Skip to content
Winter tire Winter Premium Touring tires Updated May 2026

Goodyear UltraGrip 8 review

The Goodyear UltraGrip 8 is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet, slushy, and snowy conditions, often providing a significant safety upgrade over summer tires. While the vast majority of users praise its comfort, low noise levels, and confidence-inspiring grip, a small minority of users report issues with excessive road noise and inconsistent performance in deep snow.

Relative score
88/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
87/100
59 reviews
Goodyear UltraGrip 8
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

87%
Would buy again 94%
Dry
Overall dry
88%
Corner stability
82%
Dry traction
88%
Steering response
86%
Wet
Overall wet
92%
Wet traction
92%
Snow & ice
Overall snow & ice
87%
Ice
75%
Comfort
Overall comfort
87%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
86%
Handling
Overall handling
83%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 59 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Goodyear UltraGrip 8 is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet, slushy, and snowy conditions, often providing a significant safety upgrade over summer tires. While the vast majority of users praise its comfort, low noise levels, and confidence-inspiring grip, a small minority of users report issues with excessive road noise and inconsistent performance in deep snow.

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction in wet, slushy, and snowy conditions
  • High level of ride comfort and refinement
  • Low road noise compared to many winter tire competitors
  • Positive impact on fuel economy and rolling resistance
  • Strong braking performance on cold, icy, and wet surfaces

Cons

  • Reports of excessive road noise for some specific vehicle applications
  • Tread wear can be faster than average under heavy usage or high-speed driving
  • Occasional reports of 'snappy' handling characteristics when pushed to the absolute limit
  • Some users noted less-than-expected performance in deep, unplowed snow

Worth knowing

  • Rear-wheel-drive vehicle owners frequently reported a transformative improvement in winter mobility, allowing them to navigate hills and snow that previously required 4x4 vehicles.
  • Users noted that the tire's soft compound provides a 'suspension-like' comfort benefit, though this can lead to a less stiff sidewall feel compared to performance summer tires.
Head-to-head

Goodyear UltraGrip 8 compared

Compare any two