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Last updated 10/12/2023 - Originally published 10/12/2023
Written by SimpleTire
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Best tires
The evolution of both the Finland-headquartered tire brand Nokian and the American tire giant Goodyear dates back to 1898. While Goodyear has continuously been growing manifolds, Nokian got its actual identification in 1988, which was earlier Finnish Rubber Works. Nokian and Goodyear have reached new levels in tire manufacturing processes and have a global footprint. While Nokian is admired for its cutting-edge technologies and an impressive range of winter tires, Goodyear is amongst the leading tire brands across the globe.
If we talk about winter tires in particular, Nokian’s Hakkapeliitta and Nordman range of tires are very popular. Likewise, Goodyear’s Ultra Grip, Winter Sport, and Winter Maxx tires have a good reputation in the winter tire category. The Nokian Nordman 7 and the Goodyear Ultra Grip 9 Plus are the two close competitors that are engineered to perform during winter months when the temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Both of the tires are meant for use on passenger cars, CUVs, and SUVs, and offer exceptional performance on snow, slush, and ice. But, if you are planning to buy the best set of winter tires for your ride, you might want to know which of these two winter tires you should consider. So, let’s compare Nokian Nordman 7 vs Goodyear Ultra Grip 9 Plus using SimpleScore and find out which tire is better in what aspect.
Based in Ivalo, Finland, Nokian might not have a legacy like Goodyear, but in the winter tire category, it competes very well with the American tire manufacturer because of its advanced engineering and expertise in making winter tires.
Introduced in 2017, the Nokian Nordman 7 is a studdable winter tire that features a directional tread design. The tire is mainly suitable for use on coupes and sedans but also has sizes that can be compatible with some CUVs and SUVs. The tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified, and its tread features a flexible rubber compound to ensure optimum grip in freezing temperatures. For improved grip, traction, and braking in freezing winter weather conditions, the tread features wedge-like edges and bear claws, and can even be pinned with studs.
Overall, the Nordman 7 sports an excellent SimpleScore of 9.1, thanks to its exceptional traction, great handling, and impressive service life.
Designed for use on passenger cars, the Goodyear Ultra Grip 9 Plus made its debut in 2019 and is a studless winter tire that features a directional tread pattern. This Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified tire can handle rough road conditions during harsh winter weather conditions, and is optimized for better mileage and outstanding grip on snow and ice.
Overall, the Goodyear Ultra Grip 9 Plus gets an impressive SimpleScore of 8.9, thanks to its excellent traction, superior handling, and admirable longevity.
Engineered for use on ice, slush, and snow, winter tires have elements that are optimized to ensure optimum performance in colder temperatures. Tire manufacturers use advanced technologies and flexible tread compounds while manufacturing winter tires so that they can deliver excellent traction when the temperature goes below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Nordman 7 has a whopping traction score of 9.9. It can be pinned with studs for confident braking and acceleration, while also achieving excellent traction performance. The tread of the tire features a good number of sipes that enhance road grip, whereas the bear claw allows the tire to bite thick ice and snow to gain superior traction. The superior Air Claw Technology also helps in boosting grip and traction.
On the other hand, the Goodyear Ultra Grip 9 Plus is very similar to the Nordman 7 and sports a traction score of 9.9 out of 10. It features Winter Grip Technology and a new-gen tread compound that provides better road contact and grip as compared to conventional winter tires. The directional tread pattern also contributes to enhancing the traction and handling by channeling water and slush away from the footprint. Additionally, the longer sipes and extended shoulders provide better grip and boost traction performance.
When it comes to winter weather traction, the Nordman 7 and the Ultra Grip 9 Plus have similar scores. Therefore, in practical conditions, you can expect both of these winter tires to offer a superior level of traction performance.
ADVANTAGE: It’s a tie!
While traction performance is very important for a driver in winter weather, handling performance is similarly important as it relates to changing lanes and turning the vehicle confidently. Both Nokian and Goodyear do not leave any stone unturned in offering their tires with advanced features that boost handling.
The SimpleScore for Nordman 7’s handling stands at 8.7, which is because of the optimized directional tread pattern that improves controllability and continuous center rib that helps in maintaining contact with the surface for driving stability and improved steering responsiveness. Additionally, the high-density siping seen on the tread blocks provides surefootedness for responsive steering.
On the other hand, the Goodyear Ultra Grip 9 Plus is slightly better on the handling front and sports an excellent SimpleScore of 9.0. The handling of the tire is enhanced because of its advanced directional tread pattern that improves driving stability and steering responsiveness. The wider shoulder blocks and high-density sipes firmly hold the surface and assist while making turns. Likewise, the silica-rich tread compound provides extra stopping power and gives the driver full control while cruising at high speeds.
While the handling of the Nordman 7 is great, the Ultra Grip 9 Plus is slightly ahead.
ADVANTAGE: Ultra Grip 9 Plus
Most drivers don’t want to buy something that doesn’t wear out quickly. Therefore, looking at the longevity aspect becomes very important to make a well-informed decision. When comparing the SimpleScore data of both these winter tires, we found out that this was the biggest gap between the two.
The Nordman 7 SimpleScore for longevity is just great and is read as 8.7 on a scale of 10. What contributes to the longevity are the durable tread compound, optimized tread pattern, and reinforced construction. The tread design of the Nordman 7 reduces the chances of irregular wear and extends the tread life. Additionally, the tread passes the driving pressure and vibrations across the profile for improved longevity.
Conversely, the Ultra Grip 9 Plus boasts a handling SimpleScore of 8.0, which is great but less than the rival Nordman 7. The tire features a durable rubber compound and reinforced construction engineered for longer service life. The special silica compound of the Ultra Grip 9 Plus also absorbs vibrations and driving pressure for extended use, and the sturdy inner structure of the tire helps hold the shape.
The Goodyear winter tire might be better in handling, but on the longevity front, the Nordman 7 scores high and is more stronger of the two tires.
ADVANTAGE: Nordman 7
Since the Nordman 7 and the Ultra Grip 9 Plus are winter tires, they are not recommended for use when the temperatures are above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because they get a flexible rubber compound that may wear more quickly than normal in warmer weather conditions.
While these tires are made for driving in wintry weather, the only difference is that in ‘moderate’ to ‘severe’ winter weather conditions. Both the tires can be used there, but the Nokian Nordman 7 can also be pinned with studs to gain higher traction and control while driving on thick snow and ice in ‘extreme’ winter weather conditions. But, the usage of studs is limited to certain locations and/or during certain months and Nordman 7 with studs should only be used wherever permissible by law. Conversely, the Ultra Grip 9 Plus is a studless tire and is suitable for use everywhere during the winter weather.
With traction, handling, and longevity SimpleScores of these two tires compared head-to-head, the question is which of these two tires should you buy? The Nokian winter tire or the Goodyear winter tire? When you compare the overall SimpleScore, the Nordman 7 is slightly ahead of the Ultra Grip 9 Plus, with scores measured as 9.1 against 8.9. Most importantly, you also need to compare the pricing of the two tires. The Nordman 7 tires will cost at least $85.96 per tire, while the Ultra Grip 9 Plus tires will cost at least $114.99 per tire (taking the popular 195/65R15 size into consideration). That means a set of four Nordman 7 winter tires will cost you at least $343.84, while a set of four Ultra Grip 9 Plus winter tires will cost you at least $459.96.
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Nokian Nordman 7 if you:
On the other hand, you should prefer the Goodyear Ultra Grip 9 Plus if you:
At first glance, Nordman 7 vs Ultra Grip 9 Plus tires might appear to be close competitors, but looking at the SimpleScore analysis you can notice that these tires are two good rivals. Both of these tires can be considered a great choice for use on ice and snow, but the purchase decision will depend more on your budget preferences, vehicle type, and preference over attributes like traction, handling, and longevity.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are always delighted to assist you in choosing the right tire for your drive at the best price!
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