Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN vs Vredestein Ultrac+
- TR Score
- 8.6/10
- Owners say
- 88% · 11
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 8
The Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN and the Vredestein Ultrac+ have met in 2 independent tests and the record is level at 1-1. The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN held 11.8% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the Ultrac+ stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Vredestein Ultrac+ if your top priority is wet-braking safety and straight-line rain stability (frequent motorway driving in heavy rain). Choose the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN if you want the better ownership proposition-especially higher mileage, stronger curved-aquaplaning behavior, and more consistently competitive overall placements across both shared tests.
Where the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN is stronger
- Stronger longevity in ADAC (36,700 km vs 30,600 km; lower abrasion 95 vs 97 mg/km/t)
- Best-in-comparison curved/lateral aquaplaning in both tests (consistent win)
- Competent dry performance with slight edge in dry handling in the eco test (106.6 vs 106.4 km/h) and shorter dry braking in ADAC (34.9 vs 35.3 m)
Where the Ultrac+ is stronger
- Wet 6/9 Stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet (2 tests)
- Comfort 1/1
The measured tallies (wins out of measurements in the shared tests) come straight from the tables below. The written verdict and bullet points are analysis of those tests and of owner reviews; where they and the figures disagree, the figures are right.
Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN vs Ultrac+ at a glance
| Category | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | Gap | Ultrac+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won2 shared tests | 1 | 1 | |
| Dry3 measurements | 2 | 1 | |
| Wet9 measurements | 3 | The Ultrac+ stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet (2 tests) | 6 |
| Comfort1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Value5 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.6/10 | The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN by 0.2 | 8.4/10 |
| Owner rating11 and 8 reviews | 88% | The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN by 5 points | 83% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 100% | The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN by 29 points | 71% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 110 | 46 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 2 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 | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | Field | Ultrac+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Summer ECO Tire Test | P4 of 8 | P2 of 8 | |
| 2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P4 of 16 | P12 of 16 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
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 94%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
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
Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
Ultrac+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 88% from 11 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 | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | Gap | Ultrac+ | Wins | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | 0.2% | 117 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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| 66.2 | 0.2% | 66.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 120 | 5.3% | 114 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 132 | 1.5% | 130 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 34.2 | 0.2% | 34.2 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 17.2 | 0.5% | 17.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 51.8 | 2.4% | 53 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 13.7 | 11.8% | 12.2 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 71.5 | 2.1 dB | 69.4 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 22,804 | 19.9% | 19,014 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 8.3 | = | 8.3 | 0-0 | |||||||||
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| 5.7 | 1.8% | 5.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 11 | 0.9% | 10.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 95 | 2.1% | 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 Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN scores 8.6 and the Ultrac+ 8.4 out of 10.
| Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | Category | Ultrac+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | Dry | 60 | ||
| 83 | Wet | 74 | ||
| 15 | Comfort | 92 | ||
| 60 | 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
| Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | Category | Ultrac+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 8.7 | Wet Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 7.9 | ||
| 8.5 | Handling | 7.9 | ||
| 9.2 | Wear | 7.7 | ||
| 8.9 | Comfort | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 88% from 11 reviews and the Ultrac+ 83% from 8. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
- 88%from 11 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 82,200 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN very highly overall, describing it as a premium-feeling touring tire at a mid-range price with strong safety and predictability. The most consistent praise is for confident wet-weather grip (including heavy rain/highway use), stable dry handling, and a comfortable ride, with many also highlighting excellent rim protection. Noise is the main recurring drawback, often described as surface-dependent and sometimes more noticeable around 50-60 km/h, though several users still find it quiet.
- Strong wet grip and confidence in heavy rain
- Comfortable ride and good touring manners
- Stable, predictable handling and braking in dry and wet
- Excellent rim protection
- Road noise can be surface-dependent and noticeable at some speeds
Summarised by AI from 10 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 11 Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN reviewsVery satisfied.
Very nice grip (dry and wet)
Has significantly lowered consumption compared to previous tires(latitude cross), and dramatically more quiet
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: 110 sizes of the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN and 57 of the Ultrac+, 46 of them made in both.
| Category | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | Ultrac+ |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 110 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 57 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 46 sizes 195/45 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/45 R16205/50 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/45 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16and 34 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | B73%C25%A2% | B50%C45%A3%D1% |
| EU label noise | 70-73 dB B100% | 69-70 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2024 |
| Replaced | Firestone RoadHawk (2017) | - |
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.
Firestone's Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN and Vredestein's Ultrac+ sit in the same “premium-touring summer” space, but the shared testing shows they chase that brief in different ways. Across two independent 2026 group tests (195/55 R16 eco-focused and ADAC's 225/50 R17), the Ultrac+ tends to build its score on wet braking and straight-line water safety, while the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN looks more rounded dynamically and notably stronger for mileage.
The headline result split is telling: Vredestein finishes 2nd of 8 in the eco test thanks to wet performance, yet drops to 12th of 16 in ADAC where longevity and balanced safety/environment scoring weigh heavily. Firestone is the opposite-consistently mid-upper pack (4th in both tests) with fewer big wins, but fewer major weaknesses overall in the ADAC scoring framework.
Conclusion
If your priority is maximum wet stopping power and confidence in heavy rain on motorways, the Vredestein Ultrac+ has the clearer performance edge. It wins wet braking in both tests (eco test: 35.5 m vs 38.5 m; ADAC: 33.9 m vs 34.9 m) and also leads straight-line aquaplaning in both sizes (91.4 vs 89.6 km/h; 79.3 vs 77.2 km/h). It's also quieter in the eco test (69.4 vs 71.5 dB) and slightly lower on energy/fuel use in both reports.
If you want the more sensible “owning” tire-especially for higher annual mileage-the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN makes the stronger case. It delivers substantially better predicted wear in ADAC (36,700 km vs 30,600 km, ~20% advantage) and better curved aquaplaning in both tests (a consistent Firestone win), while matching or edging Vredestein on dry braking/handling depending on the test. The practical takeaway: Ultrac+ is the wet-braking specialist, while Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN is the better long-run all-rounder-particularly where tire life and stable behavior in water-swept bends matter as much as emergency wet stops.
Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN vs Ultrac+: your questions
Is the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN or the Vredestein Ultrac+ the better tire?
The Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN and the Vredestein Ultrac+ have met in 2 independent tests and the record is level at 1-1. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN scores 8.6 and the Ultrac+ 8.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN or the Ultrac+?
The Ultrac+ led 6 of the 9 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN led 2 of the 3 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN and 8.5/10 for the Ultrac+.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 88% from 11 reviews and the Ultrac+ 83% from 8. 100% of Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN owners would buy it again, against 71% for the Ultrac+.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN is made in 110 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Ultrac+ in 57 (15 to 20 inch). 46 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN is graded A for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ultrac+ A and B.
Which is the newer tire?
The Ultrac+ is the newer design: it reached the market in 2024, the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN in 2022. The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN replaced the Firestone RoadHawk.
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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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