Tests 76 · 5 tests Owners 79 · 6 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test (ice braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
UltraGrip 9+ is ahead, 77–72
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Tests 78 · 24 tests Owners 66 · 62 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 11 in 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test (subj. comfort)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
70
Dry
Kinergy 4S2 +474Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9+ Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) 64 82 Reviews found online 80 63 Dry Braking (% of best) 95% 96% Dry Handling (% of best) 98% 99% -
86
Wet
UltraGrip 9+ +680Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9+ Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) 89 85 Reviews found online 83 72 Wet Braking (% of best) 92% 91% Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) 91% 89% Wet Handling (% of best) 98% 98% -
80
Snow
UltraGrip 9+ +773Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9+ Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) 84 78 Reviews found online 72 66 Snow Braking (% of best) 100% 98% Snow Handling (% of best) 97% 97% Snow Traction (% of best) 97% 93% -
80
Comfort
UltraGrip 9+ +971Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9+ Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) 83 75 Reviews found online 75 65 -
64
Noise
Kinergy 4S2 +468Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9+ Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) 62 68 -
75
Treadwear
UltraGrip 9+ +768Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9+ Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) 72 71 Reviews found online 80 63 -
76
Handling
UltraGrip 9+ +1165Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9+ Kinergy 4S2 Reviews found online 76 65
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ | Hankook Kinergy 4S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 72 |
| Dry | 70 | 74 |
| Wet | 86 | 80 |
| Snow | 80 | 73 |
| Comfort | 80 | 71 |
| Noise | 64 | 68 |
| Treadwear | 75 | 68 |
| Handling | 76 | 65 |
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
77
/ 100
UltraGrip 9+
72
/ 100
Kinergy 4S2
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 | UltraGrip 9+ | Kinergy 4S2 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 97% #4/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 88% #4/9 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test | +9.0 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #11/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 96% #4/11 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test | −1.1 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #18/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/10 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test | −1.7 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 87% #9/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 84% #9/9 · 2025 Auto Bild All Season Camper Van Tyre Test | +3.5 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 98% #3/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 94% #11/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +4.0 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 100% #1/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 86% #13/16 · 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test | +14.3 | Different tests |
| Abrasion | Other | 69% #11/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 93% #3/16 · 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test | −23.9 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #5/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 99% #5/11 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test | −0.4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 80% #15/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 88% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | −8.1 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 79% #10/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 57% #9/16 · 2021 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +21.6 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 78% #6/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 85% #5/15 · 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test | −6.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 17% #6/49 · 2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview | 20% #5/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | −3.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% #2/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 98% #4/10 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test | +1.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #4/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/10 · 2018 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | −0.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 97% #7/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 93% #8/16 · 2021 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +3.6 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 94% #6/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 | +2.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 100% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 91% #2/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test | +8.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 80% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 | −15.2 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 90% #7/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 | +0.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 50% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 91% #6/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 | −40.6 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #7/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #4/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 92% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 91% #14/35 · 2023 All Season Tyre 35 Set Shootout | +1.0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | Wet | 91% #9/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 89% #11/16 · 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test | +1.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #7/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/9 · 2025 Auto Bild All Season Camper Van Tyre Test | −0.2 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A UltraGrip 9+
Pros
- Excellent wet and cold weather grip
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise
- Strong value proposition compared to premium competitors
Cons
- Performance on deep snow and ice may lag slightly behind specialized winter-focused brands like Nokian
- Limited feedback on long-term tread wear due to low mileage in current reviews
- Increased noise levels specifically on concrete road surfaces
Tire B Kinergy 4S2
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather grip, braking, and aquaplaning resistance
- Strong performance and confidence in cold temperatures, light snow, and slush
- High overall value for money compared to premium tier alternatives
Cons
- Increased road noise and occasional highway 'whining' or howling between 120-140 km/h
- Some reports of faster-than-expected tread wear or uneven inner tread deformation
- Softer sidewalls can induce initial steering delay or a slight floating feel during aggressive cornering
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ | B · Hankook Kinergy 4S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | All Season Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
77
/ 100
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
72
/ 100
Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ — better handling, comfort and snow. Pick the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 if dry and noise matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ scores 76 vs 65 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ scores 80 vs 71 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ scores 80 vs 73 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ scores 75 vs 68 on treadwear.
Tire A · Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
Tire B · Hankook Kinergy 4S2
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How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.