TopTire Review

    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus

    2026 test data · 18 independent tests

    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 and Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus appear in 18 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.

    How the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, ice, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 91/100, based on 6 tests.

    How the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus performs. It takes the win in snow, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 93/100, based on 12 tests.

    What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.

    Verdict

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus is the stronger all-round choice, leading in snow and Tire Lab Score. The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    Choose Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 if

    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise ice

    Choose Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus if

    Overall winner
    • You prioritise snow
    • You prioritise mileage

    Test profile

    MetricGoodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
    SegmentStudded WinterPerformance Winter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used612
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank5.46.8
    Latest test20252023
    Tire Lab Score90.892.8

    Tire Lab Score

    90.8
    Excellent · Winter
    92.8
    Excellent · Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryGoodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2Goodyear UltraGrip Performance PlusWinner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 5.3
    222
    Avg rank 5.8
    426
    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 5.9
    11
    Avg rank 7.5
    21
    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 6.4
    12
    Avg rank 4.3
    444
    Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 4.6
    212
    Avg rank 7.0
    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 6.4
    Avg rank 6.7
    41
    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
    📏MileageNo data
    Avg rank 7.8
    Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 1.3
    21
    Avg rank 9.6
    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

    💧 Wet: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 wins this category with an average rank of 5.3, compared to 5.8 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.

    ☀️ Dry: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 wins this category with an average rank of 5.9, compared to 7.5 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.

    ❄️ Snow: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus wins this category with an average rank of 4.3, compared to 6.4 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

    🧊 Ice: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 wins this category with an average rank of 4.6, compared to 7.0 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 wins this category with an average rank of 6.4, compared to 6.7 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.

    📏 Mileage: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus wins this category with an average rank of 7.8, compared to no data for the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

    🔋 Efficiency: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 wins this category with an average rank of 1.3, compared to 9.6 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 or Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 ranks higher on average than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 ranks better than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus shows better mileage performance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 appears in 6 independent tests, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus in 12.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →