Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Continental VikingContact 8: The all-new 2024 Continental VikingContact 8 has arrived, poised to defend its legacy as the successor to the reigning champion. In this fierce battle of Nordic studless winter tires, it faces off against the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3, promising a showdown of ultimate winter grip and control. Which tire will dominate the icy roads this season? Let the battle begin!
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Results: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Continental VikingContact 8
Results below were taken from 2024 Vi Bilagare Friction Tire Test with a total of 7 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Continental VikingContact 8 based on the relevant performance category. The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 being the older tire was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for subjective ratings, 1 point is equivalent to 10%. So if tire A has a 4 point rating & tire B has a 3 point rating, tire A is better than tire B by 10%. The tire size of interest is a 225/45 R17 which is a common tire size for Audi S3 and BMW 1 series. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf.
Ice
In Nordic studless winter tires, ice performance is the number one priority, as these tires must excel in gripping icy surfaces to keep drivers safe in extreme winter conditions. The Continental VikingContact 8 outperforms the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 in all ice tests, showcasing its edge as the latest champion. In ice braking, the VikingContact 8 stops 0.78 meters sooner, a significant difference in icy emergencies. It also accelerates faster in ice traction, clocking 8.44 seconds compared to Goodyear’s 8.99 seconds. On the ice handling course, the Continental leads by 1.8 seconds, underscoring its superior grip and control in harsh winter conditions.
VikingContact 8 :
- +7% in ice braking
- +7% in ice traction
- +3% in ice handling (lap time)
Snow
Snow performance, the second most crucial requirement for studless winter tires, shows a close competition between the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Continental VikingContact 8. In snow braking, Goodyear edges out with a 0.29-meter shorter stopping distance, a small but potentially valuable difference in snowy conditions. For snow traction, Goodyear also holds a slight advantage, reaching full traction 0.15 seconds faster than the VikingContact 8. However, in snow handling, both tires are nearly identical, with only a 0.1-second difference favoring the Goodyear. Overall, the UltraGrip Ice 3 shows a marginal lead on snow but not enough to overshadow the VikingContact 8’s ice superiority.
VikingContact 8 :
- -2% in snow braking
- -4% in snow traction
- ~0% in snow handling (lap time)
Wet
In wet performance, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 has a noticeable advantage over the Continental VikingContact 8. For wet braking, Goodyear stops 2.55 meters shorter than Continental, a significant difference when quick stops are crucial on slick surfaces. In wet handling, Goodyear again shows its strength, completing the course 0.6 seconds faster than the VikingContact 8. In straight-line aquaplaning, Goodyear holds a clear lead, maintaining grip up to 68.5 km/h compared to Continental’s 59.8 km/h, an 8.7 km/h difference that highlights Goodyear’s better control in wet conditions.
VikingContact 8 :
- -6% in wet braking
- -1% in wet handling (average lap speed)
- -13% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry performance, the Continental VikingContact 8 shows a slight edge over the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3. For dry braking, Continental stops 0.9 meters sooner, a small but important advantage for dry road safety. In subjective dry handling, Goodyear scores slightly higher with 5 points compared to Continental’s 4 points, suggesting a more confident feel in handling. Overall, the VikingContact 8 leads in stopping power, while the UltraGrip Ice 3 provides a marginally better handling experience.
VikingContact 8 :
- +3% in dry braking
- -5% in dry handling (subjective)
Noise
In exterior noise performance, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is slightly quieter than the Continental VikingContact 8, measuring at 71.5 dB compared to Continental’s 71.8 dB. The 0.3 dB difference is minimal, but it does give Goodyear a small advantage in reducing road noise.
VikingContact 8 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (+0.3 dB)
Fuel Consumption
In fuel consumption performance, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is marginally more efficient than the Continental VikingContact 8, with a fuel usage of 5.25 l/100km compared to Continental’s 5.3 l/100km. This 0.05 l/100km difference gives Goodyear a slight edge in fuel efficiency.
VikingContact 8 :
- -1% in fuel consumption
Price
The Continental VikingContact 8, priced at €258 for a 235/55 R17, is 20% more expensive than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 at €215. This higher price reflects Continental’s reputation, bolstered by its press test wins as a successor to a top-performing studless winter tire, solidifying its status in the market.
Tire size: 235/55 R17
- VikingContact 8 : € 258
Difference: +20% more expensive for VikingContact 8
Conclusion
As a tire expert, I can say the Continental VikingContact 8 truly shines on ice. Its braking, traction, and handling outperform the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3, making it a top choice for icy conditions—a critical factor for Nordic studless tires. However, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 holds its own advantages, especially in wet performance and slightly lower noise levels, offering a well-rounded alternative. Both tires provide solid winter performance, with the VikingContact 8 excelling on ice and the UltraGrip Ice 3 showing strength in wet handling and fuel efficiency.
Dr Edwin Pang