Maxxis Premitra HP6 vs Vredestein Ultrac+
- TR Score
- 8.2/10
- Owners say
- 65% · 3
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 8
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Maxxis Premitra HP6 finished ahead 3 times and the Ultrac+ not once. The Premitra HP6 stopped 2% shorter in the wet; the Ultrac+ held 7% more grip in curved aquaplaning.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Maxxis Premitra HP6 if you want the better all-round summer tire for everyday driving-especially for strong wet braking, solid handling results, and a better wear/abrasion outlook. Choose the Vredestein Ultrac+ primarily if your priority is maximum aquaplaning resistance for frequent high-speed motorway driving in heavy rain, accepting weaker braking/overall ranking and shorter predicted mileage.
Where the Premitra HP6 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet braking across all shared tests (3/3 wins), a key real-world safety advantage
- Competitive handling balance: faster dry handling in two tests and generally quicker wet handling, with strong subjective dry scores
- Good overall consistency with few clear weak areas noted in professional comments-predictable day to day
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Premitra HP6 vs Ultrac+ at a glance
| Category | Premitra HP6 | Gap | Ultrac+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 3 | 0 | |
| Dry7 measurements | 6 | The Premitra HP6 lapped the dry handling course 1.6% faster (2 tests) | 1 |
| Wet15 measurements | 8 | The Premitra HP6 stopped 2% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 7 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 3 | 1 | |
| Value5 measurements | 4 | The Premitra HP6 had 0.5% lower rolling resistance (2 tests) | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.2/10 | The Ultrac+ by 0.2 | 8.4/10 |
| Owner rating3 and 8 reviews | 65% | The Ultrac+ by 18 points | 83% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 43 sizes made in both | 57 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 3 tests in 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Premitra HP6 | Field | Ultrac+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Motor Summer Tire Test | P6 of 9 | P9 of 9 | |
| The BEST Summer Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated | P8 of 12 | P10 of 12 | |
| 2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P8 of 16 | P12 of 16 |
Performance profile
10 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Premitra HP6
Ultrac+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 7 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Premitra HP6
Ultrac+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Premitra HP6
Not ahead in any category
Ultrac+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Premitra HP6 65% from 3 reviews and the Ultrac+ 83% from 8. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Premitra HP6 | Gap | Ultrac+ | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 124 | 0.6% | 125 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 73.77 | 1.6% | 74.96 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.5% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 119 | 2% | 122 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 125 | 3.5% | 130 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 72.1 | 1% | 72.83 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 23.8% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 1.6 | 3.1% | 1.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 12.5 | 1.7% | 12.72 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 46.4 | 2.6% | 47.7 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 11.3 | 7% | 12.1 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.1% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 69.45 | 0.6 dB | 68.9 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 23,115 | 21.6% | 19,014 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 4.22 | 0.5% | 4.25 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | = | 5.6 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 76 | 21.6% | 97 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Premitra HP6 scores 8.2 and the Ultrac+ 8.4 out of 10.
| Premitra HP6 | Category | Ultrac+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 60 | ||
| 68 | Wet | 74 | ||
| 18 | Comfort | 92 | ||
| 62 | Value | 53 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Premitra HP6 | Category | Ultrac+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 7 | Wet Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 6 | Road Feedback | 7.9 | ||
| 6.7 | Handling | 7.9 | ||
| 6 | Wear | 7.7 | ||
| 7.3 | Comfort | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the Premitra HP6 65% from 3 reviews and the Ultrac+ 83% from 8. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Maxxis Premitra HP6
- 65%from 3 reviews
- 31,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Premitra HP6 reviewsTires are spongy, imprecise, indirect, and very unsporty on dry roads. They are quiet and save fuel. In wet conditions, they are average and completely okay. Despite AAA and BMW * approval, they do not fit a sporty front-wheel drive car like a Fiesta MH 155 HP. Very affordable and completely fine for everyday use. Sportiness compared to Continental PremiumContact 6 or Bridgestone Potenza Sport is non-existent.
Vredestein Ultrac+
- 83%from 8 reviews
- 71%would buy again
- 35,000 milesdriven by reviewers
Across seven reviews, the Vredestein Ultrac+ is described as a strong all-rounder with standout wet-weather security, including very high confidence in heavy rain and good resistance to aquaplaning. Drivers also commonly praise its comfortable ride, generally low cabin noise, and precise, planted handling/steering. Value for money is repeatedly highlighted as a major strength. A smaller subset of users report slightly worse fuel economy/rolling resistance versus some alternatives, and isolated feedback notes higher noise at high motorway speeds on coarse surfaces.
- Excellent wet grip and high-speed rain stability/aquaplaning resistance
- Comfortable ride and good bump absorption
- Generally quiet/low noise (often described as a low hum)
- Precise steering and stable handling
- Slight fuel economy/rolling resistance penalty versus some competitors
Summarised by AI from 7 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 8 Ultrac+ reviewsI xannot recommend these vrederstein tires higly enough. On safety ,fuel economy and dry and wet weather handling and safety . If they have any weakness it would be on tred wear. But at 90 pounds a tire i wil never drive on anything else.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 56 sizes of the Premitra HP6 and 57 of the Ultrac+, 43 of them made in both.
| Category | Premitra HP6 | Ultrac+ |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 15 to 18 inch | 57 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 43 sizes 185/55 R15185/60 R15185/65 R15195/50 R15195/55 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15205/65 R15195/45 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16and 31 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C89%B11% | B50%C45%A3%D1% |
| EU label noise | 70-72 dB B100% | 69-70 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2024 | 2024 |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This matchup pits two summer touring tires with slightly different positioning: the Maxxis Premitra HP6 as a value-focused Touring option, and the Vredestein Ultrac+ as a Premium-Touring alternative. Because both appear in multiple 2026 group tests, we can look past one-off results and focus on repeatable strengths-especially in the areas that matter most day-to-day: braking, wet stability, comfort, and running costs.
Across the three shared tests (Motor, a 13-tire comparative, and ADAC), a clear pattern emerges. The Maxxis repeatedly posts shorter wet and dry braking distances and more competitive handling times, while the Vredestein's standout advantage is aquaplaning resistance (both straight-line and in curves). The practical trade-off is “more consistent all-round grip and efficiency” (Maxxis) versus “more water-shedding safety margin at higher standing-water speeds” (Vredestein), with wear/abrasion also separating them in ADAC's environmental scoring.
Conclusion
Looking across the shared tests, the Maxxis Premitra HP6 is the more complete performer in typical European summer conditions. It beats the Ultrac+ in wet braking in all three tests (e.g., Motor: 46.1 m vs 47.2 m; ADAC: 33.4 m vs 33.9 m) and is generally quicker in dry and wet handling (Motor wet handling: 73.1 s vs 73.8 s; 13-tire test dry handling: 72.83 s vs 74.52 s). Professional notes also describe the Maxxis as notably consistent with “no weak spots,” which tends to translate to fewer surprises in everyday driving.
The Vredestein Ultrac+'s best argument is aquaplaning security: it wins straight aquaplaning in every shared test (including a meaningful ADAC gap: 79.3 km/h vs 75.0 km/h) and also leads in curved aquaplaning (ADAC: 3.5 vs 3.0 m/s²). However, it repeatedly gives away braking and overall pace, and ADAC flags low mileage and higher abrasion (30,600 km and 97 mg/km/t) versus the Maxxis (37,200 km and 76 mg/km/t), which is a tangible ownership-cost disadvantage.
Net-net: if your driving includes lots of standing water at speed (motorways in heavy rain), the Ultrac+'s aquaplaning edge is real. For most buyers prioritizing stopping power, balanced handling, and overall value (including wear), the Premitra HP6 comes out as the smarter, more rounded choice-and notably so given its “cheapest tire in the test” context in Motor.
Premitra HP6 vs Ultrac+: your questions
Is the Maxxis Premitra HP6 or the Vredestein Ultrac+ the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Maxxis Premitra HP6 finished ahead 3 times and the Ultrac+ not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Premitra HP6 scores 8.2 and the Ultrac+ 8.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Premitra HP6 or the Ultrac+?
The Premitra HP6 led 8 of the 15 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Premitra HP6 led 6 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the dry handling course 1.6% faster across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Premitra HP6 had 0.5% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 6/10 for the Premitra HP6 and 7.7/10 for the Ultrac+.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.3/10 for the Premitra HP6 and 8.5/10 for the Ultrac+.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Premitra HP6 65% from 3 reviews and the Ultrac+ 83% from 8.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Premitra HP6 is made in 56 sizes (15 to 18 inch) and the Ultrac+ in 57 (15 to 20 inch). 43 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Premitra HP6 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ultrac+ A and B.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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