In the world of all-season tires, the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 and Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady are standouts. Tailored for crossover, SUV, and pickup drivers, these tires prioritize comfort and consistent performance in all conditions, including light snow. Let’s check them out in greater details.
So overall, my testing show that, the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 excels in dry grip and tread life, while the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady dominates in wet and winter traction. Moreover, the Pirelli is a more fuel-efficient choice here, and it’s quieter too, but Goodyear offers a smoother ride, referring to it’s superior bumps absorption capabilities.
Table of Contents
Tire Sizes
The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady comes in 15 to 20 inches rims, with following specs.
- Speed ratings: T, H and V.
- Load ratings: SL and XL.
- Tread depth: Either 10/32″ or 11/32″.
- Weight range: 19 to 37 lbs.
- Winter ratings: Yes both M+S/3pmsf available.
- Tread warranty: 60k miles.
- UTQG: 700 A A.
Review this tire in greater details: https://tiredriver.com/goodyear-assurance-weatherready-review/
On the other side, the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 comes in 17 to 22 inches wheels. And all of those sizes have following specifications.
- Speed ratings: T, H and V.
- Load ratings: SL and XL.
- Tread depth: 11/32″ on all.
- Weight range: 29 to 42 lbs.
- Treadwear warranty: 70k miles.
- UTQG rating: 800 A A.
Review this tire in greater details: https://tiredriver.com/pirelli-scorpion-as-plus-3-review/
Tread Structure
Let’s start things off with the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3, coming in with an asymmetric tread design.
This particular tire has multi-directional biters, especially evident on its central rib.
Although it features four longitudinal channels, they don’t interconnect as seamlessly as those on its counterpart.
But yes, they do offer good enough bite.
Observe how its central rib combines both interlocking and linear siping, accompanied by in-groove notches.
The neighboring ribs exhibit similar characteristics, but maintain a singular siping pattern.
Talking about shoulders, they are less aggressive, where they only form linear sipes, interconnected with slanted slits.
And speaking of internal constrction, the tire offers a typical 2 ply polyester with 2 nylon cap plies, with 2 steel belts in between them.
Moving towards the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady. This tire is “more” asymmetric. I mean all its 5 ribs vary a lot form one another.
Though the 3 ribs here form similar longitudinal channels, they are better interconnected with each other, with their more voided up structures.
Here the central rib is the slimmest and is distinguished by its wave-like siping, in-groove notches, and off set edges.
And yes, see how their lateral grooves also also very tough passing, with their zigzag structures.
Moving towards adjacent ribs, one of them have jagged pointy lugs, with chamfered edges, while other comes with zigzag edges (facing shoulders), and chamfered sides.
Both these ribs have similar wave-like siping like the middle-most rib though.
In comparison, the shoulder lugs are fairly consistent on either side, where, one side showcases aggressive grooves with saw-toothed edges, while the other remains more streamlined.
Internally, the tire offers a 2-ply polyester casing, complemented by broader twin steel belts and a singular polyamide-reinforced cap ply.
Dry Performance
When assessing a tire’s efficacy on dry roads, we typically zero in on two critical factors:
- Overall handling, (where steering responsiveness matters a lot).
- The tire’s capacity for directional grip.
Let’s talk both.
Directional Grip
Directional, or straight-line grip, is calculated by braking distances. This grip largely leans on the tire’s contact patch and biters (on tread).
The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 stands out in this domain, with its continuous central ribs complemented by multi-directional biters or in-groove notches.
While the ribs form a more consistent contact with the ground, the biters grip in all directions, adding to the grip further.
Conversely, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady, despite its appreciable performance, doesn’t quite measure up to the Pirelli’s.
And if you consider it’s tread again (by scrolling to its design section), you’d know why. The tire although comes with a lot of notches, it’s lugs are pretty spaced out, meaning there’s less rubber interacting with the road’s surface.
Dry Handling and Steering
Cornering in dry conditions unfolds in three critical stages, and in all of them, the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 emerges on top. These stages are:
Corner entry: Here the main requirement is effective braking, since you need to slow down before getting in to the turn. And as already explained above, Pirelli showcases shorter braking distances (on average).
Then there’s mid cornering: A point right in the middle of the turn, and here, Scorpion AS Plus offers superior under/over steering balance.
And lastly, exiting: This basically tells how quickly the tire/vehicle stabilizes after it’s done cornering. It depends on on-center feel of the tires, and Pirelli AS Plus 3 again takes the lead here.
Basically the main problem why Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady isn’t performing so great here is it’s relatively heavier and softer compound, which results in greater lug flex/deformation.
And that in return causes a sluggish steering communication, so drivers don’t get the accurate idea of how much grip is available.
Wet Traction
When evaluating wet traction, both tires exhibit distinctive advantages.
The Pirelli stands out with its commendable directional traction, indicative of a brisk braking capability. However, when it comes to overall performance in wet conditions, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady surges ahead, demonstrating superior handling and steering.
But since handling is the major part here, the overall wet performance winner is Goodyear here.
Basically the design/structure of the Assurance WeatherReady is very focused towards wet conditions, considering it’s siping design, and rubber composition, for the most part.
Its asymmetrical tread emphasizes a network of interconnected circumferential channels. And this design, combined with its significant tread depth, facilitates efficient water evacuation through the tire’s grooves.
With enhanced water displacement, there’s less reliance on the sipes, to begin with, which primarily absorb residual water particles. And it’s sipes don’t need help to begin with.
Sipes basically are just slits, which flex to create suction, sucking up water particles. And with better structure, and a more flexible tread, Goodyear offers better water suction/clearance properties.
So overall, you not only get superior overall traction (especially in terms of handling), but also a greater resistance to hydroplaning on this tire, compared to Pirelli’s AS Plus 3.
Winter Performance
Navigating wintry terrains brings out distinct attributes of both these tires. While the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 demonstrates appreciable performance, it still lags behind its better winter-optimized counterpart.
I mean although the Pirelli provides satisfactory traction, its overall handling is very lagging, where the tire is prone to understeering.
On the other hand, the Goodyear shines due to its superior biting edges integrated seamlessly throughout its tread.
And those biters are further complemented by it’s interconnected central grooves.
But why are these important? Well, for one they provide the needed “bite” on snow, and on softer terrains, these design features excel in capturing and holding onto snow particles, fostering enhanced snow-on-snow contact.
And this contact is pretty significant for winter traction, as it generates greater friction, compared to rubber to snow contact. In other words, snow sticks better to itself, than rubber.
On the other side, although the Scorpion AS Plus 3 offers a significant number of sipes and gripping edges, it misses out on temperature-activated functional polymers, like seen on its competitor.
So for Pirelli, this results in less flexible biting edges during harsh conditions, mostly below 7°C (or 44.6 °F).
In contrast, the Assurance WeatherReady introduces needle-like chamfered edges, zigzag patterns that act as snow vices, and a mix of linear and interlocking siping, providing superior and exceptional ice and snow traction, in comparison.
So it’s not wonder that Goodyear’s tire is the only one here with 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating.
Fuel Consumption
When examining fuel efficiency, one cannot overlook the significant role played by rolling resistance. This resistance is primarily influenced by a tire’s weight and grip on the road.
In this regard, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady falls short due to its softer composition and its abundant wave-like siping. Let me explain why.
So basically, the softer compound causes the lugs to adhere more, when they come into contact with the road, leading to increased friction.
And this friction is further enhanced by the tire’s interlocking siping, and biters, (which are made to enhances grip on wet and icy surfaces).
So overall, you get a better fuel economy out of Pirelli AS Plus 3 in comparison.
Tread Life
When determining the longevity of a tire’s tread, it’s essential to consider several factors, including tread depth, rolling resistance, and the materials that comprise the tire.
Now, given Pirelli’s label here, as a performance A/S tire, outstanding durability might not be the first expectation. But let me tell you, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 stands out here offering superior tread longevity.
And that is backed by it’s 70k miles warranty (offering 10k more miles compared to its counterpart).
So what makes this tire better? Well for one, it offer stiffer rubber compound and, on average, a deeper tread in comparison. So it resists wear better, and takes more time to reach down to 2/32″ replacement time tread depth.
Ride Quality
The quality of a vehicle’s ride is predominantly shaped by two key determinants: tread-related noise and the tire’s aptitude for mitigating road imperfections.
Let’s start with noise.
Noise Generation
The primary source of tire noise is the interaction of air particles with the tire’s tread walls, (where they make their way in through the shoulder voids).
And for sake of simplicity, you can say the collision of these air particles against the tread walls produces noise.
Now comparing both tires, one can clearly see why the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady is nosier out of the two.
I mean not only it’s more voided up structure facilitates more air movement within the tread, generating a substantial amount of noise, it’s softer composition also exacerbates this, introducing further groove resonance.
And yes, it’s ton of biters also emit greater growling sounds, in comparison as well.
Conversely, the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 with more compacted structure (especially shoulders, restrict air infiltration), provide you with a quieter ride in comparison.
On Road Vibrations
Dampening road vibrations hinges on tire’s ability to soak up the bumps, and provide stability.
And given the pivotal role of tire construction in this area, it’s understandable that the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3, with its rigid rubber and reinforced nylon cap plies, falls short in this regard.
Whereas the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady, offering softer, thermally adaptive rubber and 3PMSF certification, excels in cushioning against road imperfections.
To Sum Up
In comparing both tires, you get to know that they are very different performance wise. So it all comes down to your specific needs.
The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 outperforms in dry conditions and tread longevity, offering enhanced grip and handling. However, in wet and winter conditions, Goodyear’s design provides superior traction and handling, making it the top choice for wet terrains and winter drives.
Still, when it comes to fuel efficiency and noise generation, Pirelli leads, while Goodyear WeatherReady offers better vibration dampening and ride comfort.
