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 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance — 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
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
12 professional tests
User signal (40%)
86/100
9 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance are within 2 points overall. Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 is stronger on treadwear, dry and wet. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance is stronger on noise, snow and handling.
Read full
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
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 3
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 92 | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 89 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 98% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 89 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 95% | 84% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip Performance leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 95 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 95% | 100% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 83 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip Performance leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 47 | 62 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 81 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip Performance leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 88 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 83 |
| Dry | 90 | 87 |
| Wet | 89 | 86 |
| Snow | 86 | 89 |
| Comfort | 87 | 86 |
| Noise | 47 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 88 | 81 |
| Handling | 85 | 88 |
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.
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
83
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 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 | 95% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +3.4 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #10/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #11/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +0.1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 96% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 88% #12/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +8.4 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 96% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #10/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | -0.5 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 94% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 50% #9/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +44.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 17% #6/9 · 2020 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | +3.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 95% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/30 · 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | -4.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #5/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +0.4 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 96% #7/10 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +1.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 84% #13/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | +10.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -2.2 | 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 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance is highly regarded by users for its exceptional traction in snow and wet conditions, often described as offering near-summer tire performance on dry pavement. While the majority of users praise its longevity and consistent winter capability, some note a slight increase in noise and fuel consumption during warmer temperatures.
Pros
- Exceptional snow and ice traction
- Strong performance in wet and dry conditions
- High tread longevity and durability
- Well-mannered handling in varied winter weather
Cons
- Increased road noise in warmer conditions
- Slightly higher fuel consumption
- Limited performance on pure ice surfaces
- High initial price point
Observations
- Users report consistent, reliable performance across diverse vehicle types, including compact cars like the Renault Megane and performance-oriented vehicles like the Mercedes SLK.
- The tire demonstrates significant longevity, with some users reporting up to five seasons of use before requiring replacement.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | B · Goodyear UltraGrip Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ultra High Performance Winter tire | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | 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
83
/ 100
Goodyear
Too close to call: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance are within 2 points overall. Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 is stronger on treadwear, dry and wet. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance is stronger on noise, snow and handling.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance scores 62 vs 47 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 88 vs 81 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 90 vs 87 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 89 vs 86 on wet.
Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Tire B · Goodyear UltraGrip Performance
More comparisons
Also compared with
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 also compared with
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 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.