Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- TR Score
- 7.9/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 4
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 90% · 15
In the 18 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 18 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro not once. The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro lapped the dry handling course 0.9% faster; the UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 58.2% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 for almost all drivers: it's markedly safer in wet conditions, more capable on snow, and typically far better value over time thanks to much longer wear life. The Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is only worth considering if it's substantially cheaper upfront and you drive mostly in milder winters with little snow-otherwise its repeated wet (braking/aquaplaning) and snow-control deficits are hard to justify.
Where the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is stronger
- Often competitive on dry handling/braking in isolated tests (can feel “sporty” on clear roads)
- Comfort/noise can be a strong point (frequently rated quiet/refined; occasional wins on noise/comfort)
- Can show decent wet-lap/“wet circle” grip in some Auto Bild Allrad-type measurements (one-off wins)
Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger
- Consistently superior wet safety: usually shorter wet braking and markedly better aquaplaning resistance (straight and especially curved)
- Stronger and more reliable snow performance overall (wins snow braking/traction/handling in the vast majority of shared tests)
- High all-round test placements (regular podium/Top 5) with no recurring critical weakness
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs UltraGrip Performance 3 at a glance
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Gap | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won18 shared tests | 0 | 18 | |
| Dry27 measurements | 9 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 2% shorter in the dry (13 tests) | 17 |
| Wet63 measurements | 8 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 5.4% shorter in the wet (16 tests) | 54 |
| Snow49 measurements | 1 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 4.6% shorter on snow (16 tests) | 47 |
| Ice3 measurements | 3 | 0 | |
| Comfort17 measurements | 4 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 0.5 dB quieter (11 tests) | 10 |
| Value20 measurements | 2 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 58.2% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 17 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.9/10 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 1.6 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 15 reviews | 91% | Too close to call | 90% |
| Pricein the 15 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was dearer in 15 of 15 | +19.9% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 110 | 79 sizes made in both | 175 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 18 tests, 2023 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
Performance profile
24 measurements from the 18 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
UltraGrip Performance 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 7 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
UltraGrip Performance 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
UltraGrip Performance 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scores 7.9 and the UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 out of 10.
| EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 89 | ||
| 66 | Wet | 95 | ||
| 57 | Comfort | 85 | ||
| 18 | Value | 70 | ||
| 23 | Snow | 87 | ||
| 53 | Ice | 22 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 9.5 | Wet Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 6.5 | Road Feedback | 8.6 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 8.1 | ||
| 8 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 9 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 9 | Ice Grip | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
- 91%from 4 reviews
- 18,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 EUROWINTER HS02 Pro reviewsReally solid tires, I didn't expect them to be good through snow however they performed very well. But they're even better on dry and wet roads.
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- 90%from 15 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 62,800 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 very highly, praising its excellent grip and braking on dry and wet roads, strong traction in snow, and a quiet, comfortable, and predictable ride. Handling is often described as stable and confidence-inspiring, with several noting good highway manners. A minority mention weaker performance on pure ice and a softer, less sporty steering feel at the limit. Overall sentiment is strongly positive with only a few caveats.
- strong dry grip and braking
- excellent wet grip and braking
- very good snow traction
- quiet and comfortable ride
- limited grip on pure ice compared to some rivals
- softer steering feel and less sporty lateral grip at high speeds
Summarised by AI from 12 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 15 UltraGrip Performance 3 reviewsThis is exceptional tire in winter i swapped it now with Michelin PA 5 which is even better on snow but lucks a bit on wet. But you cant go wrong with niether of those. I cant wait Michelin s to worn out so i can try pirelli.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 110 sizes of the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 175 of the UltraGrip Performance 3, 79 of them made in both.
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 110 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 79 sizes 225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18235/50 R18and 67 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%C4% | B60%C39%D0%A0% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D51%C44%B5% | C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B97%A3% | 69-74 dB B87%A13% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 134 of 134 | 415 of 415 |
| On the market since | 2022 | - |
| Awards | - | Commended: Best Winter Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) |
| Price in the shared tests | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tire in 15 of the 15 tests that listed prices, by 19.9% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This is a head-to-head between two ultra-high-performance winter tires that target the same “Central European” use case: fast road driving with lots of cold, wet motorway miles, plus occasional snow. On paper, the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro offers a more affordable entry into the UHP-winter category, while the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is positioned as a premium, do-it-all winter option.
Across 18 shared professional tests, the pattern is unusually consistent: Goodyear wins every single head-to-head overall result (18-0), typically landing on the podium (often 1st-3rd) while the Falken more often finishes in the lower half or near the bottom. The biggest real-world separation isn't a “feel” difference-it's safety-critical wet performance and winter control (snow handling/traction), plus a major durability and running-cost advantage for the Goodyear.
Conclusion
Looking at results across Auto Bild (multiple rounds), ADAC, AvD, Sport Auto/Auto Bild Sportscars, Teknikens Värld and Tire Reviews, the UltraGrip Performance 3 is the clearly stronger and more complete winter tire. It repeatedly delivers shorter wet braking and higher aquaplaning thresholds (a decisive advantage in Atlantic-style winters), while also being consistently better on snow where the Falken frequently drops to the back of the group. The 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars test illustrates the gap starkly: wet braking 52.1 m (Goodyear) vs 65.2 m (Falken), and straight aquaplaning 77.3 km/h vs 66.9 km/h-differences large enough to change outcomes in emergency scenarios.
Just as important, Goodyear's longevity and ownership costs are in a different league in the datasets that include wear and value modelling. ADAC projects 55,800 km for Goodyear vs 32,000 km for Falken (+74%), and AvD shows 51,899 km vs 35,058 km (+48%). That means even if Falken is cheaper to buy in your market, it often doesn't stay cheaper per kilometer.
The practical takeaway: if you want one UHP winter tire that you can trust in heavy rain, slush and surprise snow-and that won't evaporate in mileage-the Goodyear is the confident choice. The Falken only makes sense when price is the overriding constraint and your winters are mostly cold-and-dry with minimal snow, because its recurring weak points (snow control and, in several major tests, wet braking/aquaplaning) are exactly where winter tires earn their keep.
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs UltraGrip Performance 3: your questions
Is the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro or the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 the better tire?
In the 18 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 18 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scores 7.9 and the UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro or the UltraGrip Performance 3?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 54 of the 63 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.4% shorter in the wet across 16 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 17 of the 27 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2% shorter in the dry across 13 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 47 of the 49 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.6% shorter on snow across 16 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 58.2% longer in the wear tests (4 tests), had 5.6% lower rolling resistance (12 tests) and used 0.5% less fuel (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 9/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 0.5 dB quieter (11 tests). Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15.
Which is more expensive?
In the 15 tests that listed prices, the UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tire in 15 of them, by 19.9% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is made in 110 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the UltraGrip Performance 3 in 175 (14 to 23 inch). 79 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the UltraGrip Performance 3 B and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Review the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro Review the UltraGrip Performance 3
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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