Linglong Sport Master Winter vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- TR Score
- 7.3/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 4
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 3
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 finished ahead 3 times and the Sport Master Winter not once. The Sport Master Winter averaged a 0.5% higher speed on the dry handling course; the Cinturato Winter 2 had 7% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 if wet-road safety, aquaplaning resistance and predictable handling are priorities; choose the Linglong Sport Master Winter only if budget is the overriding factor and you drive mainly in mild winter conditions with limited snow exposure.
Where the Sport Master Winter is stronger
- Very strong price-value proposition, with a substantially lower cost per 1,000 km than the Pirelli in Autobild testing
- Competitive dry handling pace, beating the Pirelli in objective dry handling in both full tests
- Respectable objective dry braking in AMS, stopping 1.0 m shorter than the Pirelli
Where the Cinturato Winter 2 is stronger
- Clearly superior overall test record, winning all three shared comparisons
- Stronger and more confidence-inspiring wet handling, wet cornering grip and aquaplaning resistance
- Generally better subjective control, with higher scores for dry, wet and snow handling in AMS
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Sport Master Winter vs Cinturato Winter 2 at a glance
| Category | Sport Master Winter | Gap | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 0 | 3 | |
| Dry5 measurements | 3 | The Sport Master Winter averaged a 0.5% higher speed on the dry handling course (2 tests) | 2 |
| Wet12 measurements | 1 | The Cinturato Winter 2 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 5.5% higher speed (2 tests) | 11 |
| Snow9 measurements | 2 | 5 | |
| Comfort4 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Value3 measurements | 0 | The Cinturato Winter 2 had 7% lower rolling resistance (2 tests) | 3 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.3/10 | The Cinturato Winter 2 by 2.0 | 9.3/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 3 reviews | 82% | The Sport Master Winter by 2 points | 80% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Cinturato Winter 2 was dearer in 3 of 3 | +46.6% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 95 | 30 sizes made in both | 41 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 3 tests in 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Sport Master Winter | Field | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P19 of 20 | P10 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P16 of 51 | P9 of 51 | |
| 2025 AMS Winter Tyre Test | P8 of 10 | P7 of 10 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Sport Master Winter
Cinturato Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. 9 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Sport Master Winter
Cinturato Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Sport Master Winter
Cinturato Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Sport Master Winter | Gap | Cinturato Winter 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44.35 | 1% | 44.8 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 112.4 | 0.5% | 111.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 12.5% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 41.23 | 1.5% | 40.43 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 71.95 | 3.3% | 74.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 50% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 7.27 | 2.8% | 7.47 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 12.66 | 4.3% | 12.11 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 72.6 | 5.5% | 76.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 2.25 | 8.8% | 2.46 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 28.93 | 0.3% | 28.83 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 2,341 | 1.2% | 2,368 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 75.8 | 1.1% | 76.4 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 3.76 | 1.9% | 3.69 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 2.8 | 1.8% | 2.85 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.8% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 69.5 | = | 69.5 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 46,110 | 4.6% | 48,230 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 9.29 | 7% | 8.58 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Sport Master Winter scores 7.3 and the Cinturato Winter 2 9.3 out of 10.
| Sport Master Winter | Category | Cinturato Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | Dry | 65 | ||
| 62 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 29 | Comfort | 42 | ||
| 32 | Value | 33 | ||
| 26 | Snow | 64 | ||
| 17 | Ice | 76 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Sport Master Winter | Category | Cinturato Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 8 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 7.8 | Road Feedback | 8 | ||
| 7.8 | Handling | 7.7 | ||
| 6.7 | Wear | 6 | ||
| 8 | Comfort | 7.7 | ||
| 9.3 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 8 | Ice Grip | 7 | ||
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Linglong Sport Master Winter
- 82%from 4 reviews
- 5,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 Sport Master Winter reviewsDrove them one winter on really heavy snow in the moutains no problem at all the snow grip was really impresive even against some premium tires. I had no problems never got stuck even when i was trying to get stuck i saw many people with premium tires and same awd having trouble but not with this ones. The only problem is Wear I think if ur winter is mild and temp are high the tires will melt away. About to mount them for this winter to see did they change after 1 year.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- 80%from 3 reviews
- 20,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Cinturato Winter 2 reviewsIt’s the best winter tire I’ve had so far great wet and snow traction also the tire is very quiet (test say otherwise but on my car this tire is quiet) big downfall is the wear of the tire after 1 winter the tires lost almost half of their tread . Last winter was weak so maybe that’s because but I’ve heard that pirelli don’t last that long. Other than that great tire
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 95 sizes of the Sport Master Winter and 41 of the Cinturato Winter 2, 30 of them made in both.
| Category | Sport Master Winter | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter Run flat | Winter |
| Sizes made | 95 sizes, 14 to 21 inch | 41 sizes, 16 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 30 sizes 195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17205/60 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17and 18 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A81%B19% | B91%A9% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D82%C17%B1% | C78%B16%D5% |
| EU label noise | 71-75 dB B100% | 69-72 dB B84%A16% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 101 of 101 | 74 of 74 |
| On the market since | 2025 | 2021 |
| Replaced | - | Pirelli Cinturato Winter (2015) |
| Replaced by | - | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
| Price in the shared tests | The Cinturato Winter 2 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 46.6% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
The Linglong Sport Master Winter and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 sit in different parts of the winter tyre market: the Linglong is a budget-oriented touring winter tyre, while the Pirelli is a premium-touring option aimed at drivers who expect stronger refinement and safety margins. With three shared 2025 tests in 225/40 R18 and 215/55 R17 sizes, this comparison gives a useful picture of how much performance the premium tyre actually buys.
Conclusion
Across the shared tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is the stronger and more complete tyre, winning all three overall comparisons: 10th vs 19th in the Autobild full test, 9th vs 16th in the 52-tyre braking test, and 7th vs 8th in the AMS test. Its advantage is most convincing in wet conditions, where it repeatedly delivers better handling, lateral grip and aquaplaning resistance. In the Autobild test, for example, it was 4.2 km/h faster in wet handling and resisted straight aquaplaning at 75.0 km/h versus 71.6 km/h for the Linglong.
Sport Master Winter vs Cinturato Winter 2: your questions
Is the Linglong Sport Master Winter or the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 the better tyre?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 finished ahead 3 times and the Sport Master Winter not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Sport Master Winter scores 7.3 and the Cinturato Winter 2 9.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Sport Master Winter or the Cinturato Winter 2?
The Cinturato Winter 2 led 11 of the 12 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 5.5% higher speed across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Sport Master Winter led 3 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 0.5% higher speed on the dry handling course across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Cinturato Winter 2 led 5 of the 9 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Cinturato Winter 2 had 7% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 6.7/10 for the Sport Master Winter and 6/10 for the Cinturato Winter 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8/10 for the Sport Master Winter and 7.7/10 for the Cinturato Winter 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the Cinturato Winter 2 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 46.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Sport Master Winter is made in 95 sizes (14 to 21 inch) and the Cinturato Winter 2 in 41 (16 to 20 inch). 30 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Sport Master Winter is graded A for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Cinturato Winter 2 B and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Sport Master Winter is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the Cinturato Winter 2 in 2021. The Cinturato Winter 2 replaced the Pirelli Cinturato Winter.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Review the Sport Master Winter Review the Cinturato Winter 2
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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