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Last updated 9/09/2025 - Originally published 9/09/2025
Written by SimpleTire, Expertly reviewed by Brett Antosh
Extreme winter conditions demand dedicated tires that can work in low-temperature conditions without putting your safety at risk. Coming from the top brands like Continental and Goodyear, the winter tires ought to offer uncompromising performance in deep snow. The Continental VikingContact 8 and the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra are both top-tier studless winter tires, engineered to provide maximum performance and safety in challenging cold-weather conditions. Both brands leverage advanced technology to deliver their specific brand of winter confidence.
The Continental VikingContact 8, a new-generation winter tire, focuses on a refined and composed driving experience. It boasts a new Nordic tread compound and a sophisticated tread pattern with three-layer sipes that dig firmly into winter road surfaces. This design not only provides strong traction in slush, snow, and ice but also offers a quiet, comfortable ride with excellent on-road manners. It is specifically designed to be efficient and quiet, making it an ideal choice for electric vehicles.
In contrast, the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra is also engineered for the harshest conditions. It utilizes a Cryo-Adaptive compound that maintains flexibility in extreme cold. Its V-Tred and ActiveGrip technologies feature hydro-dynamic grooves and Active Block Cuts to maximize water, slush, and snow evacuation while delivering superior gripping power. While it offers a sporty steering feel and competitive traction, some testers note a slightly firmer ride and more tread noise compared to other premium winter tires. Both tires are Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) and Ice Grip Certified, ensuring they meet the highest standards for winter performance.
By utilizing SimpleScore, let’s check out how they stack up against each other with respect to traction, handling, and durability.
Continental VikingContact 8 tires
Launched in August 2025, the Continental VikingContact 8 is a premium studless winter tire designed for passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks, providing exceptional grip and safety in cold weather. The Continental winter tire features a new-generation Nordic tread compound that maintains maximum flexibility in freezing temperatures, ensuring a strong, reliable grip on snow and ice.
The VikingContact 8 tire’s innovative tread pattern, with a directional design and three-layer sipes, effectively channels water and slush away from the contact patch, enhancing traction and braking performance. It also features an advanced pattern that reduces road noise for a quieter and more enjoyable ride. This tire is Ice-Grip certified and carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, assuring its superior performance in severe winter conditions.
With an overall SimpleScore of 8.8, the Continental VikingContact 8 promises exceptional grip, traction, control, and braking in severe winter conditions.
Get Continental VikingContact 8 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here
Goodyear Winter Command Ultra tires
Introduced in 2020, the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra is a capable winter tire developed to provide superior traction and handling on snow, ice, and slush, making it an excellent choice for passenger vehicles and SUVs. A key feature is its cryo-adaptive compound, which maintains flexibility in extreme cold temperatures when other tires might stiffen and lose grip. This is enhanced by V-Tred Technology, with hydro-dynamic grooves designed to maximize the evacuation of water and slush from the contact patch.
The Goodyear tire also incorporates Active Block Cuts and Adaptive SipeGrip technology, which multiply the tread’s surface area to deliver exceptional gripping power on slippery surfaces. It carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, certifying its severe winter service capabilities.
Boasting a 9.0 overall SimpleScore, the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra assures consistent grip, traction, and handling in low-temperature conditions.
Get Goodyear Winter Command Ultra tires at the best deals for your vehicle here
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Goodyear Winter Command Ultra tires on traction
Tire traction is defined as the tire’s ability to hold the ground without skidding. In winter, it’s directly linked to your safety. Solid winter tires like the VikingContact 8 and Winter Command Ultra provide enhanced grip and traction on ice and snow. Let’s analyse the traction trait of the two tires.
Scoring 9.3 in traction, the Continental winter tire features a directional tread design with multiple sipes and wide grooves for quick water and slush evacuation to resist hydroplaning and boost grip and traction. It features the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for reassuring winter performance.
The Goodyear tire is neck and neck with the Continental tire in traction and scores the same 9.3. With a unidirectional tread pattern, the Winter Command Ultra evacuates slush and water from its angled grooves to resist hydroplaning and improve wet braking. Thanks to its Active Block Cuts and Adaptive SipeGrip technology, the Goodyear tire delivers exceptional hold even in slippery conditions.
With both scoring the same in traction, it’s a tie.
ADVANTAGE: Tie
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Goodyear Winter Command Ultra tires on handling
In frigid conditions, control and stability are key attributes that one needs in a winter tire. The Continental and Goodyear tires return prompt steering response; however, one of the two scores better. Let’s find out.
Securing an 8.8 in handling, the Continental VikingContact 8 features next-gen rubber compound, 3D sipes, multi-layered sipe design, and snow-edge shoulders that all contribute to superb steering response at high speeds in snow and ice. The directional tread pattern with angled grooves further aids in clearing water and slush for effective grip and control.
Going a notch higher, the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra achieves an exceptional 9.2 in handling, assuring a confident and controlled ride in severe winter conditions of deep ice and snow. Thanks to the ActiveGrip Technology with numerous wavy sipes, the Goodyear winter tire grips the surface firmly to lend superior steering feedback and stability even on slick surfaces.
Scoring way higher, the Conti is no match for the Goodyear tire’s incredible handling.
ADVANTAGE: Goodyear Winter Command Ultra
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Goodyear Winter Command Ultra tires on longevity
Longevity is defined as the number of miles or years a tire lasts. Being winter tires, the Continental VikingContact 8 and Goodyear Winter Command Ultra do not come with a mileage warranty, but return decent tread life. Let’s check their longevity performance.
The Continental winter tire scores a fine 8.2 in the longevity department, thanks to its special rubber compound that maintains flexibility even in low temperature conditions. The innovative tread design promotes uniform wear while resisting uneven wear throughout the life cycle.
Achieving an impressive 8.5 in tread life, the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra features an advanced rubber compound that delivers consistent grip and wearability, while the sipes promote even wear to prolong its tread life.
The Goodyear continues to strengthen its hold in the session and beats the Conti in the longevity department, too.
ADVANTAGE: Goodyear Winter Command Ultra
When to use each
Winter tires are designed to offer enhanced control, grip, and braking in severe winter conditions of ice and snow. They are preferred for regions that experience low temperature conditions of 45 degrees Fahrenheit and below for most of the year.
Whether you pick the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra or the Continental VikingContact 8, both offer great performance on snow and ice. However, the Goodyear is a better tire if you want traction and longevity, while the Conti is an equal match for drivers wanting exceptional traction and grip.
If the weather is unpredictable in your region, you can go for a set of all-weather tires that offers excellent year-round performance, including dry, wet, and moderate to severe snow. They offer a longer service life.
Which one should you choose?
In a nutshell, the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra pins the Continental VikingContact 8 in handling and longevity, while squaring the battle in the traction department. Let’s have a look at their prices to see which one offers a better value.
For the 225/55R17 101H XL tire size, the Continental VikingContact 8 costs around $171 per tire, and four such tires cost $684, while the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra costs around $184 per tire, and four such tires cost $736 (a difference of $52 for a set).
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Continental VikingContact 8 if you:
- Drive a vehicle like the Audi A6, BMW 3 Series, or Dodge Charger
- Want a winter tire with great looks
- Prefer an affordable yet capable winter tire
You can go for the Goodyear Winter Command Ultra if you:
- Drive vehicles like the GMC Acadia, Nissan Rogue, and Volvo XC90
- Want a long-lasting winter tire (8.5 vs 8.2)
- Prefer a tire that’s better in stability and handling (9.2 vs 8.8)
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.