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Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ vs Michelin Alpin 6 — 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 5 + 19 road tests and 6 + 35 owner reviews. How we score

Alpin 6 leads, 80–76 Narrow edge

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Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
Tire AGoodyear

UltraGrip 9+

Winter

± 6

Tests 75 · 5 tests Owners 79 · 6 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test (ice braking)

Michelin Alpin 6
Tire BMichelin

Alpin 6

Winter

± 4

Tests 81 · 19 tests Owners 81 · 35 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (wear)

Category by category

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

Key facts

  • In 5 tests that measured wet braking for both, UltraGrip 9+ won 0 and Alpin 6 won 5 (average 91% vs 93% of the best).
  • In 5 tests that measured snow braking for both, UltraGrip 9+ won 4 and Alpin 6 won 0 (average 99% vs 95% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured dry braking for both, UltraGrip 9+ won 0 and Alpin 6 won 4 (average 93% vs 98% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, UltraGrip 9+ won 3 and Alpin 6 won 0 (average 96% vs 92% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured snow traction for both, UltraGrip 9+ won 2 and Alpin 6 won 2 (average 99% vs 98% of the best).
  1. 67

    Dry

    Alpin 6 +10
    77
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 15 tests6074
    Reviews found online7982
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–493%98%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–298%99%
    Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–080%50%

    UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 59.8 + 40% × 78.8 = 67

    Alpin 6: 60% × 74.1 + 40% × 81.6 = 77

  2. 85

    Wet

    Alpin 6 +4
    89
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 19 tests8690
    Reviews found online8387
    Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–097%82%
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–096%92%
    Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–150%80%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–591%93%
    Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–191%94%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–099%98%

    UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 86.3 + 40% × 83.1 = 85

    Alpin 6: 60% × 90.1 + 40% × 86.8 = 89

  3. 80

    Snow

    UltraGrip 9+ +5
    75
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 19 tests8577
    Reviews found online7473
    Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%95%
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 4–099%95%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–197%96%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 2–299%98%
    Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–090%70%

    UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 84.7 + 40% × 73.7 = 80

    Alpin 6: 60% × 76.5 + 40% × 73.3 = 75

  4. 75

    Comfort

    Alpin 6 +8
    83
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 4 tests7684
    Reviews found online7482
    Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0100%100%

    UltraGrip 9+: 40% × 75.7 + 60% × 74.1 = 75

    Alpin 6: 40% × 84.2 + 60% × 81.5 = 83

  5. 69

    Noise

    UltraGrip 9+ +9
    60
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 13 tests7156
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Noise (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–298%99%

    UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 70.5 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 69

    Alpin 6: 60% × 55.6 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 60

    No owner ratings of noise for UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6. 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. 76

    Treadwear

    Alpin 6 +9
    85
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 7 tests7289
    Reviews found online8280
    Abrasion (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–169%100%
    Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–279%92%

    UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 71.5 + 40% × 81.6 = 76

    Alpin 6: 60% × 88.9 + 40% × 80.3 = 85

  7. 74

    Handling (owners)

    Alpin 6 +7
    81
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6
    Reviews found online7481
  8. 78

    Efficiency

    UltraGrip 9+ +14
    64
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 15 tests7864
    Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–098%97%
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–094%89%
Scores at a glance
CategoryGoodyear UltraGrip 9+Michelin Alpin 6
Relative Score 76 80
Dry 67 77
Wet 85 89
Snow 80 75
Comfort 75 83
Noise 69 60
Treadwear 76 85
Handling (owners) 74 81
Efficiency 78 64

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
± 6

UltraGrip 9+

± 4

Alpin 6

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 11 tests that ran both, Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ finished ahead 7 times and Michelin Alpin 6 4 times.

DisciplineCategoryUltraGrip 9+Alpin 6ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 93% 98% −4.4 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Dry Handling Dry 98% 99% −1.0 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test · 195/55 R16
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 80% 50% +30.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 97% 82% +15.3 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 96% 92% +4.6 3–0 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Wet Braking Wet 91% 93% −1.7 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Wet Braking (concrete) Wet 91% 94% −3.0 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Wet Handling Wet 99% 98% +0.6 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test · 195/55 R16
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 50% 80% −30.0 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Ice Braking Snow 100% 95% +4.6 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Snow Braking Snow 99% 95% +4.2 4–0 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Snow Handling Snow 97% 96% +0.8 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test · 195/55 R16
Snow Handling (tester's mark) Snow 90% 70% +20.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Snow Traction Snow 99% 98% +0.7 2–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 100% 100% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Noise Noise 98% 99% −1.2 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Abrasion Treadwear 69% 100% −31.1 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Wear Treadwear 79% 92% −12.2 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Fuel Consumption Efficiency 98% 97% +1.7 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 94% 89% +5.2 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test · 195/55 R16
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 78% 64% +14.7 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test · 195/55 R16
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #7/20 #13/20 – 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Value Cost 79% 72% +7.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Overall Ranking Overall #3/16 #2/16 – 7–4 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test · 205/60 R16

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A UltraGrip 9+

Pros

  • Strong cold-weather and wet grip, with one owner describing wet grip at 0–10°C as feeling as sure-footed as in the dry
  • Capable snow and ice performance in the conditions reported, including hill climbs past stranded vehicles and handling of icy rural roads
  • Comfortable and quiet on the road, with some noise noted only on concrete surfaces; one reviewer found it quieter than a Nokian WRD4

Cons

  • Long-term durability is largely unproven, as reviewers had covered only about 1,000 to 8,000 km and several said it was too early to judge wear
  • Snow and ice performance was not tested extensively, since mild winters or limited exposure meant some owners could not comment on severe conditions
  • Snow traction was reported as not matching a Nokian WRD4 in one second-hand comparison
All owner themes in the UltraGrip 9+ review

Tire B Alpin 6

Pros

  • Exceptional wet and dry road grip in cold temperatures
  • High levels of ride comfort and low cabin noise
  • Impressive tread life and long-term durability

Cons

  • Inconsistent performance in deep snow and on ice
  • Some reports of sluggish steering feedback or 'soft' sidewall feel
  • Higher price point compared to some performance-oriented winter alternatives
All owner themes in the Alpin 6 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ B · Michelin Alpin 6
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available1942
Rim diameters14″ – 16″15″ – 20″
Sizes in common88

Which one should you actually buy?

Goodyear UltraGrip 9+

Michelin Alpin 6

Narrow edge: Michelin Alpin 6 — better dry, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ if efficiency, noise and snow matter most to you.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ scores 78 vs 64 on efficiency.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Alpin 6 scores 77 vs 67 on dry.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ scores 69 vs 60 on noise.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Alpin 6 scores 85 vs 76 on treadwear.

Tire A · Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
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Tire B · Michelin Alpin 6
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UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6?

Which is better in the wet, UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6?

Michelin Alpin 6, 89 vs 85 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6?

Michelin Alpin 6, 77 vs 67 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6?

Goodyear UltraGrip 9+, 80 vs 75 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6?

Goodyear UltraGrip 9+, 69 vs 60 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6?

Michelin Alpin 6, 83 vs 75 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6?

Michelin Alpin 6, 85 vs 76 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, UltraGrip 9+ or Alpin 6?

Goodyear UltraGrip 9+, 78 vs 64 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