Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 90% · 15
- TR Score
- 9.8/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 4
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the P Zero Winter 2 finished ahead 4 times and the UltraGrip Performance 3 twice. The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 9.6% longer in the wear tests; the P Zero Winter 2 stopped 6.6% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 for predominantly wet and dry winter roads, especially if wet stopping is the priority. Pick the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 for its stronger recent snow-handling results and longer predicted tread life; neither is a convincing choice for frequent ice.
Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger
- Stronger recent snow handling results
- Longer predicted tread life in both wear tests
- Usually better straight-line aquaplaning resistance
Where the P Zero Winter 2 is stronger
- Consistently strong wet handling
- Much shorter wet braking in both Auto Bild 2026 tests
- Generally stronger measured dry-road grip
Conclusion
Pirelli finished ahead in both Auto Bild 2026 tests, Teknikens Värld's 2025 Central European class and Tyre Reviews' 2024 test. Goodyear finished ahead in Auto Zeitung's 2025 test and Teknikens Värld's 2026 Central European class. Those positions reflect different strengths rather than a clean sweep: Pirelli is the more consistent choice for wet and dry grip, while Goodyear makes a stronger case for snow use and longevity in the more recent tests.
The biggest repeatable gap is wet braking. Pirelli stopped about 13% shorter in both Auto Bild 2026 tests, and also led narrowly in Auto Zeitung's 2025 test. Tyre Reviews' 2024 test went the other way by about 1%, a small difference. Pirelli was also quicker in every shared measured wet handling test, although several margins were narrow. On dry roads it generally had the measured edge, particularly in Auto Bild's 2026 winter test. Goodyear's straight-line aquaplaning results were usually slightly better, but curved aquaplaning split between the two tests that measured it.
Snow needs more qualification. Goodyear handled snow better in Auto Zeitung's 2025 test and scored higher for snow handling in Teknikens Värld's 2026 test; snow braking was virtually level in the 2025 and 2026 Auto Bild and Auto Zeitung results. Unusually, Tyre Reviews' 2024 test favoured Pirelli across braking, traction and handling on snow, as well as showing substantially shorter ice braking. That ice result should not be mistaken for consistently strong ice grip: Teknikens Värld rated both tyres poorly on ice in 2025, and again identified ice as a problem for these Central European tyres in 2026. Goodyear's predicted tread life was about 9 to 10% longer in both Auto Bild's 2026 and Auto Zeitung's 2025 tests. Choose Pirelli if wet-road stopping and handling matter most; choose Goodyear if you want the more recent snow-handling advantage and longer predicted wear.
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 P Zero Winter 2 at a glance
| Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Gap | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 2 | 4 | |
| Dry10 measurements | 1 | The P Zero Winter 2 stopped 1.3% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 8 |
| Wet21 measurements | 6 | The P Zero Winter 2 stopped 6.6% shorter in the wet (4 tests) | 12 |
| Snow16 measurements | 10 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 0.9% shorter on snow (4 tests) | 4 |
| Ice4 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Comfort8 measurements | 2 | 5 | |
| Value8 measurements | 7 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 9.6% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 1 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The P Zero Winter 2 by 0.3 | 9.8/10 |
| Owner rating15 and 4 reviews | 90% | Too close to call | 91% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The P Zero Winter 2 was dearer in 4 of 5 | +9.8% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 175 | 52 sizes made in both | 66 |
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, 2024 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 | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P9 of 50 | P1 of 50 | |
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 6 | P4 of 6 | |
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 5 | P1 of 5 | |
| 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | P3 of 6 | P1 of 6 |
Performance profile
19 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
P Zero Winter 2
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 92%: 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
P Zero Winter 2
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
P Zero Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4. 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 | P Zero Winter 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.82 | 1.3% | 42.27 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.8 | 0.6% | 81.31 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 109.8 | 1.7% | 111.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.9% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 28.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73 | 1.4% | 74 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.24 | 6.6% | 41 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27.6 | 1.2% | 27.93 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 96.62 | 0.5% | 96.13 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.1 | 0.9% | 82.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.6% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.37 | 1.3% | 12.2 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.16 | 0.8% | 79.48 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.29 | 0.2% | 2.28 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 25.78 | 0.9% | 25.64 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.37 | 3.9% | 5.16 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4,350 | 1.5% | 4,282 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 74.28 | 0.5% | 74.54 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.5 | 1.1% | 56.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 13.6% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.88 | 8.1% | 3.59 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.45 | = | 3.45 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.08 | 14.2% | 9.51 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.14 | 12.5% | 4.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.7% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.1% | scored | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.53 | 0.4 dB | 71.17 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50,025 | 9.6% | 45,650 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.38 | 0.1% | 8.38 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.94 | 2.9% | 6.12 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.14 | 9.1% | 0.15 | 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 P Zero Winter 2 9.8 out of 10.
| UltraGrip Performance 3 | Category | P Zero Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 95 | Wet | 99 | ||
| 85 | Comfort | 88 | ||
| 70 | Value | 27 | ||
| 87 | Snow | 78 | ||
| 22 | Ice | 59 | ||
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 | P Zero Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.8 | Wet Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 8.6 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 8.1 | Handling | 8.5 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8.8 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 10 | ||
| 8.1 | Ice Grip | 9.8 | ||
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4. 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.
Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
- 91%from 4 reviews
- 16,200 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 P Zero Winter 2 reviewsFirst of all I would like to mention that I have switched cars and tyres too. I went from an Audi A4 B8.5 Quattro on Continental Wintercontact 870Ps to a Ford Focus ST mk4 and I was a bit worried going from awd to fwd during the winter, but Pirelli have made a great tyre. Dry, wet and snow grip are excellent, the only circumstance where I have found the tyres to not overachieve my expectations are conditions when the roads are soaking wet and the ambient temperatures are above 3 degrees Celsius and that is only in longitudinal grip when accelerating. Braking is amazing, lateral grip is astonishing for a winter tire and ice and performance is very good and wear seems also good. I would definitely recommend this tyre to anyone.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 175 sizes of the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 66 of the P Zero Winter 2, 52 of them made in both.
| Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch | 66 sizes, 18 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 52 sizes 235/40 R18235/45 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/40 R18225/40 R19235/35 R19235/40 R19235/50 R19245/40 R19245/45 R19255/35 R19and 40 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B60%C39%D0%A0% | A70%B24%C6% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% | C77%B12%D6%A5% |
| EU label noise | 69-74 dB B87%A13% | 68-73 dB A66%B34% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 416 of 416 | 101 of 101 |
| On the market since | - | 2023 |
| Replaced | - | Pirelli P Zero Winter (2017) |
| Awards | Commended: Best Winter Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The P Zero Winter 2 was the dearer tyre in 4 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 9.8% 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.
Six independent tests put the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 side by side: Auto Bild's two 2026 winter tests, Teknikens Värld's 2025 and 2026 winter tests, Auto Zeitung's 2025 performance winter test and Tyre Reviews' 2024 performance winter test. Pirelli finished higher in four; Goodyear finished higher in two.
Pirelli's clearest advantage is on wet roads. Its wet braking and handling stand out in Auto Bild's 2026 tests, and it also led the wet measures in Auto Zeitung's 2025 test, though by much smaller margins. Goodyear generally offers the stronger snow results in the 2025 and 2026 tests, plus longer predicted wear in both tests that measured it. Tyre Reviews' 2024 result is the notable exception on snow: Pirelli led every snow measure there. Neither tyre shows convincing ice ability in Teknikens Värld's tests of Central European winter tyres.
UltraGrip Performance 3 vs P Zero Winter 2: your questions
Is the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 or the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 the better tyre?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 finished ahead 4 times and the UltraGrip Performance 3 twice. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the P Zero Winter 2 9.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip Performance 3 or the P Zero Winter 2?
The P Zero Winter 2 led 12 of the 21 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.6% shorter in the wet across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The P Zero Winter 2 led 8 of the 10 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.3% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 10 of the 16 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.9% shorter on snow across 4 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 9.6% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and used 2.9% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 8/10 for the P Zero Winter 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 9/10 for the P Zero Winter 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the P Zero Winter 2 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 9.8% 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 P Zero Winter 2 in 66 (18 to 23 inch). 52 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 P Zero Winter 2 A and C.
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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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