best: Wet Braking · 7th
Weakest: Snow Braking · 22nd
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 51 | |
| Snow Braking | 22nd of 51 |
2025 AMS Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
7th of 10
Best: Dry Handling · 3rd
Weakest: Noise · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 7th of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 8th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 10 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 6th of 10 | |
| Noise | 10th of 10 |
2025 Die Reifentester Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
5th of 7
Best: Snow Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Curved Aquaplaning · 7th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 7 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 7 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 7 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 7 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 7 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 7th of 7 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 5th of 7 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 5th of 7 | |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 2nd of 7 |
2024 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
4th of 7
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2024 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
13th of 20
Best: Snow Handling · 4th
Weakest: Value · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 5th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 11th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 17th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 16th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 8th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 16th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 12th of 20 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 14th of 20 | |
| Noise | 9th of 20 | |
| Value | 19th of 20 | |
| Wear | 16th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 18th of 20 |
2024 All Season and Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
7th of 10
Best: Snow Traction · 2nd
Weakest: Dry Handling · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Wet Circle | 4th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 9th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 4th of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 10 | |
| Noise | 8th of 10 | |
| Snow Circle | 2nd of 10 |
2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
7th of 16
Best: Wet Braking · 1st
Weakest: Abrasion · 12th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 16 | |
| Snow Braking | 7th of 16 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 16 | |
| Ice Braking | 1st of 16 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 16 | |
| Wear | 9th of 16 | |
| Abrasion | 12th of 16 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 2nd of 16 |
The Best Studded / Friction Winter tires for 2024 · 225/50 R17
8th of 17
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
11th of 12
Best: Wet Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Abrasion · 12th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 12 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 12 | |
| Snow Braking | 6th of 12 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 12 | |
| Ice Braking | 2nd of 12 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 12 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9th of 12 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 12 | |
| Wear | 11th of 12 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 9th of 12 | |
| Abrasion | 12th of 12 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 2nd of 12 |
2024 Winter 55 tire Braking Test · 205/55 R16
4th of 55
Best: Wet Braking · 4th
Weakest: Snow Braking · 18th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 55 | |
| Snow Braking | 18th of 55 |
2023 Tyre Reviews Winter tire Test · 225/45 R18
6th of 11
Best: Straight Aqua · 1st
Weakest: Price · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 11 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 11 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 11 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 11 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 9th of 11 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 11 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 9th of 11 | |
| Price | 10th of 11 |
2023 Sport Auto Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
7th of 9
Best: Snow Slalom · 1st
Weakest: Dry Handling · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 9 | |
| Wet Handling | 8th of 9 | |
| Wet Circle | 8th of 9 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 9th of 9 | |
| Snow Braking | 8th of 9 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 9 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 9 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 6th of 9 | |
| Noise | 7th of 9 | |
| Price | 5th of 9 | |
| Snow Slalom | 1st of 9 |
2023 Sports Cars Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
6th of 11
Best: Snow Traction · 2nd
Weakest: Dry Handling · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 11 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 11 | |
| Dry Braking | 8th of 11 | |
| Dry Handling | 9th of 11 | |
| Snow Braking | 7th of 11 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 11 | |
| Snow Handling | 6th of 11 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th of 11 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 11 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4th of 11 | |
| Noise | 6th of 11 | |
| Snow Slalom | 7th of 11 |
2023 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 225/45 R18
5th of 20
Best: Wet Circle · 4th
Weakest: Value · 16th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 9th of 20 | |
| Wet Circle | 4th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 14th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 12th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 12th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 14th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 20 | |
| Noise | 14th of 20 | |
| Value | 16th of 20 | |
| Wear | 9th of 20 | |
| Snow Slalom | 10th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 16th of 20 |
2023 Winter tire Test 54 Set Braking Test · 225/45 R18
9th of 54
Best: Wet Braking · 6th
Weakest: Snow Braking · 15th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 54 | |
| Snow Braking | 15th of 54 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
12th of 15
Best: Wet Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Curved Aquaplaning · 14th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 15 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 15 | |
| Snow Braking | 12th of 15 | |
| Snow Traction | 7th of 15 | |
| Ice Braking | 5th of 15 | |
| Straight Aqua | 11th of 15 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 14th of 15 | |
| Noise | 7th of 15 | |
| Value | 11th of 15 | |
| Wear | 7th of 15 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 7th of 15 | |
| Abrasion | 10th of 15 |
2022 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
1st of 20
Best: Wet Handling · 2nd
Weakest: Dry Handling · 15th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 9th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 15th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 15th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 14th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 12th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 14th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 9th of 20 | |
| Noise | 12th of 20 | |
| Value | 8th of 20 | |
| Price | 15th of 20 | |
| Wear | 5th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 10th of 20 |
2022 Winter tire Market Overview · 215/55 R17
5th of 56
Best: Wet Braking · 3rd
Weakest: Snow Braking · 18th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 56 | |
| Snow Braking | 18th of 56 |
2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
4th of 9
Best: Noise · 1st
Weakest: Price · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 5th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 9 | |
| Snow Traction | 7th of 9 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 9 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 7th of 9 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 3rd of 9 | |
| Noise | 1st of 9 | |
| Price | 8th of 9 |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
7th of 8
Best: Dry Braking · 3rd
Weakest: Snow Braking · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 8th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 8th of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 8th of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 7th of 8 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 6th of 8 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Noise | 6th of 8 | |
| Price | 6th of 8 |
Where to buy
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 specs & sizes
Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Tread depth | 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi |
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