Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 90% · 15
- TR Score
- 6.9/10
- Owners say
- 79% · 3
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 6 times and the BluEarth Winter V906 not once. The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 38.1% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 for the best all-round winter safety-especially if you face frequent rain, slush, or real snow/ice-and if you care about steering precision plus long tread life. Consider the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 mainly if you drive in milder, mostly cleared winter conditions and can secure it at a compelling price, with comfort being a secondary benefit; for snow-priority regions, the shared test evidence argues strongly against it.
Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger
- Consistently top overall results across major tests (e.g., ADAC 2024 1/16; ADAC 2026 3/16; AZ 2025 1/10) indicating a broad performance envelope
- Stronger wet safety margins and aquaplaning resistance (e.g., ADAC 2026 straight aquaplaning 79.3 vs 74.1 km/h; curved 2.8 vs 2.4 m/s²; multiple large wet-braking wins)
- More dependable winter capability in this dataset (wins snow braking in all shared tests; stronger snow traction e.g., 3480 N vs 3030 N in AZ 2025; better ice braking where measured)
Where the BluEarth Winter V906 is stronger
- Competitive in a few isolated braking metrics (e.g., AZ 2025 dry braking 43.3 m vs 43.6 m; ADAC 2024 wet braking and wet concrete braking wins)
- Decent comfort score in AZ 2025 (8/10) and generally acceptable dry/wet road manners when conditions are not demanding
- Can offer stronger up-front value depending on market/pricing (notably ADAC 2026 value metric: 1.97 vs 2.65 price/1000)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
UltraGrip Performance 3 vs BluEarth Winter V906 at a glance
| Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Gap | BluEarth Winter V906 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 6 | 0 | |
| Dry5 measurements | 4 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 0.6% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 1 |
| Wet16 measurements | 14 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 4.5% shorter in the wet (6 tests) | 2 |
| Snow12 measurements | 12 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 3.6% shorter on snow (6 tests) | 0 |
| Ice2 measurements | 2 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 1.9% shorter on ice (2 tests) | 0 |
| Comfort3 measurements | 2 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 1.5 dB quieter (2 tests) | 1 |
| Value8 measurements | 8 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 38.1% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 2.6 | 6.9/10 |
| Owner rating15 and 3 reviews | 90% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 11 points | 79% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | +44.4% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was dearer in 2 of 2 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 175 | 44 sizes made in both | 54 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 6 tests, 2023 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Field | BluEarth Winter V906 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 | P3 of 16 | P9 of 16 | |
| 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 10 | P8 of 10 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P3 of 51 | P28 of 51 | |
| 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 16 | P8 of 16 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test | P9 of 55 | P19 of 55 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P3 of 54 | P26 of 54 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 6 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
UltraGrip Performance 3
BluEarth Winter V906
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 12 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
UltraGrip Performance 3
BluEarth Winter V906
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
UltraGrip Performance 3
BluEarth Winter V906
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the BluEarth Winter V906 79% from 3. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Gap | BluEarth Winter V906 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.83 | 0.6% | 44.1 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75.8 | 0.7% | 76.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 36.4% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 37.4 | 4.5% | 39.2 | 5-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 39.65 | 1.1% | 39.2 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 85.3 | 2.2% | 87.2 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 35.5% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.35 | 2.6% | 12.68 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.6 | 4.2% | 78.37 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.95 | 15.7% | 2.55 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 22.28 | 3.6% | 23.17 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2,092 | 9.1% | 1,895 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 68.3 | 5.7% | 72.4 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 76.9% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.88 | 21.6% | 3.19 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 18.15 | 1.9% | 18.5 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 14.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.7 | 1.5 dB | 73.2 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 52,350 | 38.1% | 38,833 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.7 | 6.5% | 9.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 3.4% | 5.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 58.5 | 28.6% | 84 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.14 | 24.3% | 0.19 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the BluEarth Winter V906 6.9 out of 10.
| UltraGrip Performance 3 | Category | BluEarth Winter V906 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | Dry | 77 | ||
| 95 | Wet | 74 | ||
| 85 | Comfort | 38 | ||
| 70 | Value | 17 | ||
| 87 | Snow | 19 | ||
| 22 | Ice | 14 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| UltraGrip Performance 3 | Category | BluEarth Winter V906 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.8 | Wet Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.6 | Road Feedback | 8 | ||
| 8.1 | Handling | 8.3 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 5.7 | ||
| 8.8 | Comfort | 7.3 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.1 | Ice Grip | 8.3 | ||
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the BluEarth Winter V906 79% from 3. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- 90%from 15 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 62,800 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 very highly, praising its excellent grip and braking on dry and wet roads, strong traction in snow, and a quiet, comfortable, and predictable ride. Handling is often described as stable and confidence-inspiring, with several noting good highway manners. A minority mention weaker performance on pure ice and a softer, less sporty steering feel at the limit. Overall sentiment is strongly positive with only a few caveats.
- strong dry grip and braking
- excellent wet grip and braking
- very good snow traction
- quiet and comfortable ride
- limited grip on pure ice compared to some rivals
- softer steering feel and less sporty lateral grip at high speeds
Summarised by AI from 12 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 15 UltraGrip Performance 3 reviewsThis is exceptional tyre in winter i swapped it now with Michelin PA 5 which is even better on snow but lucks a bit on wet. But you cant go wrong with niether of those. I cant wait Michelin s to worn out so i can try pirelli.
Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906
- 79%from 3 reviews
- 13,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 BluEarth Winter V906 reviewsNot tested in the snow to any great extent but solid in cold weather and frosty wet roads. Wear rate is only average at best but I assume a good winter tyre like this is a fairly soft compound.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 175 sizes of the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 54 of the BluEarth Winter V906, 44 of them made in both.
| Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | BluEarth Winter V906 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch | 54 sizes, 15 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 44 sizes 185/60 R15185/65 R15195/65 R15185/50 R16185/55 R16195/55 R16205/45 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16and 32 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B60%C39%D0%A0% | B92%C8% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% | D93%C7% |
| EU label noise | 69-74 dB B87%A13% | 70-74 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 415 of 415 | 73 of 73 |
| On the market since | - | 2020 |
| Replaced | - | Yokohama BluEarth Winter V905 (2017) |
| Awards | Commended: Best Winter Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tyre in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 44.4% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This is a telling match-up because these two winter tyres are aimed at slightly different buyers: the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is an ultra-high-performance winter option designed to feel precise and secure at higher speeds, while the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 is positioned more as a premium-touring winter tyre where buyers may expect a calmer ride and good all-round manners.
Across six shared professional test datasets (including ADAC and AZ), the pattern is consistent: the Goodyear repeatedly finishes near the top of the field (1st/16 ADAC 2024, 3rd/16 ADAC 2026, 1st/10 AZ 2025), while the Yokohama tends to land mid-pack to lower mid-pack (8th-9th in ADAC/AZ, and notably far back in large braking shootouts). The interesting nuance is that the Yokohama can look acceptable in isolated dry/wet braking metrics, but it gives away a lot in wet safety margins, aquaplaning resistance, and-most importantly for a winter tyre-snow/ice capability and efficiency/longevity.
Conclusion
On the evidence, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is the clearly stronger and safer winter tyre overall. It dominates wet performance in particular: for example, in the 2025 52-tyre braking test it stopped in 32.6 m versus the Yokohama's 37.9 m (about 14% shorter), and in ADAC 2026 it also led wet braking (36.1 m vs 37.0 m) while posting meaningfully higher aquaplaning thresholds (79.3 km/h vs 74.1 km/h straight-aquaplaning; 2.8 vs 2.4 m/s² in curved aquaplaning). It also consistently beats the Yokohama on winter surfaces in this dataset-snow braking wins across all shared tests, plus stronger traction (e.g., 3480 N vs 3030 N in AZ 2025) and better ice braking where measured.
The other big separator is running costs and sustainability: the Goodyear repeatedly delivers much longer projected life (e.g., 57,500 km vs 35,700 km in ADAC 2024; 55,800 km vs 49,800 km in ADAC 2026; 43,750 km vs 31,000 km in AZ 2025) with lower abrasion and lower rolling resistance/fuel use. The Yokohama's best argument is value in at least one major test (ADAC 2026 price per performance) and slightly better comfort in AZ (8/10 vs 7/10), plus occasional narrow wins in specific wet-braking sub-tests (notably wet concrete in ADAC 2024). Practical takeaway: if you want one winter tyre that feels precise, brakes hard in the wet, resists aquaplaning, and still delivers credible snow/ice ability with excellent longevity, the Goodyear is the confident choice; the Yokohama only makes sense when purchase price/comfort is the priority and you drive mostly on cleared, mild winter roads where snow performance is rarely demanded.
UltraGrip Performance 3 vs BluEarth Winter V906: your questions
Is the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 or the Yokohama BluEarth Winter V906 the better tyre?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 6 times and the BluEarth Winter V906 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the BluEarth Winter V906 6.9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip Performance 3 or the BluEarth Winter V906?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 14 of the 16 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.5% shorter in the wet across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 4 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.6% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 12 of the 12 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.6% shorter on snow across 6 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 38.1% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and shed 28.6% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 5.7/10 for the BluEarth Winter V906.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 1.5 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 7.3/10 for the BluEarth Winter V906.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the BluEarth Winter V906 79% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tyre in 2 of them, by 44.4% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 is made in 175 sizes (14 to 23 inch) and the BluEarth Winter V906 in 54 (15 to 22 inch). 44 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the UltraGrip Performance 3 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the BluEarth Winter V906 B and D.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Review the UltraGrip Performance 3 Review the BluEarth Winter V906
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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