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Goodyear UltraGrip 8

Premium Touring Winter Winter rated

Replaced by the UltraGrip 9 Replaces the UltraGrip 7+

The Goodyear UltraGrip 8 is a premium touring winter tyre with a strong reputation for dependable cold-weather safety. Across driver feedback and independent testing, it stands out for confident snow and ice traction, reassuring wet grip and stable handling. Most owners also report a comfortable, generally quiet ride and respectable wear for a winter tyre, making it a well-rounded choice for harsh winters.

The quick answer

Owners say 87% from 59 owner reviews 96% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 4th average finish across 19 independent tests · 4 wins Latest: P4 of 8 · 2013 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Strong snow and ice traction with confident winter handling Reassuring wet grip and aquaplaning resistance Performance can be more mid-pack in later or smaller-sample tests versus newer competitors Potential for increased road noise on some vehicles/surfaces Summarised from the tests and owner reviews

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tyre - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated October 2025.

  • 59owner reviews
  • 325,443miles driven
  • 19professional tests
  • 37sizes available
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 1 photos

Tyre Reviews Score

Goodyear UltraGrip 8

8.0/10

From owner reviews only: no measured test results yet.

  • Medium Confidence
  • 59 owner reviews

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent testsNo measured test results yet – 0%
Owner reviews59 owner reviews · rated 87% 72% 80%
Typical tyreWhere every score starts before its own data counts – 20%
Combined 67% 8.0

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Owner reviews decide 80% of this score. The other 20% is the typical starting point, and it shrinks as more reviews arrive.

Scored on owner reviews alone, a tyre is High once the reviews decide 90% or more, and Medium from 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as reviews arrive.

The tests behind it

Only measured results count. A test that published its placings alone is listed, but not scored.

  1. 2013 2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test Auto Zeitung · 195/65 R15 P4 / 8 Placing only
  2. 2013 2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild · 215/65 R16 P4 / 10 Placing only
  3. 2013 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre Shootout Auto Bild · 195/65 R15 P8 / 15 Placing only
  4. 2013 2013 Winter Tyre Overview - Braking Auto Bild · 195/65 R15 P13 / 50 Placing only
  5. 2013 2013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/60 R15 ADAC · 185/60 R15 P6 / 17 Placing only
  6. 2013 2013 ACE Winter Tyre Test ACE · 185/60 R15 P6 / 9 Placing only
Show all 18 tests
  1. 2012 2012 European Tyre Test - 165/70 R14 ADAC · 165/70 R14 P7 / 13 Placing only
  2. 2012 2012 EVO Winter Tyre Test EVO · 205/55 R16 P4 / 9 Placing only
  3. 2012 2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P7 / 15 Placing only
  4. 2012 2012 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test Auto Express · 205/55 R16 P2 / 8 Placing only
  5. 2012 2012 European Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 ADAC · 205/55 R!6 P4 / 16 Placing only
  6. 2012 2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test Auto Zeitung · 205/55 R16 P3 / 8 Placing only
  7. 2012 2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P6 / 43 Placing only
  8. 2011 2011 AMS Winter Tyre Test Auto Motor Und Sport · 205/55 R16 P1 / 14 Placing only
  9. 2011 2011 European Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15 195/65 R15 P2 / 14 Placing only
  10. 2011 2011 ACE Winter Tyre Test ACE · 205/55 r16 P1 / 8 Placing only
  11. 2011 2011 Winter Tyre Buying Guide Tyre Reviews · 205/55 r16 P1 / 5 Placing only
  12. 2011 2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test Auto Zeitung · 205/55 r16 P1 / 14 Placing only
All Tests
View Test Results

Tested 19 times by independent publications, the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 has taken 4 test wins with an average finish of 4th.

19 Tests
4 Test Wins
4th Average
1st Best
13th Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20112013

Finishing position in each test

The latest test

2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test P4 of 8

The veteran Goodyear UG8 earned our recommendation this year

Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 850

YearTestResultAward
20132013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre TestAuto Zeitung · 195/65 R15P4 / 8
20132013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tyre TestAuto Bild · 215/65 R16P4 / 10
20132013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre ShootoutAuto Bild · 195/65 R15P8 / 15
20132013 Winter Tyre Overview - BrakingAuto Bild · 195/65 R15P13 / 50
20132013 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/60 R15ADAC · 185/60 R15P6 / 17
20132013 ACE Winter Tyre TestACE · 185/60 R15P6 / 9
20122012 European Tyre Test - 165/70 R14ADAC · 165/70 R14P7 / 13
20122012 EVO Winter Tyre TestEVO · 205/55 R16P4 / 9
20122012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tyre TestAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P7 / 15
20122012 Auto Express Winter Tyre TestAuto Express · 205/55 R16P2 / 8
20122012 Winter Tyre Buying GuideTyre Reviews · 205/55 R16P2 / 3
20122012 European Tyre Test - 205/55 R16ADAC · 205/55 R!6P4 / 16
20122012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre TestAuto Zeitung · 205/55 R16P3 / 8
20122012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking TestAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P6 / 43
20112011 AMS Winter Tyre TestAuto Motor Und Sport · 205/55 R16P1 / 14
20112011 European Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15195/65 R15P2 / 14
20112011 ACE Winter Tyre TestACE · 205/55 r16P1 / 8
20112011 Winter Tyre Buying GuideTyre Reviews · 205/55 r16P1 / 5
20112011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre TestAuto Zeitung · 205/55 r16P1 / 14

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

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Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range14 sizes available

155-205Width55-70Profile13-16Rim75-99 T-HLoad/Speed Index2021First On Market

EU LabelAcross 14 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

69-72dB

3PMSF on every size

Popular sizes205/55 R16225/45 R17185/65 R15195/65 R15175/65 R14185/60 R14
Frequently Asked Questions
What do owners say about the Goodyear UltraGrip 8?
Across 59 owner ratings the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 averages 87%. Owners rate Wet Grip highest at 9.2 out of 10 and Ice Grip lowest at 8. 9 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 96% of owners score it 70% or better.
What is the Goodyear UltraGrip 8's EU tyre label rating?
Across its range, the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 most commonly carries EU label ratings of D for fuel efficiency, D for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Goodyear UltraGrip 8?
Owners rate the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 8.7 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 47 reviews.
How well do the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 8.6 out of 10 for wear across 47 reviews. 9 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 4,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 again?
96% of owners say they would buy the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 again, based on the 57 owner reviews that answered the question. 72% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
More questions about the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 (6)
What do owners say about the Goodyear UltraGrip 8's snow traction?
Of the 45 owner reviews analysed for the Goodyear UltraGrip 8, 24 mention snow traction: 22 praise it (strong snow traction) and 2 criticise it (weak snow traction). One owner wrote: "These Tyres performed exceptionally in heavy snow conditions". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Goodyear UltraGrip 8's road noise?
Of the 45 owner reviews analysed for the Goodyear UltraGrip 8, 18 mention road noise: 13 praise it (quiet) and 5 criticise it (noisy). One owner wrote: "road noise suspression which is so low to be a non issue". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Goodyear UltraGrip 8's wet grip?
Of the 45 owner reviews analysed for the Goodyear UltraGrip 8, 17 mention wet grip: 17 praise it (confident wet grip) and 0 criticise it (weak wet grip). One owner wrote: "fantastic" tyres in terms of grip, wet or dry, refinement, and road noise suspression". Read those reviews
What does the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 replace?
The Goodyear UltraGrip 8 is the successor to the Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ in Goodyear's range.
Has the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 been replaced?
The Goodyear UltraGrip 8 has been replaced by the Goodyear UltraGrip 9.
What sizes does the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 come in?
The Goodyear UltraGrip 8 is available in 37 sizes, ranging from 155-205/55-70 R13-16.
Owner Questions
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!

Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Owner Reviews

Review this tyre

What owners say summarised from 47 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.

What owners mention most counted across 45 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 59 ratings

  • Owner score 87%
  • Wet Grip 92%
  • Dry Grip 88%
  • Comfort 87%
  • Snow Grip 87%
  • Road Feedback 86%
  • Wear 86%
  • Handling 83%
  • Ice Grip 80%

Featured reviews

Most helpful

“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...”

  • 100 miles
Read full review → 1,145 found this helpful
Most critical 10%

“Fitted full set onto my Renault Laguna, an 09 2Ltr diesel turbo In October 2012. No doubt a good winter tyre but oh the noise - thought something wrong with the vehicle and had it checked out. ie bearins transmission...”

  • Renault Laguna Phase II
Read full review → 513 found this helpful
Longest term 84%

“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...”

  • Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 8v
  • 30,000 miles
Read full review → 737 found this helpful

All 47 Goodyear UltraGrip 8 reviews

Score spread across 45 written reviews
91%
Member
70% Dry, 30% Wet ride - Unti,l today no major failure. Perfectly working. Great when wormed up.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 9
  • Snow Grip 9
  • Ice Grip 9
Helpful 352
Member
  • 225/45 R17
  • 100 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
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!
94%
Member
Top tyre for snow!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 8
Helpful 1,151

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788 reviews submitted this month Earn your Contributor badge No account needed
80%
Member
  • Citroën C4
  • 205/55 R16
  • 100 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Spirited
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
This owner's scores
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 8
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 8
Helpful 728
84%
Member
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.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 9
Helpful 737
Member
Great tyre with great overall experience. I was really impressed by wear and how progressive the ture was at the limit.
97%
Member
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.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 9
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 754
73%
Member
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.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 4
  • Buy again 7
Helpful 862
90%
Member
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.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 795
94%
Member
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!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 698
80%
Member
  • Fiat doblo
  • 195/60 R16 T
  • 10,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Easy Going
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.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 9
Helpful 735
96%
Member
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.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 711
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