Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Michelin Alpin 7
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 90% · 15
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 89% · 11
In the 12 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 8 times and the Alpin 7 4 times. The UltraGrip Performance 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 3.2% higher speed; the Alpin 7 had 9.5% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 if you want the more confidence-inspiring winter tire for mixed conditions-especially wet roads, slush and heavy rain-where its wet handling and aquaplaning resistance repeatedly stand out, while still delivering very strong snow performance. Choose the Michelin Alpin 7 if your priority is efficiency and long-distance winter driving (notably for EVs), and you value low rolling resistance and strong ice/snow bite-accepting that, in several tests and sizes, aquaplaning and wet-cornering balance are the main compromises.
Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger
- Wet-road handling and control: wins wet handling in the vast majority of shared tests (7-0 in your category summary), often with strong subjective scores and neutral balance
- Aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved): frequent, sometimes large advantages (e.g., sport auto straight aqua 83.5 vs 75.0 km/h; AMS curved aqua 2.91 vs 2.33)
- Strong snow capability in many tests, especially snow handling/subjective snow confidence (e.g., 2026/27 test: 76.15s vs 78.2s; sport auto: top snow chapter results)
Where the Alpin 7 is stronger
- Rolling resistance/efficiency: the clear, repeatable standout (wins 9/9 measured rolling resistance comparisons, often by ~10-15%+)
- Ice braking and “true winter surface” bite in several independent datasets (notably ADAC: 16.9 m vs 18.7 m and 20.1 m vs 22.6 m on ice)
- High-mileage ownership strengths: strong projected wear in AvD (54,995 km vs 51,899 km) and strong economy/environment scoring
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.
UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Alpin 7 at a glance
| Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Gap | Alpin 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won12 shared tests | 8 | 4 | |
| Dry21 measurements | 14 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 1.3% shorter in the dry (12 tests) | 6 |
| Wet49 measurements | 37 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 3.2% higher speed (11 tests) | 11 |
| Snow36 measurements | 24 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 1.3% quicker in the snow traction test (5 tests) | 11 |
| Ice2 measurements | 0 | The Alpin 7 stopped 10.3% shorter on ice (2 tests) | 2 |
| Comfort15 measurements | 11 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 0.5 dB quieter (9 tests) | 3 |
| Value17 measurements | 3 | The Alpin 7 had 9.5% lower rolling resistance (10 tests) | 12 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | Level | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating15 and 11 reviews | 90% | Too close to call | 89% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 100% | Too close to call | 100% |
| Pricein the 10 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Alpin 7 was dearer in 10 of 10 | +7.6% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 175 | 37 sizes made in both | 49 |
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 12 tests, 2025 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.
| Test | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Field | Alpin 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Al Volante Winter Tire Test | P2 of 6 | P4 of 6 | |
| The BEST Winter Tires for 2026/27 | P1 of 9 | P4 of 9 | |
| 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test | P3 of 9 | P5 of 9 | |
| 2026 AvD Winter Tire Test | P3 of 15 | P2 of 15 | |
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 | P3 of 16 | P4 of 16 | |
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 | P6 of 16 | P2 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test | P6 of 11 | P4 of 11 | |
| 2025 TUV Test of Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 vs Rivals | P3 of 5 | P5 of 5 | |
| 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tire Test | P4 of 11 | P3 of 11 | |
| 2025 AMS Winter Tire Test | P2 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tire Test | P2 of 7 | P6 of 7 | |
| 2025 Auto Express Winter Tire Test | P2 of 8 | P4 of 8 |
Performance profile
27 measurements from the 12 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
UltraGrip Performance 3
Alpin 7
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 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 2 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
UltraGrip Performance 3
Alpin 7
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 Performance 3
Alpin 7
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the Alpin 7 89% from 11. 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.
| Measurement | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Gap | Alpin 7 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 136 | 1.3% | 138 | 10-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 58.83 | 0.1% | 58.75 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.5 | 0.3% | 71.7 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 0.2% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 118 | 1.2% | 120 | 7-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 131 | 0.8% | 132 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 90.04 | 2.5% | 92.44 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45.9 | 2.1% | 45 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 10.7% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 17.2 | 1.1% | 17 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.75 | 1.3% | 13.91 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 52.3 | 3.2% | 50.7 | 8-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 91.2 | 7.5% | 94.2 | 7-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70 | 0.7% | 71 | 7-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.68 | 1.3% | 5.75 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 490 | 0.3% | 492 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.43 | 0.4% | 72.65 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 53.9 | 1.7% | 53 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 15.9% | scored | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.8 | 1% | 12.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.7 | 3.2% | 12.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 68 | 10.3% | 61 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.8% | scored | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 0.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 68.71 | 0.5 dB | 69.19 | 6-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 28,935 | 3.3% | 27,940 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.16 | 9.5% | 7.37 | 0-10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.55 | = | 5.55 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.5 | 9.4% | 76.5 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the Alpin 7 9.5 out of 10.
| UltraGrip Performance 3 | Category | Alpin 7 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | Dry | 78 | ||
| 95 | Wet | 82 | ||
| 85 | Comfort | 64 | ||
| 70 | Value | 85 | ||
| 87 | Snow | 77 | ||
| 22 | Ice | 84 | ||
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
| UltraGrip Performance 3 | Category | Alpin 7 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 8.8 | Wet Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 8.6 | Road Feedback | 7.5 | ||
| 8.1 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 9.7 | ||
| 8.8 | Comfort | 9.4 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 8.1 | Ice Grip | 7.3 | ||
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the Alpin 7 89% from 11. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
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.
Michelin Alpin 7
- 89%from 11 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 67,100 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Michelin Alpin 7 very highly overall, most often praising its very low noise and notably improved ride comfort/refinement versus previous winter or summer setups. Reviews frequently highlight confident grip and stability in dry and wet conditions, with many also reporting strong performance in snow and slush. A smaller set of users mention a softer sidewall/less direct steering feel, and a couple note that for true Nordic winters (deep snow/ice-heavy conditions) a dedicated Nordic winter tire may be a better fit.
- Very quiet/low road noise (near summer-tire levels for many)
- High ride comfort and good bump/pothole absorption
- Strong dry and wet grip with stable handling, including at higher speeds
- Good snow and slush traction with predictable control
- Soft sidewalls/less direct steering feel (floatier feedback, slightly longer-feeling dry braking for some)
- Higher energy consumption/efficiency loss versus summer tires (typical winter-tire penalty)
Summarised by AI from 11 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 11 Alpin 7 reviewsDefinitely comfortable, safe tires that provide amazing grip on snow and ice. I'm very satisfied, I won't use another tire.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 175 sizes of the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 49 of the Alpin 7, 37 of them made in both.
| Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Alpin 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch | 49 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 37 sizes 185/65 R15195/65 R15195/55 R16195/60 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17and 25 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B60%C39%D0%A0% | B100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% | C66%B30%D5% |
| EU label noise | 69-74 dB B87%A13% | 69-71 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 415 of 415 | 64 of 64 |
| On the market since | - | 2024 |
| Awards | Commended: Best Winter Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) | Highly Recommended: Best Winter Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Winner: Best Winter SUV Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Alpin 7 was the dearer tire in 10 of the 10 tests that listed prices, by 7.6% 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 an especially interesting head-to-head because these tires chase “winter performance” from slightly different angles. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is positioned as a more ultra-high-performance winter tire, aiming to keep a sporty, confident feel while still delivering real snow ability. The Michelin Alpin 7 is a premium-touring winter tire with a clear emphasis on efficiency, refinement and long-distance usability.
Across 11 shared professional tests (from small hatchback sizes up to SUV fitments), a consistent pattern emerges: Goodyear more often wins on-road control metrics (wet handling, aquaplaning, subjective balance/comfort) and frequently leads outright in snow handling. Michelin, meanwhile, repeatedly dominates rolling resistance by large margins, often scores strongly on ice/snow traction, and tends to look like the smarter high-mileage/electric-friendly option-though sometimes with a trade-off in standing-water security and wet-cornering confidence depending on size and vehicle.
Conclusion
Taken as a whole, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 comes out as the more consistently “confidence-first” winter tire. It wins the overall comparison more often (7 test wins vs 4) and repeatedly shows its biggest real-world advantage where winter drivers most notice it: wet handling and aquaplaning safety. In multiple tests it posts clear water-performance margins (e.g., sport auto straight aquaplaning 83.5 km/h vs 75.0 km/h, and curved aquaplaning 3.13 vs 2.64), while also being regularly praised for neutral, easy control and strong comfort/noise. When conditions turn properly wintry, it often looks exceptional-winning snow chapters outright in several tests and taking the win in the 2026/27 group test (1st vs Michelin's 4th).
The Michelin Alpin 7's story is different: it is the efficiency champion, and the numbers are not subtle. Rolling resistance is Michelin's strongest repeatable advantage (it wins 9/9 where measured in your summary), often by double-digit percentages (e.g., Auto Express 2026: 7.4 vs 8.45; TUV 2025: 6.9 vs 8.1). That tends to translate into a compelling “daily winter tire” proposition for high-mileage drivers and EV owners. It also shows genuine winter-surface strength in several datasets-particularly ice braking (ADAC 225/50: 16.9 m vs Goodyear's 18.7 m; ADAC 185/65: 20.1 m vs 22.6 m) and strong snow traction in ADAC's testing-while AvD also projects excellent longevity and best-in-test economy/environment scoring.
Practical takeaway: if your winters involve frequent wet roads, slush, heavy rain and occasional deep water, the Goodyear's handling stability and aquaplaning resistance are the more safety-relevant edge. If your priority is lower energy consumption and long-life ownership (especially on an EV) and your typical winter is more “cold and controlled” than “stormy and flooded,” the Michelin's efficiency and winter-surface competence make it the more rational long-term pick-just be mindful that aquaplaning and wet-corner behavior can be its recurring weak spot in some fitments.
UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Alpin 7: your questions
Is the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 or the Michelin Alpin 7 the better tire?
In the 12 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 8 times and the Alpin 7 4 times. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the Alpin 7 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip Performance 3 or the Alpin 7?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 37 of the 49 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 3.2% higher speed across 11 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 14 of the 21 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.3% shorter in the dry across 12 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 24 of the 36 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 1.3% quicker in the snow traction test across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 shed 9.4% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests); the Alpin 7 lasted 3.3% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 9.5% lower rolling resistance (10 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 9.7/10 for the Alpin 7.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 0.5 dB quieter (9 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 9.4/10 for the Alpin 7.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the Alpin 7 89% from 11. 100% of UltraGrip Performance 3 owners would buy it again, against 100% for the Alpin 7.
Which is more expensive?
In the 10 tests that listed prices, the Alpin 7 was the dearer tire in 10 of them, by 7.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 is made in 175 sizes (14 to 23 inch) and the Alpin 7 in 49 (15 to 20 inch). 37 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the UltraGrip Performance 3 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Alpin 7 B and C.
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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.
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