In terms of ice grip, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 is slightly inferior to the competitors, and, although the handling response is consistent, grip may go relatively soon, and it takes a long time to recover after the car goes into a skid. At the same time, on snow the tire behaves in a logical way and without unpleasant surprises. While this Goodyear model does not have the best ice traction around, on wet pavement it surpasses tires from many other brands. In such a situation, the UltraGrip Ice 2 ensures strong grip and good handling response, while on dry pavement the tire also behaves in a stable way when cornering. Noise emission low, rolling resistance average.

High hydroplaning resistance. Good handling and overall good grip on snow. Good flotation in deep snow. Good grip on asphalt. Average results on ice.

Short stopping distance and good handling response on wet pavement.

Excellent wet performance (for a Scandinavian-type tire). Low noise emission. Relatively low lateral stability on ice and snow. Very good.

The best results on dry and wet pavement in its class. Slightly nervous behavior on the verge of losing grip on ice and snow.

Positive: Good grip on ice (for studless tires). Good results in all disciplines.

Very short braking distance on ice. Excellent lateral grip on ice and excellent braking performance on wet pavement. Lack of steering feedback during emergency maneuvers on snow. Excellent.

What makes the UG Ice 2 different is the fact that, being a Scandinavian-type friction tire, it delivers great performance on wet pavement. This is a reasonable alternative for those who mostly ride on mud-ridden city streets but still want adequate levels of traction on ice — higher than that of an average non-studded winter tire of the European type. The Goodyear model certainly has the best hydroplaning resistance and a good handling response on dry pavement, which makes it the perfect tire for any vagaries of the weather. On snow and ice, the UG Ice 2 ensures good longitudinal traction during acceleration and braking, but things get much worse during the cornering. These tires are pretty hard to ride on the edge of road grip due to alternation between understeer and oversteer. Nevertheless, the great performance on asphalt, coupled with low noise level and low fuel consumption allowed the Goodyear model to score third place.

Positive: Excellent traction and short braking distance on ice. Short stopping distance and good handling response on wet pavement. Low rolling resistance.
Negative: Relatively low lateral stability on ice, due to which the tires may lose grip during an emergency maneuver. Prone to understeer on snowInaccurate steering response on dry pavement (yet the tires tackle emergency maneuvers with no problem).

Ultra Grip Ice 2 occupies a middle position among studless tires because it handles wet asphalt very well.
Positive: Aquaplaning. Driving characteristics on bare ground, both wet and dry.
Negative: Moderate grip on snow and ice.

Goodyear is one of the few tire makers that offers tires with a noise canceling feature. The technology is called SoundComfort, and such features are often to be found in the summer tire segment. However, it also works quite well in the category of winter tires, and, according to experts, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2, which used to be quiet enough as it was, now was quite able to claim the first prize in this discipline.

This tire also delivered quite convincing performance on asphalt, demonstrating, among other things, the highest hydroplaning resistance, which is something that Continental tires always seem to miss. On dry pavement, the Goodyear model also behaves in a stable and confident manner, and it must be noted that, although it is made of a rather hard compound, it also showed good results in winter conditions.

Goodyear brakes and looks good on ice, but lateral grip is not at the same level. On snow, tires are more stable and hold the road well. This is the best tire on the asphalt without spikes. It provides precise control.