Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Pirelli Ice Friction
Across two 2025 comparison tests on 18-inch sizes, results were tight. Pirelli edged Goodyear overall in the SUV-leaning 235/60 R18 test (2nd vs. 3rd) with best-in-class aquaplaning resistance and strong stopping performance. Goodyear struck back in the mixed-format 235/45 R18 test (2nd vs. 3rd), pairing confident handling with notably better fuel economy and superior aquaplaning this time. The stage is set: ultimate braking versus all-round refinement and efficiency.
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 two tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 | one | |
| Pirelli Ice Friction | one |
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Pirelli Ice Friction have an equal number of test wins. However, 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
- Lowest noise in class; calmer cabin on winter asphalt
- Consistently better fuel economy (≈0.7-5% advantage in tests)
- Confident, balanced handling; wins in wet handling and ice handling
- Strong aquaplaning performance (outright win in one test; competitive overall)
- Shorter braking on dry, wet, snow, and ice in head-to-heads
- Top-tier aquaplaning resistance (best in 235/60 R18 test)
- High snow/ice pace with engaging, slightly oversteery balance
- Broadly strong across surfaces; immediate, crisp steering on dry
Dry Braking
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Ice Friction was better during one dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Ice Friction stopped the vehicle in 4.63% less distance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Ice Friction
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Pirelli Ice Friction performed equally well in subj. dry handling tests.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Ice Friction was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Ice Friction stopped the vehicle in 2.98% less distance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Ice Friction
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 0.65% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli Ice Friction.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 scored 16.67% more points than the Pirelli Ice Friction.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 floated at a 1.14% higher speed than the Pirelli Ice Friction.
Best In Straight Aqua: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Ice Friction was better during one snow braking tests. On average the Pirelli Ice Friction stopped the vehicle in 1.07% less distance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Snow Braking: Pirelli Ice Friction
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Ice Friction was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Pirelli Ice Friction accelerated 0.52% faster than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Snow Traction: Pirelli Ice Friction
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Ice Friction was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Ice Friction was 0.14% faster around a lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Pirelli Ice Friction
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Pirelli Ice Friction performed equally well in subj. snow handling tests.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Ice Friction was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Pirelli Ice Friction stopped the vehicle 1% shorter than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Ice Braking: Pirelli Ice Friction
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one ice traction tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 accelerated 2.76% faster than the Pirelli Ice Friction.
Best In Ice Traction: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Ice Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one ice handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 1.01% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Ice Friction.
Best In Ice Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Ice Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Ice Friction was better during one subj. ice handling tests. On average the Pirelli Ice Friction scored 12.5% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Pirelli Ice Friction
See how the Subj. Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Pirelli Ice Friction performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one noise tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 measured 2.42% quieter than the Pirelli Ice Friction.
Best In Noise: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 used 2.58% less fuel than the Pirelli Ice Friction.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Pirelli Ice Friction.
In total the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tyre 75% overall.
The Pirelli Ice Friction has been reviewed 1 times and drivers have given the tyre 95% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Pirelli Ice Friction.
Snow grip is good and very predictable, ice grip is good for a friction tire but if you need ice grip studded tires are the way to go.
Where the tire really shines is the comfort and noise part. Very quiet impression and the comfort has a rounded/isolated feel to it.
Overall a very... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 counters with real-world usability: consistently composed handling (wet and ice), best noise comfort, and the clearest efficiency advantage (lower consumption in both tests). It also posted wins in wet handling (one test), ice traction/handling, and-importantly for commuting-remains easy and predictable near the limit. If you prioritize shortest stops in winter mixes, pick Pirelli; if you value quietness, stability, and lower running costs without giving up much grip, Goodyear is the smarter daily choice. The practical takeaway: Pirelli for maximum braking confidence, Goodyear for the most rounded, serene winter drive.
Key Differences
- Braking bias: Pirelli stops shorter on dry, wet, snow, and ice; Goodyear closes the gap with superior ice traction/handling times.
- Efficiency: Goodyear uses less fuel in both tests (≈0.8-4.4% lower).
- Noise: Goodyear is quieter (≈1.7 dB advantage measured).
- Aquaplaning: Pirelli leads in one test; Goodyear leads in the other-vehicle/size dependent.
- Handling feel: Goodyear is stable and neutral; Pirelli is crisper with slight rear rotation aiding cornering.
- Rank outcomes: Pirelli 2nd vs. Goodyear 3rd in 235/60 R18; Goodyear 2nd vs. Pirelli 3rd in 235/45 R18.
Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Pirelli Ice Friction 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.