Tests 84 · 16 tests Owners 79 · 25 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental WinterContact TS 870 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 16 + 35 road tests and 25 + 15 owner reviews. How we score
Ultra Grip Performance 3 leads, 85–82 Narrow edge
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Tests 89 · 35 tests Owners 82 · 15 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 8 tests that measured dry braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 won 3 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 3 (average 98% vs 98% of the best).
- In 8 tests that measured wet braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 won 5 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 3 (average 97% vs 96% of the best).
- In 8 tests that measured snow braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 won 4 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 3 (average 97% vs 98% of the best).
- In 7 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, WinterContact TS 870 won 4 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 3 (average 96% vs 96% of the best).
- In 7 tests that measured snow traction for both, WinterContact TS 870 won 2 and Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 5 (average 95% vs 97% of the best).
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80
Dry
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +181Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 14 / 28 tests 81 81 Reviews found online 79 80 Dry Braking (% of best) · 8 shared tests · wins 3–3 98% 98% Dry Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 99% 98% WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 81 + 40% × 79.2 = 80
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 81.3 + 40% × 80.3 = 81
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93
Wet
Level93Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 16 / 35 tests 98 98 Reviews found online 87 86 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 4–2 92% 90% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 4–3 96% 96% Wet Braking (% of best) · 8 shared tests · wins 5–3 97% 96% Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 98% 96% Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 99% Wet Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–1 99% 99% WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 97.9 + 40% × 86.6 = 93
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 97.6 + 40% × 85.8 = 93
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78
Snow
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +583Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 16 / 34 tests 82 84 Reviews found online 73 81 Ice Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 96% 87% Snow Braking (% of best) · 8 shared tests · wins 4–3 97% 98% Snow Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–1 99% 98% Snow Traction (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 2–5 95% 97% WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 81.6 + 40% × 73.1 = 78
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 84.3 + 40% × 81 = 83
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75
Comfort
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +1388Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 9 tests 72 100 Reviews found online 77 81 WinterContact TS 870: 40% × 71.9 + 60% × 77.4 = 75
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 40% × 100 + 60% × 80.8 = 88
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77
Noise
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +178Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 24 tests 83 85 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 4–2 99% 99% WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 83.2 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 77
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 85.2 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 78
No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 870 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.
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80
Treadwear
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +787Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 11 tests 79 90 Reviews found online 80 83 Abrasion (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 77% 84% Wear (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 83% 91% WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 79.5 + 40% × 80.1 = 80
Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 89.6 + 40% × 82.6 = 87
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78
Handling (owners)
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +381Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 Ultra Grip Performance 3 Reviews found online 78 81 -
76
Efficiency
WinterContact TS 870 +670Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 Ultra Grip Performance 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 14 / 27 tests 76 70 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–0 96% 96% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 5–0 91% 85%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 82 | 85 |
| Dry | 80 | 81 |
| Wet | 93 | 93 |
| Snow | 78 | 83 |
| Comfort | 75 | 88 |
| Noise | 77 | 78 |
| Treadwear | 80 | 87 |
| Handling (owners) | 78 | 81 |
| Efficiency | 76 | 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
82
/ 100
WinterContact TS 870
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 13 tests that ran both, Continental WinterContact TS 870 finished ahead 12 times and Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | WinterContact TS 870 | Ultra Grip Performance 3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 98% | +0.1 | 3–3 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 98% | +0.7 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 93% #2/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 90% #2/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 92% | 90% | +2.2 | 4–2 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 96% | 0.0 | 4–3 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 97% | 96% | +1.0 | 5–3 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 98% | 96% | +2.3 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 100% | 99% | +0.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% | 99% | 0.0 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 90% #2/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | 90% #2/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 96% | 87% | +8.8 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% | 98% | −1.0 | 4–3 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% | 98% | +1.3 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% | 97% | −1.3 | 2–5 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 98% #2/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 99% | 99% | +0.1 | 4–2 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 77% | 84% | −7.3 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 83% | 91% | −8.3 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 96% | 96% | +0.6 | 1–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 91% | 85% | +6.0 | 5–0 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 59% #7/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 83% #7/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #6/20 | #10/20 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Value | Cost | 55% | 62% | −7.0 | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/15 | #3/15 | – | 12–1 in 13 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A WinterContact TS 870
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and aquaplaning resistance
- High level of driver confidence and predictability in varied conditions
- Strong dry road handling and steering feedback
Cons
- Inconsistent performance on steep, hard-packed snow for some users
- Potential negative impact on electric vehicle range
- Occasional reports of understeer on heavy vehicles in cold, greasy conditions
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
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 | B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 44 | 172 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 19″ | 14″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | — | 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Black Side Wall - Raised Black Lettering |
| Max pressure | — | 50 - 51 psi |
| Sizes in common | 20 | 20 |
Which one should you actually buy?
82
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 870
85
/ 100
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
Narrow edge: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 — better comfort, treadwear and snow. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 870 if efficiency matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 88 vs 75 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 87 vs 80 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 76 vs 70 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 83 vs 78 on snow.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870
Tire B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
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WinterContact TS 870 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 870 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 93 vs 93 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 870 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 80 vs 81 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 870 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 83 vs 78 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 870 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 78 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 870 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 88 vs 75 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 870 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 87 vs 80 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 870 or Ultra Grip Performance 3?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 76 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