Falken Azenis FK520 vs Vredestein Ultrac

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Falken Azenis FK520 and the Vredestein Ultrac to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

There are a few basic differences between the two tires. The Falken Azenis FK520 is an Max-Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Vredestein Ultrac is an High-Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars

In This Article

Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion Similar Comparisons

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been two tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these two tests:

Vredestein Ultrac finished ahead of the Falken Azenis FK520 in one of the tests
The Falken Azenis FK520 and Vredestein Ultrac drew in one of the tests

While it might look like the Vredestein Ultrac is better than the Falken Azenis FK520 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 stopped the vehicle in 3.93% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520

34.2M

Vredestein Ultrac

35.6M

Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test 235/55 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:35.2M	Vredestein Ultrac: 35.7M
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test 255/55 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:33.2M	Vredestein Ultrac: 35.5M

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 1.24% faster around a lap than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520

100.75Km/H

Vredestein Ultrac

99.5Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test 235/55 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:93.7Km/H	Vredestein Ultrac: 92.6Km/H
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test 255/55 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:107.8Km/H	Vredestein Ultrac: 106.4Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 stopped the vehicle in 1.26% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520

39.25M

Vredestein Ultrac

39.75M

Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test 235/55 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:30.1M	✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 28.7M
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test 255/55 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:48.4M	Vredestein Ultrac: 50.8M

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac was 0.37% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

80.2Km/H

Vredestein Ultrac

80.5Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Vredestein Ultrac

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test 235/55 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:73.8Km/H	✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 75.1Km/H
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test 255/55 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:86.6Km/H	Vredestein Ultrac: 85.9Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 0.2% faster around a wet circle than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520

20.18s

Vredestein Ultrac

20.22s

Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>

2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test
255/55 R18

✓ Falken Azenis FK520:20.18s

Vredestein Ultrac: 20.22s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac floated at a 1.83% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

80.35Km/H

Vredestein Ultrac

81.85Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Vredestein Ultrac

See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test 235/55 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:77.9Km/H	Vredestein Ultrac: 77.5Km/H
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test 255/55 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:82.8Km/H	✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 86.2Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac slipped out at a 6.01% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

5.32m/sec2

Vredestein Ultrac

5.66m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Vredestein Ultrac

See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test 235/55 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:8.32m/sec2	✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 8.58m/sec2
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test 255/55 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:2.32m/sec2	✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 2.74m/sec2

Gravel Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one gravel handling [km/h] tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 0.66% faster around a lap than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520

60.8Km/H

Vredestein Ultrac

60.4Km/H

Gravel Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Gravel Handling [Km/H]: Falken Azenis FK520

See how the Gravel Handling winner was calculated >>

2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test
255/55 R18

✓ Falken Azenis FK520:60.8Km/H

Vredestein Ultrac: 60.4Km/H

Gravel Traction

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one gravel traction tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac had 0.94% better traction on gravel than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

10530N

Vredestein Ultrac

10630N

Pulling Force in Newtons, higher is better

Best In Gravel Traction: Vredestein Ultrac

See how the Gravel Traction winner was calculated >>

2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test
255/55 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:10530N

✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 10630N

Sand Traction

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one sand traction tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac had 2.24% better traction in sand than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

10050N

Vredestein Ultrac

10280N

Pulling Force in Newtons, higher is better

Best In Sand Traction: Vredestein Ultrac

See how the Sand Traction winner was calculated >>

2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test
255/55 R18

Falken Azenis FK520:10050N

✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 10280N

Grass Traction

Falken Azenis FK520

1.75s

Vredestein Ultrac

1.72s

Grass Acceleration in Seconds, higher is better

Best In Grass Traction: Vredestein Ultrac

See how the Grass Traction winner was calculated >>

Noise

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during two noise tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac measured 1.34% quieter than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

67.4dB

Vredestein Ultrac

66.5dB

External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Vredestein Ultrac

See how the Noise winner was calculated >>

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test 235/55 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:70.9dB	✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 70.1dB
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test 255/55 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:63.9dB	✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 62.9dB

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac had a 0.68% lower rolling resistance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520

7.33kg / t

Vredestein Ultrac

7.28kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Vredestein Ultrac

See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test 235/55 R18	Falken Azenis FK520:7.5kg / t	✓ Vredestein Ultrac: 7.1kg / t
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test 255/55 R18	✓ Falken Azenis FK520:7.15kg / t	Vredestein Ultrac: 7.45kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Falken Azenis FK520 and Vredestein Ultrac.

In total the Falken Azenis FK520 has been reviewed 34 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.

The Vredestein Ultrac has been reviewed 22 times and drivers have given the tire 76% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Vredestein Ultrac.

Best Review for the Falken Azenis FK520

/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 100 average miles

I was very surprised by the comfort of the new tires. My previous tires were the fk510 and they were hard as hell, felt every crack in the road. The handling in dry and wet conditions are very good, and the cars feels sporty and good in rhe tight curves. Hope they will last as long as fk510 (around 35k km)

Helpful 374 - tire reviewed on April 1, 2022

View all Falken Azenis FK520 driver reviews >>

Best Review for the Vredestein Ultrac

Given 27% 205/45 R17 W on a combination of roads for 35,000 spirited miles

despite being described as tires for performance cars, these are suited to granny's fiesta and nothing else. they have no form of sidewall and the stability is appauling, and the lack of feel unbelieveable.

i had bridgestone potenzas before these which although fast wearing did give a good drive. These are the worst tires i have ever purchased by a long way, avoid them at all costs!

Helpful 119 - tire reviewed on November 21, 2008

View all Vredestein Ultrac driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Falken Azenis FK520 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet circle and gravel handling [km/h], while the Vredestein Ultrac performed better in wet handling [km/h], straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, gravel traction, sand traction, noise and rolling resistance.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Vredestein Ultrac seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Overall Winner: Vredestein Ultrac

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Vredestein Ultrac has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:

Falken ZIEX ZE320 VS Vredestein Ultrac

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Bridgestone Turanza 6 VS Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Vredestein Ultrac

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Vredestein Ultrac Pro

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 VS Vredestein Ultrac

Hankook Ventus Prime 4 VS Vredestein Ultrac

Bridgestone Turanza 6 VS Vredestein Ultrac

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 VS Vredestein Ultrac

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Falken Azenis FK520

Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun VS Vredestein Ultrac

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus VS Vredestein Ultrac

Continental PremiumContact 7 VS Vredestein Ultrac

Continental SportContact 7 VS Falken Azenis FK520

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Falken Azenis FK520 vs Vredestein Ultrac

Test Results

Dry Braking

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Wet Braking

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Wet Circle

Straight Aqua

Curved Aquaplaning

Gravel Handling [Km/H]

Gravel Traction

Sand Traction

Grass Traction

Noise

Rolling Resistance

Real World Driver Reviews

Conclusion

Overall Winner: Vredestein Ultrac

Similar Comparisons

Footnote

Best Tire Tests

Summer Tire Tests

All Season Tire Tests

Winter Tire Tests

Features

Tire Reviews

General