tirewheelguide
Head-to-head Updated

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ — 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 + 11 road tests and 32 + 20 owner reviews. How we score

UltraGrip Performance+ leads, 79–76 Narrow edge

Check price on Amazon · UltraGrip Performance+ or Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 on Amazon
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.

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 Performance+
Tire BGoodyear

UltraGrip Performance+

Winter

± 5

Tests 78 · 11 tests Owners 80 · 20 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)

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 Performance+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 8 tests6971
    Reviews found online8074

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

    UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 70.8 + 40% × 73.7 = 72

  2. 83

    Wet

    UltraGrip Performance+ +3
    86
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip Performance+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 11 tests8287
    Reviews found online8684

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

    UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 83.7 = 86

  3. 77

    Snow

    UltraGrip Performance+ +7
    84
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip Performance+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 11 tests7687
    Reviews found online7879

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 76.1 + 40% × 77.5 = 77

    UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 79.1 = 84

  4. 77

    Comfort

    Level
    77
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip Performance+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 71 (est.)72
    Reviews found online8081

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

    UltraGrip Performance+: 40% × 72.1 + 60% × 80.6 = 77

    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).

  5. 67

    Noise

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +7
    60
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip Performance+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 8 tests6855
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)

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

    UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 54.9 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 60

    No owner ratings of noise for Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip Performance+. 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 Performance+ +6
    77
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip Performance+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 4 tests6374
    Reviews found online8282

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1: 60% × 63.4 + 40% × 81.7 = 71

    UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 74 + 40% × 81.5 = 77

  7. 83

    Handling (owners)

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

    Efficiency

    UltraGrip Performance+ +5
    77
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1UltraGrip Performance+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 8 tests7277
Scores at a glance
CategoryGoodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
Relative Score 76 79
Dry 74 72
Wet 83 86
Snow 77 84
Comfort 77 77
Noise 67 60
Treadwear 71 77
Handling (owners) 83 81
Efficiency 72 77

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
± 8

Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1

± 5

UltraGrip Performance+

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 Performance+ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 95% #11/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #10/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 98% #16/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 97% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 91% #8/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 95% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 84% #13/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 98% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 99% #6/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 95% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 98% #5/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 99% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 98% #5/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 97% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 97% #10/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 67% #18/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test 85% #6/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 96% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 81% #6/20 · 2022 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 72% #12/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #18/20 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test #8/20 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Value Cost 46% #19/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test 56% #12/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #8/16 2019 Teknikens Värld Large Winter Tire Test R17 #6/10 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test R18 – 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 Performance+

Pros

  • Strong wet grip and resistance to aquaplaning, with several owners reporting confident cornering and no sliding in the rain
  • Excellent snow traction, including deep snow, steep slopes, and cold temperatures down to about -30°C, with one owner describing the best lateral grip on snow they have experienced
  • Sporty, stable handling for a winter tire, with good dry-road behavior and the ability to withstand spirited driving

Cons

  • Noise is a concern for some owners, who describe a roar or sizzling on fast curves and a noisy ride in a BMW 3 Series
  • Ice grip is mixed: one reviewer called it unsuitable for ice and another noted some slipping, though others found it adequate or very capable on icy slopes
  • Less grip and sharpness than summer tires in dry and wet conditions, with one reviewer reporting unpredictable cornering and heavy understeer
All owner themes in the UltraGrip Performance+ review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 B · Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available1788
Rim diameters16″ – 20″15″ – 22″
Tread depth9 - 11/32″—
SidewallRaised Black Lettering—
Max pressure50 psi—
Sizes in common88

Which one should you actually buy?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

Narrow edge: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ — better snow, treadwear and efficiency. Pick the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 if noise matters most to you.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 67 vs 60 on noise.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ scores 84 vs 77 on snow.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ scores 77 vs 71 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want lower fuel or energy use

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ scores 77 vs 72 on efficiency.

Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
Check price on Amazon

TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or UltraGrip Performance+?

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

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+, 86 vs 83 on our wet score.

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

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 Performance+?

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+, 84 vs 77 on our snow score.

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

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 67 vs 60 on our noise score.

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

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

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

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+, 77 vs 71 on our treadwear score.

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

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+, 77 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