Tests 88 · 27 tests Owners 81 · 13 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 51 in 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! (wet braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 vs Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 — 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 27 + 10 road tests and 13 + 12 owner reviews. How we score
Ultra Grip Performance 3 is ahead, 84–75
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Tests 75 · 10 tests Owners 75 · 12 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (noise)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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81
Dry
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +279Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 N Blue 4Season 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 22 / 10 tests 82 84 Reviews found online 80 73 Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 82.1 + 40% × 79.5 = 81
N Blue 4Season 2: 60% × 83.8 + 40% × 72.8 = 79
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92
Wet
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +1874Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 N Blue 4Season 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 27 / 10 tests 98 72 Reviews found online 84 78 Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 98.3 + 40% × 83.7 = 92
N Blue 4Season 2: 60% × 71.9 + 40% × 77.9 = 74
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82
Snow
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +1171Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 N Blue 4Season 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 26 / 7 tests 83 72 Reviews found online 81 70 Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 83.1 + 40% × 80.8 = 82
N Blue 4Season 2: 60% × 72 + 40% × 69.7 = 71
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83
Comfort
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +1766Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 N Blue 4Season 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 2 tests 89 51 Reviews found online 79 76 Ultra Grip Performance 3: 40% × 89.3 + 60% × 78.9 = 83
N Blue 4Season 2: 40% × 51.2 + 60% × 75.7 = 66
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78
Noise
Level78Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 N Blue 4Season 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 19 / 7 tests 86 85 Reviews found online ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 86.2 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 78
N Blue 4Season 2: 60% × 85.1 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 78
No owner ratings of noise for Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2. 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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85
Treadwear
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +976Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 N Blue 4Season 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 3 tests 88 74 Reviews found online 80 78 Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 88.3 + 40% × 79.7 = 85
N Blue 4Season 2: 60% × 74.2 + 40% × 78.3 = 76
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79
Handling (owners)
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +475Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 N Blue 4Season 2 Reviews found online 79 75 -
66
Efficiency
N Blue 4Season 2 +470Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 N Blue 4Season 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 7 tests 66 70
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 | Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 84 | 75 |
| Dry | 81 | 79 |
| Wet | 92 | 74 |
| Snow | 82 | 71 |
| Comfort | 83 | 66 |
| Noise | 78 | 78 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 76 |
| Handling (owners) | 79 | 75 |
| Efficiency | 66 | 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
84
/ 100
Ultra Grip Performance 3
75
/ 100
N Blue 4Season 2
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.
| Discipline | Category | Ultra Grip Performance 3 | N Blue 4Season 2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 93% #12/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #11/11 · 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | 98% #9/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 98% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 82% #12/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 97% #4/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 88% #12/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 92% #4/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 91% #11/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 92% #6/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 95% #7/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% #3/11 · 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | 99% #6/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #4/11 · 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | 96% #7/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 86% #16/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 99% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 93% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Snow Circle | Snow | 100% #1/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | 97% #2/10 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/11 · 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 96% #6/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% #13/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 91% #11/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 70% #5/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 91% #4/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 99% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 100% #1/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 82% #4/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 67% #14/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 80% #6/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 81% #10/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 96% #1/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 96% #10/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 88% #8/11 · 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | 93% #9/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #15/20 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | #1/16 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Value | Cost | 50% #13/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 57% #9/15 · 2025 ADAC All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #3/18 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | #9/16 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A 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
Tire B N Blue 4Season 2
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Strong value for money compared to premium alternatives
- Reliable capability and grip in winter conditions, including snow and ice
Cons
- Can feel somewhat squishy or lack precision during spirited driving
- Not ideally suited for extreme handling or pushing the car to its absolute limits
- Some limitations in tricky ice conditions compared to dedicated winter tires
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 | B · Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | All Season |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 172 | 118 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 22″ | 14″ – 21″ |
| 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?
84
/ 100
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
75
/ 100
Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
Winner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 — better wet, comfort and snow. Pick the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 if efficiency matters most to you.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 92 vs 74 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 83 vs 66 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 82 vs 71 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 85 vs 76 on treadwear.
Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
Tire B · Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
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Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2?
Which is better in the wet, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 92 vs 74 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2?
Neither, by our numbers: 81 vs 79 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is better in snow, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 82 vs 71 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2?
Neither, by our numbers: 78 vs 78 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 83 vs 66 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 85 vs 76 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or N Blue 4Season 2?
Nexen N Blue 4Season 2, 70 vs 66 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