P9 of 16
Beat 40% of the field
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Test Results
Tested 2014 to 2019
7 publications
Tested 20 times by independent publications, the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 has taken 2 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.
- 20Independent tests
- 2Test wins
- 13Podium finishes
- 3rdAverage finish
- 83%Field beaten on average
- 7Publications
20 tests, 2014 to 2019
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 83%
Record by discipline
Where the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 3 | P8.7 of 13.7 | 47% | - |
| Dry Handling | 2 | P8.5 of 16.5 | 49% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 3 | P3.7 of 13.7 | 82% | - |
| Wet Handling | 3 | P4 of 13.7 | 84% | 1 |
| Straight Aqua | 3 | P4 of 13.7 | 82% | 1 |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 3 | P3 of 13.7 | 80% | 2 |
| Snow Traction | 1 | P1 of 8 | 100% | 1 |
| Snow Handling | 2 | P4.5 of 16.5 | 65% | 1 |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 1 | P3 of 8 | 71% | - |
| Ice Traction | 1 | P5 of 8 | 43% | - |
| Ice Handling | 1 | P4 of 8 | 57% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Noise | 2 | P10 of 16.5 | 47% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 1 | P5 of 21 | 80% | - |
| Value | 1 | P12 of 21 | 45% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 3 | P3.7 of 13.7 | 72% | - |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Goodyear UltraGrip 9. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Vredestein Snowtrac 5
13 shared: 12 ahead, 1 behind
|
13 | 12 | 1 | - | 92% |
 Nokian WR D4
13 shared: 8 ahead, 4 behind
|
13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 67% |
 Pirelli Cinturato Winter
11 shared: 9 ahead, 2 behind
|
11 | 9 | 2 | - | 82% |
 Hankook Winter i cept RS2
11 shared: 9 ahead, 2 behind
|
11 | 9 | 2 | - | 82% |
 Continental WinterContact TS 860
11 shared: 0 ahead, 11 behind
|
11 | 0 | 11 | - | 0% |
 Kumho Winter Craft WP51
10 shared: 10 ahead, 0 behind
|
10 | 10 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Firestone Winterhawk 3
10 shared: 9 ahead, 1 behind
|
10 | 9 | 1 | - | 90% |
 Bridgestone Blizzak LM001
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Uniroyal MS+ 77
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Barum Polaris 3
9 shared: 8 ahead, 1 behind
|
9 | 8 | 1 | - | 89% |
 Michelin Alpin 5
9 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
|
9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 88% |
 Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2
8 shared: 8 ahead, 0 behind
|
8 | 8 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Michelin Alpin A4
8 shared: 6 ahead, 2 behind
|
8 | 6 | 2 | - | 75% |
 Dunlop Winter Response 2
8 shared: 3 ahead, 5 behind
|
8 | 3 | 5 | - | 38% |
 Continental WinterContact TS 850
7 shared: 2 ahead, 5 behind
|
7 | 2 | 5 | - | 29% |
 Falken Eurowinter HS449
6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind
|
6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Kleber Krisalp HP2
6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind
|
6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
6 shared: 5 ahead, 1 behind
|
6 | 5 | 1 | - | 83% |
 Dunlop Winter Sport 5
6 shared: 5 ahead, 1 behind
|
6 | 5 | 1 | - | 83% |
 Nokian WR D3
6 shared: 5 ahead, 1 behind
|
6 | 5 | 1 | - | 83% |
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 Predecessor | 19 | 4 | 4th | 73% |
| Goodyear UltraGrip 9 This tyre | 20 | 2 | 3rd | 83% |
| Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ Successor | 9 | 2 | 4th | 70% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 20 tests. Updated October 15, 2025.
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 consistently ranks near the top in independent winter tests, averaging 3.4 across 20 results with multiple podiums and several test wins. It shows standout competence in snow and wet conditions, often topping snow braking/handling and placing highly in wet braking/handling and aquaplaning, indicating a well-balanced winter-focused compound and tread. Rolling resistance is frequently strong, and large-field comparison tests (Auto Bild/ADAC) confirm competitiveness.
Primary trade-offs are in dry performance, where braking and handling can sit mid-pack to lower-mid, and occasional noise/value concerns appear. One later ADAC result (2019) dropped to 9th/16, suggesting performance variance by size or against newer rivals, but overall the tyre remains a reliable winter choice with clear strengths in core winter metrics.
Performance Strengths
-
Snow Performance
Strong
Details
- 1st snow braking and 1st snow handling in 2018 Auto Bild (195/65 R15)
- 1st snow braking and 1st snow traction in 2017 AC test (185/65 R15)
- Multiple podiums/wins in large winter comparisons: 1/15 in 2016 ADAC (185/65 R15), 1/16 in 2015 ADAC (165/70 R14)
-
Wet Weather Performance
Strong
Details
- 2nd wet braking and 2nd wet handling in 2018 AMS (205/55 R16)
- 1st wet handling and 2nd wet braking in 2017 AC (185/65 R15)
- Top-10 wet metrics including 7/22 wet braking and 9/22 wet handling in 2018 Auto Bild full test amid 22 tyres
-
Aquaplaning (Straight-line)
Strong
Details
- 3rd straight aquaplaning in 2018 AMS (+3.8% from best)
- 1st straight aquaplaning in 2017 AC (88.8 km/h)
-
Rolling Resistance/Efficiency
Moderate
Details
- 2nd/22 rolling resistance in 2018 Auto Bild (+9.6% from best)
- 3rd/8 rolling resistance in 2017 AC (+3.4% from best)
-
Overall Competitiveness in Large Fields
Strong
Details
- 3/52 in 2018 Auto Bild 51-tyre shootout (195/65 R15)
- 2/43 in 2016 Auto Bild market overview (205/55 R16)
- Multiple podiums: 2/16 in 2018 ADAC (205/55 R16), 3/20 in 2016 AutoBild (205/55 R16), 2/11 in 2014 AZ, 2/10 in 2014 AMS
-
Wet grip
Strong
in 7 of 11 tests
Details
Very balanced with top marks on wet surfaces, especially good on dry roads and snow, low fuel consumption
- 2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2018)good grip in dry and wet
- 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test (2018)good in the wet
- 2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 175/65 R14 (2018)Especially good in the wet
- 2017 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15 (2017)- 2016 AutoBild Winter Tyre Test (2016)
-
Snow traction
Strong
in 5 of 11 tests
Details
Very balanced with top marks on wet surfaces, especially good on dry roads and snow, low fuel consumption
- 2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2018)Good in snow
- 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test (2018)Excellent performance on snow
- 2016 AutoBild Winter Tyre Test (2016)High traction on snow
- 2016 AZ Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2016)good performance on snow
- 2014 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test (2014)
-
Dry grip
Strong
in 4 of 11 tests
Details
Very balanced with top marks on wet surfaces, especially good on dry roads and snow, low fuel consumption
- 2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2018)good grip in dry and wet
- 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test (2018)good in the dry
- 2017 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15 (2017)good grip in the wet and dry
- 2014 AMS Winter Tyre Test (2014)
-
Tread life
Strong
in 3 of 11 tests
Details
Top marks in wear
- 2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 175/65 R14 (2018)high mileage
- 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (2018)Low wear
- 2017 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15 (2017)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Dry Performance
Moderate
Details
- 7/11 dry braking and 7/11 dry handling in 2018 AMS (+7.2% and +1.4% from best)
- 16/22 dry braking in 2018 Auto Bild (+17.2% from best)
-
Noise/Comfort
Minor
Details
- 15/22 noise in 2018 Auto Bild (+4% from best)
- Mid-pack noise 5/11 in 2018 AMS (+1% from best)
-
Value/Pricing
Moderate
Details
- 10/11 price in 2018 AMS (+63.6% from best)
- Value 12/21 in 2018 Auto Bild (+41.5% from best)
-
Result Variability vs Newer Rivals
Moderate
Details
- 9/16 overall in 2019 ADAC (185/65 R15)
- Mid-pack results such as 6/22 in 2018 Auto Bild full test despite snow strengths
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 (11 tests) and 32 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Snow traction strength in 5 of 11 tests 19 praise, 1 criticise of 32 reviews · Read those reviews
- Wet grip strength in 7 of 11 tests 14 praise, 0 criticise of 32 reviews · Read those reviews
- Dry grip strength in 4 of 11 tests 9 praise, 2 criticise of 32 reviews · Read those reviews
- Road noise strength in 2 of 11 tests 12 praise, 3 criticise of 32 reviews · Read those reviews
- Rolling resistance strength in 3 of 11 tests 6 praise, 0 criticise of 32 reviews · Read those reviews
- Tread life strength in 3 of 11 tests 5 praise, 1 criticise of 32 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre
- Ice grip no test mentions it 8 praise, 1 criticise of 32 reviews · Read those reviews
Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners
- Wet handling strength in 2 of 11 tests no owner mentions it
Every test, newest first 20
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2019 1 test
2018 6 tests
P2 of 11
Beat 90% of the field
2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test
Highly recommended.
P4 of 12
Beat 73% of the field
P6 of 20
Beat 74% of the field
P5 of 12
Beat 64% of the field
P2 of 16
Beat 93% of the field
P3 of 52
Beat 96% of the field
2017 2 tests
P2 of 8
Beat 86% of the field
P5 of 16
Beat 73% of the field
2016 4 tests
P3 of 20
Beat 89% of the field
P2 of 49
Beat 98% of the field
P4 of 14
Beat 62% of the field
P1 of 15
Beat 100% of the field
2015 4 tests
P6 of 18
Beat 71% of the field
P1 of 16
Beat 100% of the field
P3 of 19
Beat 89% of the field
P2 of 51
Beat 98% of the field
2014 3 tests
P3 of 10
Beat 78% of the field
2014 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test
An excellent debut in our test, with good performance on snow and wet roads
P2 of 11
Beat 90% of the field
2014 AZ Winter Tyre Test
Very good debut, on the podium for the new Ultra Grip 9 Goodyear
P2 of 10
Beat 89% of the field
Back to the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 overview
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tyre Reviews score. All Goodyear tyres