Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 and Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 appear in 9 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 Ice 2 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 91/100, based on 4 tests.
How the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 89/100, based on 5 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 Ice 2 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in overall performance and Tire Lab Score. The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 if
- You prefer the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2's brand, sizing or price
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
Test profile
| Metric | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Nordic Winter | Nordic Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 4 | 5 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 6.2 | 4.1 |
| Latest test | 2022 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | 90.7 | 88.6 |
Tire Lab Score
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 6.4 211 | Avg rank 5.1 132 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 6.0 211 | Avg rank 4.1 11 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 7.8 1 | Avg rank 4.5 412 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 5.9 11 | Avg rank 5.0 111 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 4.4 14 | Avg rank 3.6 211 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 6.5 | Avg rank 6.0 1 | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 |
💧 Wet: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.1, compared to 6.4 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.
☀️ Dry: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.1, compared to 6.0 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.
❄️ Snow: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 7.8 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.
🧊 Ice: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.0, compared to 5.9 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 wins this category with an average rank of 3.6, compared to 4.4 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.
🔋 Efficiency: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 6.5 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 or Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 ranks higher on average than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 ranks better than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 appears in 4 independent tests, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 in 5.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
