Vredestein Ultrac - Test Results

Test Statistics

13

Tests Completed

7th

Average Position

1st

Best Result

20th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Vredestein Ultrac - Official Image

The Vredestein Ultrac delivers strong dynamic performance with repeated excellence in wet handling and aquaplaning, plus competitive dry grip and very low noise. It has proven capable of top-tier results and even overall wins in mixed fields (1/8 in Auto Express 2024; 2/10 in AutoBild 2025 SUV; 3/55 in AutoBild 2024 braking prelim; Highly recommended in 2025). However, it shows recurring weaknesses in wear and efficiency, with multiple tests penalizing it for poor tread life and higher rolling resistance, which have dragged down overall rankings despite outstanding grip performance.

Performance Strengths
  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    • 1st place wet handling and wet circle in 2024 AutoBild 205/55 R16 (overall 20/21 due to wear/value)
    • Top-tier aquaplaning: 1st curved and straight aquaplaning in 2024 ADAC 215/55 R17; 1st curved aquaplaning in 2025 AutoBild SUV; 1st straight and curved aquaplaning in 2023 Tire Reviews
    • 2nd wet handling in 2025 Touring 225/50 R17 (+1.0%); 4th wet braking in 2025 Touring (+4.8%)
    • 2nd wet handling and 2nd wet braking in 2024 AMS SUV (≤+2.9%)
  • Dry Handling/Braking Moderate
    • 2nd dry handling in 2024 AutoBild 205/55 R16 (+0.1%); 4th dry braking in 2024 AutoBild 205/55 R16 (+2.0%)
    • 3rd overall in 2025 Touring with 3rd dry braking (+0.9%) and competitive handling
    • 5th dry handling (+1.6%) and mid-pack dry braking in 2025 AutoBild SUV with 2nd overall
  • Aquaplaning Resistance Strong
    • 1st curved aquaplaning in 2025 AutoBild SUV; 1st curved and 2nd straight aquaplaning in 2024 ADAC; 1st straight and curved aquaplaning in 2023 Tire Reviews; 1st straight aquaplaning in 2024 AutoBild 205/55 R16
  • Noise/Comfort Moderate
    • 1st noise in 2025 Touring (70.9 dB); 2nd comfort in 2025 Touring (9.5/10)
    • Low noise top-3 placements in multiple SUV/van tests (e.g., 2024 AMS SUV noise 2/8; 2025 AutoBild SUV noise 3/10)
  • Awards/Overall Results Strong
    • Overall winner 2024 Auto Express 225/45 R17
    • Highly recommended and 3/7 in 2025 Touring
    • 2/10 overall in 2025 AutoBild SUV; 3/55 in 2024 AutoBild braking prelim
Performance Weaknesses
  • Wear and Value Strong
    • Wear 20/20 and value 20/20 in 2024 AutoBild 205/55 R16 (−66% wear vs best; +166.3% price/1000)
    • Wear 16/16 and value 16/16 in 2024 ADAC 215/55 R17 (+60.8% wear vs best; +188.7% price/1000)
    • Abrasion worst 16/16 in 2024 ADAC (+113.5%)
  • Rolling Resistance/Fuel Efficiency Strong
    • Rolling resistance 18/21 in 2024 AutoBild 205/55 R16 (+17.8%)
    • RR 12/13 in 2023 Tire Reviews (+33.4%)
    • RR last 10/10 in 2024 Motorhome (+15.7%)
  • Wet Braking Consistency Moderate
    • 14/14 wet braking in 2025 UTAC/Aftonbladet (+10.6%)
    • 8/9 wet braking in 2024 AZ (+11.6%)
    • Mid-field to weak in 2025 AutoBild SUV (6/10, +8.5%) despite strong wet handling
  • Van/Motorhome Dynamics Moderate
    • 2024 Motorhome: 7/10 overall with 8/10 wet braking and 9/10 wet handling; 9/10 dry handling
    • Rolling resistance last (10/10) in same test
Performance Over Time

Test History

2
of 10
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tire Test

2025
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

The Vredestein Ultrac tied for second place with balanced and secure handling across all conditions. It offers the best performance in curve aquaplaning tests with superior lateral grip. Good braki...
Strong:
Sand Traction, Curved Aquaplaning, Wet Circle
View Test
9
of 14
2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tire Test

2025
Winner: Michelin Primacy 5

The Vredestein Ultrac delivered the worst braking performance in the entire test. The Vredestein is bad on hot wet roads in summer and lousy when it gets cooler. During evasive maneuvers, the Vrede...
Strong:
Straight Aqua
Weak:
Wet Braking
View Test
3
of 7
The Best Touring Tires for 2025 Tested Highly Rec.

2025
Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3

The Ultrac proves Vredestein knows how to make a refined tire. While it might not have the outright performance of the top three, its comfort and refinement make it a solid choice for drivers prior...
Strong:
Noise, Subj. Comfort, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Handling
Weak:
Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance
View Test
1
of 8
2024 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

2024

Summary The Vredestein Ultrac tire won an Auto Express victory due to its consistent performance across various tests. It excelled in wet conditions, ranking highly in wet braking, cornering, an...
View Test
7
of 10
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test

2024
Winner: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Weak:
Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance, Wet Handling
View Test
3
of 8
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test

2024
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

Especially in the rain: a tire you can rely on.
Strong:
Noise, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Dry Handling
View Test
4
of 9
2024 AZ Summer Tire Test

2024
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

The Vredestein Ultrac focuses on providing a balanced driving experience with a strong emphasis on safety. It offers good grip levels in both dry and wet conditions, along with a comfortable ride ...
Weak:
Wet Braking
View Test
20
of 21
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test

2024
Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

Conditionally Recommended.
Strong:
Dry Handling, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua, Wet Circle, Wet Handling
Weak:
Value, Wear
View Test
16
of 16
2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test

2024
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

The Vredestein Ultrac is rated as good in driving safety. It provides good steering feedback and secure handling at the limit on dry roads, along with a short braking distance. On wet roads, its pr...
Strong:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Abrasion, Value, Wear
View Test
3
of 55
2024 Summer Tire Market Overview

2024
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

View Test
6
of 8
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test

2023
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

This tire lost the competition with Goodyear by only 0.1 point, showing that a good class tire from the middle segment can compete with premium rubber. Interestingly, Vredestein performed much bett...
Strong:
Price, Straight Aqua, Wet Handling
Weak:
Noise, Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance
View Test
9
of 13
Tire Reviews Best Summer Touring Tires

2023
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

One again the Vredestein Ultrac proves to be a wet specialist, having one of the fastest wet handling laps and amongst the best aquaplaning resistance. Unfortunately all that wet performance leaves...
Strong:
Subj. Comfort, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua, Subj. Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
3
of 10
2021 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

2021
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

The updated Vredestein Ultrac is impressive, with a consistent performance in all tests.
View Test