Best Reviewed
Snow Tires
- Best winter tire Michelin X-Ice Xi2 *Est. $100
- Budget snow tire General Altimax Arctic *Est. $80
- Studded snow tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 *Est. $140
- Mild-winter performance tire Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 *Est. $155
- SUV/Light truck winter tire Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 *Est. $130
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- Good severe winter tire for performance cars
- Not meant for harsh winters
- Not the very best on icy, wet and dry roads
Tests find that many performance winter tires handle admirably on cold, dry or rainy roads, but their grip on snow and ice is merely adequate. The Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 does a good job in deep snow, but owners say you'll get better ice grip and tighter handling on wet and dry winter roads from the top-rated performance winter tire, the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 (*Est. $155). Consumers who have logged miles on their GW3 tires report that they are also quite durable. However, the GW3 is still geared more toward high performance than a workhorse winter tire such as the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (*Est. $100), reviewers' top overall pick for severe winters.
Canada's Automobile Protection Association and the Toronto Star both choose the Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 as a top winter tire, but neither provides specific test results. Consumer reviews at TireRack.com, a retail site, are full of helpful details.
Our Sources
1. Automobile Protection AssociationDetails/Subscribe
This Canadian nonprofit organization rates 20 performance winter tires, awarding the Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 4 stars (out of 5). Each tire gets only a one- or two-sentence write-up, but star ratings illustrate which tires are the best.
Review: Winter Tires for Performance Cars 2008-2009, Editors of Automobile Protection Association
2. Wheels.ca
John Mahler, the Toronto Star's tire expert, includes the Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 in his list of the top 14 winter tires. Mahler says it's a great all-around winter tire but notes that it's an older design.
Review: John Mahler's Top Winter Tires, John Mahler, Nov. 7, 2008
3. Tire Rack
The Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 has accumulated nearly 80 owner reviews here. It is the fourth-ranked performance winter tire on TireRack.com's master chart, based on owner feedback.
Review: Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3, Contributors to TireRack.com
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