Tested 10 times by independent publications, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 3rd. Its strongest discipline is Snow Traction, beating 80% of the field across 7 tests; its weakest is Fuel Consumption, at 32% across 5 tests.
2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test P2 of 7Studded Winter Tires
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic 2 finished second of the seven studded tires. It is still a good studded tire on snow, but the reduced stud grip under the new rules shows on ice.
Where the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 7 | P4.4 of 8 | 52% | 1 |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 5 | P3.8 of 7.8 | 60% | 1 |
| Subj. Road Score | 1 | P4 of 7 | 50% | - |
| Dry Lane Change | 1 | P2 of 7 | 83% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 7 | P2.9 of 8 | 74% | 1 |
| Wet Handling | 7 | P3.1 of 8 | 70% | 1 |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 3 | P1.7 of 7.3 | 90% | 1 |
| Straight Aqua | 6 | P3.2 of 7.8 | 68% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 7 | P3.6 of 8 | 63% | 1 |
| Snow Traction Strong | 7 | P2.4 of 8 | 80% | 3 |
| Snow Handling | 6 | P3.5 of 8.2 | 65% | - |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 2 | P1.5 of 7.5 | 93% | 1 |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 7 | P2.6 of 8 | 77% | 2 |
| Ice Traction | 7 | P4 of 8 | 57% | 1 |
| Ice Handling | 6 | P3.2 of 8.2 | 70% | - |
| Subj. Ice Handling | 2 | P2 of 7.5 | 85% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 3 | P4 of 7.7 | 56% | - |
| Subj. Noise | 3 | P1.3 of 8 | 95% | 2 |
| Noise | 5 | P3.4 of 8 | 66% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance | 1 | P8 of 8 | 0% | - |
| Fuel Consumption Weak | 5 | P5.6 of 7.8 | 32% | - |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Michelin X Ice North 4
9 shared: 5 ahead, 4 behind
Compare with X Ice North 4 |
9 | 5 | 4 | - | 56% |
 Continental IceContact 3
8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
Compare with IceContact 3 |
8 | 7 | 1 | - | 88% |
 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
7 shared: 1 ahead, 6 behind
Compare with Hakkapeliitta 10 |
7 | 1 | 6 | - | 14% |
 Pirelli Ice Zero 2
6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind
|
6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% |
 Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind
|
5 | 3 | 2 | - | 60% |
 Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind
|
4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
Drawn from 10 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 generally combines strong ice and snow performance with useful wet-road braking among studded tires. It won the eight-tire studded class in the 2025 Teknikens Varld test and was second of seven in 2026. Earlier highlights include first for ice braking and traction in the 2022 Vi Bilagare test, and first of nine studded tires for snow braking and traction with Teknikens Varld in 2021. Wet braking was second of eight with Vi Bilagare in both 2023 and 2026, while dry braking led its 2026 field.
The recurring compromises are fuel use and steering precision, with several testers finding the response vague or less sharp than the best. Winter cornering and acceleration do not always match the braking strength. The 2026 Vi Bilagare ice-braking gap of 50% and sixth-place ice traction were unusually weak against earlier leading ice results; Teknikens Varld also noted reduced ice grip and rear sliding in 2026. Snow handling remained strong there, with full marks within the studded class. Dry braking has varied from near the back in older tests to first in 2026, so it is not a uniform advantage. Overall the record favors balanced winter stopping ability more than steering sharpness or efficiency.
its ice braking was joint second best- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
It stops and corners well on ice- 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tire Test (2026)
flawless braking on ice and snow- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
showed good ice and snow grip but fell behind the best performers in these conditions- The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tires for 2024 (2024)
match Nokian and Michelin when it comes to stopping on ice and snow- 2023 Studded Tire Test (2023)
Both Goodyear and Nokian achieve full marks for ice and snow braking- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
excellent braking across all conditions- 2024 Studded Tire Test (2024)
match Nokian and Michelin when it comes to stopping on ice and snow- 2023 Studded Tire Test (2023)
showed good ice and snow grip but fell behind the best performers in these conditions- The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tires for 2024 (2024)
good traction on ice/snow- 2022 Studded Winter Tire Test (2022)
[Studded] Best in test on snow, excellent on ice, good handling in all conditions- 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test (2021)
Good snow grip- 2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test (2021)
among the best on wet asphalt for both braking- 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tire Test (2026)
excellent braking across all conditions- 2024 Studded Tire Test (2024)
short braking distances on all types of surfaces- 2023 Studded Tire Test (2023)
Shortest braking distances in the wet- 2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test (2021)
Excellent lateral grip on wet- 2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test (2021)
[Studded] Best in test on snow, excellent on ice, good handling in all conditions- 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test (2021)
shortest dry braking distance of the eight- 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tire Test (2026)
excellent braking across all conditions- 2024 Studded Tire Test (2024)
the shortest braking distances on dry roads- 2023 Studded Tire Test (2023)
one of the best tires on snow, with full marks for snow handling- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
feeling particularly safe and stable on snow- 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tire Test (2025)
good grip in both wet and dry conditions- 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tire Test (2025)
Despite having class-leading wet grip and the shortest braking distances on dry roads- 2023 Studded Tire Test (2023)
used more fuel than most of them- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
had very high rolling resistance, negatively impacting fuel efficiency- The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tires for 2024 (2024)
relatively high rolling resistance- 2022 Studded Winter Tire Test (2022)
Steering precision on asphalt is not quite up with the best- 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tire Test (2026)
somewhat vague steering feel- 2024 Studded Tire Test (2024)
the tire also has vague steering precision, making it somewhat difficult to place under pressure- 2023 Studded Tire Test (2023)
somewhat numb steering precision- 2022 Studded Winter Tire Test (2022)
the lateral grip is not quite on par with the very best- 2023 Studded Tire Test (2023)
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic 2 finished second of the seven studded tires. It is still a good studded tire on snow, but the reduced stud grip under the new rules shows on ice.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 takes second place by being consistently good rather than outstanding at any single thing. Goodyear have adapted it to the tighter road-wear rules and it still delivers competitive winter grip while being the strongest tire here under dry braking. If you want a studded tire with no obvious weakness and a real balance between winter and asphalt performance, this is the one to have.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic 2 delivers the test's overall best studded tire performance with flawless braking on ice and snow. These tires grip in a way that no other studded tire comes close to, making difficult situations easier to handle as the grip level is always sufficient. Both Goodyear and Nokian achieve full marks for ice and snow braking, with these tires combining this with mediocre bare pavement performance - which is as good as studded tires manage currently. The comfort and stability are typical for studded tires, meaning adequate but not refined. Goodyear performs better than last year's test results, which noted a tendency towards skittishness - the larger dimension seems to have improved this characteristic significantly. Aquaplaning resistance is the second best of the studded tires, though naturally well behind the Central European tires. For drivers prioritising ice and snow grip above all else while accepting studded tire compromises on bare pavement, this represents an excellent choice that delivers maximum winter safety.
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 not at the highest level, its fundamental behavior remains calm. On asphalt, its properties are also balanced, steering confidently in extreme situations with good grip in both wet and dry conditions.
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 steering feel. While safe and secure, it offers less precise handling for enthusiast drivers.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2, a studded tire, showed excellent ice and snow grip, with scores on both that were joint best among the studded tires. Its wet grip was only mid-table in its class, and it had very high rolling resistance, negatively impacting fuel efficiency. The tire's comfort and stability were average. While its winter performance was strong, it couldn't compete with the top studded tires in the test due to its weaknesses in other areas.
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 manages to match Nokian and Michelin when it comes to stopping on ice and snow. The initial grip on winter roads is also impressive.However, the lateral grip is not quite on par with the very best, and the tire also has vague steering precision, making it somewhat difficult to place under pressure. This applies to both winter and dry roads. Nevertheless, it doesnt cause any trouble and never puts the driver in a tight spot.Goodyear is suitable for those who often drive on dry roads but want studs for the treacherous black ice that lurks in the shadows.
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 starting and braking on ice and snow. However, it does not impress as much in the curves, neither on ice and snow nor on wet or dry roads. The lateral grip is not quite on par with the very best and the tire also has a somewhat numb steering precision which makes it somewhat difficult to place. But it does not invent a lift and never puts the driver in trouble.This is the tire for those who want the shortest braking distance on the winter road but don't care about perfect cornering behavior. However, the rolling resistance is among the highest in the test.
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 wet- Precise and conscientious
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