Comparison: GoodYear UltraGrip 9+ vs. Kleber KRISALP HP3 (2026)

Wet performance is where the gap between these two tyres is most significant, and it clearly favours the UltraGrip 9+. In the shared Autobild 2021 braking test, the Goodyear stopped from speed in 35.2 metres on wet tarmac versus 35.6 metres for the Kleber — a small but consistent margin. Across broader test data, the Goodyear's wet handling and wet circle cornering averages are substantially stronger, and its aquaplaning resistance is outstanding: its cross-aquaplaning score of 93 is among the best in class. The KRISALP HP3 manages adequate wet performance and owners often report satisfactory wet-road behaviour, but it has accumulated a clear pattern of slightly extended wet braking distances and a tendency to understeer on slippery tarmac. For drivers in climates where rain dominates the winter months, this difference is meaningful.

On dry roads, the UltraGrip 9+ is the more capable tyre. It was praised for safe and precise dry-road behaviour, with only minor criticism around ultimate steering precision — a common trade-off in winter-compound tyres. The Kleber KRISALP HP3, by contrast, has a more consistent story of dry understeer across multiple independent evaluations: testers repeatedly noted a tendency to push wide on both wet and dry asphalt, and its dry scores are meaningfully lower. For everyday dry-road driving — which makes up the majority of winter kilometres for most drivers — the Goodyear is the more confidence-inspiring choice, with better responses to steering inputs and a more composed limit behaviour.

Snow is where the Kleber KRISALP HP3 makes its most compelling case. Multiple independent evaluations have identified it as a genuine snow specialist — Autobild called it the shortest-stopping winter tyre on snow in their 2025 test, and its snow traction, snow braking and snow circle cornering averages are consistently strong. In the mutual Autobild 2021 test, the Kleber stopped on snow in 28.4 metres versus the Goodyear's 27.5 metres — so the Goodyear actually edges it in measured snow braking — but the Kleber's overall snow handling competence across multiple tests is the higher-rated attribute. Owners in heavy snow regions consistently praise the KRISALP HP3 for grip confidence, and one Seat Arona owner noted confidently passing stranded cars including 4x4s on summer tyres. The UltraGrip 9+ is no slouch in snow — its snow traction and snow braking averages are solid — but the Kleber has the stronger snow identity overall.

Both tyres are well-regarded for comfort and noise, which is a pleasant characteristic of this segment. The UltraGrip 9+ earns consistent praise for its low noise level — mentioned by owners across reviews — and one driver on a Kia Soul noted he could barely tell they were winter tyres during mild conditions. The Kleber KRISALP HP3 is similarly refined; owners describe it as quiet and comfortable, almost like a summer tyre in character, and its comfort score is marginally higher. Where they diverge is on efficiency and mileage: the Goodyear was rated as the most fuel-efficient tyre in the ADAC 2022 test and carries the better rolling resistance score of the two. The Kleber's mileage score is noticeably lower — one of its clearest weaknesses — and while some owners report good tread life over multiple seasons, the data points to faster wear compared to the Goodyear over time.