Comparison: GoodYear UltraGrip Performance+ vs. Nokian WR Snowproof (2026)

This is where the comparison falls decisively in one direction. The UltraGrip Performance+ carries a wet performance score of 82.6 against the Nokian's 66.7 — a gap that is not marginal but structural. Aquaplaning resistance tells the sharpest story: Goodyear scores 85 here, Nokian 65.6, a difference that translates directly into real-world safety reserves when roads are flooded or saturated. Wet braking scores follow the same pattern — 80.1 versus 68.3. In the Autobild 2019 braking test, wet stopping from 80 km/h measured 30.6m for the Goodyear against 32.2m for the Nokian, a 1.6m gap that represents meaningful real-world distance at speed. BMW owners running the UltraGrip Performance+ have highlighted exactly this in owner feedback — one 335i driver specifically praised how the tyre disperses standing water compared to summer rubber. The Nokian WR Snowproof, by this point in its product life, shows its age most acutely in wet conditions.

Dry performance is the one area where the Nokian WR Snowproof looks genuinely competitive on paper. Its dry braking score of 89 actually edges the Goodyear's 83.6, and its objective dry handling figure is among the best in its test field. Real-world dry confidence is there, and owners who use it primarily on cleared roads have reported solid behaviour. The UltraGrip Performance+, however, is no slouch — its dry characteristics are well-balanced and testers have consistently praised its composure. The Autobild 2019 large-scale braking test across 53 tyres found the Goodyear finishing second overall; the Nokian came eleventh. Snow braking in the same test was extremely close — 24.3m versus 24.6m — suggesting that on frozen and compacted surfaces, the gap is far smaller than the overall rankings imply.

On snow, the Goodyear is genuinely exceptional. Its snow score of 90.6 reflects outstanding acceleration, traction and handling metrics that consistently place it among the best in its segment — snow acceleration and snow handling measured scores both above 95. The Nokian WR Snowproof reaches a respectable 78.6, and its snow braking and acceleration scores suggest it is a capable cold-weather tyre for everyday use. One owner who drove it through heavy snowfall and temperatures down to -25°C reported strong satisfaction, citing good traction and confidence in severe conditions. But in every snow-focused head-to-head test where both competed, the Goodyear placed meaningfully higher. Drivers in consistently snowy regions will feel that performance gap as extra confidence margin when it matters most.

Comfort is one dimension where the Nokian WR Snowproof holds its own. Its rolling resistance score of 91.7 is outstanding — well clear of the Goodyear's 79.9 — and interior noise scores are competitive at 86.6 against 87.7. The Toyota Verso owner who switched to the WR Snowproof reported fuel consumption dropping by nearly a litre per 100km, which suggests that rolling resistance advantage is real and felt over long distances. The UltraGrip Performance+ has been flagged as offering only average comfort, and that is one of the few honest criticisms that sticks: for a premium tyre, its ride refinement does not quite match its winter performance credentials. A BMW M240i owner running the Goodyear's runflat variant described it as surprisingly comfortable despite the construction, which may set realistic expectations. Neither tyre is a luxury cruiser, but for efficiency-conscious buyers, the Nokian's rolling resistance advantage is a tangible everyday benefit.