Continental VikingContact 8 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 8
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 79% · 4
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental VikingContact 8 finished ahead 6 times and the UltraGrip Ice 3 once. The VikingContact 8 stopped 3% shorter in the dry; the UltraGrip Ice 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 8.9% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Continental VikingContact 8 if you want the most consistently top-ranked Nordic friction winter tyre with the strongest bias toward ice/snow grip and predictable control. Pick the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 if your winter driving is dominated by wet, slushy, cleared roads where aquaplaning resistance and wet-road stability matter most, and you still want a premium studless tyre with strong overall winter capability.
Where the VikingContact 8 is stronger
- Stronger ice performance and control across tests (ice traction category wins 4-0; multiple wins in ice handling and braking, including a ~6% shorter ice braking result in one 205/55 R16 test: 47.1 m vs 50.2 m)
- Consistently top overall results/head-to-head outcomes (6 wins out of 7 shared tests; frequently 1st in Nordic friction class such as 1/5 in Teknikens Värld 2026 and 1/7 in Teknikens Värld 2025)
- Strong dry braking consistency (category wins 4-0; e.g., 45.6 m vs 48.5 m in 205/55 R16, ~6% shorter)
Where the UltraGrip Ice 3 is stronger
- Best-in-comparison aquaplaning resistance (straight aquaplaning head-to-head wins 5-0, often by double digits; e.g., +10.8% to +14.6% in key tests, plus a major curved-aquaplaning advantage in 205/55 R16)
- Often stronger wet handling/subjective wet confidence (more wet-handling wins overall; frequently described as the best friction tyre on wet asphalt in one 205/55 R16 class test)
- Typically very efficient and quiet: multiple fuel/consumption wins (3-0 in summary) and recurring low-noise results (including the lowest noise in the 235/60 R18 friction test context)
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.
VikingContact 8 vs UltraGrip Ice 3 at a glance
| Category | VikingContact 8 | Gap | UltraGrip Ice 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 6 | 1 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 5 | The VikingContact 8 stopped 3% shorter in the dry (4 tests) | 4 |
| Wet19 measurements | 4 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 8.9% higher speed (5 tests) | 13 |
| Snow15 measurements | 7 | The VikingContact 8 was 0.7% quicker in the snow traction test (4 tests) | 6 |
| Ice14 measurements | 12 | The VikingContact 8 stopped 3.5% shorter on ice (4 tests) | 2 |
| Comfort7 measurements | 2 | 3 | |
| Value5 measurements | 1 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 used 1.1% less fuel (4 tests) | 3 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 by 0.2 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating8 and 4 reviews | 83% | The VikingContact 8 by 4 points | 79% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | +15.4% | The VikingContact 8 was dearer in 4 of 5 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 123 | 71 sizes made in both | 92 |
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 7 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 | VikingContact 8 | Field | UltraGrip Ice 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 5 | P2 of 5 | |
| 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 8 | P3 of 8 | |
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | P1 of 5 | P2 of 5 | |
| 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 7 | P3 of 7 | |
| 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 | P1 of 6 | P2 of 6 |
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
VikingContact 8
UltraGrip Ice 3
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. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
VikingContact 8
UltraGrip Ice 3
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
VikingContact 8
UltraGrip Ice 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 reviews and the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% 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 | VikingContact 8 | Gap | UltraGrip Ice 3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38.15 | 3% | 39.46 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 58.5 | 0.2% | 58.4 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 9.4% | scored | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 12.5% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70 | = | 70 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 43.08 | 2% | 42.33 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 59.38 | 1% | 58.9 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.8% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.44 | 1.5% | 13.64 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 59.02 | 8.9% | 64.12 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1.51 | 33.8% | 2.02 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 22.83 | 1.1% | 22.7 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.73 | 0.7% | 3.76 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 76.37 | 0.1% | 76.28 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.7% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.39 | 2.4% | 3.31 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 19.54 | 3.5% | 20.56 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.62 | 5% | 7 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 58.83 | 1.6% | 59.84 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 10.2% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 7.5% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70 | 0.2 dB | 69.8 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.29 | 4% | 7.59 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.84 | 1.1% | 5.77 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 VikingContact 8 scores 9.2 and the UltraGrip Ice 3 9.4 out of 10.
| VikingContact 8 | Category | UltraGrip Ice 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Dry | 54 | ||
| 47 | Wet | 81 | ||
| 92 | Comfort | 94 | ||
| 85 | Value | 91 | ||
| 81 | Snow | 91 | ||
| 91 | Ice | 74 | ||
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
| VikingContact 8 | Category | UltraGrip Ice 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 7.4 | Road Feedback | 7 | ||
| 7.5 | Handling | 7.3 | ||
| 7.8 | Wear | 7 | ||
| 9.1 | Comfort | 9.5 | ||
| 8.6 | Snow Grip | 8 | ||
| 9 | Ice Grip | 7.3 | ||
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 reviews and the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% from 4. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental VikingContact 8
- 83%from 8 reviews
- 88%would buy again
- 33,500 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers overwhelmingly rate the Continental VikingContact 8 as an excellent Nordic-style winter tyre, praising exceptional grip and confidence on ice and snow along with strong handling and braking in harsh conditions. Multiple reviews also highlight a quiet, comfortable ride with little to no tramlining. A minority view reports underwhelming stability/traction, suggesting performance may vary by vehicle or conditions.
- Exceptional ice and snow grip
- Confidence-inspiring handling and stability in winter conditions
- Quiet ride
- High comfort/impact absorption
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 8 VikingContact 8 reviewsVery good grip in the snow and ice though cornering they did feel rather soft but that is expected of winter tires. I have no complaints as they handled the conditions I threw at them flawlessly. Drove through snow and ice covered roads in a snow storm with zero signs of losing grip during acceleration or through corners. They also handled slush covered roads excellently.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
- 79%from 4 reviews
- 59,610 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 UltraGrip Ice 3 reviewsVs the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 2024, Nokian has much better ice grip.
On snow its, ice, dry, wet. I think it's a good overall quality tire.
Tempratures is rising around + degrees, still a solid tire.
Comfort of the Goodyear is excellent.
I have around 3 mm left on the front and barley 5 mm on the back tires. (Top speed we have in this area is 62mph)
Competitive price my area.
It's a good overall nordic winter tire!
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 123 sizes of the VikingContact 8 and 92 of the UltraGrip Ice 3, 71 of them made in both.
| Category | VikingContact 8 | UltraGrip Ice 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 123 sizes, 15 to 22 inch | 92 sizes, 15 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 71 sizes 185/65 R15195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/65 R17225/45 R17and 59 more | |
| EU label wet grip | D100% | E90%D10% |
| EU label rolling resistance | B65%A21%C14% | B54%C43%D3% |
| EU label noise | 68-72 dB A99%B1% | 68-73 dB B64%A36% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 159 of 159 | 157 of 157 |
| Replaced | Continental VikingContact 7 (2018) | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 (2021) |
| Price in the shared tests | The VikingContact 8 was the dearer tyre in 4 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 15.4% 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.
Continental's VikingContact 8 and Goodyear's UltraGrip Ice 3 sit in the same premium Nordic friction (studless) winter category, so the core question isn't “are they good?”-it's which one better fits your winter. Across seven shared professional tests in multiple sizes (205/55 R16 up to 235/60 R18), these two repeatedly trade blows depending on whether the day is dominated by ice/snow grip or by wet-road security and efficiency.
The pattern is remarkably consistent: the VikingContact 8 tends to win the overall Nordic-friction class and excels on true winter surfaces (especially ice control and traction), while the UltraGrip Ice 3 is the frequent standout when conditions turn wet and slushy-most notably in aquaplaning resistance-and it often edges rolling resistance/fuel use. If your winters regularly swing between polished ice mornings and rain-soaked motorways in the afternoon, this is a comparison where “winter performance” means different things.
Conclusion
Across the shared tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 is the more repeatable “win-anywhere” Nordic friction tyre: it took 6 of 7 overall victories/head-to-head wins in these datasets and repeatedly posts class-leading ice performance. Examples include strong advantages on ice traction (4-0 in category wins) and multiple tests highlighting its calm, predictable limit behavior on ice and snow; in Teknikens Värld 2026 it was credited with the best ice handling of all 18 tyres (including studded) and also topped comfort. If your priority is maximum confidence on polished ice, hard-packed snow, and tricky mixed-µ winter roads, the VikingContact 8 is the safer bet and most often the test leader.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3's case is equally clear: it's the wet-weather and slush-planing specialist within the Nordic friction type. It dominated straight-line aquaplaning head-to-head (5-0), with very large gaps in key tests-e.g., 68.5 vs 59.8 km/h in 2024 (+14.6%) and 63.4 vs 56.7 km/h in Teknikens Värld 2025 (+11.8%), plus a big curved-aquaplaning edge in 205/55 R16 (2.02 vs 1.51 m/s², +33.8%). It also frequently runs low noise and low fuel/rolling resistance (often marginally better than Continental), making it an excellent choice for drivers who spend more winter time on wet, cleared asphalt but still need credible snow/ice grip.
Practical takeaway: choose the VikingContact 8 when winter grip and ice control are non-negotiable; choose the UltraGrip Ice 3 when your “winter problem” is water, slush and motorway stability (and you still want a very capable Nordic friction tyre on snow/ice).
VikingContact 8 vs UltraGrip Ice 3: your questions
Is the Continental VikingContact 8 or the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 the better tyre?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental VikingContact 8 finished ahead 6 times and the UltraGrip Ice 3 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the VikingContact 8 scores 9.2 and the UltraGrip Ice 3 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the VikingContact 8 or the UltraGrip Ice 3?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 led 13 of the 19 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 8.9% higher speed across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The VikingContact 8 led 5 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3% shorter in the dry across 4 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The VikingContact 8 led 7 of the 15 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 0.7% quicker in the snow traction test across 4 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 used 1.1% less fuel (4 tests). Owners rate wear 7.8/10 for the VikingContact 8 and 7/10 for the UltraGrip Ice 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9.1/10 for the VikingContact 8 and 9.5/10 for the UltraGrip Ice 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 reviews and the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% from 4.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the VikingContact 8 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 15.4% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The VikingContact 8 is made in 123 sizes (15 to 22 inch) and the UltraGrip Ice 3 in 92 (15 to 22 inch). 71 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the VikingContact 8 is graded D for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the UltraGrip Ice 3 E and B.
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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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