Firestone Winterhawk 3 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 and Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 appear in 6 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Firestone Winterhawk 3 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 86/100, based on 4 tests.
How the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 79/100, based on 2 tests.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Firestone Winterhawk 3 if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
- You prefer the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2's brand, sizing or price
Test profile
| Metric | Firestone Winterhawk 3 | Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Winter | Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 4 | 2 |
| Best rank | #2 | #16 |
| Avg rank | 15.3 | 27.3 |
| Latest test | 2020 | 2024 |
| Tire Lab Score | 85.9 | 79.4 |
Tire Lab Score
Firestone Winterhawk 3
Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Firestone Winterhawk 3 | Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 22.0 | Avg rank 23.0 | Firestone Winterhawk 3 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 13.0 | No data | Firestone Winterhawk 3 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 13.6 | Avg rank 32.5 | Firestone Winterhawk 3 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 11.0 | No data | Firestone Winterhawk 3 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 10.5 | No data | Firestone Winterhawk 3 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 4.0 1 | No data | Firestone Winterhawk 3 |
💧 Wet: Firestone Winterhawk 3 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 wins this category with an average rank of 22.0, compared to 23.0 for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
☀️ Dry: Firestone Winterhawk 3 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 wins this category with an average rank of 13.0, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
❄️ Snow: Firestone Winterhawk 3 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 wins this category with an average rank of 13.6, compared to 32.5 for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Firestone Winterhawk 3 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 wins this category with an average rank of 11.0, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
📏 Mileage: Firestone Winterhawk 3 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 wins this category with an average rank of 10.5, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
🔋 Efficiency: Firestone Winterhawk 3 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.0, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Firestone Winterhawk 3 or Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 ranks higher on average than the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Firestone Winterhawk 3 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 ranks better than the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Firestone Winterhawk 3 shows better mileage performance than the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Firestone Winterhawk 3 appears in 4 independent tests, Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 in 2.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
