83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
72/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
86/100
31 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — 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
80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
71/100
11 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
17 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 — better dry, wet and handling. Pick the Michelin X Ice Snow if noise, comfort and treadwear matter most to you.
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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)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 25
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 92 | 56 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 78 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 98% | 81% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 81 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 95% | 77% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 95% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 79 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 94 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 95% | 100% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 93 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 87 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 27
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 47 | 74 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 91 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 75 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 80 |
| Dry | 90 | 65 |
| Wet | 89 | 75 |
| Snow | 86 | 85 |
| Comfort | 87 | 90 |
| Noise | 47 | 74 |
| Treadwear | 88 | 91 |
| Handling | 85 | 75 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
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
80
/ 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 81% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +17.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #10/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | -0.8 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 96% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -3.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 96% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | -1.8 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 94% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 95% #6/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -0.8 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 17% #6/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +3.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 95% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -4.9 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #4/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | +0.8 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | +2.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 77% #15/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +17.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 95% #7/8 · 2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test | +2.5 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1 is widely regarded as a high-performing winter tire, particularly excelling in cold, wet, and slushy conditions. While most users praise its confidence-inspiring grip and longevity, some report mixed experiences regarding road noise and dry-weather handling precision.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather and slush performance
- Strong traction and braking capabilities in snow
- High durability and long tread life
- Comfortable ride quality compared to summer or run-flat tires
Cons
- Increased road noise reported by some users at higher speeds
- Vague steering feedback and sidewall flex during spirited dry-road driving
- Occasional loss of grip in dry conditions or when temperatures exceed 7°C
- Tendency to oversteer on certain rear-wheel-drive platforms
Observations
- Users on BMW and other rear-wheel-drive platforms noted a tendency for the rear to slide or oversteer in corners.
- Drivers transitioning from run-flat tires to these winter tires frequently reported a significant improvement in ride comfort.
- Owners of smaller, balanced vehicles like the Mazda MX-5 noted that the tire maintains good handling characteristics despite the softer winter compound.
The Michelin X-Ice Snow is widely regarded as a top-tier studless winter tire, offering exceptional traction in deep snow, slush, and icy conditions. While users note a slight compromise in dry-road handling and noise levels compared to previous iterations or summer tires, the consensus highlights its superior longevity and confidence-inspiring performance in severe winter climates.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and lateral grip in deep snow and slush
- High level of confidence and stability on icy surfaces
- Excellent tread life and durability over multiple seasons
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality for a dedicated winter tire
Cons
- Average performance and handling on dry or wet pavement
- Increased road noise as the tires wear over time
- Can feel slightly 'twitchy' or less stable at the absolute limit of handling
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
Observations
- Tesla owners report that the tire maintains a quiet cabin environment, effectively managing road noise despite the vehicle's lack of engine sound.
- Users with performance-oriented vehicles like the Lexus IS 350 noted that the tire provides a comfortable ride even in larger 19-inch fitments.
- Drivers of smaller vehicles, such as the Fiat Panda and Mazda MX-5, report high confidence in extreme sub-zero conditions and long-distance winter touring.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ultra High Performance Winter tire | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
| Tread depth | 9 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Raised Black Lettering | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
83
/ 100
Goodyear
80
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 — better dry, wet and handling. Pick the Michelin X Ice Snow if noise, comfort and treadwear matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 47 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 90 vs 65 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 89 vs 75 on wet.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 85 vs 75 on handling.
Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
More comparisons
Also compared with
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 also compared with
Michelin X Ice Snow 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.