Tests 89 · 33 tests Owners 80 · 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 Pirelli Cinturato Winter 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 33 + 6 road tests and 13 + 5 owner reviews. How we score
Ultra Grip Performance 3 is ahead, 85–78
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Tests 83 · 6 tests Owners 73 · 5 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 (straight aquaplaning)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 6 tests that measured dry braking for both, Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 2 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 4 (average 98% vs 98% of the best).
- In 6 tests that measured wet braking for both, Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 1 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 5 (average 96% vs 99% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 1 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 4 (average 96% vs 98% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured snow braking for both, Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 2 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 2 (average 97% vs 97% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured snow traction for both, Ultra Grip Performance 3 won 3 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 2 (average 97% vs 97% of the best).
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81
Dry
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +477Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 27 / 6 tests 82 81 Reviews found online 79 72 Dry Braking (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 2–4 98% 98% Dry Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–2 99% 99% Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 81.7 + 40% × 79.2 = 81
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 80.8 + 40% × 71.6 = 77
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92
Wet
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +191Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 33 / 6 tests 97 100 Reviews found online 84 77 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 2–2 88% 92% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 1–4 96% 98% Wet Braking (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 1–5 96% 99% Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 97% 99% Wet Circle (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 99% 100% Wet Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–3 99% 100% Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 97.2 + 40% × 83.5 = 92
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 100 + 40% × 76.9 = 91
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83
Snow
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +578Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 32 / 6 tests 84 80 Reviews found online 80 76 Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 88% 91% Snow Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–2 97% 97% Snow Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–1 99% 99% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 100% 96% Snow Traction (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–2 97% 97% Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 84.3 + 40% × 80.1 = 83
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 79.6 + 40% × 75.5 = 78
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87
Comfort
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +2067Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 2 tests 100 75 Reviews found online 79 62 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 99% 93% Ultra Grip Performance 3: 40% × 100 + 60% × 78.8 = 87
Cinturato Winter 3: 40% × 74.9 + 60% × 61.8 = 67
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77
Noise
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +176Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 23 / 4 tests 84 83 Reviews found online ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–2 98% 99% Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 83.6 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 77
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 82.8 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 76
No owner ratings of noise for Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 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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86
Treadwear
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +1472Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 2 tests 90 73 Reviews found online 80 71 Abrasion (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 87% 68% Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 94% 77% Ultra Grip Performance 3: 60% × 90.3 + 40% × 80.1 = 86
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 72.9 + 40% × 71.2 = 72
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79
Handling (owners)
Ultra Grip Performance 3 +1069Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 Cinturato Winter 3 Reviews found online 79 69 -
70
Efficiency
Cinturato Winter 3 +171Why this score
Source Ultra Grip Performance 3 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 26 / 6 tests 70 71 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 93% 95% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 1–4 88% 89%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 85 | 78 |
| Dry | 81 | 77 |
| Wet | 92 | 91 |
| Snow | 83 | 78 |
| Comfort | 87 | 67 |
| Noise | 77 | 76 |
| Treadwear | 86 | 72 |
| Handling (owners) | 79 | 69 |
| Efficiency | 70 | 71 |
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
85
/ 100
Ultra Grip Performance 3
78
/ 100
Cinturato Winter 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 6 tests that ran both, Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 finished ahead 1 times and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 5 times.
| Discipline | Category | Ultra Grip Performance 3 | Cinturato Winter 3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 98% | −0.3 | 2–4 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 99% | 0.0 | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 88% | 92% | −4.5 | 2–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 98% | −2.7 | 1–4 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 96% | 99% | −3.5 | 1–5 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 97% | 99% | −2.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% | 100% | −0.8 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Allrad SUV Winter Tyre Test · 225/55 R18 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% | 100% | −0.8 | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 88% | 91% | −3.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% | 97% | −0.1 | 2–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% | 99% | +0.1 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 100% | 96% | +3.8 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 97% | 97% | −0.5 | 3–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 99% | 93% | +6.3 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 99% | −0.6 | 1–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 87% | 68% | +19.6 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 94% | 77% | +17.7 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 93% | 95% | −1.6 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 88% | 89% | −0.1 | 1–4 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Value | Cost | 63% | 54% | +9.5 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #3/12 | #4/12 | – | 1–5 in 6 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 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 Cinturato Winter 3
Pros
- Outstanding grip and confidence in deep snow, ice, and mountain passes
- Remarkably quiet and comfortable ride quality at low to moderate speeds
- Surprising dry and wet handling upgrades compared to certain summer or OE tires
Cons
- Noticeable increase in tire noise at higher speeds (typically above 100-110 km/h)
- Higher energy or fuel consumption noted on electric vehicles
- Loss of steering precision under high lateral forces due to narrow tread blocks
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 | B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 172 | 36 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 22″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall - Raised Black Lettering | — |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 26 | 26 |
Which one should you actually buy?
85
/ 100
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
78
/ 100
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
Winner: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 — better comfort, treadwear and handling. Where the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 is ahead, it is by less than 3 points.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 87 vs 67 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 86 vs 72 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 79 vs 69 on handling.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3 scores 83 vs 78 on snow.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet braking
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 won 5 of 6 shared wet braking tests.
Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3
Tire B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
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Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Which is better in the wet, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 92 vs 91 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 81 vs 77 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 83 vs 78 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 76 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 87 vs 67 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 3, 86 vs 72 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Ultra Grip Performance 3 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 70 vs 71 on the efficiency score, within 3 points.
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