Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3: In the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) all-season market, the Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro, launched in 2023, faces off against the brand-new Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 of 2024. With both vying for dominance in wet, dry, and snowy conditions, this battle of fresh contenders is set to shake up the all-season segment!
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Results: Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
Results below were taken from the 2024 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season tire test. There were 13 tires tested with a reference summer & winter tire. The graph below shows the comparison between Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 based on the relevant performance category. The Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Auto Bild included the full range of snow test but left out the expensive wear test. The tire size of interest is a 225/40R18 which is a common tire size for Audi A3 & Volkswagen Golf. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Subaru BRZ.
Wet
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 outperforms the Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro in wet performance tests. In wet braking, the Pirelli stops 3.2 meters shorter than the Falken, showcasing superior stopping power. For wet handling, the Pirelli maintains control at 75.4 km/h, 4.1 km/h faster than the Falken’s 71.3 km/h.
In straight-line aquaplaning resistance, the Pirelli excels again, resisting aquaplaning up to 83.3 km/h compared to the Falken’s 71.4 km/h, a significant 11.9 km/h difference. Wet performance is crucial in all-season tires for safety and control in rain and slippery conditions, and the Pirelli clearly dominates in this aspect, providing a higher level of confidence and safety.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- +7% in wet braking
- +6% in wet handling (average speed)
- +17% in aquaplaning
Snow
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 slightly outperforms the Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro in snow braking, stopping just 0.1 meters shorter at 24.4 meters. In snow traction, the Pirelli delivers stronger grip, pulling with 2797 N compared to the Falken’s 2584 N, showing a difference of 213 N in favor of the Pirelli. For snow handling, the Pirelli also takes the lead, maintaining control at 57 km/h, which is 4 km/h faster than the Falken’s 53 km/h. Overall, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 offers better snow performance, ensuring safer and more reliable driving in winter conditions.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- ~0% in snow braking
- +8% in snow traction
- +8% in snow handling
Dry
In dry braking, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stops 2.2 meters shorter than the Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro, with distances of 36.9 meters and 39.1 meters, respectively. For dry handling, the Pirelli maintains a slight edge, managing a speed of 92 km/h compared to the Falken’s 91.8 km/h. Despite the minor difference in handling, the significant gap in braking performance highlights the superior dry performance of the Pirelli, showcasing a clear advantage in safety and control on dry roads.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- +6% in dry braking
- ~0% in dry handling
Noise
The exterior noise performance between the Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is almost identical. The Falken registers 72.9 dB, while the Pirelli measures 72.8 dB, a mere 0.1 dB difference. This shows that both tires offer nearly the same level of noise, providing a similarly quiet driving experience.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (-0.1 dB)
Rolling Resistance:
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 shows significantly better rolling resistance performance compared to the Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro. The Pirelli has a lower rolling resistance of 7.84 N/kN, which is 1.22 N/kN less than the Falken’s 9.06 N/kN. This difference indicates that the Pirelli is more fuel-efficient and offers lower energy consumption, providing an advantage in terms of economy and environmental impact.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- +16% in rolling resistance
Price
For the 225/40R18 tire size, the Falken Euroall Season AS220 Pro is priced at €93, while the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 costs €112. This makes the Pirelli 17% more expensive than the Falken, reflecting a higher price point for potentially better performance and features.
Tire size: 225/40R18
Difference: +17% more expensive for Cinturato All Season SF3.
Conclusion
As a tire expert, I find the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 outstanding due to its superior performance across critical areas. It delivers shorter braking distances and better handling in both wet and dry conditions, ensuring safety and confidence on the road. Its strong snow traction and handling further highlight its versatility in all-season use. With a significantly lower rolling resistance, it also offers better fuel efficiency. Although priced higher, the Pirelli’s impressive all-around performance makes it a top choice for drivers seeking reliability and exceptional quality in all conditions.
Dr Edwin Pang