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Head-to-head Updated

Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 7 + 36 road tests and 50 + 16 owner reviews. How we score

Ultra Grip Performance 3 is ahead, 85–79

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Continental WinterContact TS 860
Tire AContinental

WinterContact TS 860

Winter

± 5

Tests 78 · 7 tests Owners 80 · 50 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test (dry handling)

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
Tire BGoodyear

Ultra Grip Performance 3

Winter

± 4

Tests 89 · 36 tests Owners 81 · 16 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 51 in 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! (wet braking)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 78

    Dry

    Ultra Grip Performance 3 +3
    81
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 29 tests7582
    Reviews found online8280

    WinterContact TS 860: 60% × 74.8 + 40% × 82 = 78

    Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 81.5 + 40% × 80.3 = 81

  2. 89

    Wet

    Ultra Grip Performance 3 +3
    92
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 36 tests8997
    Reviews found online8884

    WinterContact TS 860: 60% × 89 + 40% × 87.9 = 89

    Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 97.3 + 40% × 84.1 = 92

  3. 76

    Snow

    Ultra Grip Performance 3 +6
    82
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 35 tests7884
    Reviews found online7380

    WinterContact TS 860: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 73 = 76

    Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 84.3 + 40% × 79.7 = 82

  4. 78

    Comfort

    Ultra Grip Performance 3 +10
    88
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 10 tests76100
    Reviews found online7980

    WinterContact TS 860: 40% × 76.3 + 60% × 79.2 = 78

    Ultra Grip Performance 3: 40% × 100 + 60% × 79.5 = 88

  5. 73

    Noise

    Ultra Grip Performance 3 +4
    77
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 25 tests7784
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)

    WinterContact TS 860: 60% × 77.4 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 73

    Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 84.2 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 77

    No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 75

    Treadwear

    Ultra Grip Performance 3 +11
    86
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 11 tests7390
    Reviews found online7881

    WinterContact TS 860: 60% × 72.9 + 40% × 77.7 = 75

    Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 89.6 + 40% × 81.4 = 86

  7. 83

    Handling (owners)

    WinterContact TS 860 +3
    80
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3
    Reviews found online8380
  8. 76

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 860 +5
    71
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 28 tests7671
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 860Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
Relative Score 79 85
Dry 78 81
Wet 89 92
Snow 76 82
Comfort 78 88
Noise 73 77
Treadwear 75 86
Handling (owners) 83 80
Efficiency 76 71

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

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
± 5

WinterContact TS 860

± 4

Ultra Grip Performance 3

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

DisciplineCategoryWinterContact TS 860Ultra Grip Performance 3ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 94% #11/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test 98% #12/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 60% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 90% #2/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 94% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 95% #8/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 94% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 97% #6/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 99% #4/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test 99% #7/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 100% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 90% #2/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Ice Braking Snow 93% #6/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test 86% #16/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 99% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 96% #6/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 99% #9/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test 98% #3/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling (tester's mark) Snow 90% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Traction Snow 98% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 96% #7/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 90% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 98% #2/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 100% #2/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test 97% #6/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 90% #2/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test 100% #2/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 95% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test 95% #3/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 60% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test 83% #7/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #10/20 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test #15/20 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Value Cost 70% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test 60% #15/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #6/16 2021 ADAC Winter Tire Test R15 #2/14 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A WinterContact TS 860

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and safety in wet and slushy conditions
  • Outstanding performance on snow, providing high levels of confidence
  • Remarkably low noise levels and high ride comfort

Cons

  • Performance degradation noted by some users after 3-4 seasons
  • Soft sidewalls can lead to a slight loss of steering precision or 'wobble' in tight corners
  • Tread pattern prone to picking up and throwing stones/sand
All owner themes in the WinterContact TS 860 review

Tire B Ultra Grip Performance 3

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and predictable handling in snow and slush
  • High level of ride comfort with a quiet, smooth rolling experience
  • Strong wet and dry braking performance with good aquaplaning resistance

Cons

  • Higher price point compared to some budget or mid-range alternatives
  • Softer sidewalls can result in reduced steering feedback and minor twist during aggressive cornering
  • Lateral grip may feel less suited for extremely fast driving in milder temperatures
All owner themes in the Ultra Grip Performance 3 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available47172
Rim diameters13″ – 17″14″ – 22″
Tread depth—11/32″
Sidewall—Black Side Wall - Raised Black Lettering
Max pressure—50 - 51 psi
Sizes in common1616

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental WinterContact TS 860

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3

Winner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 — better treadwear, comfort and snow. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 860 if efficiency matters most to you.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 86 vs 75 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 88 vs 78 on comfort.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 82 vs 76 on snow.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 76 vs 71 on efficiency.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860
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Tire B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
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WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?

Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 92 vs 89 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 81 vs 78 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 82 vs 76 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 77 vs 73 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 88 vs 78 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 86 vs 75 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 860 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?

Continental WinterContact TS 860, 76 vs 71 on our efficiency score.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology