Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
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.
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 three tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | two | |
| Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | one |
While it might look like the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is better than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 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
- Class-leading dry braking across all shared tests
- Lower rolling resistance for better efficiency
- Balanced, predictable wet/dry handling with competitive lap times
- Strong value with slightly lower purchase price
- Outstanding snow performance (braking, traction, handling)
- Best-in-test aquaplaning safety (straight and curved)
- Stable, confidence-inspiring wet behavior
- Good ride comfort and low exterior noise in winter tests
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 stopped the vehicle in 2.93% less distance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Dry Braking: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
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 2.04% faster around a lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was 1.81% faster around a lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: 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 1.3% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
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 three tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.58% less distance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Wet Braking: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was 1.14% faster around a wet lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was 0.13% faster around a wet lap than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 1.37% more points than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was 2.32% faster around a wet circle than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Wet Circle: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 floated at a 4.33% higher speed than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Straight Aqua: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 slipped out at a 8.58% higher speed than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during three snow braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped the vehicle in 5.87% less distance than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Snow Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 had 4.29% better snow traction than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Snow Traction: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was 3.07% faster around a lap than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was 5.75% faster around a lap than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 8.97% more points than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 provided 1.72% more lateral grip than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Snow Circle: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 12.36% more points than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 1.23% more points than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Subj. Noise: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during two noise tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 measured 0.96% quieter than the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Best In Noise: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during one price tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 cost 4% less than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Price: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 had a 4.46% lower rolling resistance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
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%
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 Driver Reviews
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.
Based on 13 reviews with an average rating of 87%
Just after switching to the... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
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.
Key Differences
- Dry braking: Vector consistently shorter (e.g., 41.8 m vs 43.3 m; ~3-4% advantage).
- Snow performance: UltraGrip leads in braking/traction/handling (often 5-12% gains).
- Aquaplaning: UltraGrip clearly superior in straight and curved tests across all events.
- Rolling resistance: Vector lower in all tests (up to ~8% advantage), aiding fuel economy.
- Overall placements: Vector won 2 of 3 shared tests; UltraGrip won the dedicated winter test placement over Vector in Die Reifentester (2nd vs 8th) but Vector still performed mid-pack versus winters.
- Value/usage: Vector cheaper and all-season convenience; UltraGrip specialized for severe winter use.
Overall Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 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.
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 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.