Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 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 Performance 3 and Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 appear in 24 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 Performance 3 performs. It takes the win in dry, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 95/100, based on 23 tests.
How the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 performs. It takes the win in snow, ice, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 1 test.
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 3 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in dry and Tire Lab Score. The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 still wins on snow, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 if
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise snow
- You prioritise ice
- You prioritise noise / comfort
Test profile
| Metric | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Performance Winter | Studded Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 23 | 1 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 5.3 | 4.3 |
| Latest test | 2025 | — |
| Tire Lab Score | 95.3 | 90 |
Tire Lab Score
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 4.5 13179 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Tie |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 4.3 5411 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 4.7 1287 | Avg rank 3.7 11 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 8.8 | Avg rank 4.5 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 6.1 633 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 7.3 231 | No data | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 5.3 112 | Avg rank 5.0 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
💧 Wet: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
Both tires perform similarly in wet, with average ranks of 4.5 and 4.5.
☀️ Dry: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.3, compared to 4.5 for the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
❄️ Snow: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 3.7, compared to 4.7 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
🧊 Ice: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 8.8 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 6.1 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
📏 Mileage: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 wins this category with an average rank of 7.3, compared to no data for the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
🔋 Efficiency: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.0, compared to 5.3 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 ranks better than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 shows better mileage performance than the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 appears in 23 independent tests, Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 in 1.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →