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Head-to-head Updated

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II vs Kumho WinterCraft WP72 — 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 0 + 0 road tests and 31 + 28 owner reviews. How we score

Too close to call: Sottozero Serie II 71, WinterCraft WP72 70.

Check price on Amazon · Sottozero Serie II Check price on Amazon · WinterCraft WP72
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Category by category

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

  1. 71

    Dry

    Sottozero Serie II +6
    65
    Why this score
    SourceSottozero Serie IIWinterCraft WP72
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 70 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Reviews found online7264

    Sottozero Serie II: 60% × 69.9 (est.) + 40% × 72.3 = 71

    WinterCraft WP72: 60% × 66.3 (est.) + 40% × 63.9 = 65

    No road tests of dry for Sottozero Serie II. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).

    No road tests of dry for WinterCraft WP72. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).

  2. 77

    Wet

    Sottozero Serie II +3
    74
    Why this score
    SourceSottozero Serie IIWinterCraft WP72
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 76 (est.)≈ 74 (est.)
    Reviews found online7976

    Sottozero Serie II: 60% × 75.5 (est.) + 40% × 79.4 = 77

    WinterCraft WP72: 60% × 73.6 (est.) + 40% × 75.8 = 74

    No road tests of wet for Sottozero Serie II. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

    No road tests of wet for WinterCraft WP72. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

  3. 66

    Snow

    WinterCraft WP72 +8
    74
    Why this score
    SourceSottozero Serie IIWinterCraft WP72
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 68 (est.)≈ 73 (est.)
    Reviews found online6476

    Sottozero Serie II: 60% × 68.1 (est.) + 40% × 63.6 = 66

    WinterCraft WP72: 60% × 72.8 (est.) + 40% × 76.1 = 74

    No road tests of snow for Sottozero Serie II. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).

    No road tests of snow for WinterCraft WP72. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).

  4. 73

    Comfort

    Sottozero Serie II +6
    67
    Why this score
    SourceSottozero Serie IIWinterCraft WP72
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 70 (est.)≈ 68 (est.)
    Reviews found online7566

    Sottozero Serie II: 40% × 70.2 (est.) + 60% × 74.7 = 73

    WinterCraft WP72: 40% × 68.5 (est.) + 60% × 65.6 = 67

    No road tests of comfort for Sottozero Serie II or WinterCraft WP72. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.

  5. –

    Noise

    No comparison
    66
    Why this score
    SourceSottozero Serie IIWinterCraft WP72
    Professional tests (TWG score)–≈ 67 (est.)
    Reviews found online–65

    WinterCraft WP72: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 64.8 = 66

    No road tests of noise for WinterCraft WP72. The test half is the tested tires’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.

  6. 69

    Treadwear

    WinterCraft WP72 +1
    70
    Why this score
    SourceSottozero Serie IIWinterCraft WP72
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 68 (est.)≈ 68 (est.)
    Reviews found online7173

    Sottozero Serie II: 60% × 68 (est.) + 40% × 71.4 = 69

    WinterCraft WP72: 60% × 68.4 (est.) + 40% × 72.6 = 70

    No road tests of treadwear for Sottozero Serie II. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).

    No road tests of treadwear for WinterCraft WP72. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).

  7. 75

    Handling (owners)

    Sottozero Serie II +9
    66
    Why this score
    SourceSottozero Serie IIWinterCraft WP72
    Reviews found online7566
Scores at a glance
CategoryPirelli Sottozero Serie IIKumho WinterCraft WP72
Relative Score 71 70
Dry 71 65
Wet 77 74
Snow 66 74
Comfort 73 67
Noise – 66
Treadwear 69 70
Handling (owners) 75 66

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

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 8

Sottozero Serie II

± 7

WinterCraft WP72

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

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.

DisciplineCategorySottozero Serie IIWinterCraft WP72ΔHead-to-head
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #2/9 2012 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test #2/2 2025 AutoView Winter Tire Test R19 – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Sottozero Serie II

Pros

  • Exceptional wet and standing water grip with strong resistance to aquaplaning
  • Surprisingly confident, communicative handling and short braking distances on dry roads
  • High levels of ride comfort and remarkably low road noise, even on low-profile sizes

Cons

  • Subpar traction and grip in deep snow or severe ice according to a minority of reviewers
  • High initial purchase price
  • Soften up and exhibit slightly reduced predictability or increased noise in warmer temperatures above 7°C (45°F)
All owner themes in the Sottozero Serie II review

Tire B WinterCraft WP72

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction in snow, slush, and deep snow conditions
  • Great value and budget-friendly pricing compared to tier-one premium brands
  • Surprisingly low noise levels and high comfort for a winter tire

Cons

  • Some users reported vague high-speed handling or a 'jelly' sidewall feel at speeds over 50-60 mph
  • A few mentions of increased noise compared to standard all-season tires
  • Potential for flat-spotting due to nylon cord construction, making balancing difficult for some
All owner themes in the WinterCraft WP72 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Pirelli Sottozero Serie II B · Kumho WinterCraft WP72
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available—25
Rim diameters—18″ – 21″
Tread depth—11/32″
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—51 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II

Kumho WinterCraft WP72

Too close to call: Pirelli Sottozero Serie II and Kumho WinterCraft WP72 are within 2 points overall. Pirelli Sottozero Serie II is stronger on handling, dry and comfort. Kumho WinterCraft WP72 is stronger on snow.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II scores 75 vs 66 on handling.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Kumho WinterCraft WP72 scores 74 vs 66 on snow.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II scores 71 vs 65 on dry.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II scores 73 vs 67 on comfort.

Tire A · Pirelli Sottozero Serie II
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Tire B · Kumho WinterCraft WP72
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Sottozero Serie II or WinterCraft WP72?

Which is better in the wet, Sottozero Serie II or WinterCraft WP72?

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II, 77 vs 74 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Sottozero Serie II or WinterCraft WP72?

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II, 71 vs 65 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Sottozero Serie II or WinterCraft WP72?

Kumho WinterCraft WP72, 74 vs 66 on our snow score.

Which is more comfortable, Sottozero Serie II or WinterCraft WP72?

Pirelli Sottozero Serie II, 73 vs 67 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Sottozero Serie II or WinterCraft WP72?

Neither, by our numbers: 69 vs 70 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.

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