Skip advert
Advertisement

Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3 Gen-3 review

Pirelli has transformed this tyre into a clear winner

Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3 Gen-3
Overall Auto Express rating

5.0

  • Score: 100%
  • Ranking: 1st
  • Price: £115

The previous iteration of this Pirelli was a midfield runner, consistently good in each discipline but not a leading tyre. However, this new version has upped its performance everywhere and scored wins on all surfaces: snow, wet and dry. Even the scores behind its lowest rankings were decent and it lifted itself clear of some very strong opposition to take a well deserved win. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Snow was not its strongest area but its sixth in braking wasn’t far off the pace and it topped snow traction. It was third in handling in these conditions, but not the best in terms of feedback, because while it was usefully adjustable, it was light in feel. 

The Pirelli really got going in wet conditions, kicking off with equal first in braking. It was second and third in the aquaplaning tests and although it was fifth on the wet circle, it was a very tight grouping. 

Third on the circuit felt about right – it was a little bit up on its toes but had good bite, lots of grip and strong traction, so it was exploitable and effective at all times. 

Remarkably, it was first in dry braking too, stopping a half metre sooner than the next best tyre, and equal third in handling, where it felt almost like a summer tyre: clean, decisive and accurate. Its rolling resistance is a little high, but the Pirelli is a great all-season offering. 

We say:

“Very impressive. A clear winner and the best choice for UK conditions.”

Blackcircles.com says:

“We've received positive feedback on performance in various weather conditions”

Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3 Gen-3ScorePlace
Snow braking91.4%6th
Snow traction100%1st
Snow handling99.5%3rd
Straight aquaplaning99.4%2nd
Curved aquaplaning98.5%3rd
Wet braking100%>1st
Wet handling98.9%3rd
Wet circle98.1%5th
Dry braking100%1st
Dry handling99.6%>3rd
Cabin noise100%>1st
Rolling resistance87.8%5th

Buy the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3 Gen-3 from Blackcircles.com

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £27,245Avg. savings £2,529 off RRP*Used from £16,100
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £9,362 off RRP*Used from £8,395
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £6,037 off RRP*Used from £10,399
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,128 off RRP*Used from £24,851
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Dacia Bigster vs Citroen C5 Aircross: low prices and plenty of space, but which SUV does it best?
Dacia Bigster vs Citroen C5 Aircross - front tracking

Dacia Bigster vs Citroen C5 Aircross: low prices and plenty of space, but which SUV does it best?

Citroen’s latest C5 Aircross hybrid is aiming to woo budget family SUV buyers, but standing in its way is the wallet-friendly Dacia Bigster hybrid
Car group tests
31 Jan 2026
Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss
Skoda Kodiaq - front cornering

Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss

Skoda’s sales and marketing boss warns “there will be a consolidation” of the number of Chinese car brands around
News
2 Feb 2026
Meet Renault’s new SUV: a Dacia Duster but not as we know it…
Renault Duster - front

Meet Renault’s new SUV: a Dacia Duster but not as we know it…

Posher inside and out and with more headroom, welcome to the upside down world of the Indian Duster
News
26 Jan 2026