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Head-to-head Updated

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 vs Goodyear UltraGrip 9 — 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 + 3 road tests and 32 + 40 owner reviews. How we score

Too close to call: Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 and UltraGrip 9 are level at 76.

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Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Tire AGoodyear

Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1

Winter

± 8

Tests 72 · 4 tests Owners 81 · 32 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test (wet braking)

Goodyear UltraGrip 9
Tire BGoodyear

UltraGrip 9

Winter

± 6

Tests 74 · 3 tests Owners 79 · 40 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (snow braking)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 74

    Dry

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +2
    72
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 3 tests6970
    Reviews found online8075

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 69.5 + 40% × 80.4 = 74

    UltraGrip 9: 60% × 70.4 + 40% × 74.6 = 72

  2. 83

    Wet

    UltraGrip 9 +1
    84
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 3 tests8283
    Reviews found online8686

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 81.9 + 40% × 85.7 = 83

    UltraGrip 9: 60% × 83 + 40% × 85.7 = 84

  3. 77

    Snow

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +2
    75
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 3 tests7673
    Reviews found online7779

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 76.1 + 40% × 77.4 = 77

    UltraGrip 9: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 78.7 = 75

  4. 77

    Comfort

    UltraGrip 9 +1
    78
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 71 (est.)
    Reviews found online8082

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 40% × 71 (est.) + 60% × 80.3 = 77

    UltraGrip 9: 40% × 71.3 (est.) + 60% × 81.7 = 78

    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).

    No road tests of comfort for UltraGrip 9. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 67

    Noise

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +2
    65
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 2 tests6864
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 67.7 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 67

    UltraGrip 9: 60% × 63.7 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 65

    No owner ratings of noise for Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9. 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.

  6. 71

    Treadwear

    UltraGrip 9 +4
    75
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests6373
    Reviews found online8278

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 63.4 + 40% × 81.6 = 71

    UltraGrip 9: 60% × 72.6 + 40% × 77.5 = 75

  7. 83

    Handling (owners)

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +2
    81
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9
    Reviews found online8381
  8. 72

    Efficiency

    UltraGrip 9 +3
    75
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 3 tests7275
Scores at a glance
CategoryGoodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1Goodyear UltraGrip 9
Relative Score 76 76
Dry 74 72
Wet 83 84
Snow 77 75
Comfort 77 78
Noise 67 65
Treadwear 71 75
Handling (owners) 83 81
Efficiency 72 75

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
± 8

Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1

± 6

UltraGrip 9

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.

DisciplineCategoryUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip 9ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 95% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #10/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 99% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 97% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 94% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 95% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 97% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 98% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 99% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 95% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 99% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 97% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 96% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 67% #18/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test 67% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 96% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 91% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 54% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 71% #16/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #18/20 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test #2/20 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Value Cost 46% #19/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test 71% #11/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #8/16 2019 Teknikens Värld Large Winter Tire Test R17 #2/8 2020 Wybór Kierowców Winter Tire Test R16 – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A 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
All owner themes in the Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 review

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
All owner themes in the UltraGrip 9 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available171
Rim diameters16″ – 20″15″
Tread depth9 - 11/32″—
SidewallRaised Black Lettering—
Max pressure50 psi—

Which one should you actually buy?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1

Goodyear UltraGrip 9

Too close to call: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 and Goodyear UltraGrip 9 are within 2 points overall. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is stronger on treadwear and efficiency.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 75 vs 71 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want lower fuel or energy use

Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 75 vs 72 on efficiency.

Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
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Tire B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9
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Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9?

Which is better in the wet, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9?

Neither, by our numbers: 83 vs 84 on the wet score, within 3 points.

Which grips better on dry roads, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9?

Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 72 on the dry score, within 3 points.

Which is better in snow, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9?

Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 75 on the snow score, within 3 points.

Which is quieter, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9?

Neither, by our numbers: 67 vs 65 on the noise score, within 3 points.

Which is more comfortable, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9?

Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 78 on the comfort score, within 3 points.

Which lasts longer, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9?

Goodyear UltraGrip 9, 75 vs 71 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip 9?

Goodyear UltraGrip 9, 75 vs 72 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