tirewheelguide
Head-to-head Updated

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — 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 + 13 road tests and 32 + 20 owner reviews. How we score

Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 leads, 77–73 Narrow edge

Check price on Amazon · Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow 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

± 7

Tests 72 · 4 tests Owners 81 · 32 reviews

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

Michelin X Ice Snow
Tire BMichelin

X Ice Snow

Winter

± 5

Tests 70 · 13 tests Owners 78 · 20 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test (comfort (tester's mark))

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 +7
    67
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 11 tests6965
    Reviews found online8071

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

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.9 + 40% × 70.7 = 67

  2. 83

    Wet

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +12
    71
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 12 tests8265
    Reviews found online8679

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

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.9 + 40% × 79.2 = 71

  3. 77

    Snow

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +1
    76
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 12 tests7673
    Reviews found online7781

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

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 81.1 = 76

  4. 77

    Comfort

    X Ice Snow +3
    80
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 3 tests≈ 71 (est.)81
    Reviews found online8079

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

    X Ice Snow: 40% × 81 + 60% × 78.8 = 80

    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

    X Ice Snow +8
    75
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 8 tests6881
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)

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

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 80.5 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 75

    No owner ratings of noise for Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow. 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

    X Ice Snow +5
    76
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests63≈ 72 (est.)
    Reviews found online8281

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

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 71.9 (est.) + 40% × 81.4 = 76

    No road tests of treadwear for X Ice Snow. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 83

    Handling (owners)

    Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +8
    75
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1X Ice Snow
    Reviews found online8375
  8. 72

    Efficiency

    X Ice Snow +5
    77
    Why this score
    SourceUltra Grip Performance Gen-1X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 6 tests7277
Scores at a glance
CategoryGoodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1Michelin X Ice Snow
Relative Score 77 73
Dry 74 67
Wet 83 71
Snow 77 76
Comfort 77 80
Noise 67 75
Treadwear 71 76
Handling (owners) 83 75
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 starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1

± 5

X Ice Snow

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-1X Ice SnowΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 81% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #10/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 92% #4/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 97% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 75% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 95% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 72% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 98% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 95% #6/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 95% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 69% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 99% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 86% #8/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 97% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 99% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 96% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 97% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 54% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test 50% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #8/16 2019 Teknikens Värld Large Winter Tire Test R17 #7/10 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test – 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 X Ice Snow

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow, packed snow, and slush
  • High confidence and predictable handling on icy and freezing roads
  • Impressive tread wear longevity and minimal wear over multiple seasons

Cons

  • Average performance on dry and wet pavement compared to dedicated non-winter tires
  • Slightly noisier on dry pavement as the tread wears down
  • Can feel slightly twitchy at the limit or less comfortable than older X-Ice generations
All owner themes in the X Ice Snow review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 B · Michelin X Ice Snow
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available17100
Rim diameters16″ – 20″13″ – 21″
Tread depth9 - 11/32″—
SidewallRaised Black Lettering—
Max pressure50 psi—
Sizes in common1111

Which one should you actually buy?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1

Michelin X Ice Snow

Narrow edge: Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 — better wet, handling and dry. Pick the Michelin X Ice Snow if noise, treadwear and efficiency matter most to you.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 83 vs 71 on wet.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 83 vs 75 on handling.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin X Ice Snow scores 75 vs 67 on noise.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 74 vs 67 on dry.

Tire A · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
Check price on Amazon

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

Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow?

Which is better in the wet, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 83 vs 71 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1, 74 vs 67 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow?

Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 76 on the snow score, within 3 points.

Which is quieter, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow?

Michelin X Ice Snow, 75 vs 67 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow?

Michelin X Ice Snow, 80 vs 77 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow?

Michelin X Ice Snow, 76 vs 71 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 or X Ice Snow?

Michelin X Ice Snow, 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