Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 review
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.
Owners rate it 14.4 points higher than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
86%By road tests
71.6%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 31 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
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
Worth knowing
- 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.
2 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2018 Autobild UHP Winter tire Test · 195/65 R15
5th of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 10th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 5th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 10 | |
| Noise | 7th of 10 | |
| Price | 6th of 10 |
2018 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
4th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 specs & sizes
Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Tread depth | 9 - 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | Raised Black Lettering |
| Max pressure | 50 psi |
| Size | Retailer |
|---|---|
| 245/35 R20 | Amazon |
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.