Tests 74 · 3 tests Owners 80 · 39 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (snow braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 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 3 + 5 road tests and 39 + 6 owner reviews. How we score
Too close to call: UltraGrip 9 and UltraGrip 9+ are level at 76.
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Tests 75 · 5 tests Owners 79 · 6 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test (ice braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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72
Dry
UltraGrip 9 +468Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 UltraGrip 9+ Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 4 tests 70 60 Reviews found online 75 79 UltraGrip 9: 60% × 70.4 + 40% × 75.1 = 72
UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 60.1 + 40% × 79.3 = 68
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84
Wet
UltraGrip 9+ +185Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 UltraGrip 9+ Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 5 tests 83 87 Reviews found online 86 83 UltraGrip 9: 60% × 83.3 + 40% × 85.9 = 84
UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 86.6 + 40% × 83.4 = 85
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75
Snow
UltraGrip 9+ +580Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 UltraGrip 9+ Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 5 tests 73 85 Reviews found online 79 74 UltraGrip 9: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 78.6 = 75
UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 84.7 + 40% × 74.1 = 80
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78
Comfort
UltraGrip 9 +276Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 UltraGrip 9+ Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 72 (est.) 77 Reviews found online 82 75 UltraGrip 9: 40% × 71.5 (est.) + 60% × 82.1 = 78
UltraGrip 9+: 40% × 76.8 + 60% × 74.7 = 76
No road tests of comfort for UltraGrip 9. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
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65
Noise
UltraGrip 9+ +469Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 UltraGrip 9+ Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 3 tests 64 71 Reviews found online ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) UltraGrip 9: 60% × 63.7 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 65
UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 70.7 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 69
No owner ratings of noise for UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+. 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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74
Treadwear
UltraGrip 9+ +175Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 UltraGrip 9+ Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 2 tests 73 71 Reviews found online 77 81 UltraGrip 9: 60% × 72.6 + 40% × 77.3 = 74
UltraGrip 9+: 60% × 71.4 + 40% × 81.4 = 75
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81
Handling (owners)
UltraGrip 9 +774Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 UltraGrip 9+ Reviews found online 81 74 -
75
Efficiency
UltraGrip 9+ +378Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 UltraGrip 9+ Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 4 tests 75 78
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 76 |
| Dry | 72 | 68 |
| Wet | 84 | 85 |
| Snow | 75 | 80 |
| Comfort | 78 | 76 |
| Noise | 65 | 69 |
| Treadwear | 74 | 75 |
| Handling (owners) | 81 | 74 |
| Efficiency | 75 | 78 |
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
76
/ 100
UltraGrip 9
76
/ 100
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.
| Discipline | Category | UltraGrip 9 | UltraGrip 9+ | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 92% #13/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #9/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 94% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #2/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 97% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 95% #4/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 90% #3/8 · 2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 100% #1/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 100% #1/8 · 2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 97% #7/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 96% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 67% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 78% #6/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 91% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 96% #2/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 71% #16/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 77% #4/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #2/20 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | #7/20 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Value | Cost | 71% #11/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 79% #10/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #2/8 2020 Wybór Kierowców Winter Tire Test R16 | #3/16 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A 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
Tire B UltraGrip 9+
Pros
- Excellent wet and cold weather grip
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise
- Strong value proposition compared to premium competitors
Cons
- Performance on deep snow and ice may lag slightly behind specialized winter-focused brands like Nokian
- Limited feedback on long-term tread wear due to low mileage in current reviews
- Increased noise levels specifically on concrete road surfaces
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear UltraGrip 9 | B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 1 | 19 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ | 14″ – 16″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
76
/ 100
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
Too close to call: Goodyear UltraGrip 9 and Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ are within 2 points overall. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is stronger on handling and dry. Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ is stronger on snow, noise and efficiency.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 81 vs 74 on handling.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ scores 80 vs 75 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 72 vs 68 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ scores 69 vs 65 on noise.
Tire A · Goodyear UltraGrip 9
Tire B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9+
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UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+?
Which is better in the wet, UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+?
Neither, by our numbers: 84 vs 85 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+?
Goodyear UltraGrip 9, 72 vs 68 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+?
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+, 80 vs 75 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+?
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+, 69 vs 65 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+?
Neither, by our numbers: 78 vs 76 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+?
Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 75 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Which rolls more easily, UltraGrip 9 or UltraGrip 9+?
Goodyear UltraGrip 9+, 78 vs 75 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