Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Nokian Seasonproof 2
Across two recent, size-relevant tests (205/55 R16 and 235/55 R18), Nokian consistently finished first overall while Goodyear placed mid-pack to upper-tier. The data points to Nokian's leap in wet and snow performance, while Goodyear counters with class-leading handling feel and refinement. If you prioritize stopping distances and deep-water security, one tire clearly leads; if you value steering precision and comfort, the other still impresses.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been two tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Nokian Seasonproof 2 | two |
While it might look like the Nokian Seasonproof 2 is better than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Best-in-group handling feel: wins dry and wet handling laps in SUV test
- Top comfort and low cabin noise (subjective wins)
- Competitive snow performance with strong traction
- Occasionally lower rolling resistance (wins TÜV RR; efficient touring bias)
- Class-leading safety: consistently shorter dry and wet braking
- Superior aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved)
- Excellent winter capability: best or near-best in snow braking/handling
- Lower rolling resistance in SUV test; strong overall efficiency
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 stopped the vehicle in 4.73% less distance than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Dry Braking: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was 0.79% faster around a lap than the Nokian Seasonproof 2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 scored 2.5% more points than the Nokian Seasonproof 2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 stopped the vehicle in 6.38% less distance than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Wet Braking: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was 0.65% faster around a wet lap than the Nokian Seasonproof 2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 scored 5% more points than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 floated at a 2.88% higher speed than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Straight Aqua: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 slipped out at a 6.12% higher speed than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during two snow braking tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 stopped the vehicle in 0.43% less distance than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Snow Braking: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and Nokian Seasonproof 2 performed equally well in snow traction tests.
Best In Snow Traction: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during two snow handling [s] tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was 2.66% faster around a lap than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 scored 10% more points than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 scored 5% more points than the Nokian Seasonproof 2.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 scored 2.5% more points than the Nokian Seasonproof 2.
Best In Subj. Noise: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during one noise tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 measured 0.7% quieter than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Noise: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Nokian Seasonproof 2 had a 2.31% lower rolling resistance than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Nokian Seasonproof 2
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 Driver Reviews
Across most reviews, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is described as a highly capable all-round tire with standout wet-road security (strong grip, wet braking, and aquaplaning resistance) and confidence in cold conditions including snow for an all-season. Many drivers also report very good longevity/wear and a generally quiet, comfortable ride. The most repeated drawbacks are a softer, less precise steering/feedback feel and slightly weaker dry braking/traction when pushed in warm or hot conditions compared with dedicated summer tires.
Based on 68 reviews with an average rating of 81%
Nokian Seasonproof 2 Driver Reviews
Drivers report the Nokian Seasonproof 2 is a very confidence-inspiring all-season tire, with standout wet-road grip/aquaplaning resistance and strong braking, plus surprisingly capable performance on snow and even ice for many users. Comfort and road noise are frequently praised, with several noting a quieter, smoother ride than previous tires. A smaller minority mention a less-direct or "floaty/squirmy" steering feel at higher speeds (notably on certain cars), which was severe for one low-scoring review.
Based on 18 reviews with an average rating of 84%
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Conclusion
Goodyear's Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 remains highly competitive for dynamics and comfort. It topped or tied objective handling in both dry and wet in the SUV test, delivered the best subjective comfort/noise there, and retains a rolling-resistance advantage in the TÜV result. However, consistent deficits in emergency braking and aquaplaning limit its all-weather safety envelope versus the Nokian. In short: choose Nokian for the most secure all-season grip in wet and winter; choose Goodyear if you prioritize steering feel, ride refinement, and balanced efficiency.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Nokian wins both shared tests (1/5 and 1/9); Goodyear finishes 5/5 and 3/9
- Emergency stopping: Nokian brakes shorter in dry (up to 7.7% vs 205/55 R16) and wet (up to 10.7%)
- Aquaplaning: Nokian leads straight (+3.8% and +2.1%) and curved (+6.5%) resistance
- Handling balance: Goodyear edges objective dry/wet lap times; Nokian scores higher in subjective wet and snow
- Snow: Nokian quicker in braking/handling; Goodyear marginally better in one traction metric in SUV test
- Comfort/refinement: Goodyear wins subjective comfort/noise; Nokian slightly quieter on meter but firmer over impacts
Overall Winner: Nokian Seasonproof 2
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Nokian Seasonproof 2 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Nokian Seasonproof 2 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.