Pirelli

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PirelliWinter Sottozero 3
  • PirelliWinter Sottozero 3
  • PirelliWinter Sottozero 3
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The Winter Sottozero 3 is Pirelli's third generation Sottozero (Italian for below zero) Performance Winter / Snow tire developed for the drivers of premium, high performance vehicles who will face challenging wintertime road conditions as they drive their cars year-round. The Winter Sottozero 3 was developed with the philosophy that winter / snow tires must perform in a variety of unpredictable weather conditions. Designed to provide traction and handling in cool, cold, dry, wet and wintry conditions, Winter Sottozero 3 tires are designed not just as snow tires, but as seasonal tires suitable for the cold weather and freezing road conditions.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3Winter Sottozero 3 tires use an innovative compound with specialized polymers that improve the tread rubber compound's mechanical, thermal and dynamic properties. The compound is molded into a directional pattern that features an enlarged contact patch comprised of arrow-shaped center blocks and more rounded shoulders to expel water and slush. High-density 3D sipe technology improves braking performance and snow-to-snow traction. The tire's internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wrapped polyamide that enhances thermal stability and makes the tires less sensitive to road and air temperature changes.

Winter Sottozero 3 winter / snow tires meet the industry's severe snow service requirements and are branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.

Install Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 tires in sets of four only.

Due to the traction capabilities of Winter Sottozero 3 tires, Pirelli recommends using them only in sets of four to provide the best handling characteristics and tire performance.

Related Information: What is the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF)?

Tire Rack Test Results Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Performance Winter Tires with the Right Balance of Performance(04:52)

Performance Winter / Snow tires, for sports car drivers in the lower snow belt, are designed to strike a more even balance between traction in winter's snow, slush and ice vs. handling/traction on clear roads.

Can the new Dunlop and Pirelli tires in the category go head-to-head with the favorites from Bridgestone and Michelin? We found out.

Read the Full Test Report

Ratings Charts & Reviews Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Tire Category: Performance Winter / Snow

Consumer Surveys

 
Best in Category
Miles Reported
Recommended
Wet
Dry
Winter/Snow
Comfort
Treadwear
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Good
94%
1.9M
8.0 - Good
9.0 - Excellent
9.0 Hydroplaning Resistance
9.0 Wet Traction
8.8 - Excellent
8.8 Corner Stability
8.9 Dry Traction
8.7 Steering Response
8.5 - Good
9.0 Light Snow Traction
8.4 Deep Snow Traction
8.0 Ice Traction
8.4 - Good
8.7 Ride Quality
8.0 Noise
7.7 - Good

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 Reviews

Customers praise the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 for outstanding winter performance, with snow traction (9-10 scores) and deep snow grip frequently highlighted as exceptional. Ice traction earns very good ratings (7-10), though a few note slightly reduced confidence on pure ice compared to deeper snow. Wet and dry traction both show strong 8-10 scores, with responsive handling in cold conditions. Ride comfort receives consistent praise (7-10) for smoothness, while treadwear ratings (7-10) suggest durability aligns well with seasonal use patterns. Winter-focused drivers appreciate its balanced traction across snowy and slushy roads, though a small subset mention wanting sharper ice performance for extreme conditions.

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Customers Like:

237 reviews mention "Wet Traction"

  • 231 positive
  • 6 negative

Customers consistently rate wet traction as excellent, with most scoring 9s and 10s. The Winter Sottozero 3 delivers confident grip on wet winter roads, maintaining reliable performance in challenging conditions.

236 reviews mention "Winter Traction"

  • 219 positive
  • 17 negative

Customers praise the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3's winter traction, with most snow and deep snow scores at 9-10. Ice traction shows strong 7-10 ratings for most, though a few note variability. Excellent snow grip and confident deep snow performance highlight its winter capabilities.

January 27, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
4.2 out of 5 Star Rating
4.2 out of 5

...I'm in Maryland and we saw about 2 feet of snow so far and these tires have been superb. In wet slushy snow about 4-5 inches deep i was able to climb with ease, from a stop, an exit ramp that had multiple other vehicles stuck. I was able to clear a foot an a half snow bank created by a snow plow to exit my work in just two attempts...

Bought these in the beginning of the 2025/2026 winter season as my previous winter tires ( continental Viking contact 7 ) were worn. I'm in Maryland and we saw about 2 feet of snow so far and these tires have been superb. In wet slushy snow about 4-5 inches deep i was able to climb with ease, from a stop, an exit ramp that had multiple other vehicles stuck. I was able to clear a foot an a half snow bank created by a snow plow to exit my work in just two attempts. I really only needed one but i wanted to make sure it wasn't going to take my bumper off. after the storm everything has turned to ice and i haven't slid once unless it was intentional. Ill have to see how the tread holds up but these are definitely going to be on my list to re order if the tread holds up.

Vehicle: 2021 Subaru WRX Limited
Miles Driven on Tires: 5,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: EDGEWATER, MD
Driving Style: Spirited

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January 23, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...These Pirellis are perfect-- good grip on the abundant snowfall my region is having this winter and much quieter than the Blizzaks. Really happy with them!

I was pretty unhappy with the whine the Bridgestone Blizzaks made on wet roads the last time I purchased winter tires, so I was looking for another highly-rated snow tire with less noise. These Pirellis are perfect--good grip on the abundant snowfall my region is having this winter and much quieter than the Blizzaks. Really happy with them!

Vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE
Miles Driven on Tires: 1,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: FAIRLAWN, OH
Driving Style: Spirited

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January 09, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
4.7 out of 5

...Priority was clear/wet road handling in cold temperatures (car came with summer tires) along with better than all-season snow performance. They did not disappoint...

Bought these for my 2024 VW GTI SE 380. Priority was clear/wet road handling in cold temperatures (car came with summer tires) along with better than all-season snow performance. They did not disappoint. I've had a variety of winter tires across a number of different cars in the last two decades and Pirelli Sottozero 3 (and Sottozero 2 before that) have been my favorites in the performance winter category

Vehicle: 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 235/35-19
Miles Driven on Tires: 2,700
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: MELLENVILLE, NY
Driving Style: Spirited

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248 reviews mention "Dry Traction"

  • 239 positive
  • 9 negative

Customers consistently rate the Winter Sottozero 3's dry traction highly, with most scores being 9s and 10s. The tire delivers excellent dry grip and responsive handling, performing reliably even when winter conditions transition to drier surfaces.

December 08, 2024
(Verified Purchase)
4.9 out of 5 Star Rating
4.9 out of 5

...In dry conditions they perform like sport touring tires, with extreme grip, low rolling resistance, and quiet road sound transference. All of the usual "electric"-tuned tire benefits are here in full force, and these could help more traditional heavy sportscars as well...

Using these on my Polestar 2 (sporty EV sedan) for two winter seasons now.

These are the best winter tires I've used so far, period. Super grippy, so they hold traction on snow and ice even when making sportier maneuvers. They can be driven through light snow comfortably at speed, can turn without needing to slow down very much, and they cut through deeper snow perfectly. Braking performance is excellent, stopping distance stays manageable even with the significant weight of my car. They perform similarly in the rain too, so they have a very consistent driving feel.

In dry conditions they perform like sport touring tires, with extreme grip, low rolling resistance, and quiet road sound transference. All of the usual "electric"-tuned tire benefits are here in full force, and these could help more traditional heavy sportscars as well. Though the tires aren't not quite as comfortable or quiet as cold-weather sport tires on dry roads, they're leagues above other ice tires, and still somehow manage almost as much fuel efficiency as the summer sport touring tires that I use.

Overall, I highly recommend these for anyone wanting absolute performance and efficiency during the winter, whether running them on an EV or not.

Vehicle: 2023 Polestar Polestar 2 245/45-19
Miles Driven on Tires: 2,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: MANCHESTER, NH
Driving Style: Spirited

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254 reviews mention "Ride Quality"

  • 240 positive
  • 14 negative

Most customers rate ride comfort 9-10, praising smooth winter performance. Noise levels generally score 7-10, with some noting minor cabin sound increases in harsh conditions.

January 10, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
4 out of 5 Star Rating
4 out of 5

These are quiet for snow tires. Pleasantly surprised...

These are quiet for snow tires. Pleasantly surprised. Dry traction is not great but that is the tradeoff for great snow performance. Overall very happy.

Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model Y 255/45-19
Miles Driven on Tires: 1,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: FAIRFAX, VA
Driving Style: Easy Going

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184 reviews mention "Treadwear"

  • 148 positive
  • 36 negative

Most customers rate treadwear with 9s and 10s, highlighting excellent durability in winter conditions. While some lower scores exist, the majority praise impressive tread life for reliable winter performance.

January 27, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
4.2 out of 5 Star Rating
4.2 out of 5

...Ill have to see how the tread holds up but these are definitely going to be on my list to re order if the tread holds up.

Bought these in the beginning of the 2025/2026 winter season as my previous winter tires ( continental Viking contact 7 ) were worn. I'm in Maryland and we saw about 2 feet of snow so far and these tires have been superb. In wet slushy snow about 4-5 inches deep i was able to climb with ease, from a stop, an exit ramp that had multiple other vehicles stuck. I was able to clear a foot an a half snow bank created by a snow plow to exit my work in just two attempts. I really only needed one but i wanted to make sure it wasn't going to take my bumper off. after the storm everything has turned to ice and i haven't slid once unless it was intentional. Ill have to see how the tread holds up but these are definitely going to be on my list to re order if the tread holds up.

Vehicle: 2021 Subaru WRX Limited
Miles Driven on Tires: 5,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: EDGEWATER, MD
Driving Style: Spirited

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Consumer Reviews

Media Gallery

A Closer Look: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3(00:34)

Designed not just as snow tires, but as seasonal tires suitable for the cold weather and freezing road conditions. Find out what makes the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 do what it does for the drivers of high performance vehicles.

View All Winter Test Results

Performance Winter Tires with the Right Balance of Performance(04:52)

Performance Winter / Snow tires, for sports car drivers in the lower snow belt, are designed to strike a more even balance between traction in winter's snow, slush and ice vs. handling/traction on clear roads.

Can the new Dunlop and Pirelli tires in the category go head-to-head with the favorites from Bridgestone and Michelin? We found out.

Read the Full Test Report

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