Tested 19 times by independent publications, the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 has taken 4 test wins with an average finish of 4th.
2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test P4 of 8
The veteran Goodyear UG8 earned our recommendation this year
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Goodyear UltraGrip 8. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nokian WR D3
17 shared: 11 ahead, 6 behind
|
17 | 11 | 6 | - | 65% |
 Michelin Alpin A4
17 shared: 7 ahead, 10 behind
|
17 | 7 | 10 | - | 41% |
 Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
16 shared: 12 ahead, 4 behind
|
16 | 12 | 4 | - | 75% |
 Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
14 shared: 9 ahead, 5 behind
|
14 | 9 | 5 | - | 64% |
 Vredestein Snowtrac 3
12 shared: 12 ahead, 0 behind
|
12 | 12 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Continental WinterContact TS 850
12 shared: 0 ahead, 12 behind
|
12 | 0 | 12 | - | 0% |
 Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
10 shared: 6 ahead, 4 behind
|
10 | 6 | 4 | - | 60% |
 Semperit Speed Grip 2
10 shared: 6 ahead, 4 behind
|
10 | 6 | 4 | - | 60% |
 GT Radial Champiro Winterpro
7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind
|
7 | 7 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Fulda Kristall Control HP
7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind
|
7 | 7 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Hankook Winter i cept RS
7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind
|
7 | 6 | 1 | - | 86% |
 Kleber Krisalp HP2
6 shared: 5 ahead, 1 behind
|
6 | 5 | 1 | - | 83% |
 Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO
5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind
|
5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Falken Eurowinter HS449
5 shared: 4 ahead, 1 behind
|
5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% |
 Barum Polaris 3
5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind
|
5 | 2 | 3 | - | 40% |
 Sava eskimo hp
4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind
|
4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Linglong Winter Hero Radial 650
4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind
|
4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% |
 BFGoodrich gForce Winter
4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind
|
4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75% |
 Continental WinterContact TS830
4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind
|
4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75% |
 Apollo Acelere Winter
3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind
|
3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% |
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodyear UltraGrip 7+ Predecessor | 5 | 2 | 2nd | 93% |
| Goodyear UltraGrip 8 This tire | 19 | 4 | 4th | 73% |
| Goodyear UltraGrip 9 Successor | 20 | 2 | 3rd | 83% |
Drawn from 18 tests. Updated October 15, 2025.
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 shows consistently strong winter-test performance with multiple wins and frequent top-three finishes, especially in early 2011-2012 evaluations. Its average overall position of 4.4 across 18 tests reflects reliable capability across snow and wet metrics, with standout results in broad European comparative tests. Performance moderates in some later and smaller-sample tests, where it places mid-field, indicating increasing competition and some variability by size and test emphasis.
good traction and short braking distances on snow- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
maximum traction on snow- 2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2013)
good snow performance- 2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012)
good traction- 2011 AMS Winter Tire Test (2011)
Top scores in the snow- 2011 ACE Winter Tire Test (2011)
Best tire in the aquaplaning tests- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
Outstanding aquaplaning- 2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2013)
Best aquaplaning result- 2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012)
good aquaplaning resistance- 2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Test (2012)
Resists aquaplaning- 2012 Winter Tire Buying Guide (2012)
a strong wet lap time- 2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012)
grips well in the wet- 2012 Winter Tire Buying Guide (2012)
best in the wet- 2011 European Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2011)
good wet performances- 2011 AMS Winter Tire Test (2011)
fastest in the dry- 2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012)
excellent balance- 2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2012)
a good subjective feel- 2011 ACE Winter Tire Test (2011)
Prolonged dry braking distance- 2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter Tire Test (2013)
Stopping distance in dry conditions are not optimal- 2011 AMS Winter Tire Test (2011)
high price- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)
high cost- 2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Test (2012)
Increased rolling resistance- 2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Test (2012)
Slightly high rolling resistance- 2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012)
Every tester write-up on the Goodyear UltraGrip 8 (12 tests) and 45 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The veteran Goodyear UG8 earned our recommendation this year
Satisfactory
Recommended
Recommended
Last years tirereviews favorite winter tire, and often 1st or second in the magazine tests there's still excellent availability of the UltraGrip 8, and it's priced keenly for a premium winter tire too. Resists aquaplaning, and grips well in the wet, making it another good choice for the UK winter.
With a strong result in all 3 tests, the Goodyears excellent balance results in 3rd place
Very balanced tire, good on snow, best in the wet, good on dry roads
Top scores in the snow, best dry braking and a good subjective feel means the Goodyear Ultra Grip 8 wins overall.
The Goodyear Ultragrip 7+ was an award winning tire last year, and its successor, the new Ultra Grip 8 is carrying on its winning tradition by winning the first 2 european tire tests published. Slightly better than the Ultra Grip 7 in every way, the Ultra Grip 8 is the tire to be on if you have a medium size, or family car.
The new Goodyear Ultragrip 8 is convincing in every respect, and confidently wins the test.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Goodyear tires