Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 33
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 90% · 15
In the 25 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 16 times and the WinterContact TS 870 P 8 times, with one level. The WinterContact TS 870 P had 5.6% lower rolling resistance; the UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 23% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
If you regularly drive in real winter conditions (frequent snow/slush, cold back roads, standing water on motorways) and want strong grip plus standout wear/value, pick the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3. If your winter is mostly wet/cold asphalt and you prioritise precise dry-road manners and especially low rolling resistance for fuel or EV range, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is the smarter match-just don't expect it to beat the Goodyear's best snow traction and aquaplaning consistency.
Where the WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger
- Class-leading efficiency: rolling resistance advantage is consistent (category wins 15-2), a strong pick for EVs and high-mile winter commuting
- Sharper, sportier dry-road behaviour on average (dry handling category 10-5), with repeated wins in dry handling and lane-change stability
- Often excellent wet braking when conditions/sizing align (e.g., 33.9 m vs 37.9 m in the 2026 50-set wet braking test; frequent small wins in wet braking/handling)
Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger
- Stronger true-winter capability overall: consistently leads on snow (snow traction 15-3; snow braking 14-6; snow handling 12-4)
- Aquaplaning security edge, especially straight-line (straight aquaplaning 15-6) with several 5-9% wins in headline tests
- Very competitive wet and mixed-condition pace in many group tests, often combining wet handling strength with good control at the limit
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.
WinterContact TS 870 P vs UltraGrip Performance 3 at a glance
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | Gap | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won25 shared tests | 8 | 1 level | 16 |
| Dry45 measurements | 24 | The WinterContact TS 870 P averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the dry handling course (12 tests) | 19 |
| Wet100 measurements | 39 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 0.8% higher speed (22 tests) | 57 |
| Snow80 measurements | 21 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 2.6% quicker in the snow traction test (3 tests) | 54 |
| Ice6 measurements | 2 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 0.8% shorter on ice (3 tests) | 3 |
| Comfort31 measurements | 9 | 14 | |
| Value30 measurements | 16 | The WinterContact TS 870 P had 5.6% lower rolling resistance (18 tests) | 14 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.3/10 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 0.2 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating33 and 15 reviews | 85% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 5 points | 90% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 83% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 17 points | 100% |
| Pricein the 21 tests that listed prices | +4.8% | The WinterContact TS 870 P was dearer in 18 of 21 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 121 | 82 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 25 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.
Performance profile
30 measurements from the 25 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
WinterContact TS 870 P
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 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
WinterContact TS 870 P
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.
Where owners rate each higher
WinterContact TS 870 P
UltraGrip Performance 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15. 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.
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 WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 out of 10.
| WinterContact TS 870 P | Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 89 | ||
| 92 | Wet | 95 | ||
| 77 | Comfort | 85 | ||
| 76 | Value | 70 | ||
| 73 | Snow | 87 | ||
| 30 | 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
| WinterContact TS 870 P | Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 8.1 | Road Feedback | 8.6 | ||
| 8.7 | Handling | 8.1 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 8.9 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 8.7 | Snow Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 7.8 | Ice Grip | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
- 85%from 33 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 294,700 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 26 owner reviews averaging 85.8%, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is most consistently praised for strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both the wet and the dry, often paired with a notably quiet, comfortable ride. Many owners also report good longevity for a winter tyre, with several noting healthy tread remaining after substantial mileage. Winter performance is generally rated as capable, but a meaningful minority (around two in five of those mentioning it) found snow traction lacking, and opinions are split on ice grip and steering feel; a small number also note it can feel softer when temperatures rise.
- Strong wet grip and confident wet cornering
- Strong dry grip with secure traction
- Noticeably quiet on the road
- Comfortable, supple ride quality
- Snow traction not as strong as expected for some drivers
- Ice grip is inconsistent depending on conditions
- Steering feel not the sharpest
Summarised by AI from 26 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 33 WinterContact TS 870 P reviewsI've driven the tyres in the winter, but on roads devoid of snow and ice so I can't comment on that. They made me feel very secure, however, I have to say that they are far too sporty for my driving style and needs. They carry a lot of responsibility for my decision to buy the car, as they are very comfortable, quiet and make the car feel very surefooted and responsive in the dry and in the wet.
There is one gripe, though, they have absolutely no rim protection, so I blame them for all the scratching on my wheels. I would expect more from a tyre of this class from a reputable brand, and, honestly, it is a strong enough reason (albeit the only one) for me not to buy them again. In every other aspect they are brilliant, they even equal summer tyres in fuel consumption.
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: 121 sizes of the WinterContact TS 870 P and 175 of the UltraGrip Performance 3, 82 of them made in both.
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 121 sizes, 16 to 23 inch | 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 82 sizes 205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17and 70 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B99%C1% | B60%C39%D0%A0% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C62%B37%D1% | C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B100% | 69-74 dB B87%A13% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 221 of 221 | 415 of 415 |
| Replaced | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S (2017) | - |
| Replaced by | Continental WinterContact 8 S | - |
| Awards | Highly Recommended: Best Winter SUV Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Winner: Best Winter SUV Tyres (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Winter Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) | Commended: Best Winter Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) |
| Price in the shared tests | The WinterContact TS 870 P was the dearer tyre in 18 of the 21 tests that listed prices, by 4.8% 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.
Continental's WinterContact TS 870 P and Goodyear's UltraGrip Performance 3 sit in the same “performance winter” space: premium, road-focused winter tyres designed to feel secure and responsive on cold, wet asphalt while still delivering credible snow grip. Across 24 shared professional tests in a wide spread of sizes (17-20 inch), this pairing shows up repeatedly near the top of the table-often separated by small margins that only become clear when you look at *where* each tyre tends to score its points.
The pattern that emerges is a classic trade: the Continental more often wins the “asphalt fundamentals” and efficiency story (dry precision, strong braking, and especially rolling resistance), while the Goodyear more often builds its advantage through winter traction and wet-security breadth (snow acceleration/handling consistency, aquaplaning, and frequently stronger wet-circuit pace). The result is that both are excellent, but they suit different winter realities-mild wet motorway winters versus mixed conditions with regular snowfall.
Conclusion
Looking across the shared tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is the more frequent overall finisher at the sharp end (16 overall wins vs 7 for the Continental), and it tends to be the more “winter-grip forward” choice. It repeatedly leads the snow disciplines (category tally: snow traction 15-3, snow braking 14-6, snow handling 12-4) and is very often ahead in aquaplaning metrics (straight aquaplaning 15-6), with some standout gaps such as Auto Bild Sportscars 2026 straight aquaplaning (77.3 vs 72.9 km/h) and sport auto 2026 (83.5 vs 78.5 km/h). It also pairs that with strong durability/value signals where measured-most notably ADAC 2025 wear (76,500 km vs 53,100 km) and Auto Bild 2025 wear (53,000 km vs 46,640 km), plus better value-per-km in the Auto Bild datasets.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P fights back with a more “efficient, precise asphalt” profile. It more often wins dry handling (10-5) and dominates rolling resistance (15-2), which is a real-world advantage for fuel/EV range and long-distance winter commuting. When it's in-form, it can also be a wet-braking benchmark-e.g., the 2026 braking mega-test (33.9 m vs 37.9 m) and multiple group tests where it edges wet braking/handling by small but meaningful margins. Its recurring caveat is that aquaplaning results can be more variable (sometimes mid-pack despite otherwise excellent wet grip), and several tests note it can give away ultimate snow traction to the Goodyear.
Practical takeaway: choose the Goodyear if your winter includes frequent snow days, slush, and standing-water motorway running-and you value mileage/value as much as outright grip. Choose the Continental if you want a more “sporty-on-bare-roads” winter tyre with class-leading efficiency, strong braking, and a premium, controlled feel for predominantly wet/cold asphalt-especially if range/consumption matters.
WinterContact TS 870 P vs UltraGrip Performance 3: your questions
Is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P or the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 the better tyre?
In the 25 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 16 times and the WinterContact TS 870 P 8 times, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterContact TS 870 P or the UltraGrip Performance 3?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 57 of the 100 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 0.8% higher speed across 22 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 24 of the 45 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the dry handling course across 12 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 54 of the 80 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 2.6% quicker in the snow traction test across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The WinterContact TS 870 P had 5.6% lower rolling resistance (18 tests); the UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 23% longer in the wear tests (6 tests) and shed 15.4% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 9/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15. 83% of WinterContact TS 870 P owners would buy it again, against 100% for the UltraGrip Performance 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 21 tests that listed prices, the WinterContact TS 870 P was the dearer tyre in 18 of them, by 4.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The WinterContact TS 870 P is made in 121 sizes (16 to 23 inch) and the UltraGrip Performance 3 in 175 (14 to 23 inch). 82 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the WinterContact TS 870 P is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the UltraGrip Performance 3 B 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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