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 Pirelli Scorpion Winter — 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
81
/ 100
Objective (60%)
77/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
80/100
17 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 — better treadwear, snow and wet. Pick the Pirelli Scorpion Winter 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)
Scorpion Winter leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 92 | 94 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 80 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 81 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 90 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 95% | 99% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 81 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 95% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 99% | 97% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 81 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Scorpion Winter leads by 38
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 47 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 73 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 72 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 73 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Pirelli Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 81 |
| Dry | 90 | 91 |
| Wet | 89 | 82 |
| Snow | 86 | 78 |
| Comfort | 87 | 80 |
| Noise | 47 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 88 | 73 |
| Handling | 85 | 80 |
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
81
/ 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 | 97% #4/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | +0.9 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #10/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #1/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 96% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 94% #3/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | +2.3 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 96% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | -0.8 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 94% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 94% #7/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 13% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | +7.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 95% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -1.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | +1.8 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 88% #9/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | +8.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | -4.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV 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 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 Pirelli Scorpion Winter is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet and dry conditions, often mimicking the handling characteristics of a summer tire. While many users praise its confidence-inspiring grip on highways and in heavy rain, consensus is mixed regarding its performance in severe ice and deep slush, where some drivers report a lack of traction.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to aquaplaning
- Strong dry road handling and stability at high speeds
- Comfortable and quiet ride quality for long-distance cruising
- Predictable and confidence-inspiring grip in light to moderate snow
Cons
- Inconsistent performance on hard ice and slushy conditions
- Faster tread wear compared to standard summer tires
- Reduced snow traction as the tire ages and tread depth decreases
- High-speed stability can feel vague at extreme velocities
Observations
- Users with heavy SUVs and performance crossovers report high satisfaction with highway handling but note faster tread wear.
- Drivers utilizing staggered fitments on 20-inch wheels report good feedback and handling, though some note the design is aging compared to newer iterations.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ultra High Performance Winter tire | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 1 | 44 |
| Rim diameters | 20″ | 17″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 9 - 11/32″ | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | Raised Black Lettering | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
83
/ 100
Goodyear
81
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 — better treadwear, snow and wet. Pick the Pirelli Scorpion Winter if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli Scorpion Winter scores 85 vs 47 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 88 vs 73 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 86 vs 78 on snow.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 89 vs 82 on wet.
Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Tire B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter
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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) 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.