Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ vs Nexen Winguard Snow G3
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ finished ahead 4 times and the Winguard Snow G3 not once. The UltraGrip 9+ was stronger in wet, snow and value, the Winguard Snow G3 in dry.
Performance profile
6 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
UltraGrip 9+
Winguard Snow G3
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. 11 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
UltraGrip 9+
Winguard Snow G3
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
UltraGrip 9+
Winguard Snow G3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the UltraGrip 9+ 88% from 6 reviews and the Winguard Snow G3 91% from 7. 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. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | UltraGrip 9+ | Gap | Winguard Snow G3 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Winguard Snow G3 ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 158 | 3.1% | 153 | 0-2 |
| Dry Handling mph | 84.4 | 0.6% | 84.9 | 0-1 |
| Subj. Dry Handling pts | scored | 60% | scored | 1-0 |
| Wet UltraGrip 9+ ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 159 | 2.8% | 164 | 3-0 |
| Wet Handling mph | 44.6 | 3.2% | 43.2 | 1-0 |
| Subj. Wet Handling pts | scored | 150% | scored | 1-0 |
| Wet Circle s | 12.66 | 3.1% | 13.06 | 1-0 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 50.7 | 11.5% | 45.5 | 2-0 |
| Curved Aquaplaning ft/s² | 10.7 | 27.2% | 8.4 | 1-0 |
| Snow UltraGrip 9+ ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 89 | 4.8% | 93 | 3-0 |
| Snow Traction lbf | 565 | 4.8% | 538 | 2-0 |
| Snow Handling mph | 35 | 0.7% | 34.8 | 1-0 |
| Subj. Snow Handling pts | scored | 200% | scored | 1-0 |
| Comfort Level | ||||
| Subj. Comfort pts | scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 |
| Noise dB | 71.3 | 1.6 dB | 69.7 | 0-1 |
| Value UltraGrip 9+ ahead | ||||
| Wear miles | 22,742 | 28.4% | 17,709 | 1-0 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 8.26 | 7.7% | 8.95 | 2-0 |
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.
Head to head in 4 tests, 2020 to 2022
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.
| Test | UltraGrip 9+ | Field | Winguard Snow G3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 | P1 of 15 | P10 of 15 | |
| 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P7 of 20 | P19 of 20 | |
| 2021 Winter Tire Market Overview | P6 of 50 | P16 of 50 | |
| 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test | P3 of 14 | P11 of 14 |
UltraGrip 9+ vs Winguard Snow G3: your questions
Is the Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ or the Nexen Winguard Snow G3 the better tire?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip 9+ finished ahead 4 times and the Winguard Snow G3 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip 9+ scores 9.4 and the Winguard Snow G3 7.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip 9+ or the Winguard Snow G3?
The UltraGrip 9+ led 9 of the 9 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 11.5% higher speed across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Winguard Snow G3 led 3 of the 4 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.1% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip 9+ led 7 of the 7 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.8% shorter on snow across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip 9+ had 7.7% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 9.7/10 for the UltraGrip 9+ and 7.8/10 for the Winguard Snow G3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.5/10 for the UltraGrip 9+ and 9.3/10 for the Winguard Snow G3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the UltraGrip 9+ 88% from 6 reviews and the Winguard Snow G3 91% from 7. 100% of UltraGrip 9+ owners would buy it again, against 100% for the Winguard Snow G3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the UltraGrip 9+ was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 35.5% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The UltraGrip 9+ is made in 19 sizes (14 to 16 inch) and the Winguard Snow G3 in 34 (14 to 16 inch). 19 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the UltraGrip 9+ is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Winguard Snow G3 C and D.
Which is the newer tire?
The UltraGrip 9+ is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Winguard Snow G3 in 2020. The UltraGrip 9+ replaced the Goodyear UltraGrip 9. The Winguard Snow G3 replaced the Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2.
More comparisons with these tires
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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.