Pirelli offers a wide range of winter and snow tires for consumers looking for a premium product — from high-performance options for ultimate handling and control to studless tires built for extreme snow conditions.
But for shoppers seeking an SUV, crossover, or light truck tire from the Italian brand, the Scorpion Winter product line is the top offering to conquer the white stuff.
We chose it as our top SUV winter tire in the premium segment for our Best Winter Tire guide. However, it’s a crowded space with other great upscale contenders, including Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV, to name a few.
Pirelli’s winter tire family:
- P Zero: high-performance
- Sottozero: focused on maximum control
- Cinturato: comfortable ride and eco-friendly
- Scorpion: SUV & crossover tire
- Carrier: designed for vans
- Ice: for extreme winter conditions
Is the premium Pirelli Scorpion Winter Tire worth the money?
As we discussed in our Best Winter Tire Guide:
The Scorpion Winter has been a leader in its class since its launch eight years ago, with several comparison test wins to its name. It was designed to provide high traction and grip for the high power and torque of luxury SUVs and crossovers from Audi, BMW, and even Lamborghini. According to Pirelli, engineers paid particular attention to downhill braking on low-grip surfaces and cornering.
A dozen luxury manufacturers have homologated the Scorpion Winter for use on almost 50 of their vehicles, including on the latest luxury electric vehicles such as the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes-Benz EQC. The available size range – from 16-22in – is said to cover more than 85% of the market.”
So, in short — yes, these are good tires and worth the money, particularly for buyers willing to spend the extra cash on a tire that offers great control in snow and wet conditions, excellent braking and handling, and low noise and rolling resistance.
The Pirelli Scorpion tires in the snow
We mounted Scorpion Winters on our 2019 Subaru Outback 3.6R family chariot for two winter seasons now, including the entire 2019 season and a portion of this 2020 winter season at the time of writing (yes, we already have loads of snow here in November in my hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada).
While it’s not wise to keep snow tires on during the warmer summer months, we opted to keep these Pirelli snow tires on year-round (though we did not drive them much), giving a good idea of how they perform in completely dry conditions.
Based on my experience, this tire offered terrific downhill braking and superb cornering even on ice, all while maintaining total control with maximum stability in snow, wet, and dry conditions.
When the first big dump of snow arrived, one of the first things I noticed with the Scorpion Winter’s was the exceptional traction control. To get a bit technical here, the directional and symmetric tread pattern sporting a modular block geometry and sipe layout attributed to this. These features help increase the rubber’s grip on snowy roads while still providing braking performance on dry surfaces.
A new tread pattern compound on the outer edge of the tire also maximizes grip on both snow and wet road conditions, resulting in some weight reduction, according to Pirelli, leading to better fuel consumption while still benefiting from maximum grip on snowy, wet roads.
Braking and handling in wet conditions
These tires also provide great braking control, both on snow and icy roads, ensuring our nearly 5,000-pound, wagon-style SUV came to a proper stop — an essential factor in everyday winter driving, especially when approaching sleek intersections. In addition, two and four-version circumferential grooves help improve the tire’s water expulsion.
The Pirelli Scorpion tires in warmer weather and dry roads
When the snow on the roads temporarily melts, and all ice vanishes, how do these tires handle? This is something Pirelli focused on with the Scorpion Winter, ensuring dry condition driving was not compromised in any way. The company added a new mould profile, including a more optimized footprint area, to produce a progressive and responsive handling tire in these more dry road conditions.
Takeaway
End of the day, consumers have a plethora of choices when it comes to winter-rated snow tires for their sport utility or small pickup — from budget-friendly choices to more expensive offerings like the Pirelli Scorpion Winter. Of course, many if not most opt for all-season tires during winter (here’s our guide to the best all-season tires to keep in mind).
Based on my experience, this tire offered terrific downhill braking and superb cornering even on ice, all while maintaining total control with maximum stability in snow, wet, and dry conditions. In general, when snow, sleet, and ice become an everyday reality, the vast difference winter-rated tires make in performance is abundantly clear. Above all, providing the extra safety drivers expect.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter Tire Photos on 2019 Subaru Outback
