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Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance View Gallery (1)
195-285/40-65 R16-20 33 sizes 2021 Winter rated

Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance

The Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance is a Ultra High Performance Winter tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

7.3
Tyre Reviews Score Based on User Reviews
Limited Confidence View Breakdown
Dry Grip
84%
Wet Grip
84%
Road Feedback
71%
Handling
77%
Wear
83%
Comfort
82%
Buy again
72%
Snow Grip
50%
Ice Grip
40%
13 Reviews
71% Average
159,500 miles driven
7 Tests (avg: 3rd)
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance

Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance

Winter Premium
BETA
7.3 / 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: 7
Publications: 4
Period: 2012 - 2014
User Reviews
Weight: 15%
Reviews: 13
Avg Rating: 71.3%
Min Required: 5
Consistency
Weight: 5%
Score Std Dev: 2.7
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
2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild 2014 225/50 R17 5/16 0 metrics
2014 50 Winter Tyre Braking Overview Auto Bild 2014 225/50 R17 2/48 0 metrics
2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild 2013 225/50 R17 3/9 0 metrics
2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test Auto Motor Und Sport 2013 225/50 R17 5/8 0 metrics
2013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/45 R17 ADAC 2013 225/45 R17 5/15 0 metrics
2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Tyre Test Sport Auto 2012 225/40 R18 2/8 0 metrics
2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild 2012 225/40 R18 1/6 0 metrics
7
Tests
3rd
Average
1st
Best
5th
Worst
Latest Tyre Test Results
2nd/48
5th/16
A premium winter tyre with excellent performance in the snow and wet. Good cornering in all weather, good ride comfort
Slightly long dry braking
Especially good on snow Low fuel consumption
Somewhat weaker in the wet
Satisfactory
Size Fuel Wet Noise
16 inch
205/60R16 92 H C C 70
205/60R16 92 H D C 70
215/60R16 99 V XL C C 72
205/60R16 92 H D C 70
205/60R16 92 H C C 70
215/60R16 99 V XL C C 72
215/60R16 99 V XL C C 72
17 inch
215/55R17 98 V XL C C 71
225/45R17 94 V XL C C 72
225/50R17 98 V XL C C 72
18 inch
245/45R18 100 V XL C B 70
245/45R18 100 V XL C B 70
245/45R18 100 V XL C B 70
245/45R18 100 V XL C B 70
225/40R18 92 V XL D C 71
225/40R18 92 V XL D C 71
245/45R18 100 H XL C B 69
245/45R18 100 H XL C B 69
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance >>

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Size Price Range  
Available in 1 tyre sizes - View all.

Review Summary

Based on 12 user reviews

Drivers generally rate the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance highly, praising its excellent wet grip, low noise, stability, and strong overall confidence on winter roads. Several high-scoring reviews report very good wear and decent dry performance, with some noting strong snow capability, though a minority criticize snow traction, comfort, and noise. One long-term low-score review cites significant grip decline over time. Overall sentiment is positive with wet performance and quietness as standout strengths, while snow consistency and comfort draw mixed feedback.

Strengths
  • Wet grip
  • Low noise
  • Overall grip/handling confidence
  • Good wear/longevity
  • Stability at speed
Areas for Improvement
  • Inconsistent snow traction
  • Comfort/harshness for some users

Top 3 Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance Reviews

Given 100% while driving a Volkswagen Passat (225/55 R17) on for 40,000 miles
I am very happy with my tires. The road holding is excellent.
| Helpful 976
August 22, 2024
Given 49% while driving a Citroën C5 Tourer (245/45 R18) on a combination of roads for 0 average miles
Very very good for wet, if you drive in wet is best tire, but bad on snow and dry, bad comfort and too much noise, dont buy, too much money, have better tires in mid/budget class
Ask a question | Helpful 872
January 10, 2023
Given 30% while driving a SEAT Leon SC FR 1.4 TSI (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 16,000 spirited miles
I had these tires for four years. In the first year, I did not notice anything wrong with them but in time the grip disappeared. In the snow, on ice and even in wet and muddy winter conditions, you could not stop the car without the ABS interfering. They would lose grip in wet conditions. Going on from a standstill uphill, the wheels would span and the tires could not assure the grip needed.
September 8, 2022
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Latest Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance Reviews

Given 87% while driving a BMW (225/45 R17) on mostly motorways for 3,500 average miles
I write this review mostly to get info. My experience so far (5'000 km) is positive. I live in Switzerland and drive a BMW G31 2.0D XDrive. I cross the Alps between north and south of the country regularly (the least monthly) in every season, and do some long stretches (1'200 km in a week end) every quarter. So far no snow and ice so ice and snow rating please do not consider. I am actually concerned to see the snow and ice rating are very negative on TR since I got them recommended and cannot say anything bad of the supplier and of the tyres themselves: quite, grippy, not improving mpg despite moving from 245 / 45 in summer (Michelin PS 5) to 225 / 55 in winter but still OK (45 UK mpg easy). I already drove below 0 C with no issues or misbehaviour. Also, I am surprised such a premium brand can deliver something not performing considered that other models are at least OK. I come from Dunlop WS 5 in a former car which proved splendid, but for this new car this was the recommendation of my usual tyre guy and cannot say anything bad so far. Comments welcome.
January 9, 2023
Given 84% while driving a Volkswagen Golf 7 TDI (225/45 R17) on mostly town for 1,000 spirited miles
Really quiet, no aquaplanning; but not good on snow espacially driving to uphills.
On my old car; i was using 175/65/14 Sava Eskimo + ; those were much more better that Ug8 performance
September 24, 2015
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
Given 89% while driving a Alfa Romeo (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 8,000 spirited miles
A revelation. Grip in greasy roundabouts. Less noise. To be fair, had no snow so far in 2 winters. But am now a winter tyre convert. Only downside is -2mpg
June 16, 2015
Given 91% while driving a Audi A5 (255/35 R19 V) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Some car tire brands suit different cars and you can go from one brand to an other and it will transform your car. Had michelin pa3 tires as our winter tire on the car and have no complaints with these. However the goodyears have took the car to another level, the grip from these when setting off is amazing even in wet conditions. The car is planted and stable at all speeds and do give you total confidence in all weathers. Comfort level is just as good as michelins but noise level is much better. Brill tires and would recommend to anybody with 19 inch rims on the car in winter.
November 24, 2014
Given 86% while driving a Peugeot 508 SALOON (215/60 R16 H) on a combination of roads for 35,000 average miles
For a winter tyre it's really low noise.
wet road performance is perfect especially aquplaning is unbelieveble.
but in snow (winter tyre!!) I think not good enough by the way it's weird that the tyres are very good on the ice.
I drove them for about 35000 km. and there's still 6 mm. wear on tyre.

November 20, 2014
Given 86% while driving a Volvo S80 T6 (245/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
After previous Conti TS830P and Dunlop WS3D, I decided to try UG8 Performance - in particular because of excellent experience with Eagle F1 A2 as well as the positive reviews. While the dry grip is perfectly fine, these Goodyears are not as great as either TS830P or WS3D. The second slight disappointment came in case of the comfort, as these tyres are less comfy than the previous two. But the rest is excellent - the grip on snow is very good and the wet grip is excellent. While the road feedback is nothing to write home about, the progresiveness is top notch. What makes these tyres truly shining is road noise (extremely silent, no comparison with horribly noisy Dunlops) and wear. After (very fast driven) 10000 miles, the wear is minimal and I am sure they will last for another 10000+ miles. Overall, UG8 Performance are with TS830P the best and most universal winter tyres I know... and the best ones for high speed highways and wet conditions.
March 18, 2014
Given 80% while driving a Toyota Celica VVTLi (215/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 3,500 spirited miles
Brilliant tyre - Especially in the wet, slush and up to 15cm of snow. This tyre really inspires confidence from the dry right through to the most treacherous of conditions. Road noise not too bad either.
January 21, 2013
Given 76% while driving a BMW 530D (225/50 R17 H) on mostly country roads for 500 average miles
Very good tires in wet, dry and deep snow. I have a RWD BMW 5 series and it feels like a train on snow now.
December 10, 2012
Given 76% while driving a Volkswagen Passat 2.0TDI (215/55 R16 H) on mostly country roads for 12,000 average miles
Prior to fitting I drove my normal cross-country route (2 degrees C) and my front tyes felt slippery. After, in the dark I drove home on x4 brand new Mitchelin tyres - same route and experienced much oversteer so kept to low speed (max 50mph), but the grip was amazing! - It felt like 4 wheel drive. I did get overtaken on the straight by an EVO though, but he was motorring! Last couple of days I have kept to main roads in rain and sleet (checked my tyre pressures) and at 70mph have found amazing examples of grip especially when cornering (almost better than UHP tyres in the dry). Compared to summer tyres there is some extra noise at lower speeds, but who cares what matters is grip. My one concern is that my grip will continue to inspire confidence when the laws of physics give up and I will be in stueck! Advice: With your new found winter friends, drive appropriately, remember how you used to drive respectfully with regard to the poor conditions and then look forward to using your winter tyres over several seasons. I have only marked these down on wear/comfort/buy again because they are still new.
I did look at the other top o' the range brands but decided upon a limit £500 for all 4 tyres. The ContiWInter TS850 were only £5 more per tyre, and to be honest insterested me greatly, but in England we only normally suffer wet snow and slush, so I looked for wet/slush fighting ability (and low noise)as opposed to performance in snow. If I had any real advice, it is research well, order black circles or EU for home delivery and fitting and drive safely.
December 7, 2012