Pirelli Ice Zero FR review
The Pirelli Ice Zero FR tire is a winter tire designed for use in urban or suburban areas and is intended to be as effective on winter surfaces as studded Nordic tires. The model was first introduced in 2015 as Pirelli sought to improve its position in the market for winter tires in Nordic countries.
Owners rate it 16 points higher 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
91%By road tests
75%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 4 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Pirelli Ice Zero FR is highly regarded by drivers in harsh winter climates for its consistent performance across diverse conditions, including deep snow, slush, and ice. Users consistently praise its ability to provide reliable traction on both rural, poorly maintained roads and cleared urban asphalt, making it a versatile choice for various drivetrain configurations.
Pros
- Excellent traction on both packed snow and deep powder
- Impressive grip on icy surfaces
- Low noise levels compared to studded winter tires
- Strong performance in mixed slush and wet conditions
Cons
- Potential for grip loss in extreme conditions involving ice with a layer of surface water
- Performance may feel less predictable during high-speed overtaking on slick surfaces
Worth knowing
- Drivers report consistent reliability across both FWD and 4WD/AWD vehicle platforms.
- The tire maintains high performance levels even after three full seasons of heavy winter usage.
4 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow tire Test · 205/55 R16
4th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 4th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Ice Traction | 5th of 8 |
2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
4th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 4th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 3rd of 9 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 9 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 9 | |
| Ice Handling | 4th of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 9 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 7th of 9 | |
| Noise | 5th of 9 | |
| Ice Traction | 6th of 9 | |
| Snow Circle | 4th of 9 |
2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter tire Test · 205/60 R16
4th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Ice Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Subj. Noise | 3rd of 8 | |
| Price | 4th of 8 |
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
10th of 20
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 19th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 10th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 9th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 10th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 6th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 13th of 20 | |
| Ice Braking | 13th of 20 | |
| Ice Handling | 5th of 20 | |
| Ice Traction | 12th of 20 | |
| Subj. Noise | 7th of 20 |
About the Pirelli Ice Zero FR
One of the key features of the Pirelli Ice Zero FR is its 3D sipes, which are a dense network of sipes that have a three-dimensional configuration. These sipes are designed to improve the braking properties of the tire and provide maximum stability during sudden changes in direction, making the tire well-suited to snowy surfaces.
In addition to its performance on snow, the Pirelli Ice Zero FR is also designed to offer excellent performance at very low temperatures, thanks to its rubber compound with high silica content. This allows the tire to remain effective in a wide range of winter weather conditions, -58°F to 45°F.
One of the standout features of the Pirelli Ice Zero FR is its acoustic comfort, which has been declared one of the best in class. The tire's tread design, with narrow and soft shoulder areas, reduces transverse tire stiffness, increasing the contact surface with the road and creating a square contact patch profile that improves traction on winter roads, particularly during braking.
In terms of road test results, the Pirelli Ice Zero FR performed well in the 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test. Overall, the tire placed 10th out of 21 models tested. In the dry braking category, it placed 8th, while in the wet braking category, it placed 19th. The tire fared better in the wet handling category, placing 8th, and it performed well in the snow categories, with a 10th place finish in snow braking, a 13th place finish in snow handling, and a 4th place finish in snow traction. In the ice categories, the tire placed 13th in ice braking and 5th in ice handling, with an 11th-place finish in ice traction. In terms of inside noise level, the Pirelli Ice Zero FR performed exceptionally well, placing first out of all the models tested. Finally, in the rolling resistance category, the tire placed 8th.
Overall, the Pirelli Ice Zero FR is a solid choice for drivers in urban or suburban areas who are looking for a winter tire that is effective on snowy surfaces and offers excellent performance in a wide range of winter weather conditions. Its 3D sipes provide good braking and stability on snowy roads, while its tread design and rubber compound make it suitable for use at very low temperatures. The tire also offers exceptional acoustic comfort and a good level of rolling resistance. While it didn't perform as well as some other models in the wet braking category, it still placed well overall in the 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test.