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Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 - Test Results

Test Statistics

7

Tests Completed

3rd

Average Position

2nd

Best Result

5th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 - Official Image

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 is a consistently strong Nordic winter tire with standout wet and ice capability and competitive snow performance, regularly finishing on the podium (average 3.3 across seven tests). It frequently tops or places top-3 in wet braking/handling and ice braking, with multiple wins or near-wins in key safety metrics. Snow performance is generally strong, especially traction, though not always class-leading across all sizes. Comfort/rolling resistance and dry braking lag behind class leaders, and fuel/rolling resistance efficiency can be weak.
Overall, it delivers a balanced, safety-focused package with excellent grip in wet and icy conditions and dependable snow mobility, offset by middling dry stopping distances, average/noisy comfort, and efficiency penalties.

Performance Strengths
  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    • 1st place wet braking and 1st wet handling in 2021 Moottori (205/55 R16)
    • 2nd place wet braking (+0.3% from best) and 2nd wet handling (+0.2%) in 2023 Vi Bilagare
    • 3rd place wet braking (+3%) and 3rd wet handling (+2%) in 2024 Vi Bilagare
    • 3rd place wet braking (+5%) and 1st subjective wet handling in 2025 Tekniikan Maailma
  • Ice Performance Strong
    • 1st place ice braking and 1st ice traction in 2022 Vi Bilagare
    • 1st place ice braking in 2021 Moottori
    • 2nd place ice braking (+4.1%) and 3rd ice handling (+1.8%) in 2021 Tire Reviews
    • 3rd place ice braking (+1.6%) and 2nd ice handling (+0.8%) in 2023 Vi Bilagare
  • Snow Traction and Overall Snow Capability Moderate
    • 1st place snow traction and 1st snow braking in 2021 Tire Reviews; 2nd snow handling (+0.8%)
    • 1st place snow traction in 2023 Vi Bilagare
    • Top-3 snow traction/braking results in 2022 Vi Bilagare (3rd traction, 3rd braking)
  • Overall Consistency/Podium Finishes Strong
    • Average overall position 3.3 across 7 tests
    • Overall podiums: 2/16 (2nd) in 2021 Tire Reviews; 3/8 in 2021 Moottori; 3/8 in 2022 Vi Bilagare; 3/8 in 2023 Vi Bilagare; 3/14 in 2025 Tekniikan Maailma
Performance Weaknesses
  • Dry Braking and Dry Performance Strong
    • 7/8 dry braking (+7%) in 2021 Moottori
    • 7/8 dry braking (+7%) in 2022 Vi Bilagare
    • 8/14 dry braking (+3.6%) in 2025 Tekniikan Maailma
    • 12/16 dry braking (+7.8%) in 2021 Tire Reviews
  • Efficiency (Fuel/Rolling Resistance) Strong
    • 7/8 fuel consumption (+8.6%) in 2024 Vi Bilagare
    • 7/8 fuel consumption (+8.4%) in 2022 Vi Bilagare
    • 8/8 rolling resistance (+12.9%) in 2023 Vi Bilagare
  • Noise/Comfort Moderate
    • Subj. comfort 7/8 (+60%) in 2023 Vi Bilagare
    • Noise mid-pack or below: 5/8 in 2024 Vi Bilagare (+5.2%); 4/8 in 2022 Vi Bilagare (+1.2%); 8/16 subjective noise (+30%) in 2021 Tire Reviews; 8/14 subjective noise (+30%) in 2025 Tekniikan Maailma
  • Ice Traction Variability Minor
    • 5/8 ice traction (+34.3%) in 2024 Vi Bilagare
    • 4/8 ice traction (+19.9%) in 2021 Moottori despite 1st in ice braking
Performance Over Time

Test History

3
of 14
2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tire Test

2025
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 is a consistently high-quality tire that performs well in all winter conditions, feeling particularly safe and stable on snow. Although its lateral grip on ice is no...
Strong:
Snow Traction, Subj. Wet Handling
View Test
4
of 8
2024 Studded Tire Test

2024
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 delivers consistent performance and excellent braking across all conditions. It has the deepest tread pattern in the test, which may contribute to its somewhat vague ste...
Weak:
Fuel Consumption
View Test
5
of 17
The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tires for 2024

2024
Winner: Pirelli Ice Zero 2

The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2, a studded tire, showed good ice and snow grip but fell behind the best performers in these conditions. It struggled on wet roads and had very high rolling resistanc...
View Test
3
of 8
2023 Studded Tire Test

2023
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

The second generation of the UltraGrip Arctic has short braking distances on all types of surfaces. Despite having class-leading wet grip and the shortest braking distances on dry roads, Goodyear m...
Strong:
Noise, Dry Braking, Ice Handling, Snow Traction, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Subj. Comfort, Rolling Resistance
View Test
3
of 8
2022 Studded Winter Tire Test

2022
Winner: Michelin X Ice North 4 SUV

The second generation Arctic from American Goodyear exhibited an impressive ice grip that was enough for test victory last year. Again this year, Goodyear performs at its best when it comes to star...
Strong:
Ice Braking, Ice Traction
Weak:
Dry Braking, Fuel Consumption, Wet Handling
View Test
3
of 8
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test

2021
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

Overall rating 8.9. Features on ice and snow- Best braking on ice- Good snow grip- Variable driving behavior. Properties on asphalt- Excellent lateral grip on wet- Shortest braking distances in the...
Strong:
Ice Braking, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Dry Braking
View Test
2
of 16
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test

2021
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

Strong:
Ice Braking, Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Traction
View Test