The Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 is a performance winter tyre with strong snow traction and aquaplaning resistance. Dry braking can be longer than rivals', and it can understeer at the limit.
In independent tests from 2009 to 2011, the Ultra Grip Performance 2 generally performed well, with several podium finishes, though it also placed eighth out of ten in one comparison. Snow traction was a recurring strength, despite one conflicting result, while testers also praised its snow braking and stable cornering. Aquaplaning resistance stood out in several write-ups, and wet grip drew praise too.
Dry braking is the clearest compromise, with two testers noting longer stopping distances. One also found the tyre prone to understeer at the limit, while road noise and rolling resistance each drew a single criticism. These less frequently mentioned points are worth considering, but are not as consistent as the snow and aquaplaning findings. It suits drivers looking for a performance winter tyre with dependable snow capability and wet-weather security, provided outright dry braking is not the priority.
The quick answer
Owners say60%from 9 owner reviews63% would buy againRead the reviews
Strengths & weaknessesSnow tractionSnow brakingLonger dry braking distancesUndersteer at the limitSummarised from the independent tests
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 January 2025.
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While the Goodyear is closely related to the Dunlop, the different design approaches are obvious. The Goodyear has a much safer approach, which leaves the car understeering when it could develop extra grip at the risk of dynamic instability. Still, a good all round result, only slightly weaker than the Dunlop in the snow.
Winner: Nokian WR D3
Every independent test of the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2, newest first
How comfortable and quiet are the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2?
Owners rate the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 8.1 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 8 reviews.
How well do the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 7 out of 10 for wear across 8 reviews. 3 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 2,500 miles.
Would owners buy the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 again?
63% of owners say they would buy the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 again, based on the 8 owner reviews that answered the question. 38% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What does the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 replace?
Questions and Answers for the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2
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Across 9 owner ratings the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2 averages 60%. Owners rate Comfort highest at 8.1 out of 10 and Ice Grip lowest at 1. 3 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 63% of owners score it 70% or better.
Owner ratings averaged from 9 ratings
Owner score60%
Comfort81%
Dry Grip79%
Road Feedback74%
Wet Grip73%
Handling71%
Wear70%
Snow Grip10%
Ice Grip10%
Featured reviews
Most helpful 49%
“If there was a score of 0 , this tire would earn it for snow and ice. Right out of my driveway, I'm skidding all over the place. Coming to a stop, my ABS is working overtime. Light turns green and I can't get traction...”
“I reviewed these on the 24th Dec 2014, so this is an updated review. I've completely given up on these tyres. Yes, they are quite and comfortable, but their poor grip on snow and the vague feeling on tarmac meant I...”
If there was a score of 0 , this tire would earn it for snow and ice. Right out of my driveway, I'm skidding all over the place. Coming to a stop, my ABS is working overtime. Light turns green and I can't get traction, I'm slipping sideways. Light snow on the highway at 50mph is a white-knuckled shit-show.
These tires are terrible. I felt safer on my all-seasons in the snow.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
51%
Member
Skoda
225/45 R17
30,000 miles
Mostly Country Roads
Easy Going
I reviewed these on the 24th Dec 2014, so this is an updated review. I've completely given up on these tyres. Yes, they are quite and comfortable, but their poor grip on snow and the vague feeling on tarmac meant I could not suffer them, so I have given up on them and fitted some Nokian WR D3's instead. What a revelation - the Nokians are certainly noisier, but their road manners are superb and their grip on ice and snow remarkable. So glad I gave up on the Goodyears. If you tootle around the M25 in winter I guess they'd be a good choice, but if you need to drive on winter roads such as the Scottish Highlands they are terrible and best avoided.
Which tyres do you drive?
Researching the Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2? Rate the tyres you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
Bought them recently and the feel with the new tyres is amazing compared to my old Sepmerit Speed Grip I had on my Ford Mondeo. Bought 4 of the recently manifactured Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2. Also very good choice of size for the Mondeo, as it is a bit wider but yet a bit taller than the 205/55/16 tyre size. And the behavior of the grip is immaculate in wet and dry conditions, as long as the outside temperature is too cold. They are not as sticky to the road in too warm conditions.
I decided to bit the bullet this winter and get some winter tyres. I bought some steel wheels and ordered the Goodyears from blackcircles although initially I ordered the Hankook Winter i'cept RS but these weren't available however I was offered the Goodyears instead. Having used Goodyear Summer tyres previously and these had good reviews I decided to go with the Goodyears. Despite not having much snow here in Cheshire the times when we did coupled with the large amounts of standing water we had these tyres have given me real reassurance in these conditions both grip on snow and ability to "cut through" standing water without the slightest hint of loss of traction. Only on the motorway where flash floods had turned the motorway into a river did the tyres give any hint of the amount of water on the roads and really it was prudent to take things easy. Going back to premium tyres after having budget and mid range summer tyres recently really made me appreciate the difference in having a premium tyre designed for the weather conditions. Even my wife, after initially questioning my decision, realised the benefits of these tyres after driving in the snow!
I'm amazed at how competent these tyres are even in conditions where summer tyres would normally be used.
They have been outstanding in the recent snow and extreme cold weather. The amount of improved traction over my Conti 3's is quite startling in the wet/icy/cold conditions. I was never really convinced by winter tyres but am now completely sold.
Naturally they are not snow tyres so what i've found on roads with layers of ice/snow is that the car can lose grip in heavy patches but once a softer patch is found they bite really well, whereas a summer tyre would continue to skid off the road. I had a couple of examples of this that thankfully kept me on the road.
A couple of things i have found is that tyre noise is greater at higher speeds compared to most summer tyres, however they are pretty much the same at speeds below 80mph. I also found that the steering does become a little light compared to something like the Conti 3's at higher speeds. These are V rated however i would be a little uncomfortable to push the car towards the 100mph mark, naturally where legally allowed.
Overall great tyres and would highly recommend.
First class product! more expensive than a standard winter tyre but well worth the money as they are a performance winter tyre, i can only say that you get what you pay for in life!, i ran a set of Michelin Alpins last winter on my last car these but Goodyears offer superior traction & grip compared to them especially when braking & cornering on snow & ice there is also great recovery from these tyres if you push to hard they will search & bite for grip, you only have to touch & feel the compound & sipes on them to know how they will perform, they remain very plyable & supple even down to very low temps, i've ran them at minus 18 degrees C & you can still easily bend the outer sipes with your thumb nail, but in normal conditions the sipes remain closed as a tight block until required improving handling in the dry & improving general wear, they are an intelligently designed product!
The inner directional tread pattern & outer blocks bite into snow covered roads & offer exceptional traction when climbing hills,( i know from experience of where i live, i don't get stuck but other people do! ) the directional pattern helps to evacuate slush & snow quickly so maintaining grip on long subzero temp journeys, & also improving grip on standing water in turn reducing aquaplaning. I'm not worried about tyre wear as these tyres are designed to do a specific job & keep you safe, of course there is going to be certain compromises but so far they are wearing extremely well. In all i have been using these tyres for over 45 days now in these UK winter conditions most of which has been challanging driving on snow & ice & slush, but every time i drive my car they put a massive smile on my face with the confidence & winter performance that they offer... L.T.
