90
/ 100
Objective (60%)
75/100
2 professional tests
User signal (40%)
92/100
3 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 vs Michelin Alpin 5 — 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
87
/ 100
Objective (60%)
71/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
85/100
30 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 — better comfort, handling and treadwear. Pick the Michelin Alpin 5 if noise matters 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 SUV Gen-1 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 92 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 96% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 87 | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 90 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 92% | 92% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 96% | 98% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | 80 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 91 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 94% | 95% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 99% | 96% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 85 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Alpin 5 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | 96 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 90 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | Michelin Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 90 | 87 |
| Dry | 91 | 87 |
| Wet | 90 | 87 |
| Snow | 87 | 84 |
| Comfort | 95 | 85 |
| Noise | 82 | 96 |
| Treadwear | 95 | 90 |
| Handling | 85 | 78 |
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
90
/ 100
Tire A
87
/ 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 | 96% #3/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 96% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -0.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 99% #5/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +1.1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 91% #5/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 76% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +15.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #7/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 100% #19/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -0.9 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 88% #5/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 92% #19/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 17% #6/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 6% #17/51 · 2018 51 Winter Tyre Shootout | +10.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% #10/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 95% #17/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -1.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #5/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #18/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +3.5 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 92% #5/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 95% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -2.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 92% #7/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 92% #17/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -0.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #5/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -2.7 | 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 SUV Gen-1 is generally regarded as a highly capable winter tire that excels in snow and mud traction, providing confidence for SUV owners in challenging conditions. While users praise its grip on wet and snowy surfaces, some report concerns regarding high-speed aquaplaning resistance and soft handling characteristics in milder temperatures.
Pros
- Strong traction and grip in deep snow and mud conditions
- Reliable performance on wet roads
- Predictable handling on icy surfaces
- Durable performance over multiple winter seasons
Cons
- Susceptibility to aquaplaning at highway speeds
- Noticeable road noise on dry pavement
- Soft sidewall feel when ambient temperatures exceed 7°C
- Requires momentum for steep, extreme incline climbs
Observations
- Users operating on 225/65R17 sizes reported significant aquaplaning issues on wet roads at speeds approaching 60 mph.
- The tire is frequently cited as a strong complement to SUV 4x4 systems, effectively compensating for moderate drivetrain limitations in off-road winter conditions.
The Michelin Alpin 5 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, praised for its exceptional traction in snow and wet conditions. While users consistently highlight its longevity and comfort, some note that its performance degrades after three years and that the soft compound is not suitable for warm, dry weather.
Pros
- Exceptional snow and ice traction
- Outstanding wet weather performance and aquaplaning resistance
- High durability and long tread life
- Excellent ride comfort and low noise levels
Cons
- Performance degradation after 3 years of use
- Soft sidewalls lead to vague handling in corners
- Poor performance and 'smearing' in temperatures above 20°C
- Lack of rim protection
Observations
- Drivers of smaller, lighter vehicles like the Mini Cooper S and Skoda Yeti report significant improvements in driving feel and comfort.
- Users note that the tire's soft sidewalls are beneficial for comfort but detrimental to handling precision on sportier vehicle setups.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 | B · Michelin Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ultra High Performance Winter tire | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Raised Black Lettering | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
90
/ 100
Goodyear
87
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 — better comfort, handling and treadwear. Pick the Michelin Alpin 5 if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Alpin 5 scores 96 vs 82 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 scores 95 vs 85 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 scores 85 vs 78 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 scores 95 vs 90 on treadwear.
Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1
Tire B · Michelin Alpin 5
More comparisons
Also compared with
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 also compared with
Michelin Alpin 5 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.