Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Review

212 User Reviews

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3 Out Of 8

in Performance winter tires

1248650

Miles Reported

212

User Reviews

Review summary

Based on the research of performance data and user reviews, we believe that the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is one of the best winter tires on the market. 

There are cheaper, more expensive, and similarly priced options that are also good (as mentioned above), but for its fantastic grip, solid drive quality, and unmatched comfort, the Sottozero 3 is a tire we think you’ll be happy with and feel safe driving.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Responsive
  • Excellent grip in snow, ice, and low-temperature conditions
  • Great dry grip as well
  • Superior wet performance
  • Good braking distance

Cons

  • Tire noise and discomfort increase as the tire ages
  • Tread could last longer for the price

Survey stats

DRY TRACTION
88%
WET TRACTION
90%
Noise
80%
COMFORT
84%
TREAD LIFE
78%

212

reviews

1248650

Miles Reported

Test Results

12th of 18 tires2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter Tire Test

Full review →

20th of 48 tires2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test

Full review →

Performance Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Wet Braking 35.2 M +4.9 (16.17%)
Snow Braking 25.8 M +1.3 (5.31%)

19th of 20 tires2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test

Full review →

Performance Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Dry Handling 109.5 Km/H -1 (-0.9%)
Dry Braking 43.7 M +1.8 (4.3%)
Wet Handling 70.5 Km/H -3.9 (-5.24%)
Wet Braking 55 M +5.1 (10.22%)
Snow Handling 59.9 Km/H -0.3 (-0.5%)
Snow Braking 25.8 M +1.5 (6.17%)

Extra Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Rolling Resistance 6.95 kg / t -1.02 (-12.8%)
Noise 71.7 dB +1.6 (2.28%)
Wear 39770 Km -8200 (-17.09%)

Special Conditions

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Snow Traction 2825 N -180 (-5.99%)
Straight Aqua 86 Km/H -0.1 (-0.12%)

Value Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Value 16.22 Price/1000 +1 (6.57%)

9th of 13 tires2020 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 235/55 R17

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16th of 45 tires2019 Winter Tire Test Market Overview

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Performance Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Wet Braking 31.3 M +2.1 (7.19%)
Snow Braking 26.4 M +1.8 (7.32%)

8th of 12 tires2019 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

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18th of 20 tires2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test

Full review →

Performance Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Dry Handling 81.8 Km/H -1.1 (-1.33%)
Dry Braking 44.3 M -0.1 (-0.23%)
Wet Handling 72 Km/H -1.7 (-2.31%)
Wet Braking 31.3 M -0.2 (-0.63%)
Snow Handling 75.3 Km/H -2 (-2.59%)
Snow Braking 26.4 M +1.9 (7.76%)

Extra Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Rolling Resistance 8.04 kg / t -0.07 (-0.86%)
Noise 71.6 dB +2.7 (3.92%)
Wear 36080 Km -9840 (-21.43%)

Special Conditions

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Straight Aqua 68.1 Km/H -8.6 (-11.21%)

Value Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Value 11.64 Price/1000 +0.75 (6.89%)

9th of 11 tires2019 AMS Winter SUV Tire Test

Full review →

Performance Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Dry Handling 114.2 Km/H +0.1 (0.09%)
Dry Braking 44.8 M +0.3 (0.67%)
Wet Handling 70.3 Km/H -3 (-4.09%)
Wet Braking 34.4 M +1.9 (5.85%)
Snow Handling 47.9 Km/H -1.5 (-3.04%)
Snow Braking 27.9 M +1.9 (7.31%)

Subjective Ratings

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Subj. Dry Handling 8 Points 0 (0%)
Subj. Wet Handling 7 Points -3 (-30%)
Subj. Snow Handling 8 Points -2 (-20%)
Subj. Comfort 9 Points 0 (0%)

Extra Metrics

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Rolling Resistance 8.6 kg / t +0.6 (7.5%)
Noise 71.1 dB +0.9 (1.28%)

Special Conditions

LabelValueDifference to Test Winner
Straight Aqua 71.7 Km/H -4.8 (-6.27%)

7th of 10 tires2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tire Test

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6th of 10 tires2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test

Full review →

6th of 8 tires2017 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

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18th of 20 tires2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

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4th of 10 tires2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test

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5th of 10 tires2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test

Full review →

8th of 45 tires2017 50 Winter Tire Shoot Out

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4th of 8 tires2017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tire Test

Full review →

4th of 6 tires2016 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test

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4th of 8 tires2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tire Test

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2nd of 13 tires2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17

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3rd of 7 tires2015 Sport Auto 19 Inch Winter Tire Test

Full review →

6th of 8 tires2015 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Full review →

3rd of 8 tires2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test

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2nd of 10 tires2015 AMS UHP Winter Tire Test

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6th of 8 tires2015 ACE 17 Inch Winter Tire Test

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1st of 6 tires2014 AutoBild 235/35 R19 Winter Tire Test

Full review →

7th of 16 tires2014 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

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1st of 48 tires2014 50 Winter Tire Braking Overview

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1st of 9 tires2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test

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2nd of 8 tires2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test

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11th of 15 tires2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17

Full review →

Alternatives

 

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 RFT

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 RFT

Overall Rating
Dry Traction 8.88.48.17.07.3
Wet Traction 9.08.88.37.07.4
Noise 8.08.47.85.76.7
comfort 8.48.68.15.87.1
Tread Life 7.88.67.75.96.5
Braking 0.00.00.00.00.0
Sharpness 0.00.00.00.00.0
Durability 0.00.00.00.00.0
Feel 0.00.00.00.00.0
Show more

User Reviews

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

3 Out Of 8

in Performance winter tires

1248650

Miles Reported

212

User Reviews

Full review

This article reviews the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, designed to help you decide if these tires are for your vehicle. 

We have researched Pirelli’s manufacturer specs and taken a deeper look at how the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 performed in a variety of tests. We also looked at customer reviews to compile a full-spectrum look at the tire’s capabilities.

Don’t have time to read everything? Here’s a quick summary of our review as well as pros & cons listed.

To learn more about how we reached our conclusion, please read the rest of the article as we break down the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 into three categories:

  • Overview
  • Performance Breakdown
  • Recommendations & Conclusions

Now strap yourself in as we take a look at the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 to decide if it’s the right tire for you.  

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Overview

The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is a performance winter/snow tire designed for safe driving in winter conditions for your luxury, high-performance car. The tire was designed with maximum performance in the snow and ice in low temperatures in mind. 

The Sottozero 3 is a high-priced tire for this category. 

Pirelli has a reputation as one of the lead tire manufacturers based on its performance, the output of tire options, durability, and positive customer reviews—the Winter Sottozero 3 tire backs that reputation.  

The tires are also sold in sets of four, which is typical of the snow tire class. The reason that snow tires are sold in fours is that the snow treads need to be equivalent to function properly at their highest level. 

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Performance Breakdown

Now, let’s dive into a comprehensive breakdown of the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 to evaluate these tires based on their performance, noise, durability, and price.   

Performance 

The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 offers impressive performance in wet or dry conditions, and its specialty, in freezing temperatures. 

Wet

According to TireRack.com, the Sottozero 3 excelled in wet conditions for a winter tire. Pirelli molded the tire’s progressive compound into an arrow-like directional tread shape with greater contact points to grasp the road in wet conditions.

The rounded shoulders with a unique polymer blend increase wet traction by moving water away from the tire/road contact points with the help of the high-density 3D sipes.

Users claimed that one of the best parts of the Winter Sottozero 3 is the wet and slush grip, and how surprising it was.

Dry

The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 was designed to bridge the gaps between snow, wet, and dry surfaces, and it appears to have done so seamlessly by using its compound and specialized polymers, which have increased traction on all three weather types—dry roads being the odd man out for a winter tire.

Some customers reported that the tires were impressive in dry conditions, even at highway speeds, though the noise became a factor in these environments.  

Snow

This is where the Winter Sottozero 3 shines. From light to deep snow and ice, the tire can hold its own in any winter environment. 

The directionally molded treads create large center blocks and work with the high-density 3D sipes to maximize traction in snow, even when snow is packed into the tire grooves. The Sottozero 3 also has dual steel belts inside the tires which enhance the strength of the tire and allow it to be sensitive and flexible when the temperatures change. 

The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 tires are branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. This is because they meet the industry’s standards for severe snow. The (3PMSF) symbol signifies that the tires have been tested thoroughly in snowy and icy conditions for acceleration and traction.  

Snow tires also need to be equivalent in all four positions to work, so these tires come in sets of four only.

User reviews confirm that these tires perform as intended in winter conditions, if not the best they ever had.

Handling

The handling of the Pirelli Winter Sottozero is what it’s all about. The manufacturer designed every element of the tire for winter condition handling. 

From the unique, snow and ice-focused blend designed to maximize pliability to increase confident traction, to the directional tread pattern with extensive circumferential channels, broad side grooves, and accessible elbow notches to keep snow, water, and slush moving from the tire’s traction points. 

Customer satisfaction with the Sottozero’s handling was high, and in many cases, the users felt a lot of trust in the tire’s handling abilities. 

Noise and comfort

Noise

For a snow tire, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 creates an average amount of noise. In general, it is important to note that snow tires are louder than your average all-season or summer tires on dry roads, which is the case for the Sottozero 3 as well. 

User reviews reflected these sentiments but there were no standout noise complaints about the tire.

Comfort

The Sottozero 3 performed extremely well in ride quality also. 

The tire’s interior structure is fastened with dual metal bands on a polyester shell to combine muscle with class.

Customer reviews described a smooth transition from snow to dry road.

Durability

The Sottozero 3 comes with a 1-year uniformity warranty, but it is backed with great construction.

From its progressive tread compound that includes mechanical, thermal, and dynamic properties, to its dual steel belts strengthening the tire along with spirally wrapped polyamide to keep thermal consistency, the tire is a fortress ready for the cold terrains at any level. 

Users reviewed that the Sottozero 3 lasted as long as expected, and there were no reports of the tires expiring prematurely.

Price

The price point on the Pirelli Winter Sottozero is higher than average but performs as a top-quality snow tire should, plus more. And with its ratings and user-reviewed performance, there aren’t many options that can compete. 

As well, the durability of the tires is sufficient and long-lasting for a snow tire’s sticker price. 

Recommendations & Conclusions

Recommendations

Overall, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is a very good snow tire that we highly recommend. For its price, performance, longevity, and user recommendations, we don’t think there’s a better tire on the market for your luxury high-performance vehicle without paying much more. 

If there are any variables about the Winter Sottozero 3 that you are not convinced by, we recommend looking at any of these competitor models from the same class:

  • Continental WinterContact TS 870
  • Dunlop Winter Response 2
  • Toyo Snowprox S952
  • Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
  • Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 

Conclusions

Based on the research of performance data and user reviews, we believe that the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is one of the best winter tires on the market. 

There are cheaper, more expensive, and similarly priced options that are also good (as mentioned above), but for its fantastic grip, solid drive quality, and unmatched comfort, the Sottozero 3 is a tire we think you’ll be happy with and feel safe driving.

Its shortcomings are few, with noise increasing on dry roads as the tire ages. We hope you enjoyed this review of the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3. Happy driving. 

References

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Review | Tirerack.com

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