83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
24 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
43 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
82
/ 100
Objective (60%)
82/100
5 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
39 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and Goodyear UltraGrip 9 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is stronger on noise and treadwear. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is stronger on comfort, wet and handling.
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 81 | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 82 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip 9 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 79 | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 89 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 86% | 95% |
| Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) | 87% | 89% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip 9 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 90 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 99% | 97% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 88% | 93% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip 9 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 100 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 26
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 52 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 84 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip 9 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 83 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 82 |
| Dry | 82 | 80 |
| Wet | 81 | 87 |
| Snow | 84 | 86 |
| Comfort | 87 | 96 |
| Noise | 78 | 52 |
| Treadwear | 87 | 84 |
| Handling | 79 | 83 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
83
/ 100
Tire A
82
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 94% #3/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -3 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% #10/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 95% #11/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +1.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #12/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 98% #9/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -1.5 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 85% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -12.4 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 95% #1/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 97% #3/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -1.7 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 90% #16/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -9.5 | Different tests |
| Abrasion | Other | 76% #16/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 82% #11/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -6.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #19/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #10/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +2.5 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 91% #16/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 77% #4/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +14 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 99% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 76% #10/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +23.4 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 71% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 78% #6/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -6.5 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 17% #6/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 13% #8/15 · 2020 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 | +4.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #4/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 97% #12/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +1.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 88% #7/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 93% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -5.2 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 96% #4/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 98% #2/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -2.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 100% #1/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 70% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Same test |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 80% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 90% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 50% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 50% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #7/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% #16/48 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | 95% #4/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -9.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | Wet | 87% #6/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 89% #9/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -1.8 | Same test |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #3/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -0.8 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance in deep snow, ice, and slush. While it excels in cold-weather environments, some users note that its soft sidewall construction can lead to a 'mushy' steering feel and reduced stability on dry pavement when temperatures rise above 10°C.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and braking performance on snow and ice
- Excellent longevity and slow tread wear
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong resistance to hydroplaning in heavy rain and slush
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can cause unstable handling or 'squirming' in dry, warmer conditions
- Lack of effective rim protection despite marketing claims
- Steering response can feel lazy or imprecise on certain vehicle setups
- Performance noticeably degrades when ambient temperatures exceed 10-12°C
Observations
- Users with high-torque vehicles (e.g., Tesla Model 3, performance-oriented cars) reported that the tire can feel nervous or lack precision during hard acceleration.
- Drivers of heavier vehicles or those using wider tire formats noted that maintaining higher inflation pressures is often necessary to mitigate soft sidewall flex and improve steering feedback.
- The tire is highly regarded for AWD vehicles (e.g., Subaru Forester, Skoda Yeti), where it effectively complements the drivetrain's capability in deep snow.
The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction on snow and ice. Users frequently highlight its superior ride comfort and low noise levels, often noting that it performs as well as or better than premium summer tires in terms of cabin quietness.
Pros
- Exceptional snow and ice traction
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Excellent wet and dry weather performance in cold temperatures
- Low rolling resistance contributing to improved fuel economy
Cons
- Reduced performance on dry, warm asphalt (above 12°C)
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a less sporty or 'wallowy' handling feel
- Reports of premature tread wear or chunking in specific heavy-use cases
Observations
- Users with smaller city cars and hatchbacks (e.g., VW Polo, Suzuki Swift, Opel Astra) report high satisfaction with winter mobility and fuel efficiency.
- Drivers of heavier or rear-wheel-drive vehicles (e.g., Volvo estate models) noted a significant improvement in hill-climbing ability and stability compared to summer tires.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
83
/ 100
Dunlop
82
/ 100
Goodyear
Too close to call: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and Goodyear UltraGrip 9 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is stronger on noise and treadwear. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is stronger on comfort, wet and handling.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 78 vs 52 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 96 vs 87 on comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 87 vs 81 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 83 vs 79 on handling.
Tire A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Tire B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 also compared with
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.