Dunlop Winter vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 89% · 2
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 90% · 15
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 3 times and the Winter once. The Winter had 3.1% lower rolling resistance; the UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 if you drive in milder, wetter winters (rain, slush, standing water) or prioritise wet braking, aquaplaning resistance and a precise, secure feel. Choose the Dunlop Winter if you face frequent snow/ice and want maximum winter-surface traction with better value and generally stronger efficiency/comfort metrics.
Where the Winter is stronger
- Stronger snow and ice performance: wins snow braking and snow traction in all three shared tests; also edges ice braking in ADAC (17.9 m vs 18.7 m)
- Better value and efficiency tendencies: lower price/1000 in ADAC (2.02 vs 2.65) and Auto Bild (10.02 vs 10.94), plus lower rolling resistance in both tests where measured
- Long projected life/environmental credentials in ADAC: highest tread life (59,300 km vs 55,800 km) and lower abrasion (57 vs 62 mg/km/t)
Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger
- Best-in-comparison wet safety: wins wet braking in all three tests (e.g., ADAC 36.1 m vs 38.0 m; Auto Express 34.99 m vs 35.91 m)
- Aquaplaning resistance leadership: wins straight and curved aquaplaning in all three tests (Auto Express straight: 83.9 vs 77.6 km/h; ADAC curved: 2.8 vs 2.4 m/s²)
- More secure wet handling/grip measures: wins wet handling and wet circle where measured (Auto Bild wet handling: 83.9 vs 80.4; wet circle: 12.04 s vs 12.56 s)
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.
Winter vs UltraGrip Performance 3 at a glance
| Category | Winter | Gap | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 1 | 3 | |
| Dry7 measurements | 4 | 2 | |
| Wet18 measurements | 1 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet (4 tests) | 17 |
| Snow13 measurements | 8 | The Winter stopped 1.3% shorter on snow (4 tests) | 5 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort6 measurements | 4 | 2 | |
| Value7 measurements | 6 | The Winter had 3.1% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 1 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 0.3 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating2 and 15 reviews | 89% | Too close to call | 90% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was dearer in 4 of 4 | +15.9% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 63 | 52 sizes made in both | 175 |
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 4 tests, 2025 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 | Winter | Field | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | P6 of 12 | P3 of 12 | |
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 | P8 of 16 | P3 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | P8 of 11 | P6 of 11 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 20 | P5 of 20 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winter
UltraGrip Performance 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. The scale stops at 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Winter
UltraGrip Performance 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.
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 | Winter | Gap | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44.45 | 0.2% | 44.55 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 57.94 | 0.3% | 58.11 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 106.4 | 0.3% | 106.1 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 45.63 | 4.4% | 43.52 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 42 | 6% | 39.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 90.77 | 2.4% | 88.56 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 74.6 | 3.2% | 77.05 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 12.57 | 3.6% | 12.12 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 75.55 | 4.8% | 79.23 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 2.66 | 8.8% | 2.89 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 20.58 | 1.3% | 20.81 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 6 | 1% | 6.06 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 2,611 | 3.2% | 2,533 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 88.02 | 2.3% | 86 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 62.1 | 0.4% | 62.35 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 3.48 | 0.3% | 3.52 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 17.9 | 4.3% | 18.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 68.85 | 0.2 dB | 69.05 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 55,090 | 1.1% | 54,400 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 8.36 | 3.1% | 8.64 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 5.5 | 1.8% | 5.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 57 | 8.1% | 62 | 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 Winter scores 9.2 and the UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 out of 10.
| Winter | Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 89 | ||
| 69 | Wet | 95 | ||
| 67 | Comfort | 85 | ||
| 90 | Value | 70 | ||
| 83 | Snow | 87 | ||
| 55 | Ice | 22 | ||
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
| Winter | Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 8.5 | Road Feedback | 8.6 | ||
| 8 | Handling | 8.1 | ||
| - | Wear | 9 | ||
| 9.5 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 8 | Ice Grip | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the Winter 89% from 2 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Dunlop Winter
- 89%from 2 reviews
- 4,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 2 Winter reviewsGreat tyre with good grip on compacted snow. Good on wet as well. As I drive electric I appreciate, that Dunlop Winter is very quiet tyre. Great price as well. Set of tyres cost me 250 euros.
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.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 63 sizes of the Winter and 175 of the UltraGrip Performance 3, 52 of them made in both.
| Category | Winter | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 63 sizes, 15 to 21 inch | 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 52 sizes 185/60 R15185/65 R15195/65 R15185/55 R16185/60 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/45 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16and 40 more | |
| EU label wet grip | C74%B26% | B60%C39%D0%A0% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C75%B14%D10% | C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% |
| EU label noise | 69-72 dB B99%A1% | 69-74 dB B87%A13% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 69 of 69 | 415 of 415 |
| On the market since | 2025 | - |
| Awards | - | Commended: Best Winter Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) |
| Price in the shared tests | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tyre in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 15.9% 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 classic “two interpretations of winter” matchup: the Dunlop Winter (premium-touring winter) leans toward traditional winter priorities-snow/ice traction, efficiency and running costs-while the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 (UHP winter) targets higher-speed stability and wet-road security. Across three major group tests (ADAC 2026, Auto Express 2026, Auto Bild 2025), their results repeatedly highlight that design split.
The headline pattern is consistent: Goodyear is the wet-and-aquaplaning specialist, repeatedly cutting meaningful distance in wet braking and pushing back the onset of both straight and curved aquaplaning. Dunlop, meanwhile, is the “real winter surface” pick, winning snow braking and snow traction in all three shared tests, and backing that up with strong value, efficiency metrics and generally quieter/ more comfortable manners.
Conclusion
If your winter is dominated by rain, slush, standing water and motorway speeds, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is the safer, more confidence-inspiring choice. It swept wet braking in all three tests (e.g., ADAC: 36.1 m vs 38.0 m; Auto Bild: 50.9 m vs 52.0 m) and was consistently stronger in aquaplaning (Auto Express straight aquaplaning: 83.9 km/h vs 77.6 km/h; ADAC curved aquaplaning: 2.8 vs 2.4 m/s²). That wet advantage is the most repeatable, practically relevant differentiator-especially in mixed, mild winters.
If you regularly drive on compact snow, fresh snowfall or colder inland conditions, the Dunlop Winter is the better “winter-surface” tool. It won snow braking and traction in every shared test (e.g., ADAC snow traction: 2639 N vs 2561 N; Auto Bild snow traction: 2576 N vs 2413 N) and even edged ice braking in ADAC (17.9 m vs 18.7 m). It also tends to be the smarter cost/efficiency pick: better value metrics in ADAC (2.02 vs 2.65 price/1000) and Auto Bild (10.02 vs 10.94 price/1000), plus lower rolling resistance where measured and often slightly lower noise.
The practical takeaway: choose Goodyear if your “winter risk” is water (wet braking + aquaplaning), choose Dunlop if your “winter risk” is snow/ice (traction + stopping on winter surfaces) and you care about running costs. Neither is a bad tyre-each is optimized for a different kind of winter.
Winter vs UltraGrip Performance 3: your questions
Is the Dunlop Winter or the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 the better tyre?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 3 times and the Winter once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter scores 9.2 and the UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter or the UltraGrip Performance 3?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 17 of the 18 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Winter led 4 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Winter led 8 of the 13 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.3% shorter on snow across 4 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter had 3.1% lower rolling resistance (3 tests).
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9.5/10 for the Winter and 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter 89% from 2 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 15.9% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winter is made in 63 sizes (15 to 21 inch) and the UltraGrip Performance 3 in 175 (14 to 23 inch). 52 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winter is graded C for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the UltraGrip Performance 3 B and C.
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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.
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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