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Uniroyal RainSport 3

Replaced by the RainSport 5 Replaces the RainSport 2

The Uniroyal RainSport 3 is a wet-weather-focused summer tyre with excellent rain confidence, strong wet braking and impressive aquaplaning resistance. It offers good value and a comfortable ride, making it well suited to everyday driving in changeable British conditions. Its main compromises are faster wear, soft sidewalls and weaker dry handling compared with more balanced ultra high performance rivals.

The quick answer

Owners say 80% from 288 owner reviews 70% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 10th average finish across 11 independent tests Latest: P16 of 20 · 2020 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Value, Wet Dry Relative to its rivals across every test we hold

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tyre - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated February 2026.

  • 288owner reviews
  • 2,150,529miles driven
  • 11professional tests

Tyre Reviews Score

Uniroyal RainSport 3

7.7/10

Better than 57% of summer tyres

  • High Confidence
  • 5 tests
  • 288 owner reviews
Scores of the 406 summer tyres we have tested

How this score is built

Source Better than Weight
Independent tests5 tests · 2 publications · 2017-2020 55% 90%
Owner reviews288 owner reviews · rated 80% 76% 10%
Combined 57% 7.7

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Category by category

How it compares with other summer tyres in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 69% 44% 5
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 41% 40% 5
ValueWear, efficiency and cost 71% 9% 2
ComfortNoise and ride comfort 68% 7% 1

Weights are shares of the test result. Owner reviews are blended in afterwards. Faded bars rest on one or two tests.

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tyre was doing. They are not counted a second time.

BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 65% 5
HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 29% 3

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 95% of the test figure. The other 5% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

Only measured results count. A test that published its placings alone is listed, but not scored.

  1. 2020 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test Auto Bild · 245/45 R18 P16 / 20
  2. 2020 2020 Tyre Market Overview Braking Test Auto Bild · 245/45 R18 P19 / 50
  3. 2019 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout Auto Bild · 225/45 R17 P21 / 53
  4. 2017 2017 Mid Range Tyre Test Motor · 205/55 R16 P2 / 10
  5. 2017 2017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P10 / 20
  6. 2017 2017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Shootout Auto Bild · 225/50 R17 P6 / 51 Placing only
Show all 11 tests
  1. 2016 2016 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P11 / 15 Placing only
  2. 2016 2016 Market Overview - Braking Test Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P4 / 50 Placing only
  3. 2016 2016 ADAC Tyre Test - 225/45 R17 ADAC · 225/45 R17 P9 / 16 Placing only
  4. 2015 2015 AMS Performance Tyre Test Auto Motor Und Sport · 225/50 R17 P5 / 9 Placing only
  5. 2014 2014 AMS Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 Auto Motor Und Sport · 205/55 R16 P2 / 11 Placing only

Tested 11 times by independent publications, the Uniroyal RainSport 3 averages a finish of 10th.

11 Tests
0 Test Wins
10th Average
2nd Best
21st Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20142020

Finishing position in each test

The latest test

2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test P16 of 20

Satisfactory.

Weak: Dry Handling, Wet Handling Winner: Continental Premium Contact 6

Every independent test of the Uniroyal RainSport 3, newest first
YearTestResultAward
20202020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre TestAuto Bild · 245/45 R18P16 / 20
20202020 Tyre Market Overview Braking TestAuto Bild · 245/45 R18P19 / 50
20192019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking ShootoutAuto Bild · 225/45 R17P21 / 53
20172017 Mid Range Tyre TestMotor · 205/55 R16P2 / 10
20172017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre TestAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P10 / 20
20172017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre ShootoutAuto Bild · 225/50 R17P6 / 51
20162016 AutoBild Summer Tyre TestAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P11 / 15
20162016 Market Overview - Braking TestAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P4 / 50
20162016 ADAC Tyre Test - 225/45 R17ADAC · 225/45 R17P9 / 16
20152015 AMS Performance Tyre TestAuto Motor Und Sport · 225/50 R17P5 / 9
20142014 AMS Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16Auto Motor Und Sport · 205/55 R16P2 / 11

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

Running Costs
View Test

In 245/45 R18, the Uniroyal RainSport 3 is projected to cost €17.32 per 1,000 km to buy and run - about €693 over 40,000 km - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test.

Tyre purchase + fittingExtra fuel vs the most efficient tyrecost per 1,000 km
Assumes a typical car using 8 l/100km (with rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €1.65 per litre and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2020 test; financing costs are excluded.
Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range64 sizes available

185-305Width30-55Profile14-21Rim77-111 T-YLoad/Speed Index2013First On Market

EU LabelAcross 64 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

70-75dB B

Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Uniroyal RainSport 3 in the wet?
Across the 5 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Uniroyal RainSport 3 stops 1.5% longer than premium rivals, 3.9% shorter than mid-range rivals and 5.9% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews wet score of 69/100, and owners rate it 9.2/10 in the wet from 288 reviews.
How good is the Uniroyal RainSport 3 in the dry?
Across the 5 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Uniroyal RainSport 3 stops 4.8% longer than premium rivals, 1.7% longer than mid-range rivals and 0.3% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews dry score of 41/100, and owners rate it 8.4/10 in the dry from 288 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Uniroyal RainSport 3?
Across the 1 test measuring rolling resistance, the Uniroyal RainSport 3's rolling resistance is 6.7% lower than premium rivals, 9.4% lower than mid-range rivals and 1.2% higher than budget rivals.
How many miles does the Uniroyal RainSport 3 last?
Based on test and owner data, the Uniroyal RainSport 3 is expected to last around 18,092 miles (29,116 km).
What do owners say about the Uniroyal RainSport 3?
Across 288 owner ratings the Uniroyal RainSport 3 averages 80%. Owners rate Wet Grip highest at 9.2 out of 10 and Wear lowest at 6.4. 76 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 77% of owners score it 70% or better.
More questions about the Uniroyal RainSport 3 (11)
How much does the Uniroyal RainSport 3 cost to run?
In 245/45 R18, the Uniroyal RainSport 3 is projected to cost €17.32 per 1,000 km to buy and run - about €693 over 40,000 km - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test. The cheapest to run in that test is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, at €15.63.
What is the Uniroyal RainSport 3's EU tyre label rating?
Across its range, the Uniroyal RainSport 3 most commonly carries EU label ratings of C for fuel efficiency, A for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Uniroyal RainSport 3?
Owners rate the Uniroyal RainSport 3 8.3 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 263 reviews.
How well do the Uniroyal RainSport 3 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Uniroyal RainSport 3 6.4 out of 10 for wear across 263 reviews. 76 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 5,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Uniroyal RainSport 3 again?
70% of owners say they would buy the Uniroyal RainSport 3 again, based on the 279 owner reviews that answered the question. 49% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Uniroyal RainSport 3's wet grip?
Of the 257 owner reviews analysed for the Uniroyal RainSport 3, 170 mention wet grip: 164 praise it (confident wet grip) and 6 criticise it (weak wet grip). One owner wrote: "On a wet road, I rate it 10, because when there is water, the car have very good traction and stability". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Uniroyal RainSport 3's tread life?
Of the 257 owner reviews analysed for the Uniroyal RainSport 3, 130 mention tread life: 40 praise it (long-lasting) and 90 criticise it (wears quickly). One owner wrote: "However just 10000 miles is wayyy too quick to wear out". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Uniroyal RainSport 3's dry grip?
Of the 257 owner reviews analysed for the Uniroyal RainSport 3, 122 mention dry grip: 114 praise it (strong dry grip) and 8 criticise it (limited dry grip). One owner wrote: "Brilliant in dry conditions". Read those reviews
What does the Uniroyal RainSport 3 replace?
The Uniroyal RainSport 3 is the successor to the Uniroyal RainSport 2 in Uniroyal's range.
Has the Uniroyal RainSport 3 been replaced?
The Uniroyal RainSport 3 has been replaced by the Uniroyal RainSport 5.
What sizes does the Uniroyal RainSport 3 come in?
The Uniroyal RainSport 3 is available in 92 sizes, ranging from 185-305/30-55 R14-21.
Owner Questions (8)
Ask a question

Questions and Answers for the Uniroyal RainSport 3

I own a Nissan Quashqai, my average milage is about 2500 per year, my question is which tyre/s is best suited for long periods of standing before perishing, my… Show more I own a Nissan Quashqai, my average milage is about 2500 per year, my question is which tyre/s is best suited for long periods of standing before perishing, my current tyres are Dunlop Sport XX and they have cracking around wall rim of the tyres, treads has worn but will pass an MOT. Show less
March 11, 2024
I'm sorry, I've never seen any data relating to this. I would assume a high quality brand would last longer as they will have better chemicals in their compound to ensure stability and UV resistance.
Show all questions (8)
I am fitting continental premium contact 6 on front axle, are rainsport 3 ok for rear end. Thanks
March 4, 2020
With a mixed CPC6 and RS3 fitment you might find the car feeling like it wants to oversteer more as the RS3 has a softer sidewall than the CPC6
Should I fit them or wait for the Rainsport 5?
October 3, 2019
The Uniroyal Rainsport 5 is starting to appear in limited sizes, I've not had any official communication about it yet though.
How can assymetric tyres be non-directional. They are correctly fitted inside/outside, but must disperse water differently. Show more How can assymetric tyres be non-directional. They are correctly fitted inside/outside, but must disperse water differently. Uniroyal's website, insists they are non-directional, but their diagram for water dispersal shows water being driven into the centre of the tyre. Check 3/4 down this page;
https://www.uniroyal.co.uk/car/knowledge/tyre-knowledge/how-to-fit-your-rainsport-3-tyres
An explanation would be welcome. Show less
September 27, 2019
I asked them this on the launch, and they told me the difference the direction makes to aquaplaning was almost nothing, so it didn't matter. I agree it looks odd, but then so does the Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta.
Are these suitable for a VW Tiguan 4x4
December 17, 2018
As long as you can find the correct size and load rating, it is fine to fit the RainSport 3 to your Tiguan.
I need a set of tyres for my 2010 FIAT Bravo 1.4 90HP, right now I'm using the Barum Bravuris 3HM I'm living in Greece in a mountainous area with lots of rain… Show more I need a set of tyres for my 2010 FIAT Bravo 1.4 90HP, right now I'm using the Barum Bravuris 3HM
I'm living in Greece in a mountainous area with lots of rain between the seasons, but I'm also covering long distances around Greece in motorways, After reading lots of reviews on your site, I decided that the perfect match for my car are the Uniroyal Rainsport 3.
But the DONLOP Sport MAXX RT and the YOKOHAMA ADVAN FLEVA v701 have olsa grabbed my attention, I'm not sure which one to go with
I would appreciate any advice form you between the three sets of tires I've mentioned above. Show less
July 19, 2018
The Uniroyal RainSport 3 will likely give you the best wet weather performance of the three, but will likely wear slightly quicker than the other two. If rain is the primary issue, I would suggest going with the Uniroyals.
I have just had uniroyal rain sport 3 fitted on my car in replace of mitchellin tires, are uniroyal comparable to Mitchelin ???? Show more I have just had uniroyal rain sport 3 fitted on my car in replace of mitchellin tires, are uniroyal comparable to Mitchelin ???? I feel like I have been ripped off as asked and was quoted for Mitchelin tires Show less
June 15, 2016
The Uniroyal RainSport 3 is an excellent midrange tyre. It should have a similar level of wet grip to a premium Michelin tyre, however we would expect the Uniroyal to wear more quickly. This should have been offset by a cheaper purchase price.
is there a left & right on the uniroyal rainsport 3
June 8, 2016
No there isn't. Unlike the Rainsport 2, the Rainsport 3 is an asymmetric tyre, not directional tyre. This means the tyre has an "inside" and "outside" to be mounted on the wheel, but once mounted the wheel and tyre can go on either side of the car.

Uniroyal RainSport 3 Owner Reviews

Review this tyre

What owners say summarised from 263 reviews

Drivers generally report the Uniroyal RainSport 3 delivers standout wet-weather performance, with excellent aquaplaning resistance and strong wet braking/traction that boosts confidence in heavy rain. Many also find it good-to-very-good in the dry for normal road use and strong value for money, often with a comfortable ride. The most repeated downside is rapid wear, and a notable minority mention soft sidewalls that can reduce steering precision or feel unstable when pushed hard (especially on heavier or more powerful cars).

What owners mention most counted across 257 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 288 ratings

  • Owner score 80%
  • Wet Grip 92%
  • Dry Grip 84%
  • Comfort 83%
  • Road Feedback 79%
  • Handling 78%
  • Wear 64%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 84%

“The tire on dry road is average, so I give it a rating of 8. On a wet road, I rate it 10, because when there is water, the car have very good traction and stability, my opinion is that this is the best mid-range tires...”

  • Skoda Skoda Superb MK1
  • 20,000 miles
Read full review → 1,037 found this helpful
Most critical 21%

“After being pretty impressed with the original Rainsport tyre, had these fitted to the front as a replacement for the worn original version. Well two weeks on, three return trips to the garage for a re balance, I have...”

  • SEAT Ibiza TSi
  • 1,000 miles
Read full review → 108 found this helpful
Longest term 66%

“Tyre grips well in the dry and certainly in the wet. However when taking corners the sidewalls feel too soft. On the other side this tire is very comfortable. They wear fast because of the soft compound.”

  • Toyota Avensis
  • 50,000 miles
Read full review → 104 found this helpful

All 263 Uniroyal RainSport 3 reviews

Score spread across 256 written reviews
57%
Member
End of Life
bought these tyres for wet weather as others have felt dengerous on motorway in heavy rain. These are very good. However just 10000 miles is wayyy too quick to wear out. These were on the rear of R55 mini clubman cooper d
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 2
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 2
Helpful 158
84%
dimi
The tire on dry road is average, so I give it a rating of 8. On a wet road, I rate it 10, because when there is water, the car have very good traction and stability, my opinion is that this is the best mid-range tires if you wan stadility on wet road.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 9
Helpful 1,037
96%
Member
Incredibly good tyres however they wear out fairly quick but the grip compensates
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 1,144

Which tyres do you drive?

Researching the Uniroyal RainSport 3? Rate the tyres you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.

Own the Uniroyal RainSport 3?
91%
Member
  • BMW 320i
  • 205/55 R16
  • 10,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
Bmw e46, changed new continental fronts to new unirojal 3 , the aquaplaning went away completly, i will buy them again. On kangoo maxi i have them also, extra load ones,very pleased with performance!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 1,065
84%
Member
Had original Yoka's on and felt dangerous on the motorway.... changed to the Uniroyal and hey presto all good. However I do have a very small vibration that I cant pin down, seems to get a bit better if I reballance every 12 months.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 1,127
76%
Member
Had them on a 365bhp MK5 VW Golf GTI and overall they were great for the price!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 6
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 7
Helpful 1,053
97%
Member
They wear out pretty quick although the grip and Aqua planning really compensate for that! Amazing tyres and very few can match them in wet
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 911
100%
Member
  • Ford Focus
  • 225/55 R16
  • 14,200 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
Brilliant in dry conditions and even better in wet! Really comfortable tyres which make you feel safe regardless of the weather
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 899
40%
Member
Track Review - Snetterton 13/11/2021 - Wet / damp conditions This was my first ever trackday, I only have a pair of Runway tyres to compare these two in my other set of rims so it's purely subjective. The tyres were a bit worn with around 5 - 6mm in the centres and 3 - 5mm tread on the edges. I also had another pair on my 17" rims that I used on the rear in 205/45/17 size, they performed pretty much the same as the 16's in the wet when I used them but with a bit less feedback due to the stiffer sidewall. On the front in the wet these performed almost identical to the cheapo Runway tyres. In the wet they would severely understeer but were easy enough to handle once you got used to them and learned to modulate brake and throttle inputs carefully. On the rear in the wet there wasn't enough feedback with either size tyre to catch the rear end before it would snap out and spin the car around hence the low feedback rating. With a dry line on the drying track with lots of damp patched the Rainsport 3's felt really nice with good balance front and rear and lots of feedback, however my experience on the road is that even a bad tyre isn't that bad in the dry so can't give lots of points there especially as I didn't use the Runways in these conditions (I'd spun out earlier hitting a curb and damaged the inner sidewall on one so it wouldn't hold air). Overall I would say these are a very mediocre track tyre despite people on forums saying they work well as a wet / intermediate tyre. They are good in the wet on the road but under full speed track conditions they certainly don't seem any better than anything else. In all fairness I was keeping up with cars that should have been faster around the corners but until I get to try some other rubber I can't recommend these for track use over anything else.
This owner's scores
  • Wet Grip 5
  • Road Feedback 2
  • Handling 5
Helpful 946
67%
Member
Second review of these tyres on my MK4 Golf but this time they are low profile 17" versions as oppose to the 16" ones on my other wheels. I only ran these on the rear as the cheapo tyres on the other pair of wheels are really good on the front so far and the ones on the 16's lacked a bit in the dry. Anyway the low profile Rainsport 3's are always planted in all conditions on the rear, plenty of feel, on the road I can't fault their performance with either the stock worn suspension or with my new uprated springs, dampers and brakes. I never tested on the track but on the road they are great on the back. I wouldn't try them on the front, as they are wearing faster on the back than the front tyres even with my 200 bhp remap! I've swapped them from left to right once and both sides have considerably less treat on the outside edge than the rest of the tyres which are on about 5mm, these will be bald in another 4000 miles with another swap round in between. I have yet to do a trackday with the car but I'd say these tyres would be ready to throw away after a handful of dry laps. Also like the 16" tyres these have cracks in the treads and there are little splits on both sidewalls. I've only curbed the front tyres yet they are fine. I won't buy the rainsport 3's again but I'm impressed enough that I might try a pair of the newer rainsport 5's. I'll most likely stick the 16" wheels back on with the full set of these over winter for better grip in bad weather and maybe get a trackday in and do a third review. The lower profile definitely makes a difference as the others were moving around on both back and front in the wet and dry where I'm cornering as fast as with any other car and tyre setup I've had on the lower profiles with precision. They were excellent on the rear even with old worn suspension.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 2
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 925
83%
Member
Good dry grip , great wet grip . Sidewalls are a bit too soft so the feedback is a bit distorted .They do wear out quicker than other brands , but offer impressive grip so its a good trade off. I would recommend especially if you get a lot of rain where you live .
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 6
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 8
Helpful 906
97%
Member
My car failed MOT on front tyres so I decided to change all 4. The garage recommended these uniroyal rain sport 3 and told me these are pretty decent and popular tyres. I’ve only had mine for 3 months but I’m highly impressed with these tyres and how they perform, especially in wet! Not much else to say really, hope they last long and for sure I’ll buy them again
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 1,080
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