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 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 — 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 + 8 road tests and 39 + 3,033 owner reviews. How we score
UltraGrip 9 is ahead, 76–71
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Tests 76 · 8 tests Owners 67 · 3,033 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 11 in 2017 All Season VS Winter Tyre Test (wet braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
72
Dry
UltraGrip 9 +1458Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 8 tests 70 57 Reviews found online 75 59 UltraGrip 9: 60% × 70.4 + 40% × 75.1 = 72
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2: 60% × 57.1 + 40% × 58.7 = 58
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84
Wet
UltraGrip 9 +282Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 8 tests 83 88 Reviews found online 86 73 UltraGrip 9: 60% × 83.3 + 40% × 85.9 = 84
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2: 60% × 88.3 + 40% × 72.7 = 82
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75
Snow
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 +277Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 6 tests 73 84 Reviews found online 79 67 UltraGrip 9: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 78.6 = 75
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2: 60% × 84.3 + 40% × 67.2 = 77
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78
Comfort
UltraGrip 9 +1167Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 72 (est.) ≈ 69 (est.) Reviews found online 82 66 UltraGrip 9: 40% × 71.5 (est.) + 60% × 82.1 = 78
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2: 40% × 68.5 (est.) + 60% × 65.9 = 67
No road tests of comfort for UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
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65
Noise
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 +772Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 5 tests 64 75 Reviews found online ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) UltraGrip 9: 60% × 63.7 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 65
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2: 60% × 75.4 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 72
No owner ratings of noise for UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2. 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
Level74Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 3 tests 73 77 Reviews found online 77 70 UltraGrip 9: 60% × 72.6 + 40% × 77.3 = 74
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2: 60% × 76.7 + 40% × 70.2 = 74
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81
Handling (owners)
UltraGrip 9 +1863Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 Reviews found online 81 63 -
75
Efficiency
UltraGrip 9 +174Why this score
Source UltraGrip 9 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 6 tests 75 74
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 | Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 71 |
| Dry | 72 | 58 |
| Wet | 84 | 82 |
| Snow | 75 | 77 |
| Comfort | 78 | 67 |
| Noise | 65 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 74 | 74 |
| Handling (owners) | 81 | 63 |
| Efficiency | 75 | 74 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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
71
/ 100
Vector 4Seasons Gen-2
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 | Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 90% #6/7 · 2020 ADAC SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 94% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 97% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 92% #2/7 · 2020 ADAC SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #4/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 90% #3/8 · 2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 100% #2/7 · 2020 ADAC SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/7 · 2020 ADAC SUV All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 96% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #4/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 67% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 91% #3/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 91% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 90% #3/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 71% #16/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 78% #8/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #2/20 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | #3/10 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Value | Cost | 71% #11/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 83% #5/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #2/8 2020 Wybór Kierowców Winter Tire Test R16 | #4/7 2021 Motor All-Season Tire Test R16 | – | 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 Vector 4Seasons Gen-2
Pros
- Exceptional grip and safety in wet, rainy, and standing water conditions
- Outstanding traction and confidence in deep snow, ice, and cold winter weather
- Comfortable, smooth, and relatively quiet ride quality
Cons
- Reduced dry-weather performance and softer handling response in warm temperatures (above 20°C)
- Prone to wheel spin, understeer, and tread squal when pushed hard or during aggressive starts in dry conditions
- Vague or floaty steering feel on twisty roads or at highway speeds
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear UltraGrip 9 | B · Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | All Season |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 1 | 34 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ | 13″ – 20″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
71
/ 100
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip 9 — better handling, dry and comfort. Pick the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 81 vs 63 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 72 vs 58 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 78 vs 67 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2 scores 72 vs 65 on noise.
Tire A · Goodyear UltraGrip 9
Tire B · Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2
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UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2?
Which is better in the wet, UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2?
Neither, by our numbers: 84 vs 82 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2?
Goodyear UltraGrip 9, 72 vs 58 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2?
Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 77 on the snow score, within 3 points.
Which is quieter, UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2?
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-2, 72 vs 65 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2?
Goodyear UltraGrip 9, 78 vs 67 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2?
Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 74 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Which rolls more easily, UltraGrip 9 or Vector 4Seasons Gen-2?
Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 74 on the efficiency score, within 3 points.
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