Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 vs Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: The battle for supremacy in the all-season tire market in Europe has intensified with the launch of two cutting-edge products in 2023: the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 and the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3. Both tires promise enhanced performance across diverse weather conditions, setting the stage for a fierce competition. As automotive enthusiasts and consumers eagerly anticipate rigorous testing and real-world experiences, the question looms: who will take home the crown in this high-stakes tire showdown?
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Results: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 vs Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
Results below were taken from the Autobild’s 2024 Sports Car All Season Tire Test. A total of 13 tires were tested this time around with an intriguing winter & summer refence to gauge the all season performances. The graph below shows the comparison between Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 vs Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3based on the relevant performance category. The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
As both tires are categorized as all season tires with a 3 peak mountain logo on it, an extensive snow testing was conducted. The tire size of interest is a 225/40R18 which is a common tire size for Toyota GR Yaris and Volkswagen Golf GTI. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Subaru BRZ.
Wet
In wet conditions, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 demonstrates a slight edge over the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3. For wet braking, the Pirelli tire stops in 43.9 meters from 100 km/h, which is 2.5 meters shorter than the 46.4 meters required by the Goodyear tire, indicating better stopping performance.
In terms of wet handling, both tires perform similarly, with the Pirelli maintaining an average speed of 75.4 km/h, marginally faster than the Goodyear’s 75.3 km/h. Both tires also show comparable performance in wet circle tests, with the Pirelli completing a lap in 14 seconds and the Goodyear slightly behind at 14.1 seconds. However, a significant difference is noted in the straight aquaplaning test, where the Pirelli reaches a higher slipping speed of 83.3 km/h compared to Goodyear’s 73.1 km/h, suggesting better resistance to aquaplaning in wet conditions.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 :
- -5% in wet braking
- ~0% in wet handling (average speed)
- -1% in wet circle
- -12% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
In snow conditions, both the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 and the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 exhibit closely matched performances, though with slight differences that might influence driver preferences. The Goodyear tire performs marginally better in snow braking, stopping from 50 km/h at 24.1 meters, just 0.3 meters shorter than the Pirelli at 24.4 meters.
When it comes to snow traction, the difference is minimal, with the Pirelli generating 2797 Newtons compared to Goodyear’s 2794 Newtons, showing almost equivalent pulling force. Snow handling speeds are nearly identical, with the Goodyear slightly faster at 57.1 km/h versus the Pirelli’s 57 km/h. However, the Pirelli tire takes a notable lead in snow slalom, achieving a maximum lateral acceleration of 4.36 m/sec², surpassing the Goodyear’s 4.2 m/sec², which may indicate better agility in maneuvering through snowy obstacles.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 :
- +1% in snow braking
- ~0% in snow traction
- ~0% in snow handling (average speed)
- -4% in snow slalom
Dry
In dry conditions, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 shows superior performance compared to the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3. For dry braking, the Pirelli stops from 100 km/h in 36.9 meters, which is significantly better than the Goodyear, which requires 39.4 meters, making a difference of 2.5 meters. This suggests that the Pirelli provides better stopping power in dry conditions. Additionally, in dry handling, the Pirelli also edges out with an average speed of 92 km/h compared to Goodyear’s 91.3 km/h, indicating slightly higher control and responsiveness during maneuvers on dry roads.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 :
- -6% in dry braking
- -6% in dry handling (average speed)
Noise
In terms of exterior noise performance, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 and the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 are almost identical, but the Pirelli is slightly quieter. It registers at 72.8 decibels, marginally lower than the Goodyear’s 72.9 decibels. This minimal difference of 0.1 decibels indicates that both tires offer nearly the same level of noise comfort, with Pirelli having a slight edge in reducing external noise.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (+0.1 dB)
Rolling Resistance
Regarding rolling resistance, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 outperforms the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3. The Pirelli tire exhibits a rolling resistance of 7.84 N/kN, which is lower than the Goodyear’s 8.79 N/kN. This difference of 0.95 N/kN indicates that the Pirelli tire is more efficient, potentially offering better fuel economy and a reduced environmental impact due to lower energy loss during motion.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 :
- -11% in rolling resistance
Price
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is priced slightly lower than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 for the size 225/40 R18. The Goodyear tire costs €108, making it 4% cheaper than the Pirelli, which is priced at €112. This price difference may make the Goodyear a more attractive option for buyers looking for a cost-effective all-season tire.
Tire size: 225/40 R18
- Cinturato All Season SF3 : € 112
- Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 : € 108
Difference: -4% more cheaper for Vector 4Seasons Gen 33.
Conclusion
As a tire expert, I find the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 to be the clear winner in the duel against the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3. Pirelli excels notably in crucial safety metrics such as wet and dry braking, where it consistently stops shorter than the Goodyear—key for enhancing safety in unpredictable weather. Additionally, its lower rolling resistance indicates greater fuel efficiency, which can lead to long-term savings and environmental benefits.
Despite the slightly higher price, the superior performance of the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 across various conditions makes it a standout choice, offering better safety, efficiency, and overall driving satisfaction.
Dr Edwin Pang