Tests 82 · 30 tests Owners 80 · 31 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P 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 30 + 33 road tests and 31 + 13 owner reviews. How we score
Ultra Grip Performance 3 leads, 85–81 Narrow edge
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Tests 89 · 33 tests Owners 80 · 13 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.
Key facts
- In 19 tests that measured wet braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 9 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 10 (average 95% vs 96% of the best).
- In 19 tests that measured snow braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 5 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 12 (average 96% vs 97% of the best).
- In 18 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 5 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 13 (average 96% vs 97% of the best).
- In 16 tests that measured dry braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 8 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 7 (average 97% vs 97% of the best).
- In 15 tests that measured snow traction for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 3 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 12 (average 95% vs 98% of the best).
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81
Dry
Level81Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 24 / 27 tests 83 82 Reviews found online 79 79 Dry Braking (% of best) · 16 shared tests · wins 8–7 97% 97% Dry Handling (% of best) · 13 shared tests · wins 8–4 100% 99% Dry Lane Change (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 97% Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 100% 93% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 83.4 + 40% × 78.6 = 81
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 81.7 + 40% × 79.2 = 81
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91
Wet
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +192Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 30 / 33 tests 94 97 Reviews found online 86 84 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 1–6 89% 90% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 18 shared tests · wins 5–13 96% 97% Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–1 93% 93% Wet Braking (% of best) · 19 shared tests · wins 9–10 95% 96% Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 97% 97% Wet Circle (% of best) · 8 shared tests · wins 3–4 97% 98% Wet Handling (% of best) · 13 shared tests · wins 3–8 98% 99% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 94.3 + 40% × 86 = 91
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 97.2 + 40% × 83.5 = 92
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78
Snow
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +583Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 29 / 32 tests 80 84 Reviews found online 76 80 Ice Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 91% 91% Snow Braking (% of best) · 19 shared tests · wins 5–12 96% 97% Snow Circle (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 99% 100% Snow Handling (% of best) · 13 shared tests · wins 2–9 98% 99% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 96% 95% Snow Traction (% of best) · 15 shared tests · wins 3–12 95% 98% Ice Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–0 40% 35% Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–2 78% 83% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 79.5 + 40% × 75.6 = 78
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 84.3 + 40% × 80.1 = 83
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86
Comfort
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +187Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 8 tests 93 100 Reviews found online 81 79 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 2–2 88% 91% WinterContact TS 870 P: 40% × 93.4 + 60% × 80.9 = 86
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 40% × 100 + 60% × 78.7 = 87
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73
Noise
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +477Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 23 tests 78 84 Reviews found online ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 14 shared tests · wins 1–8 99% 99% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 77.7 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 73
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 83.6 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 77
No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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75
Treadwear
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +1186Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 10 tests 71 90 Reviews found online 80 80 Abrasion (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 83% 95% Wear (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–5 78% 95% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 70.7 + 40% × 80.3 = 75
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 90.3 + 40% × 80.1 = 86
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83
Handling (owners)
WinterContact TS 870 P +479Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Ultra Grip Performance 3 Reviews found online 83 79 -
87
Efficiency
WinterContact TS 870 P +1770Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 23 / 26 tests 87 70 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–2 97% 97% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 13 shared tests · wins 12–1 97% 90%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 85 |
| Dry | 81 | 81 |
| Wet | 91 | 92 |
| Snow | 78 | 83 |
| Comfort | 86 | 87 |
| Noise | 73 | 77 |
| Treadwear | 75 | 86 |
| Handling (owners) | 83 | 79 |
| Efficiency | 87 | 70 |
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
81
/ 100
WinterContact TS 870 P
85
/ 100
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.
In the overall rankings of 21 tests that ran both, Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 7 times and Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 14 times.
| Discipline | Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | Ultra Grip Performance 3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% | 97% | +0.3 | 8–7 in 16 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% | 99% | +0.6 | 8–4 in 13 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 100% | 93% | +7.5 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test · 205/45 R 17 |
| Dry Lane Change | Dry | 100% | 97% | +2.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 89% | 90% | −0.6 | 1–6 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 97% | −0.9 | 5–13 in 18 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% | 96% | −0.6 | 9–10 in 19 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 97% | 97% | +0.1 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 97% | 98% | −1.3 | 3–4 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test · 205/45 R 17 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% | 99% | −1.1 | 3–8 in 13 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 93% | 93% | −0.3 | 1–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test · 205/45 R 17 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 91% | 91% | −0.7 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Ice Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 40% | 35% | +5.0 | 1–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% | 97% | −0.8 | 5–12 in 19 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Circle | Snow | 99% | 100% | −0.4 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% | 99% | −0.9 | 2–9 in 13 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 78% | 83% | −4.1 | 0–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test · 205/45 R 17 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 96% | 95% | +0.4 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% | 98% | −2.6 | 3–12 in 15 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 88% | 91% | −3.1 | 2–2 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Noise | Noise | 99% | 99% | −0.3 | 1–8 in 14 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 83% | 95% | −12.1 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 78% | 95% | −17.8 | 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 97% | 97% | −0.2 | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 97% | 90% | +6.5 | 12–1 in 13 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 78% | 83% | −5.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #11/20 | #15/20 | – | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 54% | 64% | −9.5 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Road Rating (tester's mark) | Other | 90% | 70% | +20.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/12 | #3/12 | – | 7–14 in 21 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A WinterContact TS 870 P
Pros
- Exceptionally low noise levels and high ride comfort
- Outstanding wet weather and slush performance, cutting through heavy rain effortlessly
- Balanced dry and cold-weather handling with impressive cornering stability
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
- Steering response and initial stiffness are slightly softer and less sporty than dedicated summer tires or some rivals
- Snow and ice traction can feel less exceptional or borderline inadequate for a small subset of users
Tire B Ultra Grip Performance 3
Pros
- Exceptional comfort and low noise levels
- Strong traction and predictability in snowy and slushy conditions
- Excellent wet weather handling and aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
- Reduced steering feedback and lateral grip during aggressive dry-weather driving
- Slight tendency for the tire to feel soft or 'twist' during sharp cornering
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 121 | 172 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 23″ | 14″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | — | 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Black Side Wall - Raised Black Lettering |
| Max pressure | — | 50 - 51 psi |
| Sizes in common | 80 | 80 |
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
85
/ 100
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
Narrow edge: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 — better treadwear, snow and noise. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P if efficiency matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 87 vs 70 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 86 vs 75 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 83 vs 78 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 77 vs 73 on noise.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
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WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 91 vs 92 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 81 vs 81 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 83 vs 78 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 77 vs 73 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 86 vs 87 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 86 vs 75 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 870 P or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 87 vs 70 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