Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Ice: In the competitive arena of nordic, studless, and snow tires, the introduction of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak Ice models in 2023 has sparked significant excitement among winter driving enthusiasts. These new products from two of the most reputable tire manufacturers, Goodyear and Bridgestone, bring the latest in winter tire technology to the forefront.
The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is designed to offer exceptional grip and handling on icy and snowy roads, aiming to improve safety and performance in harsh winter conditions. Meanwhile, the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice focuses on delivering outstanding traction and stability, even in extreme winter weather, ensuring drivers experience control and comfort. This matchup between Goodyear and Bridgestone showcases their commitment to advancing tire technology in the studless snow tire segment, promising drivers enhanced winter driving experiences.
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Results: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
Results below were taken from 2023 Vi Bilagare Snow Tire Test with a total of 8 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Ice based on the relevant performance category. The UltraGrip Ice 3 was set as the reference hence at the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is a 225/45 R17 which is a common tire size for Volvo S60 & BMW 3 Series. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf.
Ice :
In the icy conditions that challenge drivers during winter, the performance of tires is crucial. Comparing the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak Ice reveals interesting differences. The Goodyear tire stops slightly shorter on ice braking, taking 13 meters to come to a halt from 25 to 5 km/h, compared to the Bridgestone’s 13.3 meters. This suggests that Goodyear has a marginal advantage in braking performance.
When it comes to ice traction, which measures how quickly a tire can accelerate from 5 to 25 km/h, the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice pulls ahead with a time of 8.05 seconds, outperforming the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 which takes 8.43 seconds. This indicates that Bridgestone offers better initial grip and acceleration on ice.
Ice handling, which assesses the tire’s ability to maintain control and speed on an icy circuit, shows the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice leading with a lap time of 44.9 seconds, compared to Goodyear’s 46.7 seconds. This demonstrates Bridgestone’s superior handling in icy conditions.
Interestingly, despite the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice’s softer compound, indicated by its lower Shore A hardness of 49 compared to others with higher ratings, its braking performance doesn’t outshine as one might expect. Softer compounds are generally associated with better grip on ice, yet this advantage wasn’t reflected in its ice braking performance. However, this softer compound does contribute to the tire’s better handling on ice, aligning with industry knowledge that softer compounds tend to offer improved control and handling on slippery surfaces.
Blizzak Ice :
- -2% in ice braking
- +5% in ice acceleration
- +4% in ice handling (lap time)
Snow Performance Analysis:
When it comes to navigating through snow, the performance of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak Ice tires showcases their strengths in different aspects. On snowy surfaces, the stopping distance is a critical measure of safety and performance. Here, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 outperforms the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, requiring only 12.19 meters to stop from 35 to 5 km/h, whereas the Bridgestone tire needs 12.77 meters. This indicates that the Goodyear tire can come to a stop more swiftly, by a difference of about 0.58 meters.
For snow traction, which assesses the tire’s ability to accelerate on snow from 5 to 35 km/h, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 again demonstrates superior performance, achieving this in 4.44 seconds. The Bridgestone Blizzak Ice is slightly behind, taking 4.59 seconds to reach the same speed. This shows that Goodyear provides better acceleration on snow, making it quicker off the mark by 0.15 seconds.
Snow handling, measuring how well a tire can maintain control and navigate a course on snow, further emphasizes the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3’s edge. It completes a snowy lap in 75.9 seconds, marginally faster than the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, which finishes in 76.6 seconds. This difference reflects the Goodyear tire’s ability to handle snowy conditions with slightly better agility and speed, by a slim margin of 0.7 seconds.
Overall, across snow braking, traction, and handling, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 consistently outperforms the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, albeit by narrow margins, indicating its slightly superior snow performance capabilities.
Blizzak Ice :
- -5% in snow braking
- -3% in snow traction
- -9% in snow handling (lap time)
Wet Face-off :
When evaluating the wet performance of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak Ice tires, a clear distinction emerges. In wet braking, the Goodyear tire demonstrates a significant advantage, requiring only 37.55 meters to stop from 80 to 5 km/h, whereas the Bridgestone tire needs 40.74 meters. This difference of over 3 meters underscores Goodyear’s superior stopping power on wet surfaces.
In terms of wet handling, which measures the tire’s ability to navigate a wet course, Goodyear again leads with a lap time of 41 seconds, compared to Bridgestone’s 43.9 seconds. This suggests that the Goodyear tire offers better control and agility in wet conditions.
Finally, when facing the challenge of straight aquaplaning, where tires must maintain grip and control at higher speeds on water-covered roads, Goodyear’s UltraGrip Ice 3 maintains stability up to 66 km/h. In contrast, the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice begins to lose grip at a lower speed of 59.8 km/h. This indicates that Goodyear provides a higher level of safety and performance in resisting aquaplaning on wet roads. Overall, across all tests of wet performance, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 outperforms the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, offering better braking, handling, and resistance to aquaplaning.
Blizzak Ice :
- -8% in wet braking
- -7% in wet handling (lap time)
- -8% in aquaplaning
Dry Performance Duel:
In dry conditions, the performance of winter tires like the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak Ice becomes a balancing act between maintaining safety and handling. When we look at how quickly each tire can stop from 80 to 5 km/h, the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice edges out slightly with a stopping distance of 30.03 meters, compared to the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3’s 30.9 meters. This minor difference suggests that Bridgestone has a slight advantage in dry braking efficiency.
However, when assessing subjective dry handling, which involves the feel and control of the tire during maneuvers, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 scores significantly higher with 5 points out of a possible scale, versus the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, which scores only 2 points. This substantial difference in scores highlights a noticeable disparity in handling and driver confidence between the two tires under dry conditions.
The lesser dry handling performance of the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice can be attributed to its lower Shore A hardness (ShA). A lower ShA indicates a softer compound, which, while beneficial for grip on ice and snow, can lead to compromised handling and feedback on dry roads. This softness, advantageous in winter conditions, detracts from the tire’s performance when it comes to dry handling, underscoring the trade-offs inherent in winter tire design.
Blizzak Ice :
- +3% in dry braking
- -15% in dry handling (subjective)
External noise
In the aspect of exterior noise, a critical factor for a comfortable driving experience, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak Ice are almost neck and neck, with only a slight difference in their performances. The Goodyear tire generates a noise level of 74 decibels, marginally louder than the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice, which has a noise level of 73.7 decibels. This minimal difference of 0.3 decibels suggests that both tires offer comparable noise levels, ensuring a relatively quiet and comfortable ride in terms of auditory impact.
Blizzak Ice :
- ~0% in external noise (-0.8 dB)
Fuel consumption evaluation:
When it comes to fuel consumption, an essential factor for cost-conscious drivers, there’s a notable difference between the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice. The Goodyear tire is more fuel-efficient, with a consumption rate of 4.85 liters per 100 kilometers, compared to the Bridgestone tire, which consumes 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers. This means that the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 allows drivers to save more on fuel, using 0.35 liters less per 100 kilometers traveled. This efficiency can lead to significant savings over the tire’s lifespan, making the Goodyear a more economical choice for drivers looking to reduce their fuel expenses.
Blizzak Ice :
- -7% in fuel consumption
Price
When comparing the prices for the size 225/45 R17 tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is priced at €180, while the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice is slightly more expensive at €188. This means the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice costs approximately 4% more than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3, indicating a small but notable difference in pricing between these two winter tire options.
Tire size: 225/45 R17
- UltraGrip Ice 3 : € 180
- Blizzak Ice : € 188
Difference: +4% more expensive for Blizzak Ice
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
In my expert view, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 edges out the Bridgestone Blizzak Ice as the preferred choice. It excels in critical winter conditions with better ice braking and snow performance, ensuring a safer and more reliable driving experience. Additionally, its superior performance in wet conditions and greater fuel efficiency present significant advantages, offering both safety and savings. While there’s room for improvement in dry conditions, these shortcomings are minor compared to its overall winter capabilities. This balanced performance across various tests confirms the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 as the top contender in this comparison.
Dr Edwin Pang