Tests 78 · 11 tests Owners 80 · 20 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ vs Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — 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 11 + 7 road tests and 20 + 51 owner reviews. How we score
UltraGrip Performance+ leads, 79–76 Narrow edge
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Tests 78 · 7 tests Owners 74 · 51 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (wet handling)
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
Winter i*cept RS2 +274Why this score
Source UltraGrip Performance+ Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 5 tests 71 75 Reviews found online 74 72 Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 98% Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 99% 99% UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 70.8 + 40% × 73.8 = 72
Winter i*cept RS2: 60% × 75.2 + 40% × 72 = 74
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86
Wet
UltraGrip Performance+ +185Why this score
Source UltraGrip Performance+ Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 11 / 7 tests 87 89 Reviews found online 84 78 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 96% 90% Wet Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 95% 91% Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 96% UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 83.7 = 86
Winter i*cept RS2: 60% × 89.4 + 40% × 78.4 = 85
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84
Snow
UltraGrip Performance+ +777Why this score
Source UltraGrip Performance+ Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 11 / 7 tests 87 81 Reviews found online 79 72 Snow Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 99% 96% Snow Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 99% 100% UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 79 = 84
Winter i*cept RS2: 60% × 80.6 + 40% × 71.6 = 77
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77
Comfort
UltraGrip Performance+ +770Why this score
Source UltraGrip Performance+ Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 72 74 Reviews found online 81 67 UltraGrip Performance+: 40% × 72.1 + 60% × 80.6 = 77
Winter i*cept RS2: 40% × 74.4 + 60% × 66.6 = 70
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60
Noise
Level60Why this score
Source UltraGrip Performance+ Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 4 tests 55 56 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 93% UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 54.9 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 60
Winter i*cept RS2: 60% × 56.2 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 60
No owner ratings of noise for UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2. 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.
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77
Treadwear
UltraGrip Performance+ +275Why this score
Source UltraGrip Performance+ Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 3 tests 74 75 Reviews found online 82 75 Wear (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 84% 82% UltraGrip Performance+: 60% × 74 + 40% × 81.5 = 77
Winter i*cept RS2: 60% × 74.6 + 40% × 74.9 = 75
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81
Handling (owners)
UltraGrip Performance+ +873Why this score
Source UltraGrip Performance+ Winter i*cept RS2 Reviews found online 81 73 -
77
Efficiency
UltraGrip Performance+ +3542Why this score
Source UltraGrip Performance+ Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 5 tests 77 42 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 88% 80%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ | Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 76 |
| Dry | 72 | 74 |
| Wet | 86 | 85 |
| Snow | 84 | 77 |
| Comfort | 77 | 70 |
| Noise | 60 | 60 |
| Treadwear | 77 | 75 |
| Handling (owners) | 81 | 73 |
| Efficiency | 77 | 42 |
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
79
/ 100
UltraGrip Performance+
76
/ 100
Winter i*cept RS2
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 5 tests that ran both, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ finished ahead 3 times and Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 2 times.
| Discipline | Category | UltraGrip Performance+ | Winter i*cept RS2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 99% | 98% | +0.9 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 99% | −0.1 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 80% #9/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 80% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 90% | +5.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% | 91% | +4.1 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview · 225/45 R17 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% | 96% | +4.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 100% #4/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 50% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% | 96% | +2.4 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview · 225/45 R17 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% | 100% | −1.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 100% #1/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 60% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 97% #6/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 90% #7/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 90% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 93% | +5.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 84% | 82% | +2.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 88% | 80% | +8.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 64% | 77% | −13.1 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #16/20 | #18/20 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Value | Cost | 71% | 82% | −10.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/8 | #3/8 | – | 3–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A 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
Tire B Winter i*cept RS2
Pros
- Exceptional grip and handling on wet and dry roads
- Impressive resistance to aquaplaning in heavy rain or standing water
- Strong value for money with a competitive price point
Cons
- Higher than average road noise, especially at highway speeds
- Firm, stiff sidewalls leading to a less comfortable or harsh ride
- Subpar performance and unpredictable grip on ice and black ice
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ | B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 88 | 37 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 22″ | 13″ – 17″ |
| Sizes in common | 5 | 5 |
Which one should you actually buy?
79
/ 100
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
76
/ 100
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
Narrow edge: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ — better efficiency, handling and snow. Where the Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 is ahead, it is by less than 3 points.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ scores 77 vs 42 on efficiency.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ scores 81 vs 73 on handling.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ scores 84 vs 77 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ scores 77 vs 70 on comfort.
Tire A · Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
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UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2?
Which is better in the wet, UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2?
Neither, by our numbers: 86 vs 85 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2?
Neither, by our numbers: 72 vs 74 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is better in snow, UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2?
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+, 84 vs 77 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2?
Neither, by our numbers: 60 vs 60 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2?
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+, 77 vs 70 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2?
Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 75 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Which rolls more easily, UltraGrip Performance+ or Winter i*cept RS2?
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+, 77 vs 42 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