Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus 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 Plus and Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 appear in 13 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 Plus performs. It takes the win in mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 93/100, based on 12 tests.
How the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, 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 Plus is the stronger all-round choice, leading in mileage and Tire Lab Score. The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus if
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
Test profile
| Metric | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Performance Winter | Studded Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 12 | 1 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 6.8 | 4.3 |
| Latest test | 2023 | — |
| Tire Lab Score | 92.8 | 90 |
Tire Lab Score
Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 5.8 426 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 7.5 21 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 4.3 444 | Avg rank 3.7 11 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 7.0 | Avg rank 4.5 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 6.7 41 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 7.8 | No data | Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 9.6 | Avg rank 5.0 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
💧 Wet: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 5.8 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.
☀️ Dry: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 7.5 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.
❄️ Snow: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 3.7, compared to 4.3 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.
🧊 Ice: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 7.0 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 6.7 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.
📏 Mileage: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus wins this category with an average rank of 7.8, compared to no data for the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
🔋 Efficiency: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.0, compared to 9.6 for the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus or Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 ranks higher on average than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 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 Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 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 Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Plus appears in 12 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 →