Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 – Tests & Review

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 photo, test, review

Pirelli Sottozero 3 is an Ultra High Performance studless winter tyre with directional tread pattern, designed for Passenger cars.

Key performance

Dry performance
98.44 %
Dry braking
98.56 %
Dry handling
98.31 %
Wet performance
96.01 %
Wet braking
94.43 %
Wet handling
97.69 %
Wet lateral handling
95.9 %
Aquaplaning
87.86 %
Straight aqua
95.29 %
Lateral aqua
80.43 %
Snow performance
95.23 %
Snow braking
93.67 %
Snow handling
96.45 %
Snow lateral handling
97.33 %
Snow traction
93.45 %
Rolling resistance
93.01 %
Noise
97.82 %
Wear resistance
71.52 %
Ice performance
86.73 %
Ice braking
90.78 %
Ice traction
82.68 %

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Tests

2020 Auto Bild (245/45 R18)

In 2020 experts of the German magazine Auto Bild have tested the Pirelli at size 245/45 R18 and compared to 19 similar budget, mid-range and premium UHP winter tires. Also they included into the test reference summer tires to compare results.

Full test results
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
15-18th place in Wet braking. +7.7m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
17th place in Wet handling. -3.9km/h handling speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
19-20th place in Wet lateral handling. +0.39sec lap time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
15th place in Straight aqua. -5.3km/h float speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
11th place in Lateral aqua. -0.55m/s2 lateral acceleration.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
2nd place in Dry braking. +1.8m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
10-11th place in Dry handling. -1.1km/h handling speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
18th place in Snow braking. +1.5m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
12-13th place in Snow handling. -1.6km/h handling speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
11-12th place in Snow slalom. -0.12m/s2 lateral acceleration.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
19th place in Snow traction. -273 Newton pulling force.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
16th place in Noise. +1.8dB external noise.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
1st place in Rolling resistance. -0.4kg/t.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
13th place in Wear resistance. -8200km projected mileage.

Lateral aqua111.85m/s2-0.55m/s277.08%

# Test Place Result Difference %
Dry braking at 100km/h 2 43.7m +1.8m 95.88%
Dry handling 10-11 109.5km/h -1.1km/h 99%
Wet braking at 100km/h 15-18 55m +7.7m 86%
Wet handling 17 70.5km/h -3.9km/h 94.75%
Wet lateral handling 19-20 12.46sec +0.39sec 96.87%
Straight aqua 15 86km/h -5.3km/h 94.19%
Snow braking at 50km/h 18 25.8m +1.5m 94.18%
Snow handling 12-13 59.9km/h -1.6km/h 97.39%
Snow slalom 11-12 3.28m/s2 -0.12m/s2 96.47%
Snow traction 19 2825 Newtons -273 Newtons 91.18%
Noise 16 64.8dB +1.8dB 97.22%
Rolling resistance 1 6.95kg/t -0.4kg/t 100%
Wear resistance 13 39770km -8200km 82.9%

Result: 19th place.

  • Long wet braking distance and low handling speed.
  • Low aquaplaning resistance.
  • Good dry performance.
  • Relatively long snow braking distance, low traction and good handling speed.
  • Average noise.
  • The best rolling resistance.
  • Average wear resistance.

2019 Quattoruote (225/50 R17)

Test by the Italian publication Quattoruote in 2019. The experts have tested the tire at size 225/50 R17 and compared to 7 similar Premium Touring  winter tires.

Full test results
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
2nd place in Wet braking. +0.3m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
2-3rd place in Wet handling. +1.2sec handling time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
1st place in Dry braking. -0.7m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
1st place in Moose test. -0.1sec handling time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
5th place in Snow braking. +0.9m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
4th place in Snow handling. +1.1sec handling time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
4th place in Snow traction. +1.8sec acceleration time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, reviews, ratings
5-6th place in Noise. +0.5dB external noise.

# Test Place Result Difference %
Dry braking at 100km/h 1 40.3m -0.7m 100%
Dry handling 1 11.7sec -0.1sec 100%
Wet braking at 100km/h 2 49.6m +0.3m 99.39%
Wet handling 2-3 98.5 +1.2sec 98.78%
Snow braking at 50km/h 5 28.9m +0.9m 96.88%
Snow handling 4 70.2sec +1.1sec 98.43%
Snow traction 4 26.5sec +1.8sec 93.2%
Noise 5-6 57.9dB +0.5dB 99.13%

Result: 4th place.

  • Good results on the wet.
  • The shortest dry braking distance and the best handling speed.
  • Average snow performance.
  • Good noise.

2019 Auto Zeitung (225/55 R17)

Test by the German magazine Auto Zeitung in 2019. The experts have tested the Pirelli at size 225/55 R17 and compared to 12 similar budget, medium and premium winter tires.

Full test results
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
4th place in Wet braking. +2m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
5th place in Wet handling. +2.2sec handling time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
4-6th place in Wet lateral handling. +0.4sec lap time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
7th place in Straight aqua. -6.3km/h float speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
1st place in Dry braking. -0.9m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
3-4th place in Dry handling. +0.2sec handling time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
4th place in Dry slalom. -0.8km/h slalom speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
12th place in Snow braking. +3.1m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
9th place in Snow handling. +1.6sec lap time.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
12th place in Snow traction. -440 Newton pulling force.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
7th place in Rolling resistance. +0.89kg/t.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
11-12th place in Noise. +3dB external noise.

# Test Place Result Difference %
Dry braking at 100km/h 1 42.3m -0.9m 100%
Dry handling 3-4 57.6sec +0.2sec 99.65%
Dry slalom 4 57.4km/h -0.8km/h 98.62%
Wet braking at 100km/h 4 54.2m +2m 96.3%
Wet handling 5 90.6sec +2.2sec 97.57%
Wet lateral handling 4-6 12.7sec +0.4sec 96.85%
Straight aqua 7 74km/h -6.3km/h 92.15%
Snow braking at 50km/h 12 30.7m +3.1m 89.9%
Snow handling 9 52.7sec +1.6sec 96.96%
Snow traction 12 3058 -440 Newton 87.42%
Rolling resistance 7 8.41kg/t +0.89kg/t 89.41%
Noise 5 72dB +3dB 95.83%

Result: 5th place, “Highly recommended” expert score.

  • Good results on the wet.
  • Average straight aquaplaning resistance.
  • The shortest dry braking distance and good handling speed.
  • Long snow braking distance and low traction, average handling speed.
  • Average rolling resistance.
  • Relatively high noise.

2019 AMS (215/55 R17)

In 2019 experts of the German magazine AMS have tested the tire at size 215/55 R17 and compared to 10 similar budget, mid-range and premium UHP winter tires.

Full test results
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
9th place in Wet braking. +3.2m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
9th place in Wet handling. -3km/h handling speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
10th place in Wet lateral handling. -0.86m/s2 lateral acceleration.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
10th place in Straight aqua. -11.4km/h float speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
11th place in Lateral aqua. -0.52m/s2 lateral acceleration.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
7th place in Dry braking. +0.7m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
10th place in Dry handling. -1.9km/h handling speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
10th place in Snow braking. +2.3m braking distance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
8-9th place in Snow handling. -1.5km/h handling speed.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
9th place in Snow lateral handling. -0.16m/s2 lateral acceleration.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
10th place in Snow traction. -0.18m/s2 max acceleration.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
7th place in Rolling resistance. +1.2kg/t rolling resistance.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 test, review, ratings
11th place in Noise. +1.8dB external noise.

# Test Place Result Difference %
Dry braking at 100km/h 7 44.8m +0.7m 98.43%
Dry handling 10 114.2km/h -1.9km/h 98.36%
Wet braking at 80km/h 9 34.4m +3.2m 90.69%
Wet handling 9 70.3km/h -3km/h 95.9%
Wet lateral handling 10 6.45m/s2 -0.86m/s2 88.23%
Straight aqua 10 71.7km/h -11.4km/h 86.28%
Lateral aqua 11 2.9m/s2 -0.52m/s2 84.79%
Snow braking at 50km/h 10 27.9m +2.3m 91.75%
Snow handling 8-9 47.9km/h -1.5km/h 96.96%
Snow lateral handling 9 3.74m/s2 -0.16m/s2 95.89%
Snow traction 10 2.23m/s2 -0.18m/s2 92.53%
Rolling resistance 7 8.6kg/t +1.2kg/t 86.04%
Noise 11 71.1dB +1.8dB 97.46%

Result: 9th place, “Satisfactorily” expert score.

  • Relatively long wet braking distance and low handling speed.
  • Low straight and the lowest lateral aquaplaning resistance.
  • Good dry performance.
  • Long snow braking distance, low handling speed and traction.
  • Average rolling resistance.
  • The highest noise.

2017 Auto Bild (225/50 R17)

In 2017 experts of the German magazine Auto Bild have tested the Pirelli Sottozero 3 at size 225/50 R17 and compared it with nineteen similar budget, medium and premium winter tyres. In addition, experts included into the test set of the reference summer tires to compare results.

Full test results
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
1st place and the best result in Dry braking. The braking distance was 0.8 meters shorter, than the next tyre.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
10th place in Dry handling. Pirelli was 1.8km/h slower, than the best winter tyre.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
1st place and the best result in Wet braking. The braking distance was 0.3 meters shorter, than the next tyre.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
1-2nd place in Wet handling. Pirelli was 0.9km/h faster, than the next tyre.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
5th place in Straight aqua. The float speed was 4.4km/h lower, than the leader.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
Last place in Snow braking. The braking distance was 3.9 meters longer, than the leader.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
18th place in Snow handling. Pirelli was 2.4km/h slower, than the leader.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
10-11th place in Noise level test. Same result as Semperit Speed Grip 3.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
19th place in Wear resistance.
test Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 review
15th place in Rolling resistance.

# Test Place Result Difference %
Dry braking at 100km/h 1 43.7m -0.8m 100%
Dry handling 10 109km/h -1.8km/h 98.37%
Wet braking at 80km/h 1 32.2m -0.3m 100%
Wet handling 1-2 75.8km/h +0.9km/h 100%
Straight aqua 5 88.9km/h -4.4km/h 95.28%
Snow braking at 50km/h 20 29.8m +3.9m 86.91%
Snow handling 18 50.2km/h -2.4km/h 95.43%
Rolling resistance 15 8.25kg/t +1.02kg/t 87.63%
Noise 10-11 72.8dB +1.9dB 97.39%
Wear resistance 19 29625km -18750km 61.24%

Result: 18th place, “Average” expert score.

  • The best dry braking distance and good handling.
  • The best wet performance.
  • High aquaplaning resistance.
  • The longest snow braking distance and low handling average speed.
  • Average noise level.
  • Low wear resistance.
  • Average rolling resistance.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 vs Competitors

Overall Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Reviews

Test Size Place Score
2020 Auto Bild 245/45 R18 19 (20)
2019 Quattoruote 225/50 R17 4 (8)
2019 Auto Zeitung 225/55 R17 5 (13) Highly recommended
2019 AMS 215/55 R17 9 (11) Satisfactorily
2017 Auto Bild 225/50 R17 18 (20) Average

Similar tyres from the test:

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