Tests 74 · 25 tests Owners 75 · 44 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (snow handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
UltraGrip 9 leads, 75–74 Narrow edge
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Tests 74 · 3 tests Owners 76 · 39 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (snow traction)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
68
Dry
UltraGrip 9 +371Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 UltraGrip 9 Professional tests (TWG score) 66 70 Reviews found online 71 72 Dry Braking (% of best) 96% 93% Dry Handling (% of best) 98% 99% -
82
Wet
Level82Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 UltraGrip 9 Professional tests (TWG score) 85 82 Reviews found online 78 81 Wet Braking (% of best) 99% 99% Wet Handling (% of best) 99% 99% -
82
Snow
Winter Sport 5 +775Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 UltraGrip 9 Professional tests (TWG score) 86 73 Reviews found online 77 77 Snow Braking (% of best) 99% 93% Snow Handling (% of best) 100% 95% Snow Traction (% of best) 94% 100% -
75
Comfort
Winter Sport 5 +174Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 UltraGrip 9 Professional tests (TWG score) 75 – Reviews found online 74 79 -
34
Noise
UltraGrip 9 +3165Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 UltraGrip 9 Professional tests (TWG score) 12 65 -
75
Treadwear
Winter Sport 5 +372Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 UltraGrip 9 Professional tests (TWG score) 76 72 Reviews found online 74 72 -
74
Handling
UltraGrip 9 +377Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 UltraGrip 9 Reviews found online 74 77
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 75 |
| Dry | 68 | 71 |
| Wet | 82 | 82 |
| Snow | 82 | 75 |
| Comfort | 75 | 74 |
| Noise | 34 | 65 |
| Treadwear | 75 | 72 |
| Handling | 74 | 77 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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
74
/ 100
Winter Sport 5
75
/ 100
UltraGrip 9
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Winter Sport 5 | UltraGrip 9 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% #5/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | 93% #7/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +2.8 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #16/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | −0.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 90% #9/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 91% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | −1.2 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 90% #16/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 90% #3/8 · 2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | +0.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 93% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | −5.8 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 67% #16/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 71% #16/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | −4.8 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 71% #10/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 71% #11/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 96% #3/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 67% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +29.3 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/49 · 2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview | 20% #5/14 · 2016 AZ Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 | +30.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #5/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 93% #7/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +6.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/10 · 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test | 95% #8/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +5.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 94% #9/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | −6.1 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 98% #3/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | −1.8 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #10/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 99% #2/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/8 · 2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | −0.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #4/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Winter Sport 5
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance in snow, slush, and heavy winter conditions
- Strong wet weather handling and reliable water clearance to prevent hydroplaning
- Impressive tread wear and long-term durability across multiple seasons
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a mushy or floating steering response and unstable cornering when temperatures rise above 5-10°C
- Reduced dry handling precision and longer braking distances in warmer ambient conditions
- Inadequate or missing effective rim protection despite manufacturer claims
Tire B UltraGrip 9
Pros
- Exceptional snow and ice traction
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Excellent wet and dry weather performance in cold temperatures
Cons
- Reduced performance on dry, warm asphalt (above 12°C)
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a less sporty or 'wallowy' handling feel
- Reports of premature tread wear or chunking in specific heavy-use cases
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 46 | 1 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 21″ | 15″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
74
/ 100
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
75
/ 100
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
Too close to call: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and Goodyear UltraGrip 9 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is stronger on snow and treadwear. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is stronger on noise, dry and handling.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 65 vs 34 on noise.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 82 vs 75 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 75 vs 72 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 71 vs 68 on dry.
Tire A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Tire B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9
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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.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.