Introducing the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs. Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: a clash between a dedicated middle European winter tire and an all-season contender with 3-peak mountain certification! The UltraGrip Performance 3 is purpose-built for wet and snowy winter conditions, while the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 balances winter readiness with summer handling. Can the all-season’s adaptability truly match the specialist in extreme winter conditions?
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Results: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
Results below were taken from Auto Zeitung’s 2024 Winter Tire Test. A total of 10 tires were tested this time around with a mixture of middle European winter tires & all season tires. The graph below shows the comparison between Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 based on the relevant performance category. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
The handling criteria’s are evaluated by lap times rather than the average lap time speed or subjective evaluation. The tire size of interest is a 215/55 R17 which is a common tire size for Hyundai Kona Electric & Honda HR-V. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Passat.
Wet
In wet braking, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 surprisingly outperformed the UltraGrip Performance 3 by 0.6 meters, stopping at 51.9 meters versus 52.5 meters. Wet handling also favored the all-season tire, completing the lap 1 second faster at 86.6 seconds compared to the UltraGrip’s 87.6 seconds. However, the UltraGrip Performance 3 showed its strength in straight-line aquaplaning, with a slipping speed of 79.4 km/h, beating the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3’s 76.5 km/h.
The strong wet performance of the all-season tire, especially in handling and braking, was a bit unexpected, given that wet performance is typically the top priority for middle European winter tires like the UltraGrip Performance 3.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3:
- +1% in wet braking
- +1% in wet handling (lap time)
- -4% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
In snow braking, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 took the lead, stopping 0.3 meters shorter at 21.9 meters compared to the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3’s 22.2 meters. The UltraGrip also had a slight edge in snow traction, delivering 3259 N of pulling force versus the Vector’s 3230 N. In snow handling, the UltraGrip completed the lap 2.1 seconds faster at 66.4 seconds, compared to the Vector’s 68.5 seconds. No surprise here, as the snow-focused winter tire led, but the differences were not huge, thanks to impressive advancements in all-season technology.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3:
- -1% in snow braking
- -1% in snow handling (lap time)
- -3% in snow traction
Dry
In dry braking, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 dominated, stopping 1.5 meters shorter at 41.8 meters compared to the UltraGrip Performance 3’s 43.3 meters. The all-season tire also excelled in dry handling, completing the lap 1.5 seconds faster at 71.9 seconds versus the UltraGrip’s 73.4 seconds. This time, the dry performance clearly favored the all-season tire, showing its strength in these conditions.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3:
- +4% in dry braking
- +2% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise
In terms of noise, there was little difference between the two tires. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 measured slightly quieter at 72.2 dB, while the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 came in at 72.7 dB. The difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable in real-world driving.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3:
- -1% in exterior noise (+0.5 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 outperformed the UltraGrip Performance 3, offering a lower resistance of 7.1 N/kN compared to 7.44 N/kN. This slight difference suggests that the all-season tire may be more fuel-efficient in everyday driving conditions.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3:
- +5% in Rolling Resistance.
Price
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is 8% cheaper, priced at $159 compared to the UltraGrip Performance 3 at $171. This follows the trend of middle European winter tires typically costing more.
Tire size: 215/55 R17
- UltraGrip Performance 3 : $ 171
- Vector 4Seasons Gen 3: $ 159
Difference: -8% more cheaper for Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
Summary
As a tire expert, I’m impressed by the advancements in all-season technology. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 delivered surprisingly strong results in wet conditions, outperforming the UltraGrip Performance 3 in wet braking and handling. It also dominated in dry performance and offered lower rolling resistance, making it a great year-round option. While the all-season tire has a slight disadvantage in snow, it’s still a pretty good choice, especially considering the convenience of not needing to swap tires and being cheaper as well!
Dr Edwin Pang