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Head-to-head Updated

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 vs Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 21 + 10 road tests and 30 + 68 owner reviews. How we score

g-Force Winter 2 is ahead, 80–73

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BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2
Tire ABFGoodrich

g-Force Winter 2

Winter

± 5

Tests 78 · 21 tests Owners 83 · 30 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 31 in 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test (snow braking)

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Tire BPirelli

Winter Sottozero 3

Winter

± 6

Tests 67 · 10 tests Owners 80 · 68 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test (dry braking)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

Key facts

  • In 5 tests that measured wet braking for both, g-Force Winter 2 won 2 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 3 (average 90% vs 92% of the best).
  • In 5 tests that measured snow braking for both, g-Force Winter 2 won 5 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 0 (average 99% vs 91% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured dry braking for both, g-Force Winter 2 won 0 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 3 (average 96% vs 99% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured dry handling for both, g-Force Winter 2 won 0 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 3 (average 97% vs 99% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, g-Force Winter 2 won 3 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 0 (average 99% vs 92% of the best).
  1. 69

    Dry

    Winter Sottozero 3 +7
    76
    Why this score
    Sourceg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 8 tests6273
    Reviews found online8082
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–396%99%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–397%99%

    g-Force Winter 2: 60% × 62.1 + 40% × 80.3 = 69

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 72.9 + 40% × 81.7 = 76

  2. 87

    Wet

    g-Force Winter 2 +4
    83
    Why this score
    Sourceg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 10 tests8680
    Reviews found online8987
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–099%92%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–390%92%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 2–197%97%

    g-Force Winter 2: 60% × 86 + 40% × 88.6 = 87

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 80.4 + 40% × 86.5 = 83

  3. 89

    Snow

    g-Force Winter 2 +24
    65
    Why this score
    Sourceg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 10 tests9456
    Reviews found online8279
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 5–099%91%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–099%96%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–097%91%

    g-Force Winter 2: 60% × 93.7 + 40% × 82 = 89

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 56.5 + 40% × 78.8 = 65

  4. 78

    Comfort

    g-Force Winter 2 +4
    74
    Why this score
    Sourceg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 1 tests6772
    Reviews found online8575

    g-Force Winter 2: 40% × 66.7 + 60% × 85.2 = 78

    Winter Sottozero 3: 40% × 72.1 + 60% × 74.5 = 74

  5. 76

    Noise

    g-Force Winter 2 +5
    71
    Why this score
    Sourceg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 7 tests8264
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)82
    Noise (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–099%97%

    g-Force Winter 2: 60% × 81.8 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 76

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 64.4 + 40% × 81.6 = 71

    No owner ratings of noise for g-Force Winter 2. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 76

    Treadwear

    g-Force Winter 2 +12
    64
    Why this score
    Sourceg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 3 tests7357
    Reviews found online8275
    Wear (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–084%72%

    g-Force Winter 2: 60% × 72.6 + 40% × 81.7 = 76

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 57.1 + 40% × 74.6 = 64

  7. 85

    Handling (owners)

    g-Force Winter 2 +3
    82
    Why this score
    Sourceg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3
    Reviews found online8582
  8. 65

    Efficiency

    Winter Sottozero 3 +11
    76
    Why this score
    Sourceg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 7 tests6576
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–285%93%
Scores at a glance
CategoryBFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Relative Score 80 73
Dry 69 76
Wet 87 83
Snow 89 65
Comfort 78 74
Noise 76 71
Treadwear 76 64
Handling (owners) 85 82
Efficiency 65 76

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

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Recomputed
Headline score
± 5

g-Force Winter 2

± 6

Winter Sottozero 3

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 8 tests that ran both, BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 finished ahead 8 times and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 0 times.

DisciplineCategoryg-Force Winter 2Winter Sottozero 3ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 96% 99% −2.7 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Dry Handling Dry 97% 99% −1.3 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 99% 92% +6.7 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Wet Braking Wet 90% 92% −1.3 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test · 245/45 R18
Wet Handling Wet 97% 97% −0.4 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Snow Braking Snow 99% 91% +7.8 5–0 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test · 245/45 R18
Snow Handling Snow 99% 96% +2.7 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Snow Traction Snow 97% 91% +6.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Noise Noise 99% 97% +2.2 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Wear Treadwear 84% 72% +12.8 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 85% 93% −8.0 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 75% 71% +3.6 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #13/20 #5/20 – 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Value Cost 74% 58% +15.4 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Overall Ranking Overall #8/10 #10/10 – 8–0 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test R18 · 225/40R18

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A g-Force Winter 2

Pros

  • Exceptional traction and grip in deep snow and on ice
  • Strong performance in wet conditions with effective water evacuation
  • High value-for-money ratio compared to premium competitors

Cons

  • Lack of on-center steering feel and responsiveness
  • Mediocre handling and grip during dry-road driving
  • Increased noise levels on certain road surfaces
All owner themes in the g-Force Winter 2 review

Tire B Winter Sottozero 3

Pros

  • Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to hydroplaning.
  • Strong dry-road handling and steering precision for a winter tire.
  • Excellent traction and stability in snow and slush.

Cons

  • Rapid tread wear, particularly if driven in temperatures above 15°C or year-round.
  • Susceptibility to sidewall damage and bubbling when encountering road hazards.
  • Increased noise levels as the tire ages and tread depth decreases.
All owner themes in the Winter Sottozero 3 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available7598
Rim diameters14″ – 20″16″ – 21″
Tread depth—10/32″
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—50 psi
Sizes in common4444

Which one should you actually buy?

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Winner: BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 — better snow, treadwear and noise. Pick the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 if efficiency and dry matter most to you.

Pick tire A You drive through snowy winters

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 scores 89 vs 65 on snow.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 scores 76 vs 64 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want lower fuel or energy use

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 76 vs 65 on efficiency.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 76 vs 69 on dry.

Tire A · BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2
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Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
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g-Force Winter 2 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Which is better in the wet, g-Force Winter 2 or Winter Sottozero 3?

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2, 87 vs 83 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, g-Force Winter 2 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 76 vs 69 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, g-Force Winter 2 or Winter Sottozero 3?

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2, 89 vs 65 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, g-Force Winter 2 or Winter Sottozero 3?

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2, 76 vs 71 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, g-Force Winter 2 or Winter Sottozero 3?

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2, 78 vs 74 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, g-Force Winter 2 or Winter Sottozero 3?

BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2, 76 vs 64 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, g-Force Winter 2 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 76 vs 65 on our efficiency score.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology