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Nokian WR A3 Test Results

Tested 2011 to 2014 3 publications

Tested 7 times by independent publications, the Nokian WR A3 averages a finish of 4th.

  • 7Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 3Podium finishes
  • 4thAverage finish
  • 37%Field beaten on average
  • 3Publications
Nokian WR A3

7 tests, 2011 to 2014

0%50%100%2011201220132014Average 37%2011 Winter Tyre Buying Guide (2011): P3 of 5, Beat 50% of the field2012 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (2012): P6 of 9, Beat 38% of the field2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2012): P3 of 6, Beat 60% of the field2012 Auto Bild SUV and 4x4 Winter Tyre Test (2012): P5 of 7, Beat 33% of the field2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Tyre Test (2012): P4 of 8, Beat 57% of the field2013 Winter Tyre Buying Guide (2013): P3 of 9, Beat 0% of the field2014 AutoBild 235/35 R19 Winter Tyre Test (2014): P5 of 6, Beat 20% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 37%
The latest test

2014 AutoBild 235/35 R19 Winter Tyre Test P5 of 6

Satisfactory

Winner: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Nokian WR A3. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D 5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind 5 2 3 - 40%
Continental WinterContact TS 830 P 5 shared: 1 ahead, 4 behind 5 1 4 - 20%
Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Pirelli Sottozero Serie II 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Michelin Alpin A4 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%

Against its own line

The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.

Tyre Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Nokian WR A3 This tyre 7 0 4th 37%
Nokian WR A4 Successor 6 0 9th 35%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 6 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.

Dry-road performance is the Nokian WR A3's most consistent test strength. Auto Bild's 2012 Performance test praised the fastest dry lap, shortest dry stop and precise steering, although it finished sixth of nine overall. Its 2012 SUV test also liked short dry stops, placing it fifth of seven with a Good verdict. The 2014 235/35 R19 comparison called it a dry specialist with short stops, but fifth of six and Satisfactory reflected limited snow ability. Low fuel use and stable wet behaviour also earned praise in the 2012 Sports and Performance comparisons.

Snow and wet braking varied unusually. Sport Auto in 2012 praised high snow grip and short snow stops, placing it fourth of eight, while the 2014 Auto Bild test found snow understeer and long stops; the 2012 SUV test also criticised snow lateral grip. Auto Bild's 2012 Sports test was the stronger exception, third of six and Exemplary, with good handling on snow, wet and dry roads and short wet stops. That wet-braking praise contrasts unusually with the longer stops found by Sport Auto and Auto Bild's Performance test, which both criticised aquaplaning resistance. Average comfort was a further Sports-test compromise. The repeated dry strengths are therefore clearer than any claim of uniformly strong snow or wet-stopping performance.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Aquaplaning resistance Strong in 2 of 6 tests
    Details
    • Weak resistance, 2012 Sport Auto test
    • Limited aquaplaning performance, 2012 Auto Bild Performance test
  • Wet braking Minor in 2 of 6 tests
    Details
    • Longer wet stops, 2012 Sport Auto and Auto Bild Performance tests
    • Unusually opposite short-wet-stop praise, 2012 Auto Bild Sports test; average wet braking in 2012 Auto Bild SUV test
  • Snow handling Minor in 1 of 6 tests
    Details
    • Snow understeer, 2014 Auto Bild 235/35 R19 test; reduced snow lateral grip, 2012 Auto Bild SUV test
    • Unusually favourable good snow handling, 2012 Auto Bild Sports test
  • Snow braking Minor in 1 of 6 tests
    Details
    • Long snow stops, 2014 Auto Bild 235/35 R19 test
    • Unusually opposite short-snow-stop praise, 2012 Sport Auto test
  • Behaviour at the limit Minor in 1 of 6 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Nokian WR A3 (6 tests) and 55 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Wet grip strength in 2 of 6 tests 27 praise, 5 criticise of 55 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry grip strength in 4 of 6 tests 22 praise, 0 criticise of 55 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Rolling resistance strength in 2 of 6 tests 7 praise, 1 criticise of 55 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 3 of 6 tests 3 praise, 1 criticise of 55 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Ride comfort weakness in 1 of 6 tests 13 praise, 0 criticise of 55 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Aquaplaning resistance weakness in 2 of 6 tests 3 praise, 0 criticise of 55 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre

  • Road noise no test mentions it 14 praise, 5 criticise of 55 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Tread life no test mentions it 9 praise, 2 criticise of 55 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 7

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2014 1 test
2013 1 test
2012 4 tests
2011 1 test
P3 of 5 Beat 50% of the field

2011 Winter Tyre Buying Guide

Tyre Reviews 205/55 r16

The Nokian WR G2 was a Tyre Reviews favourite last year thanks to its "slush optimised" design and excellent wet and dry performance being perfect for the UK climate. The new version, the WR A3 (And its little brother - WR D3) again promises to improve on the G2 in every way. Like last year with the WR G2, supply will be extremely limited this year.

WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip 8

Back to the Nokian WR A3 overview

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