Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive vs Nokian WR G4 SUV tires

In the world of tires, all-weather tires are relatively new, and they occupy a place that is right between all-season and winter. All-weather tires feature more aggressive tread patterns, offer enhanced winter traction with redesigned tread, sport optimized sipe networks, and come with many other noteworthy features. These tires are fully capable of performing in 3–4 inches of snow, and we're here to compare two tires in this category, the Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive and the Nokian WR G4 SUV.

For the longest time, Pirelli has created a reputation in terms of value, handling, and innovation, and the Cinturato WeatherActive is no exception. As a directional tire with a high tread depth, it offers a high amount of performance and traction. Suitable grooves are also available for evacuating water and providing great wet traction. Compared to the above, Nokian tires offer a high amount of durability and they’re also great in wet weather. Both tires have high tread depths and provide Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for heavy snow. Given below is a closer look at the two tires.

Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive tires

The Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive is a later iteration of the Cinturato family of tires, certified as per the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating for severe winter performance. Despite having a faster speed rating, this tire delivers a quiet and comfortable ride on passenger cars using a computer-tuned and randomized tread pitch that negates certain resonances and frequencies, ensuring low noise while on the highway.

To ensure usability in winter weather, this tire features a tread compound that remains flexible in the cold and provides durable wear properties. Pirelli has a reputation for offering exceptional performance, and this tire offers tremendous value after including the same and other properties. This tire has been specifically engineered to outperform all-season tires, thereby eliminating the need to swap all-season tires with winter tires. The innovative compound enables it to provide tremendous wet performance in different temperatures, resulting in an excellent average SimpleScore of 9.6. A Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating enables them to perform in the harsh cold.

Nokian WR G4 SUV tires

It makes great sense to install tires like the Nokian WR G4 SUV if you want to drive an SUV or CUV for a few or more months each year in any weather conditions, especially chilly winters. Customers must know that Nokian tires have undergone extensive testing in extremely cold temperatures because they are designed in Finland's Nordic region. These tires are constructed with a unique compound designed to withstand varying weather conditions without sacrificing performance. Additionally, there is a technology that may shield it against cuts, scratches, and chips. This tire meets the minimal manufacturer warranty expectations that buyers of such a tire are likely to have. Additionally, low rolling resistance leads to higher fuel efficiency. We found it to be suitable for an average SimpleScore of 9.2.

Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive vs Nokian WR G4 SUV tires on traction

The Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive has been designed with sweeping, angled grooves that rapidly evacuate water from the contact patch to prevent hydroplaning and a directional tread for great overall traction. There are full-depth 3D sipes and a system of notches to generate exceptional wet traction, along with a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating that ensures grip in heavy snow. The use of a special polymer/resin rubber formulation in the tread compound gives flexibility in winter conditions and good traction. Slush, snow, water, and ice are easily removed from the tire’s area of contact with the road. Based on the above, the Cinturato WeatherActive gets a phenomenal average traction SimpleScore of 9.8.

The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, seen on every Nokian WR G4 SUV tire, denotes the tire's capacity to handle moderate to severe winter weather with assurance, much like the Cinturato WeatherActive. Nordic experts have created this tire to ensure exceptional grip in slushy, dry, icy, and snowy conditions. Drivers who use these tires will inevitably feel part of a self-assured group. Each tire is made using a unique dual-performance SUV rubber formula which provides reliable traction, even in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. For its rating, this tire receives an average traction SimpleScore of 9.6.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive

Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive vs Nokian WR G4 SUV tires on handling

Expect the Cinturato WeatherActive to feature a special rubber compound with a new polymer/resin system for wet performance across different temperatures that does not sacrifice mileage. It can deliver accurate cornering, braking, and steering responses with a 3-rib directional tread pattern, a stiffer sidewall, and a shoulder that improves rigidity and reduces tread squirm while cornering hard. All the tread features that help the Pirelli deliver tremendous steering responses, cornering ability, and overall road manners also generate exemplary grip, resulting in an average handling SimpleScore of 9.8.

The WR G4 SUV is the fourth generation of all-weather tires by Nokian tires. These tires provide safety by braking quickly in wet weather, with the Dual Performance SUV compound playing a major role. Coanda Technology on these tires is responsible for removing and guiding water away from the contact patch. A high tread depth and an asymmetrical tread pattern play a positive role in handling performance. For select sizes, the speed rating of the WR G4 SUV is slower than the Cinturato WeatherActive’s speed rating and this Nokian tire is eligible for an average handling SimpleScore of 9.2.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive

Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive vs Nokian WR G4 SUV tires on longevity

Although the Cinturato WeatherActive’s tread compound is designed to stay flexible for winter grip, it provides highly durable wear properties for long miles. This tire is available with a 60,000-mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty and an average longevity SimpleScore of 9.2. The high tread depth plays an important role in increasing tread life here, and the same can be expected from the Cinturato WeatherActive. The Pirelli’s internal construction includes a twin steel belt package, a 2-ply polyamide reinforcement layer, and a 2-ply polyester casing that ensures long wear. As per the above, this Pirelli tire is good enough for an average longevity SimpleScore of 9.2.

Compared to the above, the Nokian WR G4 SUV tire features the popular Aramid Sidewall Technology for high resistance to punctures, chips, and cuts, assuring more reliability and extended use. The limited manufacturer tread life warranty on the Nokian WR G4 SUV is the same as that on the Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive — 60,000 miles. We found the WR G4 SUV to be good enough for an average longevity SimpleScore of 8.9.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive

When to use each

Both, the Cinturato WeatherActive and the Nokian WR G4 SUV are all-weather tires and they are good for year-round use. The added advantage these tires have over all-season tires is that they can also be used in moderate to severe winter weather conditions. However, if you need tires specifically to drive in areas that witness heavy snowfall or where roads are covered with a thick layer of ice, winter tires will be your best bet. Additionally, these tires are built for driving on paved roads and should be considered for off-road driving.

Which one should you choose?

A few aspects are the same when you compare the two tires — tread depth, limited manufacturer tread life warranty, and Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. However, the Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive certainly scores higher when it comes to consistent, confident traction year-round. Despite the above, you may be forced to rethink your options after a look at the prices. SimpleTire’s price on the Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive begins at $208.55 per tire ($834.20 for 4). On the other hand, the Nokian WR G4 SUV’s prices start from a significantly lower $111.96 per tire ($447.84 for 4).

Given below are the reasons for choosing the Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive:

• You want longer tread life
• You want better traction
• You want a tougher tire
• You want more confident handling

In comparison, here are the reasons to choose the Nokian WR G4 SUV tire:

• You want more confident snow traction
• You want a more affordable tire
• You want a more durable tire

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, and our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.