Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 81
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 90% · 15
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 have met in one independent test so far, and the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 finished ahead.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 for temperate regions with occasional snow, strong dry-road safety, and better efficiency year-round. Choose UltraGrip Performance 3 if you regularly face deep snow or prolonged sub-zero conditions and prioritize maximum winter traction and aquaplaning safety.
Where the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is stronger
- Class-leading dry braking across all shared tests
- Lower rolling resistance for better efficiency
- Balanced, predictable wet/dry handling with competitive lap times
Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger
- Outstanding snow performance (braking, traction, handling)
- Best-in-test aquaplaning safety (straight and curved)
- Stable, confidence-inspiring wet behavior
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.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs UltraGrip Performance 3 at a glance
| Category | Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Gap | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won1 shared test | 1 | 0 | |
| Dry2 measurements | 2 | 0 | |
| Wet4 measurements | 3 | 1 | |
| Snow4 measurements | 0 | 4 | |
| Comfort1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Value1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 0.1 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating81 and 15 reviews | 82% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 8 points | 90% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 78% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 22 points | 100% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 102 | 81 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 1 test in 2024
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 | Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Field | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 All Season and Winter Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P2 of 10 |
Performance profile
12 measurements from the one shared test, each tire shown as its share of the better figure.
Where each is furthest ahead
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
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.
Where each scores higher
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
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
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
Not ahead in any category
UltraGrip Performance 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 82% from 81 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.
| Measurement | Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Gap | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Wins | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 137 | 3.5% | 142 | 1-0 | |||||
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| 71.9 | 2% | 73.4 | 1-0 | |||||
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| 170 | 1.1% | 172 | 1-0 | |||||
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| 86.6 | 1.1% | 87.6 | 1-0 | |||||
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| 12.21 | 2.3% | 12.5 | 1-0 | |||||
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| 47.5 | 3.8% | 49.3 | 0-1 | |||||
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| 73 | 1.4% | 72 | 0-1 | |||||
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| 726 | 0.9% | 733 | 0-1 | |||||
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| 68.5 | 3.1% | 66.4 | 0-1 | |||||
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| 15 | 1.8% | 15.3 | 0-1 | |||||
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| 72.7 | 0.5 dB | 72.2 | 0-1 | |||||
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| 7.1 | 4.6% | 7.44 | 1-0 | |||||
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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 Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 scores 9.4 and the UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 out of 10.
| Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | Dry | 89 | ||
| 89 | Wet | 95 | ||
| 68 | Comfort | 85 | ||
| 73 | Value | 70 | ||
| 81 | Snow | 87 | ||
| 87 | 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
| Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 8.7 | Wet Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 7.8 | Road Feedback | 8.6 | ||
| 8 | Handling | 8.1 | ||
| 8.6 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 8.3 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 8.4 | Snow Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 7.5 | Ice Grip | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 82% from 81 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
- 82%from 81 reviews
- 78%would buy again
- 1,078,534 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 highly overall (average 79.9%), with most praising its dependable all-round grip, particularly in the wet, where over half of reviewers comment positively. Dry grip, snow traction and cold-weather performance are also frequently highlighted, and around a third of owners report strong tread life. The main recurring downsides are a noticeably weaker dry braking performance and slightly vague steering feel, raised by around one in five and around one in six owners respectively, while road noise feedback is mixed but leans positive.
- Confident wet grip in heavy rain and greasy conditions
- Strong dry grip for everyday driving
- Long tread life and slow wear rates
- Impressive snow traction for an all-season tire
- Longer dry braking distances / less bite under heavy braking
- Vague or light steering feel and less direct response
- Higher rolling resistance / noticeable fuel economy drop for some drivers
Summarised by AI from 75 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 81 Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 reviewsAlmost perfect tires that even didn't let my down in heavy snow which really amazed me. And driven normally they seem to last forever.
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: 102 sizes of the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and 175 of the UltraGrip Performance 3, 81 of them made in both.
| Category | Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | UltraGrip Performance 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | Winter |
| Sizes made | 102 sizes, 14 to 22 inch | 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 81 sizes 175/65 R14175/65 R15185/60 R15185/65 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15195/55 R16195/60 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16and 69 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B87%C13% | B60%C39%D0%A0% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C47%B29%A21%D4% | C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% |
| EU label noise | 69-73 dB B99%A1% | 69-74 dB B87%A13% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 252 of 252 | 415 of 415 |
| Replaced | Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2 (2021) | - |
| Replaced by | Goodyear Vector All Season 4 | - |
| Awards | Commended: Best All-Season Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: All-Season Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) Winner: All-Season Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2021) Winner: Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2021) | Commended: Best Winter Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) |
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 matchup pits two very different Goodyears against each other: the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, a premium all-season touring tire aimed at year-round versatility, and the UltraGrip Performance 3, an ultra-high-performance winter tire built for cold-weather grip. Despite their distinct briefs, they share test appearances across winter, wet and dry disciplines, offering a rare, apples-to-oranges look at capability and compromise.
Across three shared tests, the Vector consistently stops shorter on dry roads and posts lower rolling resistance, while the UltraGrip Performance 3 dominates snow and aquaplaning safety. Interestingly, the Vector even topped a mixed winter/all-season test overall and would have placed midfield in a dedicated winter test-evidence of how competitive modern all-seasons have become-yet the UltraGrip remains the reference when snow gets serious.
Conclusion
Patterns are clear: the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is the better everyday road tire for mixed climates-shorter dry stops in all three tests, balanced wet handling, lower fuel consumption, and a small price edge. It even holds its own on snow versus true winters, but typically trails the UltraGrip once temperatures drop and snow depth increases.
The UltraGrip Performance 3 is purpose-built for winter: it leads convincingly in snow braking, traction, and handling, and offers outstanding straight and curved aquaplaning margins. Its trade-offs are longer dry braking, slightly softer responses on tarmac, and higher rolling resistance. Choose it if winter severity is high or snow is frequent; pick the Vector if winters are mild-to-moderate and you value year-round convenience, efficiency, and dry-road safety.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs UltraGrip Performance 3: your questions
Is the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 or the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 the better tire?
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 have met in one independent test so far, and the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 finished ahead. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 scores 9.4 and the UltraGrip Performance 3 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 or the UltraGrip Performance 3?
The Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 led 3 of the 4 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in the dry?
The Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 led 2 of the 2 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 4 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 82% from 81 reviews and the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15. 78% of Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 owners would buy it again, against 100% for the UltraGrip Performance 3.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is made in 102 sizes (14 to 22 inch) and the UltraGrip Performance 3 in 175 (14 to 23 inch). 81 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is graded B for wet grip and C 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 Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 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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