Continental IceContact 3 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
While the Continental often shines on wet and dry asphalt with precise steering, low noise and predictable balance, the Goodyear repeatedly delivers class-leading stopping and traction on ice and strong snow grip. The core trade-off emerges clearly: Continental's composure and refinement on tarmac versus Goodyear's decisive edge on the most slippery winter surfaces.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been seven tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental IceContact 3 | one | |
| Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 | six |
While it might look like the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 is better than the Continental IceContact 3 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Consistently strong wet/dry braking and handling with precise steering feel
- Lower noise and good comfort for a studded tyre
- Good aquaplaning resistance in several tests
- Occasionally lower rolling resistance than peers
- Class-leading ice braking, traction, and handling across tests
- Very good snow grip with short stopping distances
- Balanced and safe behavior in extreme situations
- Generally better value/pricing in tested sizes
Dry Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped the vehicle in 0.48% less distance than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Dry Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 23.81% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental IceContact 3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped the vehicle in 0.08% less distance than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Wet Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during five wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 was 0.72% faster around a wet lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental IceContact 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 scored 11.11% more points than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 floated at a 0.82% higher speed than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Straight Aqua: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during three snow braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped the vehicle in 0.47% less distance than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Snow Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during five snow traction tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 accelerated 1.53% faster than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Snow Traction: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during four snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 was 0.31% faster around a lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental IceContact 3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during six ice braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped the vehicle 15.35% shorter than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Ice Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during five ice traction tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 accelerated 12.41% faster than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Ice Traction: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Ice Handling [s]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during five ice handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was 4.25% faster around a lap than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Ice Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 60% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental IceContact 3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during two subj. noise tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 scored 14.29% more points than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Subj. Noise: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during three noise tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 measured 1.36% quieter than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
Best In Noise: Continental IceContact 3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one noise tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 measured 1.05% quieter than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
Best In Noise: Continental IceContact 3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during three price tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 cost 12.26% less than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Price: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 had a 5.26% lower rolling resistance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental IceContact 3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 used 0.17% less fuel than the Continental IceContact 3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental IceContact 3 and Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
In total the Continental IceContact 3 has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tyre 76% overall.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 has been reviewed 1 times and drivers have given the tyre 91% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.
Conclusion
For buyers frequently facing black ice, frozen intersections, or untreated winter roads, the Goodyear is the safer bet. For mixed urban commuting with more wet/dry asphalt and only occasional severe ice, the Continental's road manners, comfort, and refinement appeal. Pricing also favors Goodyear in most tests, though Continental can offer lower rolling resistance in some sizes. The practical takeaway: pick Goodyear for maximum ice security, Continental for the most pleasant daily drive on asphalt-heavy winter routes.
Key Differences
- Ice performance: Goodyear wins every shared ice braking test; Continental repeatedly trails by large margins (often 13-25%).
- Snow starts/braking: Goodyear often edges traction and braking; Continental can be slightly quicker around snow handling laps.
- Wet/dry asphalt: Continental frequently stops shorter and handles more precisely; Goodyear can be a touch slower but still safe.
- Steering feel: Continental is clearer and more precise; Goodyear is described as vague/numb at the limit.
- Noise/comfort: Continental is typically quieter; Goodyear trends louder.
- Value/price: Goodyear is commonly cheaper in tests; Continental sometimes posts lower rolling resistance but has had high RR remarks elsewhere.
Overall Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 Top Comparisons
Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.