Menu
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 View Gallery (1)
155-205/55-70 R13-16 23 sizes 2021 Winter rated

Goodyear UltraGrip 8

The Goodyear UltraGrip 8 is a Premium Touring Winter tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

8.4
Tyre Reviews Score Based on User Reviews
Limited Confidence View Breakdown
Dry Grip
88%
Wet Grip
92%
Road Feedback
86%
Handling
83%
Wear
86%
Comfort
87%
Buy again
94%
Snow Grip
87%
Ice Grip
80%
59 Reviews
87% Average
325,443 miles driven
19 Tests (avg: 4th)
Goodyear UltraGrip 8

Goodyear UltraGrip 8

Winter Premium
BETA
8.4 / 10
Based on User Reviews · Limited Confidence · Updated 30 Jan 2026

The Tyre Reviews Score is the most comprehensive tyre scoring system available. It aggregates professional test data from multiple independent publications, user reviews, and consistency analysis using Bayesian statistical methods, weighted normalisation, and recency-adjusted scoring to produce a single, reliable performance rating.

Learn more about our methodology
Score Components
Professional Tests
Weight: 80%
Tests: 18
Publications: 8
Period: 2011 - 2013
User Reviews
Weight: 15%
Reviews: 59
Avg Rating: 87%
Min Required: 5
Consistency
Weight: 5%
Score Std Dev: 3.09
History Points: 6
Methodology & Configuration
Scoring Process
  1. Collect Test Data: Gather results from professional tyre tests across multiple publications. Minimum 1 test(s) required.
  2. Normalize Positions: Convert test positions to percentile scores using exponential weighting (factor: 1.2).
  3. Apply Recency Weighting: More recent tests are weighted higher with a decay rate of 0.95.
  4. Incorporate User Reviews: Factor in user review data (minimum 5 reviews). Weight: 15%.
  5. Bayesian Smoothing: Apply Bayesian prior (score: 7, weight: 1.5) to prevent extreme scores with limited data.
  6. Calculate Final Score: Combine all components using normalization factor of 1.1. Max score with limited data: 9.5.
Component Weights
Test Data
80%
User Reviews
15%
Consistency
5%
All Configuration Parameters
ParameterValueDescription
safety_weight 0.7 Weight multiplier for safety-related metrics
performance_weight 0.55 Weight multiplier for performance metrics
comfort_weight 0.4 Weight multiplier for comfort metrics
value_weight 0.45 Weight multiplier for value-for-money metrics
user_reviews_weight 0.15 How much user reviews contribute to the final score
test_data_weight 0.8 How much professional test data contributes to the final score
consistency_weight 0.05 How much score consistency contributes to the final score
recency_decay_rate 0.95 Rate at which older test results lose influence (higher = slower decay)
min_test_count 1 Minimum number of professional tests required
min_review_count 5 Minimum number of user reviews required
score_version 1.8 Current version of the scoring algorithm
score_normalization_factor 1.1 Factor used to normalize raw scores to the 0-10 scale
confidence_factor_weight 0.2 How much data confidence affects the final score
position_penalty_weight 0.2 Penalty applied for poor test positions
gap_penalty_threshold 8 Score gap (%) that triggers additional penalties
min_metrics_count 2 Minimum number of test metrics needed per test
limited_data_threshold 2 Number of tests below which data is considered limited
single_test_penalty 0.1 Score multiplier when only one test is available
critical_metric_penalty 0.7 Penalty for poor performance on critical safety metrics
critical_metric_threshold 70 Score below which a critical metric penalty applies
position_exponential_factor 1.2 Exponent used to amplify position-based scoring
position_exponential_threshold 0.9 Position percentile below which exponential scoring applies
gap_multiplier_critical 3 Multiplier for critical gap penalties
max_category_weight 2 Maximum weight any single category can have
max_score_limited_data 9.5 Score cap when data is limited
bayesian_prior_weight 1.5 Weight of the Bayesian prior in smoothing
bayesian_prior_score 7 Prior score used for Bayesian smoothing
evidence_test_multiplier 1.9 Multiplier for test evidence in confidence calculation
evidence_metric_divisor 3 Divisor for metric count in evidence calculation
evidence_review_divisor 10 Divisor for review count in evidence calculation
Data Sources
TestPublicationDateSizePositionMetrics
2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test Auto Zeitung 2013 195/65 R15 4/8 0 metrics
2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild 2013 215/65 R16 4/10 0 metrics
2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre Shootout Auto Bild 2013 195/65 R15 8/15 0 metrics
2013 Winter Tyre Overview - Braking Auto Bild 2013 195/65 R15 13/50 0 metrics
2013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/60 R15 ADAC 2013 185/60 R15 6/17 0 metrics
2013 ACE Winter Tyre Test ACE 2013 185/60 R15 6/9 0 metrics
2012 European Tyre Test - 165/70 R14 ADAC 2012 165/70 R14 7/13 0 metrics
2012 EVO Winter Tyre Test EVO 2012 205/55 R16 4/9 0 metrics
2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild 2012 205/55 R16 7/15 0 metrics
2012 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test Auto Express 2012 205/55 R16 2/8 0 metrics
2012 European Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 ADAC 2012 205/55 R!6 4/16 0 metrics
2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test Auto Zeitung 2012 205/55 R16 3/8 0 metrics
2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test Auto Bild 2012 205/55 R16 6/43 0 metrics
2011 AMS Winter Tyre Test Auto Motor Und Sport 2011 205/55 R16 1/14 0 metrics
2011 European Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15 2011 195/65 R15 2/14 0 metrics
2011 ACE Winter Tyre Test ACE 2011 205/55 r16 1/8 0 metrics
2011 Winter Tyre Buying Guide Tyre Reviews 2011 205/55 r16 1/5 0 metrics
2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test Auto Zeitung 2011 205/55 r16 1/14 0 metrics
19
Tests
4th
Average
1st
Best
13th
Worst
Latest Tyre Test Results
2013 ACE Winter Tyre Test
185/60 R15 • 2013
6th/9
Recommended
Very balanced, Good on wet and snow-covered roads
Good
13th/50
Size Fuel Wet Noise
14 inch
175/65R14 82 T D C 69
175/65R14 82 T D C 71
15 inch
185/65R15 88 T D D 70
195/65R15 91 T C C 72
195/65R15 91 H C C 72
195/65R15 95 H XL C D 71
195/65R15 95 T XL D D 71
195/65R15 95 T XL D D 71
185/65R15 88 T D D 70
195/65R15 95 T XL D D 71
185/65R15 88 T D D 70
16 inch
205/55R16 91 H C D 72
205/60R16 96 H XL C D 72
205/55R16 91 T D D 71
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 >>

Questions and Answers for the Goodyear UltraGrip 8

Ask a question
Sorry, we don't currently have any questions and answers for the Goodyear UltraGrip 8. Why not submit a question to our tyre experts using the form below!
Ask a question

We will never publish or share your email address

captcha

To verify you are human please type the word you see in the box below.

YouTube Review

Review Summary

Based on 47 user reviews

Most drivers rate the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 very highly, praising its outstanding snow and ice traction, excellent wet grip, confident handling, and comfortable, quiet ride, with many noting improved safety and hill-climbing in severe winter conditions. Several reviews also report good wear and acceptable fuel economy for a winter tyre. A small minority cite excessive road noise on certain cars and faster wear in hard use, and there are isolated complaints about cupping or poor snow performance, but these are outweighed by numerous high-scoring reviews. Overall, the UltraGrip 8 is regarded as a top-performing winter tyre, especially in snow and wet conditions.

Strengths
  • Snow and ice grip
  • Wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
  • Comfort and low noise (for most)
  • Handling and confidence
  • Tread life/durability
  • Hill-climbing ability
  • Fuel economy acceptable/better than expected
Areas for Improvement
  • Road noise on some vehicles
  • Faster wear for aggressive or heavy-duty use

Top 3 Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Reviews

Given 91% while driving a Fiat Punto 1.3 M.JET (185/65 R15) on mostly motorways for 1,000 average miles
70% Dry, 30% Wet ride - Unti,l today no major failure. Perfectly working. Great when wormed up.
Ask a question | Helpful 193
October 23, 2025
(225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 100 average miles
Please don't buy these tyres! I'm a mechanic and I lost count of how many cupped Ultragrip8's and Ultragrip8 Performance I've seen! I know the UG8 and UG8P are old tyres, but if you find them new or used, stay away from them!
January 2, 2022
Given 94% while driving a Opel Corsa (175/65 R14 T) on mostly town for 10,000 average miles
Top tyre for snow!
November 11, 2019
Have you driven on the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 tyre?

Have YOU got experience with the Goodyear UltraGrip 8? Help millions of other tyre buyers

Review your Goodyear UltraGrip 8 >

Latest Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Reviews

Given 80% while driving a Citroën C4 (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 100 spirited miles
Have only had these tyres on for a couple of days so far but in the snow they perform Great sure grip thru slush snow water wet roads no problems so far impressed
December 11, 2017
Given 84% while driving a Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 8v (185/65 R15 T) on mostly country roads for 30,000 easy going miles
So I bought my first set of Winter Tyres back in November 2012 when I was taking my UK registered Fiat Grande Punto out to the French Alps to work a ski season. I wanted to buy a 'premium' set of Winter Tyres as I was going to be driving in true alpine conditions.
In my first winter 2012/13 the French Alps got soooo much snow. These Tyres performed exceptionally in heavy snow conditions. My car is a small car with a small light petrol engine so a decent car to drive in the Alps but these Tyres gave it unbelievable grip during a very harsh winter. I was living in a village up a twisty steep road at an altitude of 1250m and I did not need to fit my snow chains once during that winter, In deep snow they were epic.
I don't know the exact mileage that I have covered on them as I also have a set of summer tyres on alloy wheels and these winter tyres on a spare set of steel rims that I swop out in the Summer/Winter and have not noted the exact mileage done on each set.
I have run them now for 4 x winters out in the Alps and the levels of grip are diminishing as they age and the tread wear expires.
I've been mega happy with them, I drive quite sensibly so have preserved the tyres well and only really used them for driving in the village I lived in with the occasional trip on the Motorway to Geneva airport to collect friends.
It is now evident that the exceptional level of grip first offered when new is now not the same. (Hardly surprising as it was beyond belief how much grip they gave when new).
I could probably squeeze 1 x last winter out of them as they still do have a decent tread but they are 5 x years old so will probably invest in a new pair for next winter.
May 4, 2017
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
Dacia Logan (185/65 R15) on mostly country roads for 43 average miles
Great tyre with great overall experience. I was really impressed by wear and how progressive the ture was at the limit.
April 4, 2016
Given 97% while driving a BMW 530d F10 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 average miles
I had Dunlop winter sport 3D's on the older car 520D E60 model but decided to give these Goodyears a try on the newer car.
In a word these are "fantastic" tyres in terms of grip, wet or dry, refinement, and road noise suspression which is so low to be a non issue.
Had Bridgestone run flat summer tyres on the car, these were so noisy I changed the fronts to Dunlop Sport Max GT's, slight improvement, but not great.
Steering was heavyish, and the car seemed reluctant to turn into a bend.
For winter tyres and non run flats, the Goodyears are a revelation.
If you really want to experience how refined these new fives are, fit a set of these. In comparison the noise, vibration, and harshness, of the run flats totally destroy the refinement of these cars.
To drive it now is an absolute pleasure, quite, smooth, and relaxed.
Great handling, much better steering response, the nose now tucks into a corner, and you don't have to resist the stronger self centering action the other tyres caused.
Mine are the 225-55-17 101v extra load versions and they are sooooo good the run flats will never go back on the car again.
If you have a f10 beemer do yourself and your car a favour and buy a set of these, you will be amazed.
Not had any snow yet, so can't comment on this, but I suspect I won't be disapointed.
November 19, 2015
Given 73% while driving a Toyota Corolla (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 16,000 average miles
Surprisingly very noisy on wet. In dry noise level is as a summer tyre. I had no problems on wet/dry snow. Tyres behave as expected, nothing more or less. Braking distances are acceptable. Fuel economy is perfect.
October 28, 2015
Given 90% while driving a Vauxhall Vectra Estate (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 6,000 average miles
Living in a place where no matter where you want to go, you have to go up a hill, winter can be a pain. Last night in my UltraGrip8s I sailed past struggling cars, including 4x4s, in my 2009 1.8 Vectra Estate, with ease. Comfortable, and the feel very safe. And they are longer wearing than I expected.
January 14, 2015
Given 94% while driving a SEAT ibiza 1.4 (185/60 R15 T) on track for 10,000 average miles
Very good tire. It is the third season i am using them.

Very good in dry but i was really impressed drivint them in wet conditions. They are even better than dry. They have good grip in snowy and ticy conditions and the wear is above average. I conclude this since they seem in very good condition and two days ago i had to drive under snowy conditions and most of it was a downhill route. Very good grip.

I will surely use them for 1 season and i believe might use for a total of 5 seasons. Great buy! Worth every euro they cost!
January 2, 2015
Given 80% while driving a Fiat doblo (195/60 R16 T) on a combination of roads for 10,000 easy going miles
I have been using the UG8 for two winters now on my Doblo and they have completely sold me on winter tyres. They are quiet in the dry have compliant side walls and ride more comfortably than my summer tyres which are admittedly more focussed. I have driven in snow up to 6 inch's deep miles from anywhere in the North Pennines, N.Yorks, Scotland and deepest Essex and they have never let me down or got me stuck. Their hill climbing ability is amazing even on a 2wd. On snowy and icy hills I just set the throttle and hold it in position and let the traction control work out the rest. I realised just how good they were once I had overtaken the fourth stranded 4wd on summers that I saw stuck on hills. I even towed a stranded 4wd Mitsubishi up a snow covered hill last year near Alston. The driver was both grateful and embarrassed. Great tyre and will buy this or the new UG9 at the end of this winter when these will be getting low.
October 28, 2014
Given 96% while driving a Volkswagen Mk7 TSI (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 1,000 average miles
I am very satisfied with GY UG8. Confort is excelent, you feel like you've changed suspension. Ride quality is excelent, very good feedback and handling, no noise when running on highway. Traction in snow might not be the best as V shaped profile is good for confort and wet as opposed to big blocks that are good for griping in snow. Though I drove in snow and they felt ok. Braking on snow and ice is unconclusive as all tyres would slip a little. I think best winter tyres for driving on dry and wet roads at lower temperatures. Very good tyres for drinving on highways. Also seems they last very well. Maybe not the best tyre for heavy snow and ice. Would buy them again and recommend them.
March 18, 2014
Given 99% while driving a Volvo S40 (195/60 R15 T) on mostly town for 5,000 average miles
Tyres were mostly driven in town and I can say only positive things.
Excellent wet, dry grip and wear.
February 22, 2014
Given 100% while driving a Suzuki Swift 1.3l 2007 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 300 average miles
What can I say, put these on all 4 corners last week and instant improvement, wet grip at 2c etc is fantastic, dry grip great, shorter braking distance than my summers, defo worth the investment for winter, not sure about snow yet not had any
November 22, 2013
Given 99% while driving a Volvo S40 1.6d (205/55 R16 T) on a combination of roads for 6,500 spirited miles
Very very good grip. Wasn't expecting anything different from an expensive premium tire.
October 18, 2013