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Comparison: GoodYear UltraGrip 9+ vs. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 (2026)

UltraGrip 9 grips harder in wet and dry — UltraGrip 9+ is quieter, more efficient, and better on snow.

Within Goodyear's winter tyre lineup, the UltraGrip 9+ and the UltraGrip 9 occupy the same wheel size range — both covering 14" to 16" in 19 available dimensions — and both sit in the premium winter segment for everyday passenger cars. The UltraGrip 9 is the established model, successor to the well-regarded Goodyear UltraGrip 8, with a long track record and an extensive base of owner feedback built up over several seasons. The UltraGrip 9+ is the refined evolution, carrying the same DNA but with meaningful improvements in refinement, snow performance, and aquaplaning resistance. Understanding which to choose comes down to what you prioritise: the UG9's stronger wet and dry grip credentials, or the UG9+'s quieter, more comfortable, and slightly more snow-focused character.

GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
Good for
Drivers prioritising quiet, refined winter driving Frequent motorway users wanting fuel efficiency Regions with regular snowfall and ice Owners wanting long, predictable tread life
Not ideal for
Drivers where wet braking margins are the top priority Precise dry handling on demanding roads
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
Good for
Drivers prioritising wet and dry braking safety Rainy Atlantic or coastal winter climates Those wanting maximum grip confidence on wet roads Buyers valuing proven long-term durability
Not ideal for
Noise-sensitive drivers or long motorway commutes Fuel-conscious drivers on longer winter routes Regions with heavy, consistent snowfall

Test Profile

GoodYear
UltraGrip 9+
Goodyear
UltraGrip 9
Number of tests
7
17
Best position
#2
#1
Average position
4.7
3.6
Latest test
2022
2020
Available sizes
37
41

These tyres were not tested together. The comparison below is inferred from separate tests by normalizing both tyres against 13 shared benchmark tyres, so treat it as an estimate.

Dry
Confidence
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
95%
Dry braking
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Dry driving behavior
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
87%
Dry handling
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
99%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Safety
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
90%
Wet
Confidence
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
96%
Aquaplaning - cross
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
96%
Aquaplaning - longitudal
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
96%
Wet braking
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
97%
Wet circle cornering
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
95%
Wet handling
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
99%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Snow
Confidence
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Snow braking
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
99%
Snow cornering
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
90%
Snow handling
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
99%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Snow traction
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
98%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Ice
Confidence
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
98%
Ice braking
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
96%
Ice lateral guidance
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Comfort
Confidence
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
96%
Comfort
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
94%
Exterior noise
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
99%
Interior noise
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
96%
Costs
Confidence
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
98%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Fuel efficiency
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
96%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Mileage
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
89%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Price/value
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
100%
Rolling resistance
GoodYear UltraGrip 9+
100%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9
93%

Verdict

If you're choosing between these two Goodyear winter tyres, think of it this way: the UltraGrip 9 is the grip-focused choice — it stops shorter in the wet, handles more precisely on dry roads, and has an extensive real-world record to back it up. It's the tyre for drivers who want the maximum safety buffer in mixed wet-winter conditions. The UltraGrip 9+ is the all-rounder refinement — it's quieter, slightly more comfortable, better on snow and aquaplaning, and more fuel-efficient. Owners frequently forget they're on winter tyres in mild wet and dry weather, which speaks to how unobtrusive it is. For most everyday drivers in Central European winters, the UG9+ is the more complete daily choice. For drivers in coastal or Atlantic climates where rain dominates and snow is rare, the UltraGrip 9's wet grip credentials remain hard to argue against.

Dimensions and prices

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