Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Vredestein Ultrac Pro
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 94
- TR Score
- 9.0/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 7
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Vredestein Ultrac Pro finished ahead 4 times and the SportMaxx RT 2 once. The SportMaxx RT 2 lasted 10.2% longer in the wear tests; the Ultrac Pro had 7.4% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Buy the Vredestein Ultrac Pro if braking distance leads your list: it stopped shorter than the Dunlop in every dry and wet measurement across five tests and finished ahead in four of them. Buy the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 if you drive roads that flood or cover big mileages, where its clean sweep of aquaplaning and longer tread life pay you back.
Where the SportMaxx RT 2 is stronger
- Won all six aquaplaning measurements, straight and curved
- Longer life in all three wear tests, 39,590km against 32,930km at Auto Bild
- 18.7 percent cheaper per 1000km at Auto Bild and rated more comfortable
Where the Ultrac Pro is stronger
- Shorter braking in all five dry and all five wet measurements
- Finished ahead in four of the five shared tests, 5th of 18 against 9th at ADAC
- Quieter in all three noise measurements and 12.5 percent lower rolling resistance
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.
SportMaxx RT 2 vs Ultrac Pro at a glance
| Category | SportMaxx RT 2 | Gap | Ultrac Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 1 | 4 | |
| Dry8 measurements | 1 | The Ultrac Pro stopped 1.8% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 7 |
| Wet17 measurements | 8 | The Ultrac Pro stopped 1.1% shorter in the wet (5 tests) | 9 |
| Comfort5 measurements | 1 | The Ultrac Pro was 0.8 dB quieter (3 tests) | 3 |
| Value8 measurements | 4 | Level between the two. | 4 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.4/10 | The Ultrac Pro by 0.6 | 9.0/10 |
| Owner rating94 and 7 reviews | 77% | The Ultrac Pro by 6 points | 83% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 63% | The Ultrac Pro by 8 points | 71% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +4.6% | The SportMaxx RT 2 was dearer in 2 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 61 | 38 sizes made in both | 98 |
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 5 tests, 2025 to 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 | SportMaxx RT 2 | Field | Ultrac Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test | P13 of 20 | P9 of 20 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P17 of 50 | P13 of 50 | |
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test | P9 of 20 | P13 of 20 | |
| 2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P9 of 18 | P5 of 18 | |
| 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | P19 of 52 | P18 of 52 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
SportMaxx RT 2
Ultrac Pro
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. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
SportMaxx RT 2
Ultrac Pro
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
SportMaxx RT 2
Ultrac Pro
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Ultrac Pro 83% from 7. 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 | SportMaxx RT 2 | Gap | Ultrac Pro | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | 1.8% | 115 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 67.7 | 0.3% | 67.9 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 29.9% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 123 | 1.1% | 121 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 125 | 1.6% | 123 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 47.8 | 0.2% | 47.7 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 9.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.98 | 0.1% | 14.97 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 52.9 | 2.1% | 51.8 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.4 | 9.1% | 10.5 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.8% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.93 | 0.8 dB | 72.1 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 26,120 | 10.2% | 23,846 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.08 | 7.4% | 8.42 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 1.8% | 5.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 91 | 17% | 75.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,656 | 2.4% | 1,617 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the Ultrac Pro 9 out of 10.
| SportMaxx RT 2 | Category | Ultrac Pro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 86 | ||
| 83 | Wet | 82 | ||
| 33 | Comfort | 80 | ||
| 37 | Value | 27 | ||
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
| SportMaxx RT 2 | Category | Ultrac Pro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 7.8 | Wet Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 7.7 | Road Feedback | 8.3 | ||
| 7.6 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 7.5 | Wear | 6 | ||
| 7.9 | Comfort | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Ultrac Pro 83% from 7. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
- 77%from 94 reviews
- 63%would buy again
- 788,854 milesdriven by reviewers
Across reviews, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is most often described as a quiet, comfortable UHP tire with strong all-round grip-especially in the wet-and good aquaplaning resistance, giving many drivers high confidence in everyday and motorway use. Wear is frequently reported as good to very good versus several competing premium tires, and many consider it strong value for money. A notable minority, however, report overly soft or inconsistent sidewalls leading to vague/“wobbly” steering and reduced precision when cornering hard, and some users say grip (particularly in wet conditions) can fall off as the tire wears.
- Strong wet grip and reassuring stability in heavy rain
- Good resistance to aquaplaning
- Good dry grip/traction for normal to spirited road driving
- Low road noise and generally comfortable ride
- Soft sidewalls causing vague steering, squirm, or reduced precision under hard cornering/load changes
- Some reports of poor wet grip or reduced confidence (often as the tire wears)
- Noise can increase as the tire wears or on rough road surfaces
Summarised by AI from 81 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 94 SportMaxx RT 2 reviewsI've had several sets of these on my car now as they have proven to be reliable and confidence inspiring in the wet. They've survived pot holes, debris, and the odd curb. I've never found myself wishing for more grip in the dry. The response is perhaps slightly muted compared to more expensive tires, but personally don't have an issue as my driving is 90% motorway/major A roads.
In the wet the car feels stable in the rain at motorway speeds up until about 3mm tread depth, at which point the front started to feel nervous. Braking has been fine in the wet but pulling away briskly in anything other than a straight line will set off the traction control. Hard to say if this would be reduced with a more expensive tire.
Front tires have lasted about 11k miles before reaching the wear line after. Rears are over 20k and still have a while to go.
Vredestein Ultrac Pro
- 83%from 7 reviews
- 71%would buy again
- 34,100 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers largely praise the Vredestein Ultrac Pro for strong dry and wet grip, confident handling, and notably good ride comfort, with several noting premium feel and value. High-scoring reviews highlight short braking distances, stability, and decent wear for aggressive or heavy vehicles. A minority report concerns include poor performance in very cold (sub-5°C) conditions and one case of premature wear/delamination. Overall, the Ultrac Pro delivers balanced performance with comfort-focused tuning and attractive design.
- dry grip
- wet grip
- handling/steering feel
- ride comfort
- reduced grip in very cold temperatures
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 7 Ultrac Pro reviewsI've had them for two summers and about 10k kms on a Ford Focus ST250. When I was buying them I was looking for good tires at a fair price and these were the newest model available at the time.
Dry: In the dry they have good traction, predictable handlings and good comfort for a UHP tire. Breakaway is communicated well and they don't surprise you out of nowhere. Lift of oversteer is easily achieved and controlled. They do wheelspin a bit in first gear if you are a bit more enthusiastic with the throttle but that's expected on a more powerful fwd car.
Wet: They have good and predictable grip in the wet, good aquaplaning resistance and stop quite well.
Others: Rim guard is somewhere in the middle, not as big as Bridgestone but better than Hankook. Sidewall design is good, comfort and noise are good for a uhp tire. Wear has also been good for me, I expect to change them due to age and not wear but then again I don't do that many miles a year.
It's a tire I like and would recommend. Price to performance is good. Would consider buying. I got their Wintrac Pro Plus to try this winter so I've been satisfied with Vredesteins as a whole.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 61 sizes of the SportMaxx RT 2 and 98 of the Ultrac Pro, 38 of them made in both.
| Category | SportMaxx RT 2 | Ultrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 61 sizes, 17 to 21 inch | 98 sizes, 18 to 24 inch |
| Made in both | 38 sizes 205/40 R18215/40 R18225/35 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18245/35 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/35 R18255/40 R18and 26 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A85%B15% | A97%B3% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C79%D19%B3% | C73%D18%B6%A3% |
| EU label noise | 69-73 dB B93%A7% | 69-73 dB B97%A3% |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2024 |
| Replaced | Dunlop SportMaxx RT (2014) | Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+ (2020) |
| Awards | Winner: Ultra High Performance Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2021) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The SportMaxx RT 2 was the dearer tire in 2 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 4.6% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
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.
Five shared tests, four wins for the Vredestein Ultrac Pro, and the split between these two is about as clean as it gets. The Vredestein braked shorter in all five dry braking measurements and all five wet braking measurements; the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 won all three straight aquaplaning runs, all three curved runs and all three wear tests.
The placings follow the braking. The Vredestein was 9th of 20 against 13th at Auto Bild in 2026, 13th of 50 against 17th in the 2026 braking super test, 5th of 18 against 9th at ADAC and 18th of 52 against 19th in the 2025 shootout. The Dunlop's win came at Auto Bild in 2025, 9th of 21 against 13th.
Elsewhere the Vredestein was quieter in all three noise measurements and rolled with less resistance in both, 7.65 against 8.74 kg/t at Auto Bild in 2026, 12.5 percent less, and its judges rated it higher for both subjective dry and wet handling.
Conclusion
The Vredestein Ultrac Pro is the better tire on the evidence, taking four of the five shared tests: 9th of 20 against the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2's 13th at Auto Bild in 2026, 13th of 50 against 17th in the 2026 braking super test, 5th of 18 against 9th at ADAC and 18th of 52 against 19th in the 2025 shootout. Braking is a double clean sweep: shorter in the dry in all five measurements, 34.2m against 35.3m in the braking test and 36.6m against 37.3m at ADAC, and shorter in the wet in all five, plus the only wet concrete measurement. It was quieter in all three noise measurements, rolled with 12.5 percent less resistance at Auto Bild in 2026, 7.65 against 8.74 kg/t, abraded less, 75.5 against 91mg/km/t, and Auto Bild's panel scored it higher for subjective dry handling, 8.7 points against 6.7, and wet handling, 8 against 7.3.
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 answers with standing water and tread life. It resisted straight aquaplaning better in all three measurements and curved aquaplaning in all three, by 16.7 percent at ADAC, 3.5 against 3 m/sec2, and it lasted longer in all three wear tests, 44,820km against 42,100km, 39,590km against 32,930km and 41,700km against 40,100km. That 20.2 percent gap at Auto Bild in 2025 made it 18.7 percent cheaper per 1000km there, 9.09 against 11.18, and it is the tire that won that test. Auto Bild also rated it more comfortable, 8 points against 7.3, and it used slightly less fuel at ADAC.
So it comes down to weather. If you want the shortest stopping distances, the Vredestein wins every single braking measurement in this comparison. If you drive roads that flood, or you keep tires to the wear bars, the Dunlop's clean sweep of aquaplaning and its longer life are worth real money. Note also the Dunlop has 86 owner reviews on the site against 6 for the Vredestein.
SportMaxx RT 2 vs Ultrac Pro: your questions
Is the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 or the Vredestein Ultrac Pro the better tire?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Vredestein Ultrac Pro finished ahead 4 times and the SportMaxx RT 2 once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the Ultrac Pro 9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the SportMaxx RT 2 or the Ultrac Pro?
The Ultrac Pro led 9 of the 17 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.1% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Ultrac Pro led 7 of the 8 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.8% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The SportMaxx RT 2 lasted 10.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests); the Ultrac Pro had 7.4% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.5/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 6/10 for the Ultrac Pro.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Ultrac Pro was 0.8 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.9/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 8.1/10 for the Ultrac Pro.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Ultrac Pro 83% from 7. 63% of SportMaxx RT 2 owners would buy it again, against 71% for the Ultrac Pro.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the SportMaxx RT 2 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 4.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The SportMaxx RT 2 is made in 61 sizes (17 to 21 inch) and the Ultrac Pro in 98 (18 to 24 inch). 38 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the SportMaxx RT 2 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ultrac Pro A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Ultrac Pro is the newer design: it reached the market in 2024, the SportMaxx RT 2 in 2021. The SportMaxx RT 2 replaced the Dunlop SportMaxx RT. The Ultrac Pro replaced the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti+.
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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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