Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun vs Vredestein Ultrac
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 119
- TR Score
- 8.7/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 24
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tires, the Vredestein Ultrac finished ahead 6 times and the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 4 times. The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun lasted 55.9% longer in the wear tests; the Ultrac stopped 1.2% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose on mileage. The Vredestein Ultrac is the better handling and dry braking tire and won six of the ten shared tests. The Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun lasts around 70 percent longer, costs roughly half as much per 1000km and brakes shorter in the wet, which makes it the sensible buy for high-mileage drivers.
Where the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun is stronger
- Far longer tread life, 46,300km against 27,200km at ADAC, 70.2 percent more
- Cheaper per 1000km in every measurement, 2.85 against 5.11 at ADAC
- Shorter wet braking in seven of nine tests and quieter in three of four measurements
Where the Ultrac is stronger
- Shorter dry braking in eight of nine tests and a clean sweep of all six wet handling comparisons
- Better aquaplaning resistance, five of seven straight and four of five curved
- 1st of 8 at Auto Express in 2024, where the Falken finished last
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.
ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun vs Ultrac at a glance
| Category | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | Gap | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won10 shared tests | 4 | 6 | |
| Dry16 measurements | 6 | The Ultrac stopped 1.2% shorter in the dry (9 tests) | 9 |
| Wet33 measurements | 12 | The Ultrac lapped the wet handling course 2.6% faster (3 tests) | 19 |
| Comfort8 measurements | 4 | 1 | |
| Value11 measurements | 7 | The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun lasted 55.9% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 4 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.4/10 | The Ultrac by 0.3 | 8.7/10 |
| Owner rating119 and 24 reviews | 80% | The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun by 2 points | 78% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 78% | The Ultrac by 5 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Ultrac was dearer in 4 of 5 | +4% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 86 | 46 sizes made in both | 65 |
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 10 tests, 2022 to 2024
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 | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | Field | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Express Summer Tire Test | P8 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| 2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test | P8 of 10 | P7 of 10 | |
| 2024 AZ Summer Tire Test | P6 of 9 | P4 of 9 | |
| 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test | P7 of 20 | P20 of 20 | |
| 2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P10 of 16 | P16 of 16 | |
| 2024 Summer Tire Market Overview | P7 of 55 | P3 of 55 | |
| Tire Reviews Best Summer Touring Tires | P6 of 13 | P9 of 13 | |
| 2022 AZ SUV Tire Test | P8 of 10 | P2 of 10 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test | P5 of 21 | P14 of 21 | |
| 2022 Summer Tire Market Overview | P5 of 50 | P3 of 50 |
Performance profile
13 measurements from the 10 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
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. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
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
ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
Ultrac
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 80% from 119 reviews and the Ultrac 78% from 24. 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 | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | Gap | Ultrac | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 121 | 1.2% | 119 | 1-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 63.41 | 0.1% | 63.3 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 60 | 0.4% | 59.8 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.9% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 126 | 0.6% | 126 | 7-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 119 | = | 119 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 86.06 | 2.6% | 83.7 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.6 | 1.3% | 45.2 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.2 | 2.1% | 14.5 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.78 | 0.4% | 11.82 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 51.4 | 1% | 51.9 | 2-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 19.3 | 3.6% | 19.7 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.37 | 0.3 dB | 71.71 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 22,258 | 55.9% | 14,457 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.76 | 1.8% | 8.58 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6 | 1.7% | 5.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72 | 29.9% | 102.7 | 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 ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun scores 8.4 and the Ultrac 8.7 out of 10.
| ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | Category | Ultrac | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Dry | 75 | ||
| 79 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 62 | Comfort | 52 | ||
| 42 | Value | 18 | ||
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
| ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | Category | Ultrac | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.2 | Wet Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 8.1 | Road Feedback | 7.5 | ||
| 8 | Handling | 7.6 | ||
| 7.7 | Wear | 6.4 | ||
| 7.9 | Comfort | 8 | ||
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 80% from 119 reviews and the Ultrac 78% from 24. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
- 80%from 119 reviews
- 78%would buy again
- 1,000,122 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally describe the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun as an excellent value summer touring tire with strong wet-weather safety (including aquaplaning resistance) and confident dry grip, often punching above its price class. A very common highlight is low cabin noise and an overall smooth, secure feel, with many users also reporting good wear life over high mileage. The most recurring drawbacks are higher rolling resistance (fuel consumption increase for some cars) and a softer/less precise steering feel that can disappoint more performance-focused drivers, with a subset also finding the ride firmer on rough roads.
- Strong wet grip and reassuring aquaplaning resistance
- Good dry grip and braking
- Low road noise / quiet cabin
- Good value for money
- Higher rolling resistance leading to increased fuel consumption for some drivers
- Soft sidewalls or less precise steering/feedback (not ideal for hard sporty driving)
- Firm/harsh ride on rough roads for some vehicles/setups
Summarised by AI from 107 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 119 ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun reviewsA quiet tire, very predictable/forgiving at the limit, especially in the rain, with a soft sidewall.These miles were covered with spirited driving on winding roads.
Vredestein Ultrac
- 78%from 24 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 311,516 milesdriven by reviewers
Most drivers rate the Vredestein Ultrac highly, praising its confident wet grip (including aquaplaning resistance), solid dry performance, and comfortable, quiet ride. Handling is described as predictable and safe, with several noting good value versus premium rivals. A minority report faster-than-expected tread wear, and a few mention noise or steering feel, but these are less common. Overall sentiment skews positive given the high number of strong reviews.
- wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
- comfortable ride
- dry grip
- predictable handling/steering
- faster tread wear for some users
Summarised by AI from 20 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 24 Ultrac reviewsThese tires came as stock on my Audi A1. After 40,000 miles and 2 years I have replaced 3 corners with what was my preferred tire, but the rear drivers side still has 4mm of tread left, whereas the rear passenger (this tire) has 3mm left after 1 year and 18k. I would definitely buy these again
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 86 sizes of the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun and 65 of the Ultrac, 46 of them made in both.
| Category | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 86 sizes, 14 to 19 inch | 65 sizes, 15 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 46 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 34 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A85%B15% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D50%C47%B2%A1% | C46%A26%B26%D2% |
| EU label noise | 67-72 dB A74%B26% | 69-71 dB B89%A11% |
| On the market since | 2017 | 2020 |
| Replaced | Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun (2012) | - |
| Replaced by | Falken ZIEX ZE320 | Vredestein Ultrac Cento |
| Price in the shared tests | The Ultrac was the dearer tire in 4 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 4% 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.
Ten shared tests, six wins for the Vredestein Ultrac and four for the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun, and the swings between them are enormous. Auto Express put the Vredestein 1st of 8 in 2024 with the Falken last; Auto Bild's 2024 test put the Falken 7th of 21 with the Vredestein 20th, and ADAC the same year had the Falken 10th of 16 and the Vredestein last of 16.
The Vredestein is the sharper tire on the road. It braked shorter in the dry in eight of nine tests and won all six wet handling comparisons, and it resisted aquaplaning better in five of seven straight runs and four of five curved.
The Falken's case is wet braking and running cost. It stopped shorter in the wet in seven of nine tests, and it wore far longer in all three wear measurements: 46,300km against 27,200km at ADAC and 25,800km against 15,400km at Auto Bild. That made it 44.2 percent cheaper per 1000km at ADAC and 41.3 percent cheaper at Auto Bild.
Conclusion
These two swap places depending on who is testing, so the answer depends on what you weigh. The Vredestein Ultrac took six of the ten shared tests and owns the performance side: shorter dry braking in eight of nine tests, a clean sweep of all six wet handling comparisons, and better aquaplaning resistance in five of seven straight runs and four of five curved. Its best results are emphatic, 1st of 8 at Auto Express in 2024 with the Falken last, 2nd of 10 at Auto Zeitung in 2022, and 3rd of 44 and 3rd of 55 in Auto Bild's big braking overviews.
The Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun is the tire that lasts and stops in the wet. It wore longer in all three measurements, by 70.2 percent at ADAC, 46,300km against 27,200km, and by 67.5 percent at Auto Bild, 25,800km against 15,400km. Cost per 1000km followed, 2.85 against 5.11 at ADAC and 11.63 against 19.81 at Auto Bild, and it abraded less, 72 against 102.7mg/km/t. It braked shorter in the wet in seven of nine tests and was quieter in three of four measurements. Its own best results are just as emphatic as the Vredestein's, 5th of 22 at Auto Bild in 2022 with the Vredestein 14th, 7th of 21 in 2024 with the Vredestein 20th, and 10th of 16 at ADAC with the Vredestein last.
Buy the Vredestein if the handling and dry braking of a set matter most to you and you replace tires before they wear out. Buy the Falken if you cover big mileages and want wet stopping distance and cost per 1000km on your side. Note that the tread life gap is the largest single difference in this comparison, and it is measured, not estimated.
ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun vs Ultrac: your questions
Is the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun or the Vredestein Ultrac the better tire?
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tires, the Vredestein Ultrac finished ahead 6 times and the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 4 times. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun scores 8.4 and the Ultrac 8.7 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun or the Ultrac?
The Ultrac led 19 of the 33 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the wet handling course 2.6% faster across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Ultrac led 9 of the 16 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.2% shorter in the dry across 9 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun lasted 55.9% longer in the wear tests (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7.7/10 for the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun and 6.4/10 for the Ultrac.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.9/10 for the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun and 8/10 for the Ultrac.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 80% from 119 reviews and the Ultrac 78% from 24. 78% of ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Ultrac.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Ultrac was the dearer tire in 4 of them, by 4% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun is made in 86 sizes (14 to 19 inch) and the Ultrac in 65 (15 to 21 inch). 46 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun is graded A for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ultrac A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Ultrac is the newer design: it reached the market in 2020, the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun in 2017. The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun replaced the Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun.
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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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