Comparison: Dunlop SP Winter Response 2 vs. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 (2026)

On dry winter roads, the Dunlop SP Winter Response 2 has a meaningful edge. Its dry braking score runs notably higher than the UltraGrip 9's, and in the one major test where both were assessed in the same 185/65 R15 field, the Dunlop placed 1st while the Goodyear slipped to 9th — a significant gap for tyres that cost similar money. The UltraGrip 9 is not poor on dry roads, but its dry handling character is more cautious and progressive, which some drivers appreciate as predictable but others find uninspiring. The Dunlop feels more planted and responsive when the roads are cold and dry, which matters on frosty mornings even if there's no snow on the ground.

This is where the Goodyear UltraGrip 9 fights back convincingly. Its wet braking score leads the Dunlop by a clear margin, and its aquaplaning resistance is excellent across both longitudinal and crossflow tests. In the Autobild 2015 measured braking test — the one direct comparison with recorded distances — wet stopping was effectively a dead heat at 36.8m for the Dunlop and 36.9m for the Goodyear across that specific size. But across the broader body of testing, the UltraGrip 9's wet-road handling is consistently rated as one of its strongest suits, with measured wet handling scores among the very best in its segment. Real-world UltraGrip 9 owners back this up, frequently citing strong wet grip as a standout quality. The Dunlop is by no means weak in the wet — its wet handling and aquaplaning scores are solid — but the Goodyear holds the edge here.

Snow is where the Dunlop SP Winter Response 2 really asserts itself. Its snow performance score is substantially higher than the UltraGrip 9's, and the pattern holds in head-to-head tests — Dunlop has beaten the Goodyear in multiple ADAC snow-focused evaluations. In the Autobild 2015 braking test, snow stopping distances were 28.3m for the Dunlop versus 28.6m for the Goodyear, virtually identical, but broader snow handling and traction results tilt clearly toward the Dunlop across more tests. The Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is no slouch on snow — owners rave about its grip and one reviewer on a Volvo 850 called it the best winter tyre they'd ever used — but the data consistently places the Dunlop a step ahead when snow is the primary concern. On ice, the two are closely matched, with the UltraGrip 9's ice braking data slightly better in some tests.

Neither tyre is particularly focused on comfort or low noise — both score similarly in this area. However, Goodyear UltraGrip 9 owners frequently praise quiet running, with low noise mentioned more than any other positive in customer feedback. The UltraGrip 9 also scores significantly better on mileage, and its longevity is a real owner talking point — long lifespan is one of the most commonly cited advantages by real users. The Dunlop SP Winter Response 2 falls slightly short here: its mileage score is lower, and it lacks the same durability endorsement from owners. The UltraGrip 9 also scores better on fuel efficiency in testing, which matters over a full winter season of running.