Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2: In the ever-evolving world of all-season tires, two titans stand out, ready to redefine the standards of year-round performance. Enter the arena where the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 clashes with the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 in a gripping battle for supremacy. This showdown is not just about rubber hitting the road; it’s a testament to innovative engineering, where the fusion of comfort, durability, and all-weather agility is at stake.
As these two heavyweights gear up for the ultimate test, enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike watch with bated breath. Will the Goodyear’s celebrated versatility and resilience outshine the Pirelli’s renowned grip and efficiency? This face-off in the all-season segment is more than a comparison; it’s a spectacle of tire technology pushing the limits. Get ready for a riveting contest where only the best will roll victoriously into the seasons ahead.
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Results: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2
Results below were taken from the 2023 Auto Bild All Season Test. A whopping 35 tires were tested this time around with only 16 tires making it into the final round. The graph below shows the comparison between Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 based on the relevant performance category. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Auto Bild did the full range of test including snow & the expensive wear test. The tire size of interest is a 225/45 R17 which is a common tire size for Volvo S60 & BMW 3 Series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a BMW 3 series.
Wet Showdown
When it comes to wet performance, the battle between the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 showcases each tire’s strengths and weaknesses in challenging conditions. In the crucial test of wet braking from 100 to 0 km/h, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 edges ahead with a stopping distance of 46.7 meters, making it 1.6 meters shorter than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, which stops at 48.3 meters. This difference highlights the Pirelli’s superior ability to handle emergency braking situations on wet roads.
However, when we look at wet handling, the scenario is much closer. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 achieves an average speed of 74.8 km/h, slightly outpacing the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, which manages an average speed of 74.5 km/h. This marginal difference suggests that both tires offer nearly equivalent performance in maintaining control and stability while navigating through wet curves.
The wet circle test, which measures the time to complete a circle on a wet surface, further illustrates their competitive performance. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 completes the circle in 11.74 seconds, marginally faster than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, which takes 11.95 seconds. This indicates a slightly better grip and responsiveness from the Goodyear tire in continuous wet cornering.
Interestingly, the tables turn in the straight aquaplaning test, where the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 shines by achieving a slipping speed of 81.7 km/h, significantly higher than the 77.1 km/h managed by the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3. This suggests that the Pirelli tire offers better resistance to aquaplaning, providing drivers with more confidence and safety during heavy rain conditions.
In summary, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 demonstrates superior wet braking and aquaplaning performance, while the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 shows slight advantages in handling and wet circle tests, making the choice between them dependent on what aspects of wet performance are most critical to the driver.
Cinturato All Season SF2 :
- +3% in wet braking
- ~0% in wet handling
- -2% in wet circle
- +6% in aquaplaning
Snow
In the arena of snow performance, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 showcase their capabilities to navigate winter’s demanding conditions. The comparison reveals how each tire stands up to the challenge of snow-covered roads.
Starting with snow braking from 50 to 0 km/h, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 proves to be more effective, requiring only 22.5 meters to come to a complete stop. This performance outshines the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, which takes 23.6 meters to stop, marking a notable difference of 1.1 meters. This shorter stopping distance underlines the Goodyear’s superior braking efficiency on snow.
When it comes to snow traction, which is measured by the pulling force in Newtons, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 again leads with a force of 2777 Newtons compared to the 2610 Newtons generated by the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2. This difference highlights the Goodyear’s enhanced ability to grip snowy surfaces, offering better acceleration and hill-climbing capacity in winter conditions.
Snow handling, measured by the average speed through a snow-covered course, presents a closely matched contest, with the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 slightly edging out at 57.5 km/h against the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3’s 57.4 km/h. This marginal difference suggests that both tires provide comparable control and stability when maneuvering through snow.
In the snow slalom test, which assesses the tire’s ability to quickly change directions on snow by measuring the maximum lateral acceleration, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 achieves a slightly higher rate of 4.08 m/sec^2, compared to the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2’s 4.04 m/sec^2. This indicates a minor advantage for the Goodyear in agility and responsiveness during dynamic snow driving scenarios.
Overall, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 showcases a stronger performance in snow braking and traction, essential for safety and confidence in winter driving. Meanwhile, both tires demonstrate competitive handling and agility on snow, with the Pirelli offering nearly identical handling speed and slightly lower lateral acceleration in slalom tests. The choice between these tires may come down to prioritizing braking and traction or valuing the subtle differences in handling dynamics on snow-covered roads.
Cinturato All Season SF2 :
- -5% in snow braking
- -6% in snow traction
- ~0% in snow handling
- -1% in snow slalom
Wear
When examining the wear performance between the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, there’s a significant difference that cannot be overlooked. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 demonstrates a remarkably longer lifespan, boasting a wear distance of 57,129 kilometers. This is a substantial leap over the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, which shows wear at 42,447 kilometers.
This huge disparity of 14,682 kilometers underscores the Goodyear tire’s superior durability and longevity compared to the Pirelli. Such a difference suggests that the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 may offer better value over time, requiring less frequent replacements due to wear. For drivers prioritizing long-term use and cost-efficiency, the Goodyear tire clearly stands out as the more durable option in this comparison, highlighting its ability to withstand the rigors of road use much more effectively than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2.
AllSeasonContact 2 :
- -26% in mileage
Dry
In dry conditions, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 outperforms the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 in braking, stopping 3 meters shorter from 100 to 0 km/h with a distance of 38.8 meters compared to Goodyear’s 41.8 meters. However, the Goodyear tire takes the lead in handling, achieving a higher average speed of 89.8 km/h versus Pirelli’s 88.7 km/h, indicating better maneuverability by 1.1 km/h. These results highlight a significant trade-off between the two tires: Pirelli offers better safety in dry braking, while Goodyear provides superior agility in dry handling.
Cinturato All Season SF2 :
- +8% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling
Noise
In terms of exterior noise performance, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 produces less noise at 72.2 dB, making it quieter than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, which registers at 73.3 dB. This difference of 1.1 dB indicates that the Pirelli tire offers a slightly more peaceful and less intrusive driving experience, reducing the external noise that passengers and bystanders experience. This can make the Pirelli a preferable option for drivers prioritizing a quieter ride.
Cinturato All Season SF2 :
- +2% in exterior noise (-1.1 dB)
Rolling Resistance & Fuel Consumption Showdown:
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 showcases better efficiency in both rolling resistance and fuel consumption compared to the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2. With a rolling resistance of 8.21 N/kN, the Goodyear tire is slightly more efficient than the Pirelli, which has a rolling resistance of 8.59 N/kN. This difference indicates that the Goodyear tire requires less energy to maintain motion, translating to potentially lower fuel costs over time.
In terms of fuel consumption, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is marginally more fuel-efficient, with a consumption rate of 5.66 liters per 100 kilometers, compared to the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2’s rate of 5.68 liters per 100 kilometers. Although the difference is small, at just 0.02 liters per 100 kilometers, it further illustrates the Goodyear tire’s slight edge in reducing fuel costs for drivers.
These advantages highlight the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 as a slightly more economical choice in terms of rolling resistance and fuel efficiency, which can add up to savings and environmental benefits over the tire’s lifespan.
Cinturato All Season SF2 :
- -4% in rolling resistance
- ~0% in fuel consumption
Price
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 is significantly more affordable than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, with a price of €82 compared to €113 for the Goodyear tire in the size 205/55 R16. This makes the Pirelli tire 38% cheaper, offering a considerable cost advantage for buyers seeking value in their tire purchase.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
Difference: -38% more cheaper for Cinturato All Season SF2.
Expert’s Perspective
As a tire expert, I’ve closely compared the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2, recognizing the strengths of each. The Pirelli stands out for its superior dry braking performance and lower exterior noise, offering a safer and quieter ride. It also boasts a significant price advantage, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious drivers.
However, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 ultimately takes the crown in this duel. Its exceptional mileage and snow performance are where it truly shines, offering drivers unparalleled durability and safety in winter conditions. Despite its higher price, the Goodyear’s ability to deliver much better mileage and superior handling in snow makes it a more economical choice in the long run. These factors, combined with its slightly better fuel efficiency, position the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 as our winner. For those prioritizing longevity and all-weather reliability, the Goodyear is the definitive choice.
Dr Edwin Pang