Pirelli Ice Zero 2 review
The Pirelli Ice Zero 2 presents a polarized user experience, with performance feedback ranging from high satisfaction in snow and slush to significant disappointment regarding ice traction and noise levels. While some users find it to be a competent and reasonably quiet studded option, others report alarming instability on ice and intrusive acoustic resonance at highway speeds.
Owners rate it 10.8 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
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
64%By road tests
74.8%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 3 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Pirelli Ice Zero 2 presents a polarized user experience, with performance feedback ranging from high satisfaction in snow and slush to significant disappointment regarding ice traction and noise levels. While some users find it to be a competent and reasonably quiet studded option, others report alarming instability on ice and intrusive acoustic resonance at highway speeds.
Pros
- Reliable performance on snow and slush-covered surfaces
- Acceptable noise levels for a studded tire
- Stable handling characteristics on wet and salted road conditions
Cons
- Significant, high-pitched humming noise at speeds above 95 km/h
- Poor traction and stability on ice compared to premium competitors
- Inconsistent grip during low-speed cornering
Worth knowing
- Users operating all-wheel-drive vehicles, such as the VW Passat Alltrack, reported unexpected slippage in cornering scenarios despite the vehicle's drivetrain advantages.
5 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter tire Test · 235/45 R18
16th of 20
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2025 Friction and Studded Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
13th of 14
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 8th of 14 | |
| Wet Handling | 10th of 14 | |
| Dry Braking | 9th of 14 | |
| Snow Braking | 9th of 14 | |
| Snow Traction | 9th of 14 | |
| Ice Braking | 13th of 14 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 9th of 14 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 9th of 14 | |
| Ice Traction | 13th of 14 | |
| Subj. Noise | 9th of 14 |
The Best Studded / Friction Winter tires for 2024 · 225/50 R17
2nd of 17
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 Studless and Studded Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
7th of 16
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 16 | |
| Wet Handling | 12th of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 16 | |
| Snow Braking | 6th of 16 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 16 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 16 | |
| Ice Braking | 7th of 16 | |
| Ice Handling | 9th of 16 | |
| Ice Traction | 4th of 16 | |
| Subj. Noise | 9th of 16 | |
| Price | 10th of 16 |
2020 Studded Winter tire Test · 205/60 R16
5th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 6th of 8 | |
| Subj. Noise | 4th of 8 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 4th of 8 |