Linglong Sport Master vs Pirelli Cinturato C3
Across three shared tests in two different sizes (225/50 R17 and 245/45 R19), Linglong consistently posts class-leading braking numbers (including the shortest wet braking in the 2026 Autobild test at 39.3 m, the only tyre under 40 m). But the broader test outcomes flip the story: Pirelli places 4/20 in Autobild and 2/16 in ADAC, while Linglong is 16th in both-showing that overall safety and ownership costs are about more than braking distance alone.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been three tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Linglong Sport Master | one | |
| Pirelli Cinturato C3 | two |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is better than the Linglong Sport Master purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional wet braking across all shared tests (e.g., 39.3 m vs 43.0 m in Autobild; 25.2 m vs 27.6 m in braking super test)
- Slightly shorter dry braking in every shared comparison (e.g., 33.9 m vs 34.3 m in 245/45 R19)
- Strong wet braking on concrete in ADAC (32.3 m vs 37.3 m, a large margin)
- Lower purchase-cost metric / strong apparent value in Autobild (12.65 vs 15.69 price/1000) and lower measured pass-by noise (72.4 dB vs 75.2 dB)
- More balanced wet performance beyond braking: better wet handling, wet circle and aquaplaning resistance in Autobild and ADAC (repeated small wins)
- Much longer predicted mileage/wear life (e.g., 48,600 km vs 26,100 km in ADAC; 50,350 km vs 35,570 km in Autobild)
- Lower rolling resistance and better efficiency (7.7 vs 9.15 kg/t in Autobild; 5.7 vs 6.0 l/100 km in ADAC)
- Lower abrasion/particle wear indicators (1,320 g vs 2,022 g in Autobild; 79 vs 131 mg/km/t in ADAC), supporting better environmental score and running costs
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Linglong Sport Master was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Linglong Sport Master stopped the vehicle in 1.08% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Dry Braking: Linglong Sport Master
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 0.7% faster around a lap than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 17.81% more points than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Linglong Sport Master was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Linglong Sport Master stopped the vehicle in 7.62% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Wet Braking: Linglong Sport Master
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Linglong Sport Master was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Linglong Sport Master stopped the vehicle in 13.4% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Linglong Sport Master
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 1.2% faster around a wet lap than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 8.05% more points than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 0.68% faster around a wet circle than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 floated at a 0.7% higher speed than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 slipped out at a 3.97% higher speed than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Linglong Sport Master and Pirelli Cinturato C3 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Linglong Sport Master was better during one noise tests. On average the Linglong Sport Master measured 3.72% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Noise: Linglong Sport Master
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wear tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is predicted to cover 37.68% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Wear: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Linglong Sport Master was better during one value tests. On average the Linglong Sport Master proved to have a 19.38% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Value: Linglong Sport Master
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 had a 15.85% lower rolling resistance than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 used 5% less fuel than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 lost 34.72% less particle wear matter than the Linglong Sport Master.
Best In Abrasion: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Linglong Sport Master Driver Reviews
Overall, drivers describe the Linglong Sport Master as a strong value budget tyre, with most reviews praising its price-to-performance and particularly good dry grip/braking. Wet performance is generally reported as acceptable for the money, though multiple users note it's not especially confidence-inspiring at the limit and can understeer or feel vague in harder cornering. Comfort/noise and long-term wear are more mixed across reviewers, with some very pleased and others unconvinced.
Based on 8 reviews with an average rating of 69%
Pirelli Cinturato C3 Driver Reviews
Across 12 reviews, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is described as an extremely confidence-inspiring tyre with standout wet and dry grip, strong braking and very secure, responsive handling that makes the car feel easy to place and control. Most drivers also find it quiet and comfortable for a touring-focused tyre, with several calling it excellent or “perfect” in mixed conditions. A smaller subset note notable road noise on certain surfaces and one user reports a significant fuel economy drop after fitting, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Based on 14 reviews with an average rating of 92%
Conclusion
However, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is the far better “whole tyre.” It consistently leads in wet cornering/handling and aquaplaning resistance (small but repeated wins in wet handling, wet circle, straight and curved aquaplaning), and it dominates the ownership-and-environment metrics: wear is dramatically better (e.g., 50,350 km vs 35,570 km in Autobild; 48,600 km vs 26,100 km in ADAC), rolling resistance/fuel use is lower (7.7 vs 9.15 kg/t in Autobild; 5.7 vs 6.0 l/100 km in ADAC), and abrasion is far lower (1,320 g vs 2,022 g in Autobild; 79 vs 131 mg/km/t in ADAC). ADAC's qualitative notes are the clincher for safety: Linglong's dry behaviour can degrade as temperatures rise, with delayed/elastic steering response and oversteer in evasive manoeuvres-exactly the scenario where predictability matters most.
Practical takeaway: Linglong is a “braking specialist” that can look unbeatable in stop-distance charts and offers strong upfront value, but its low mileage and reported dry-dynamics shortcomings can erase that value and raise safety concerns in real-world hot/demanding driving. The Pirelli is the smarter, safer all-round purchase for most drivers-especially those doing higher mileage, mixed conditions, or wanting consistent behaviour-accepting that it is relatively noisy and doesn't top the braking tables.
Key Differences
- Overall test outcome: Pirelli ranks near the top (4/20 Autobild, 2/16 ADAC) while Linglong finishes last/near-last (16/20 Autobild, 16/16 ADAC), indicating a big gap in all-round capability
- Braking vs handling trade-off: Linglong consistently wins dry and wet braking (3/3 in both), but Pirelli is consistently better in wet handling metrics (wet handling, subjective wet, wet circle, aquaplaning)
- Wear/longevity: Pirelli's mileage advantage is decisive (up to ~86% higher in ADAC: 48,600 km vs 26,100 km), which can outweigh Linglong's lower purchase price
- Efficiency: Pirelli reduces energy loss (rolling resistance 7.7 vs 9.15 kg/t; fuel 5.7 vs 6.0 l/100 km), improving running costs and range
- Dry behaviour and safety margin: ADAC reports Linglong can become imprecise with delayed steering response and oversteer in evasive manoeuvres as temperatures rise, while Pirelli remains safe and controllable despite minor steering-precision critiques
- NVH trade-off: Linglong measures quieter in Autobild (72.4 dB vs 75.2 dB), but Pirelli is repeatedly called noisy; comfort scores were similar where rated (both 7.3 in Autobild)
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.
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