Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive vs Nokian Remedy WRG5 tires

All-weather tires are not the same as all-season tires, despite popular belief. Even though both are designed to offer traction and performance throughout the year, all-weather tires can withstand moderate to heavy snowfall, allowing them to fall into a category that all-season tires don't exactly fit into. All-season tires won't offer the braking, traction, and control required in this situation, as everyone who has ever tried to drive with surefootedness through three to four inches of snow on the highways would know. Hence, it may be claimed that all-weather tires fall somewhere between all-season and winter tires, but without the inconvenience of needing to keep winter tires maintained and stored.

Are you familiar with SimpleScore? Our system, SimpleScore, determines whether a tire is appropriate for your needs based on its capabilities which are judged based on handling, longevity, and traction. Additionally, we also give every tire an average SimpleScore that summarizes its performance. During the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive vs Nokian Remedy WRG5 tires comparison, we were compelled to give the following SimpleScore figures:

Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive

• Traction: 9.8
• Handling: 9.6
• Longevity: 9.1
• Overall average SimpleScore: 9.5

Nokian Remedy WRG5

• Traction: 8.5
• Handling: 8.6
• Longevity: 9.0
• Overall average SimpleScore: 8.7

As is natural, both the Pirelli and the Nokian tires possess their own sets of strengths and weaknesses. They’re sold at distinct price points that are due to the different properties that will be mentioned below. Right now, we do not have much more to tell you apart from the SimpleScores here. Our aim is to prepare the product comparison in a manner that helps you understand both tires in greater detail.

Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive tires

Though the Pirelli name has been around for more than a century and has constantly associated itself with excellence and performance, it hasn’t been too long since the Scorpion WeatherActive came into the picture. Launched in September 2022, the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive is the senior product in this comparison and is capable of generating winter traction without sacrificing much in terms of ride comfort, tread life, road etiquette, noise level, braking, handling, or cornering performance. The tremendous combination of the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification and a directional tread pattern makes it ideal for excellent grip in moderate to severe winters. It features a 3-rib design that prevents tread squirm, along with angled grooves that evacuate water and slush to minimize hydroplaning and ensure greater safety. Apart from the above, a randomly adjusted and computer-tuned tread pitch, along with a zigzag central groove and the directional tread pattern, cancels out specific frequencies and resonances for a quiet, comfortable ride. While traction and performance are boosted further by a special tread compound, a limited manufacturer tread life warranty is on offer. Based on the above, the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive is well-suited to register an amazing average SimpleScore of 9.5.

Nokian Remedy WRG5 tires

Finnish tire manufacturer Nokian has created a name for itself in the world of winter tires. Therefore, it is natural that they would know a thing or two about traction and performance in moderate to severe winter conditions while designing the Remedy WRG5. Launched as recently as January 2024 as part of Nokian’s sixth generation of all-weather tires, it gets infused Aramid fibers to increase safety and a ‘Pothole Protection Warranty’. The tread pattern on the Remedy WRG5 is more open and aggressive as compared to its predecessor and the triple-performance compound ensures low rolling resistance that is responsible for greater fuel efficiency. It also gets extra features for traction and a limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the details of which will be provided soon. Much like the Pirelli, this tire also gets the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification. We found the Nokian Remedy WRG5 suitable for an average SimpleScore of 8.7.

Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive vs Nokian Remedy WRG5 tires on traction

So how do the traction of the Pirelli and the Nokian stack up against one another? Though the Nokian has a system of attributes such as snow boosters, snow claws, and dual-performance sipes that are part of the asymmetrical tread as well as a triple-performance compound, they seem to be falling short of the Pirelli. During our evaluations, we found Pirelli’s 3-rib tread design, the deep and continuous siping network, and the directional tread pattern to be more effective in generating traction. Apart from the above, the special rubber compound here retains its effectiveness even as the tire wears down. There are zigzag and trumpet-shaped grooves on the Pirelli for better traction.

Both the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive and the Nokian are available with Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certifications. While the Pirelli tires receive a near-perfect average traction score of 9.8, the Nokian tires have to manage with 8.5.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive

Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive vs Nokian Remedy WRG5 tires on handling

Much like traction, the rivalry between the Pirelli and the Nokian is once again one-sided in the handling category, as seen in the SimpleScores 9.6 for the Pirelli and 8.6 for the Nokian. At this juncture, it would be wise to recollect the decades of experience Pirelli has in the motorsports industry, enabling them to bring features into road-use tires. You’ll see roughly the same tread depths on the two tires.

When it comes to features, both tires sport the same tread depth. The Pirelli sports a unique rubber compound that allows the tire to perform at a high level in all types of conditions without losing tread life. The zigzag central groove and trumpet-shaped grooves are useful in enhancing handling and reducing braking distances, especially in snow and ice.

On the other hand, the Nokian’s handling zone enables it to be used across all four seasons and the block supports in its shoulder area ensure precise handling in all conditions. Further, the triple-performance compound also enhances performance and traction on wet, dry, and moderate to severe icy and snowy surfaces.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive

Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive vs Nokian Remedy WRG5 tires on longevity

While the limited manufacturer's tread life warranty usually gives you the whole picture when it comes to longevity. Both the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive and the Nokian Remedy WRG5 provide limited manufacturer tread life warranties of 60,000 miles, which makes comparing the two tires a bit of a challenge. Based on our handling of Pirelli tires over the years, we can say that Pirelli's tread design (3-rib tread block design) and tire compound provide superior wear characteristics and longer service life as its unique compound stands against Nokian’s triple-performance compound.

Both tires feature sipes, with the Pirelli showcasing deep, continuous sipes and the Nokian displaying dense sipes. It is a fact that sipes are useful in reducing tire wear, thereby leading to longer tread life. However, the asymmetric tread pattern is responsible for lesser uneven wear than the directional tread pattern.

The battle between the two heavyweights was relatively closer this time, with the Pirelli earning a 9.1 and the Nokian receiving a 9.0 in terms of longevity scores.

ADVANTAGE: Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive

When to use each

Both the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive and Nokian Remedy WRG5 are excellent options for all-weather tires if you're searching for a steady and reliable grip throughout the year, especially during winter. The limited manufacturer's tread life warranty is also the same here and there’s not much that separates the two in terms of tread depths. Both tires sport Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certifications for severe winter traction, though it would be better to use winter tires if you receive heavy snow for more than 6 months a year. At the same time, these tires help you avoid the storage and maintenance headaches of winter tires.

After fitting an all-weather tire, you won't have to think about changing tires throughout the year, though their tread compounds may tend to wear down a bit quicker when temperatures go above 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which one should you choose?

After checking the above parameters, it usually boils down to price, the most tricky part of this comparison. Indeed, there is a significant difference between the two tires in terms of traction, performance, and average SimpleScores, but they are closely matched in the longevity category. Both tires are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and have roughly the same tread depths. This is where they both stand in terms of starting prices — the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive is priced at $188.65 ($754.60 for 4) and the Nokian Remedy WRG5 at $132.95 ($531.80 for 4). There’s a huge difference in the prices between the two with respect to prices, so if it isn’t for the money, you are welcome to select the Pirelli.

In the end, here are the reasons for buying the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive:

• You want better traction
• You want better handling and braking performance
• You need a longer-lasting tire

Here’s why you should consider the Nokian Remedy WRG5:

• You want the cheaper tire
• You want greater fuel efficiency
• You have more confidence in the Nokian brand for handling cold conditions