Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance Test Results
Tested 7 times by independent publications, the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.
- 7Independent tests
- 1Test wins
- 4Podium finishes
- 3rdAverage finish
- 78%Field beaten on average
- 4Publications
7 tests, 2012 to 2014
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 78%
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 2 | - | 71% | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 5 | 3 | 2 | - | 60% | |
| 5 | 3 | 2 | - | 60% | |
| 5 | 2 | 3 | - | 40% | |
| 5 | 1 | 4 | - | 20% | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
Against its own line
The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.
| Tyre | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance This tyre | 7 | 1 | 3rd | 78% |
| Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 Successor | 9 | 0 | 4th | 56% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 7 tests. Updated October 15, 2025.
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance shows consistently strong winter performance with an average overall position of 3.3 across seven tests, including multiple podiums and one test win. It excels particularly in mixed winter disciplines and braking-focused shootouts, indicating balanced capability on snow, wet, and dry surfaces for the performance-winter segment. Awards and high placements in 2012-2014 suggest competitive pace versus leading contemporaries.
Weaknesses are limited to occasional mid-pack finishes in broader comparative tests, hinting at variability under certain protocols or sizes. A noted shortfall in at least one dry braking metric suggests room for improvement in absolute dry grip, though overall results remain positive.
Performance Strengths
-
Overall Winter Performance
Strong
Details
- 1/6 overall in 2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (225/40 R18)
- 2/8 overall in 2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Tyre Test (225/40 R18)
- 3/9 overall in 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (225/50 R17)
- Average overall position 3.3 across 7 winter tests
-
Braking Performance (Winter Shootout)
Strong
Details
- 2/48 in 2014 Auto Bild 50 Winter Tyre Braking Overview (225/50 R17)
- Competitive braking references in multiple tests, including podium aggregates
-
Performance in Sports/Performance Sizes
Strong
Details
- 1/6 in 2012 Auto Bild Sports (225/40 R18)
- 2/8 in 2012 Sport Auto (225/40 R18) where it debuted against new rivals
-
Wet handling
Strong
in 5 of 6 tests
Details
Good cornering in all weather
- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2014)Balanced handling with safe and good steering response on wet and dry roads
- 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2013)Good grip and handling on wet surfaces
- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test (2013)High grip and good handling on wet roads, high lateral grip and short braking distances on snow
- 2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Tyre Test (2012)balanced safe handling qualities in all weather conditions
- 2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2012)
-
Snow traction
Strong
in 5 of 6 tests
Details
excellent performance in the snow
- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2014)Especially good on snow Low fuel consumption
- 2013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/45 R17 (2013)especially in the snow
- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test (2013)High grip and good handling on wet roads, high lateral grip and short braking distances on snow
- 2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Tyre Test (2012)best grip and excellent traction on snow-covered slopes
- 2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2012)
-
Wet grip
Strong
in 3 of 6 tests
Details
- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2014)
Good grip and handling on wet surfaces
- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test (2013)High grip and good handling on wet roads, high lateral grip and short braking distances on snow
- 2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Tyre Test (2012)
-
Dry handling
Strong
in 3 of 6 tests
Details
Good cornering in all weather
- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2014)Balanced handling with safe and good steering response on wet and dry roads
- 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2013)balanced safe handling qualities in all weather conditions
- 2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2012)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Dry Braking/Grip Consistency
Moderate
Details
- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test: 5/8 overall with note of being the worst in a specific braking measure (~28 m)
- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test: 5/16 overall, indicating some deficits vs class leaders in individual dry metrics
-
Result Variability Across Test Protocols
Moderate
Details
- Range of finishes from 1st to 5th across 2012-2014 tests
- 2013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test (225/45 R17): 5/15 overall (solid but not leading)
-
Dry braking
Moderate
in 2 of 6 tests
Details
Slightly long dry braking
- 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2014)Relatively poor braking performance
- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test (2013)
-
Rolling resistance
Minor
in 1 of 6 tests
Details
high rolling resistance
- 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test (2013)
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance (6 tests) and 13 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Wet grip strength in 3 of 6 tests 7 praise, 1 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
- Road noise strength in 2 of 6 tests 7 praise, 2 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre
- Dry grip no test mentions it 4 praise, 1 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 7
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test
Recommended
2013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/45 R17
Satisfactory
2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test
Exemplary
Back to the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance overview
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tyre Reviews score. All Goodyear tyres

