Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 90%
Wet Conditions – 80%
Snow – 70%
Comfort – 90%
Noise Reduction – 90%
Durability – 90%
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The abundance of options in the tire industry means that we, as owners, have the luxury of choosing the kind of tire we want to put on our cars. In most cases, people go for touring models because it’s the sensible option, to be honest.
Sure, performance tires are fun, but most people don’t drive that kind of vehicle. On top of that, the longevity and refinement aren’t on the same level as their touring cousins, so it’s pretty understandable why they’re a popular choice.
In this segment, almost all manufacturers have at least 1 model, even the cheap and unsafe brands I wouldn’t recommend. Don’t worry; I won’t be talking about an unsafe model. Instead, the one I have for today is Italian.
Pirelli has been making excellent tires for decades, and in 2021, it announced it was expanding its lineup with another touring tire. The Scorpion AS Plus 3 is a model for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks, so let’s see if it’s a worthy successor to this lineup.
Pros
- Pretty dynamic handling for a touring tire
- Dry performance is excellent
- Some of the highest refinement levels in its category
- 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Performance on damp roads is a bit behind the class-leading models
- Prone to understeer on packed snow
The Features of the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3
Like almost all touring tires, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 is an all-season model where Pirelli used some of its latest technologies to make it an excellent performer.
We are talking about an all-season tire, so you can assume that the rubber compound is Pirelli’s all-season one. This should keep the tire softer in colder temperatures, meaning it won’t be useless in winter like a summer tire.
In addition to the all-season properties, the compound is designed without compromising longevity. This becomes evident from the long treadwear warranty, and we have the compound to thank for that.
There are two features of the tire designed to improve performance in wet conditions. The 3D technology combined with the tread pattern works to improve traction and handling on damp roads. For harsh rain, the pattern’s grooves help channel water, meaning we should see excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Speaking of the sipes, like most of its rivals, they also help with the tire’s performance in snowy conditions. Considering that they are full-depth, you shouldn’t notice a massive drop in performance as the tire wears down.
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 in Dry Conditions
You’ll rarely find a premium tire that delivers poor performance in dry conditions, meaning that the Scorpion AS Plus 3 doesn’t disappoint.
The tire’s performance levels in dry conditions are excellent, at least when compared with its touring rivals. It offers high levels of grip and traction, putting it near the top of its class. The result of this is a tire that’s more than capable of driving in daily scenarios. It also has short braking distances, which is to be expected from a premium model.
It’s not uncommon to see a touring Pirelli model doing well in terms of handling. With a good amount of responsiveness and feedback, I can call this a pretty dynamic tire, considering its category.
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 on Wet or Slippery Roads
Driving in wet conditions is something that the Scorpion AS Plus 3 can handle with ease, which isn’t a surprise.
The tire’s traction on damp roads is excellent, providing the performance you’d need to minimize slip. It also offers plenty of grip, meaning the cornering experience will be planted. The tire is good, but it’s not a model that likes to be treated aggressively. I wouldn’t say it’s uneasy, but you can play around with it if you’re into that kind of activity. The braking distances are very good, and even though a handful of models do better, the differences aren’t massive.
Pirelli worked its magic with the tread pattern, allowing the tire to provide excellent water evacuation properties. This results in a tire that will remain stable even in pouring rain.
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 in Snow
As far as winter performance is concerned, the Scorpion AS Plus 3 does a pretty good job.
The tire delivers solid traction levels in lighter conditions, which is just enough to make this a safe tire. It can corner well, but you’ll need to be a bit cautious, especially on unpacked snow. Pushing it too far will result in understeer, so I would refrain from getting too aggressive. The braking distances are good but not industry-leading.
Light conditions are the most you’ll get from this tire, meaning you should avoid ice or deep snow. For these conditions, I’d recommend getting a dedicated winter tire.
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 Off-Roading
The Scorpion AS Plus 3 is a tire that can be fitted to SUVs or light trucks, but that doesn’t make it an off-road tire. It may handle dirt roads, but the performance won’t be on the same level as something from the all-terrain or mud-terrain segment. Remember that it’s also not a tire with a compound designed to handle that kind of abuse, meaning that you can damage it easily.
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 for Sporty Driving
Some aspects of the Scorpion AS Plus 3 may give you the impression that it’s a sports tire, but I wouldn’t categorize it as such. Even though I mentioned that the handling is pretty dynamic, it applies when compared with other touring tires. On the performance side of things, the grip and traction levels are very good but not good enough for driving it on a track.
Does the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 Ride Comfortably?
Refinement is another aspect of the Scorpion AS Plus 3 that I have no complaints about.
The comfort levels of this tire are excellent, regardless of the surface you drive on. It irons out smaller imperfections to a point where most of them are unnoticeable. The tire also dampens larger bumps excellently without transferring vibrations to the cabin.
In terms of the noise levels, it’s among the best. There is a faint hum over certain surfaces, but it’s drowned out by other noises around you. Despite a slight increase in noise levels at highway speeds, it’s still pretty quiet.
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 Warranty
Many premium models offer some of the longest warranties in their respectable segments, and the same goes for the Scorpion AS Plus 3. Pirelli offers the tire with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, identical to the CrossContact LX25. This also puts it ahead of the CrossClimate 2 SUV.
Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Premium tires aren’t an option for people looking for affordability, so you should expect that from the Scorpion AS Plus 3. With that said, when compared to some of its rivals, it’s not priced all that bad. A 17-inch model is more expensive than its Continental rival but cheaper than the Alenza AS Ultra.
Should I Buy the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3?
The Scorpion AS Plus 3 is a tire that may not excel in every possible metric, but it is a tire that will be more than enough for most people. There are some slight drawbacks, which I believe most people won’t notice in the real world.
Looking at the performance, the tire does it all. It offers more than enough dry and wet performance for most people, and with the usable traction in lighter snow conditions, it seals the deal. The tire is well-refined and has a treadwear warranty that’s among the best in its category, so there aren’t too many negative sides. Sure, it’s not the cheapest in the premium segment, but it’s not the most expensive either.
Overall, I have to say that the Scorpion AS Plus 3 is an excellent tire, and I can recommend it. The most important thing to note is that if you’re after a budget-friendly tire, you might want to look at the mid-range segment.
What Vehicles Will the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 will fit:
- Acura RDX, MDX
- GMC Terrain
- Honda CR-V, Pilot
- Infinity QX60
- Lexus RX
- Nissan Rogue
- RAM 1500
- Toyota Venza
Tire Sizes of the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3
17″
- 225/65R17 102H
- 235/65R17 104H
- 245/65R17 107H
- 265/70R17 115H
18″
- 225/60R18 100H
- 235/55R18 104V XL
- 235/60R18 103H
- 235/60R18 107V XL
- 235/65R18 106V
- 235/65R18 106H
- 245/60R18 105H
- 255/55R18 109V XL
- 255/65R18 111T
- 265/60R18 110V
- 265/65R18 114H
19″
- 225/55R19 99V
- 235/45R19 95V
- 235/45R19 95H
- 235/50R19 103V XL
- 235/55R19 105V XL
- 245/55R19 107H XL
- 255/50R19 107V XL
- 255/60R19 109H
- 265/50R19 110V XL
- 275/55R19 111V
20″
- 235/55R20 102V
- 235/55R20 102H
- 245/50R20 102V
- 245/60R20 107H
- 255/50R20 109V XL
- 255/55R20 110H XL
- 265/45R20 108H XL
- 265/50R20 111V XL
- 275/45R20 110V XL
- 275/55R20 117H XL
- 275/60R20 115H
22″
- 275/50R22 111H
- 285/45R22 114H