Tests 68 · 4 tests Owners 57 · 8 reviews
Best test result: #5 of 20 in 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (noise)
Head-to-head
Updated
Firestone Winterhawk 3 vs Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 — 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 4 + 4 road tests and 8 + 32 owner reviews. How we score
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 is ahead, 76–63
Add your size for an exact match
/R
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Tests 72 · 4 tests Owners 81 · 32 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test (wet braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
62
Dry
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +1274Why this score
Source Winterhawk 3 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 4 tests 66 69 Reviews found online 57 80 Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 97% Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 98% 98% Winterhawk 3: 60% × 66.1 + 40% × 56.7 = 62
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 69.5 + 40% × 80.4 = 74
-
62
Wet
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +2183Why this score
Source Winterhawk 3 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 4 tests 64 82 Reviews found online 60 86 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 92% 94% Wet Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 89% 96% Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 95% 98% Winterhawk 3: 60% × 64 + 40% × 59.7 = 62
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 81.9 + 40% × 85.7 = 83
-
64
Snow
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +1377Why this score
Source Winterhawk 3 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 4 tests 71 76 Reviews found online 55 77 Snow Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 93% 94% Snow Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 96% 99% Winterhawk 3: 60% × 70.7 + 40% × 54.6 = 64
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 76.1 + 40% × 77.4 = 77
-
60
Comfort
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +1777Why this score
Source Winterhawk 3 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 71 (est.) Reviews found online 56 80 Winterhawk 3: 40% × 66 (est.) + 60% × 55.7 = 60
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 40% × 71 (est.) + 60% × 80.3 = 77
No road tests of comfort for Winterhawk 3. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).
No road tests of comfort for Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).
-
67
Noise
Level67Why this score
Source Winterhawk 3 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 3 tests 67 68 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 98% Winterhawk 3: 60% × 66.6 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 67
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 67.7 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 67
No owner ratings of noise for Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1. 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.
-
65
Treadwear
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +671Why this score
Source Winterhawk 3 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 1 tests 70 63 Reviews found online 59 82 Wear (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 72% 67% Winterhawk 3: 60% × 69.6 + 40% × 59.2 = 65
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 63.4 + 40% × 81.6 = 71
-
56
Handling (owners)
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +2783Why this score
Source Winterhawk 3 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Reviews found online 56 83 -
62
Efficiency
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +1072Why this score
Source Winterhawk 3 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 3 tests 62 72 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 84% 90%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Firestone Winterhawk 3 | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 63 | 76 |
| Dry | 62 | 74 |
| Wet | 62 | 83 |
| Snow | 64 | 77 |
| Comfort | 60 | 77 |
| Noise | 67 | 67 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 71 |
| Handling (owners) | 56 | 83 |
| Efficiency | 62 | 72 |
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.
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
63
/ 100
Winterhawk 3
76
/ 100
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
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 3 tests that ran both, Firestone Winterhawk 3 finished ahead 1 times and Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 2 times.
| Discipline | Category | Winterhawk 3 | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 97% | +0.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% | 98% | −0.2 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 92% | 94% | −2.1 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 89% | 96% | −7.7 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% | 98% | −2.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 93% | 94% | −0.7 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% | 99% | −3.1 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 98% | +0.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 72% | 67% | +5.4 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 84% | 90% | −5.9 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 87% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 54% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #14/20 | #18/20 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Value | Cost | 60% | 46% | +14.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #19/20 | #4/20 | – | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Winterhawk 3
Pros
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise
- Good longevity and tread wear resistance
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Inconsistent or poor grip on snow and ice
- Unreliable wet weather performance and braking
- Pronounced understeering tendencies
Tire B Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather and slush performance
- Strong traction and braking capabilities in snow
- High durability and long tread life
Cons
- Increased road noise reported by some users at higher speeds
- Vague steering feedback and sidewall flex during spirited dry-road driving
- Occasional loss of grip in dry conditions or when temperatures exceed 7°C
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Firestone Winterhawk 3 | B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 39 | 17 |
| Rim diameters | 13″ – 18″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | — | 9 - 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Raised Black Lettering |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
| Sizes in common | 7 | 7 |
Which one should you actually buy?
63
/ 100
Firestone Winterhawk 3
76
/ 100
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Winner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 — better handling, wet and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 83 vs 56 on handling.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 83 vs 62 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 77 vs 60 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 77 vs 64 on snow.
Tire A · Firestone Winterhawk 3
Tire B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1?
Which is better in the wet, Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 83 vs 62 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 74 vs 62 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 77 vs 64 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1?
Neither, by our numbers: 67 vs 67 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 77 vs 60 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 71 vs 65 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Winterhawk 3 or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 72 vs 62 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