Tests 75 · 25 tests Owners 78 · 47 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 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 25 + 10 road tests and 47 + 68 owner reviews. How we score
Winter Sport 5 leads, 76–73 Narrow edge
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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 7 tests that measured wet braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 2 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 3 (average 91% vs 92% of the best).
- In 7 tests that measured snow braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 7 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 0 (average 98% vs 92% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured dry braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 0 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 5 (average 96% vs 99% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured dry handling for both, Winter Sport 5 won 1 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 3 (average 99% vs 99% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, Winter Sport 5 won 2 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 3 (average 96% vs 95% of the best).
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69
Dry
Winter Sottozero 3 +776Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 19 / 8 tests 66 73 Reviews found online 74 82 Dry Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–5 96% 99% Dry Handling (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 1–3 99% 99% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 65.7 + 40% × 73.7 = 69
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 72.9 + 40% × 81.7 = 76
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84
Wet
Winter Sport 5 +183Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 10 tests 86 80 Reviews found online 82 87 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 96% 95% Wet Braking (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 2–3 91% 92% Wet Handling (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–2 97% 97% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 86.2 + 40% × 81.6 = 84
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 80.4 + 40% × 86.5 = 83
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83
Snow
Winter Sport 5 +1865Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 10 tests 87 56 Reviews found online 78 79 Snow Braking (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 7–0 98% 92% Snow Handling (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 5–0 99% 97% Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 94% 91% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 77.9 = 83
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 56.5 + 40% × 78.9 = 65
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75
Comfort
Winter Sport 5 +174Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 74 72 Reviews found online 76 75 Winter Sport 5: 40% × 74.4 + 60% × 76 = 75
Winter Sottozero 3: 40% × 72.1 + 60% × 74.5 = 74
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33
Noise
Winter Sottozero 3 +3871Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 7 tests 10 64 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) 82 Noise (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–4 96% 98% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 10.3 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 33
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 64.4 + 40% × 81.6 = 71
No owner ratings of noise for Winter Sport 5. 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.
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79
Treadwear
Winter Sport 5 +1564Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 3 tests 78 57 Reviews found online 80 75 Wear (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 80% 72% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 78.2 + 40% × 79.5 = 79
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 57.1 + 40% × 74.6 = 64
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76
Handling (owners)
Winter Sottozero 3 +682Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Reviews found online 76 82 -
79
Efficiency
Winter Sport 5 +376Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 18 / 7 tests 79 76 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–2 93% 93%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 73 |
| Dry | 69 | 76 |
| Wet | 84 | 83 |
| Snow | 83 | 65 |
| Comfort | 75 | 74 |
| Noise | 33 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 79 | 64 |
| Handling (owners) | 76 | 82 |
| Efficiency | 79 | 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
76
/ 100
Winter Sport 5
73
/ 100
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 19 tests that ran both, Dunlop Winter Sport 5 finished ahead 18 times and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | Winter Sport 5 | Winter Sottozero 3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% | 99% | −3.1 | 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 99% | 0.0 | 1–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 70% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 95% | +0.3 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% | 92% | −0.9 | 2–3 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 97% | +0.2 | 3–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 50% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 70% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% | 92% | +6.4 | 7–0 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% | 97% | +2.7 | 5–0 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 80% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 94% | 91% | +2.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 90% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 96% | 98% | −2.0 | 0–4 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 80% | 72% | +8.6 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 93% | 93% | +0.3 | 3–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 59% | 61% | −2.6 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #10/20 | #5/20 | – | 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 62% | 58% | +4.1 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #2/18 | #14/18 | – | 18–1 in 19 shared tests Newest: 2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Winter Sport 5
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance in snow, slush, and heavy winter conditions
- Strong wet weather handling and reliable water clearance to prevent hydroplaning
- Impressive tread wear and long-term durability across multiple seasons
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a mushy or floating steering response and unstable cornering when temperatures rise above 5-10°C
- Reduced dry handling precision and longer braking distances in warmer ambient conditions
- Inadequate or missing effective rim protection despite manufacturer claims
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.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 46 | 98 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 21″ | 16″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
| Sizes in common | 39 | 39 |
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
73
/ 100
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Narrow edge: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 — better snow, treadwear and efficiency. Pick the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 if noise, dry and handling matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 71 vs 33 on noise.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 83 vs 65 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 79 vs 64 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 76 vs 69 on dry.
Tire A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
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Winter Sport 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Which is better in the wet, Winter Sport 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 84 vs 83 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, Winter Sport 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 76 vs 69 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Winter Sport 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Dunlop Winter Sport 5, 83 vs 65 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Winter Sport 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 71 vs 33 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Winter Sport 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 74 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, Winter Sport 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Dunlop Winter Sport 5, 79 vs 64 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Winter Sport 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Dunlop Winter Sport 5, 79 vs 76 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