8th Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

THE Sottozero 3 is something of a veteran of our winter tests. We first tested it in 2015 but it was launched in 2013, which is a lifetime or two in the tyre world. To get so close to brand-new designs boasting the latest technology is testament to how the Italian tyre maker has developed the Sottozero 3 over the years, and there is precious little between it and the fifth-placed Vredestein.

It fares best in the dry, where it feels sharp, but performance drops off quickly when compared to rivals. It is seventh across the wet tests, with a mid-pack performance on the handling circuit. There is some rear movement and wheelspin out of tight turns, which gives the edge to faster rivals. But it is in Finland where the Pirelli drops to the rear of this closely matched pack, with poor results in all categories bar the circle assessment.

VERDICT: Impressive result from an ageing design, but newer rivals are a step ahead

Blackcircles.Com says:

Having been on the market since 2013, this is quite an old model line now. Yet customers still leave mostly positive reviews and are impressed with they tyre’s stability in winter weather.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Overall 97.3% 8 Snow braking 92% 9 Snow traction 92.5% 8 Snow circle 95.8% 5 Snow handling 94.9% 9 Straight aquaplaning 92.1% 5 Curved aquaplaning 94.1% =7 Wet braking 96.6% 5 Wet handling 95.2% 6 Wet circle 95.4% 8 Dry braking 97.4% 4 Dry handling 99% 6 Rolling resistance 88% 5 Cabin noise 93.3% =5 Price £100.82