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Winter tire Ultra High Performance Winter tire Updated September 2026

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 review

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.

Relative score
90/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
92/100
3 reviews
Road tests
75/100
2 published tests

Owners rate it 16.8 points higher than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1
Scores

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

92%
Would buy again 100%
Dry
Overall dry
90%
Wet
Overall wet
95%
Snow & ice
Overall snow & ice
95%
Comfort
Overall comfort
95%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
95%
Handling
Overall handling
85%

By road tests

75.2%
Dry
91.8%
Wet
86.6%
Snow
81.9%
Noise
82%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 3 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

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

Worth knowing

  • 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.
Test results

2 published test appearances

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2021 AZ SUV Winter tire Test · 235/55 R18

6th of 10
Best: Noise · 3rd Weakest: Snow Braking · 10th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking7th of 10
Wet Handling5th of 10
Dry Braking5th of 10
Dry Handling6th of 10
Snow Braking10th of 10
Snow Traction6th of 10
Snow Handling5th of 10
Rolling Resistance5th of 10
Straight Aqua5th of 10
Noise3rd of 10
Price7th of 10

2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 tire Test · 235/60 R18

1st of 10
Best: Dry Handling · 1st Weakest: Straight Aqua · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 10
Wet Handling3rd of 10
Dry Braking3rd of 10
Dry Handling1st of 10
Snow Braking2nd of 10
Snow Handling7th of 10
Rolling Resistance6th of 10
Straight Aqua9th of 10
Noise7th of 10
Price5th of 10
Where to buy

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 specs & sizes

Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.

Specifications
Tread depth10/32″
SidewallRaised Black Lettering
Max pressure50 psi
SizeRetailer
285/35 R22 Amazon

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Head-to-head

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance SUV Gen-1 compared

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