Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3: In the fiercely competitive all-season tire market in Europe, the introduction of the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 for 2024 sets the stage for an electrifying duel against the well-established Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6. These two tire giants are locked in a battle for supremacy, offering drivers unparalleled performance, safety, and durability.
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, with its cutting-edge technology and innovative design, aims to redefine what drivers expect from all-season tires. Meanwhile, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, known for its exceptional reliability and performance across diverse conditions, stands ready to defend its position. This head-to-head matchup promises to capture the attention of automotive enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, as they keenly watch which tire will emerge as the ultimate all-season champion in Europe.
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Results: Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
Results below were taken from the 2024 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test. A total of 7 tires were tested this time around with snow & ice testing to gauge the all season performances. The graph below shows the comparison between Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 based on the relevant performance category. The Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 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 & ice testing was conducted. Note that for subjective comfort evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. The tire size of interest is a 205/55 R16 which is a common tire size for Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI.
Wet
In wet conditions, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 and Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 showcase their distinct performances, each with its own strengths. When it comes to wet braking from 80 to 5 km/h, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 takes a shorter distance to stop, at 33.2 meters, compared to the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, which stops at 35.5 meters. This indicates that the Bridgestone tire has a slight edge in wet braking efficiency, stopping approximately 2.3 meters shorter than its Pirelli counterpart.
On the wet handling circuit, the Pirelli tire demonstrates a slight advantage, completing a lap 1 second faster than the Bridgestone, with times of 86.2 seconds and 87.2 seconds, respectively. This suggests that the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 offers better agility and responsiveness in wet conditions. Subjective assessments of wet handling further highlight the differences, with the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 achieving a perfect score of 10 out of 10, compared to the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, which scores 9.5 out of 10. This indicates a preference among drivers for the Pirelli’s performance in wet handling.
Lastly, in terms of resistance to aquaplaning in a straight line, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 again shows superior performance, with a higher slipping speed of 84.2 km/h compared to the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6’s 81.3 km/h. This suggests that the Pirelli tire offers better safety and control in severe wet conditions, with a higher threshold for aquaplaning.
Overall, while the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 excels in wet braking, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 showcases its strengths in handling, subjective feedback, and aquaplaning resistance, making it a formidable contender in wet performance.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- -6% in wet braking
- +1% in wet handling (lap time)
- +2% in wet handling (subj)
- +4% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
In the realm of snow performance, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 and Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 showcase their capabilities under winter conditions, each excelling in different aspects. When it comes to snow braking, measured from 20 to 0 km/h, the Bridgestone tire demonstrates a marginally better performance, stopping in 18.2 meters, whereas the Pirelli tire stops in 18.8 meters. This indicates the Bridgestone has a slight advantage in snow braking, requiring 0.6 meters less to come to a complete stop.
For snow traction, which assesses the acceleration from 0 to 20 km/h, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 outperforms the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 slightly, with times of 8.46 seconds and 8.57 seconds, respectively. This suggests that the Pirelli tire provides slightly better grip and acceleration in snowy conditions.
Snow handling tests, which measure the lap time on a snow-covered circuit, reveal a more noticeable difference in favor of the Pirelli tire. The Cinturato All Season SF3 completes the circuit in 91.99 seconds, compared to the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, which takes 95.01 seconds. This demonstrates that the Pirelli tire is significantly quicker around the snow track, by over 3 seconds, indicating superior maneuverability and control in snow. Subjective evaluations of snow handling further emphasize the Pirelli tire’s lead, with a score of 9.8 out of 10 compared to the Bridgestone’s 9.2 out of 10. This indicates that drivers prefer the feel and response of the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 when navigating snowy conditions.
In summary, although the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 shows a marginal advantage in snow braking, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 excels in snow traction, handling, and driver satisfaction, making it a strong contender for winter driving conditions.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- -3% in snow braking
- +1% in snow traction
- +3% in snow handling (lap times)
- +3% in snow handling (subj)
Ice
When it comes to performance on ice, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 slightly outperforms the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 in both braking and traction. For ice braking, from 25 to 0 km/h, the Pirelli tire requires only 6.89 meters to come to a complete stop, whereas the Bridgestone tire needs 7.11 meters. This difference shows that the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is able to stop more quickly on ice, by a margin of approximately 0.22 meters.
In terms of ice traction, measured by the acceleration time from 0 to 20 km/h, the Pirelli again demonstrates superior performance. It takes the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 only 4.68 seconds to reach this speed, compared to 4.88 seconds for the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6. This indicates that the Pirelli tire provides better grip and acceleration on ice, with a difference of 0.2 seconds between the two.
Overall, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 shows a slight advantage over the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 in icy conditions, offering better stopping power and quicker acceleration, which can be crucial for safety and performance in winter driving.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- +3% in ice braking
- +4% in ice traction
Wear
When comparing the wear performances of the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, there’s a significant difference in longevity. The Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 demonstrates a higher durability with a wear life of 44,499 kilometers, in stark contrast to the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, which shows wear after 33,741 kilometers. This difference of 10,758 kilometers means that the Bridgestone tire offers considerably more mileage before needing replacement.
For users, this difference in wear performance translates to the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 potentially providing better value over time, as it may not need to be replaced as frequently as the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3. This can lead to cost savings and fewer tire changes over the life of a vehicle, which is an important consideration for drivers looking for durability and long-term performance in their all-season tires.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- -24% in mileage
Dry
In dry conditions, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 outperforms the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 slightly in braking and handling. For dry braking from 100 to 0 km/h, the Pirelli stops in 37.7 meters, 1.2 meters shorter than the Bridgestone at 38.9 meters. In dry handling, the Pirelli completes a lap in 55.4 seconds, marginally quicker than the Bridgestone’s 56 seconds. Additionally, drivers rate the Pirelli higher in subjective handling, scoring it a perfect 10/10 compared to the Bridgestone’s 9.5/10. This suggests that the Pirelli offers slightly better performance and driver confidence in dry conditions.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- +3% in dry braking
- +1% in dry handling (lap time)
- +2% in dry handling (subj)
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 are nearly identical, with the Bridgestone tire producing a slightly lower noise level at 71.6 dB compared to the Pirelli’s 71.7 dB. This minimal difference of 0.1 dB indicates that both tires offer similar levels of noise comfort, making them almost indistinguishable to the human ear in this aspect.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (+0.1 dB)
Rolling Resistance
When it comes to rolling resistance, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is more efficient than the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6. The Pirelli tire has a rolling resistance of 7.86 N/kN, which is lower than the Bridgestone’s 8.71 N/kN. This difference of 0.85 N/kN means the Pirelli tire requires less energy to maintain motion, potentially leading to slightly better fuel efficiency for vehicles equipped with it. Lower rolling resistance is beneficial for drivers looking to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- +11% in rolling resistance
Price
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, priced at €96 for the tire size 205/55 R16, is 5% more affordable than the Michelin CrossClimate 2, which costs €101. This price advantage makes the Cinturato All Season SF3 a more budget-friendly option for drivers seeking value in their tire purchase.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
- CrossClimate 2: €101
- Cinturato All Season SF3 : €96
Difference: -5% more cheaper for Cinturato All Season SF3.
Summary
In our detailed comparison between the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, we’ve dissected various aspects of tire performance to guide consumers in their decision-making process.
Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6: Excels in the realm of wear performance, boasting a significantly longer lifespan than the Pirelli. This durability translates to fewer replacements and, potentially, more savings over time, making it an excellent choice for drivers who prioritize longevity and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, it showcases a slight advantage in wet & snow braking, ensuring reliable stopping power in challenging conditions.
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3: Stands out for its superior performance in wet and dry handling, offering a more responsive and secure driving experience. It also demonstrates a slight edge in ice traction and braking, enhancing safety in winter conditions. Despite its slightly higher rolling resistance, its lower price point makes it an attractive option for those seeking performance and value.
In summary, for those valuing longevity and wet/snow braking efficiency, the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 emerges as a solid choice. Conversely, if your preferences lean towards superior handling in wet and dry conditions, enhanced ice performance, and a more attractive price, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is the way to go. The decision ultimately hinges on the specific performance characteristics you deem most critical.
Dr Edwin Pang