Falken Azenis FK520 vs Vredestein Ultrac

In this article we will be looking at independent tyre test data, and real world driver reviews of the Falken Azenis FK520 and the Vredestein Ultrac to find out which tyre is best for your own driving.

There are a few basic differences between the two tyres. The Falken Azenis FK520 is an Max-Performance Summer tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Vredestein Ultrac is an High-Performance Summer tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars

Azenis-FK520 VS Ultrac

Test Results

Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been two tests which compare both tyres directly!

Out of these two tests:

  • Vredestein Ultrac finished ahead of the Falken Azenis FK520 in one of the tests
  • The Falken Azenis FK520 and Vredestein Ultrac drew in one of the tests

While it might look like the Vredestein Ultrac is better than the Falken Azenis FK520 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 stopped the vehicle in 3.93% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520
34.2M
Vredestein Ultrac
35.6M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Falken Azenis FK520

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test
235/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:35.2M Vredestein Ultrac: 35.7M
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:33.2M Vredestein Ultrac: 35.5M

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 1.24% faster around a lap than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520
100.75Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac
99.5Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Falken Azenis FK520

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test
235/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:93.7Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 92.6Km/H
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:107.8Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 106.4Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 stopped the vehicle in 1.26% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520
39.25M
Vredestein Ultrac
39.75M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Falken Azenis FK520

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test
235/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:30.1M Vredestein Ultrac: 28.7M
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:48.4M Vredestein Ultrac: 50.8M

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac was 0.37% faster around a wet lap than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520
80.2Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac
80.5Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Vredestein Ultrac

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test
235/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:73.8Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 75.1Km/H
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:86.6Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 85.9Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 0.2% faster around a wet circle than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520
20.18s
Vredestein Ultrac
20.22s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Falken Azenis FK520

2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:20.18s Vredestein Ultrac: 20.22s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac floated at a 1.83% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520
80.35Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac
81.85Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Vredestein Ultrac

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test
235/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:77.9Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 77.5Km/H
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:82.8Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 86.2Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac slipped out at a 6.01% higher speed than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520
5.32m/sec2
Vredestein Ultrac
5.66m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Vredestein Ultrac

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test
235/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:8.32m/sec2 Vredestein Ultrac: 8.58m/sec2
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:2.32m/sec2 Vredestein Ultrac: 2.74m/sec2

Gravel Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Falken Azenis FK520 was better during one gravel handling [km/h] tests. On average the Falken Azenis FK520 was 0.66% faster around a lap than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Falken Azenis FK520
60.8Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac
60.4Km/H
Gravel Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Gravel Handling [Km/H]: Falken Azenis FK520

2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:60.8Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 60.4Km/H

Gravel Traction

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one gravel traction tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac had 0.94% better traction on gravel than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520
10530N
Vredestein Ultrac
10630N
Pulling Force in Newtons, higher is better

Best In Gravel Traction: Vredestein Ultrac

2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:10530N Vredestein Ultrac: 10630N

Sand Traction

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one sand traction tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac had 2.24% better traction in sand than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520
10050N
Vredestein Ultrac
10280N
Pulling Force in Newtons, higher is better

Best In Sand Traction: Vredestein Ultrac

2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:10050N Vredestein Ultrac: 10280N

Grass Traction

Falken Azenis FK520
1.75s
Vredestein Ultrac
1.72s
Grass Acceleration in Seconds, higher is better

Best In Grass Traction: Vredestein Ultrac

Noise

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during two noise tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac measured 1.34% quieter than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520
67.4dB
Vredestein Ultrac
66.5dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Vredestein Ultrac

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test
235/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:70.9dB Vredestein Ultrac: 70.1dB
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:63.9dB Vredestein Ultrac: 62.9dB

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac had a 0.68% lower rolling resistance than the Falken Azenis FK520.

Falken Azenis FK520
7.33kg / t
Vredestein Ultrac
7.28kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Vredestein Ultrac

2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test
235/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:7.5kg / t Vredestein Ultrac: 7.1kg / t
2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test
255/55 R18
Falken Azenis FK520:7.15kg / t Vredestein Ultrac: 7.45kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Falken Azenis FK520 and Vredestein Ultrac.

In total the Falken Azenis FK520 has been reviewed 34 times and drivers have given the tyre 85% overall.

The Vredestein Ultrac has been reviewed 22 times and drivers have given the tyre 76% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Vredestein Ultrac.

Best Review for the Falken Azenis FK520
/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 100 average miles
I was very surprised by the comfort of the new tyres. My previous tyres were the fk510 and they were hard as hell, felt every crack in the road. The handling in dry and wet conditions are very good, and the cars feels sporty and good in rhe tight curves. Hope they will last as long as fk510 (around 35k km)
Helpful 374 - tyre reviewed on April 1, 2022
View all Falken Azenis FK520 driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Vredestein Ultrac
Given 27% 205/45 R17 W on a combination of roads for 35,000 spirited miles
despite being described as tyres for performance cars, these are suited to granny's fiesta and nothing else. they have no form of sidewall and the stability is appauling, and the lack of feel unbelieveable.

i had bridgestone potenzas before these which although fast wearing did give a good drive. These are the worst tyres i have ever purchased by a long way, avoid them at all costs!
Helpful 119 - tyre reviewed on November 21, 2008
View all Vredestein Ultrac driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Falken Azenis FK520 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet circle and gravel handling [km/h], while the Vredestein Ultrac performed better in wet handling [km/h], straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, gravel traction, sand traction, noise and rolling resistance.

Which tyre is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tyre. Comparing all the data in the tyre reviews database, on balance Vredestein Ultrac seems to be the best tyre overall.

However, it's important to note that both tyres have their strengths.

Remember, the best tyre for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Vredestein Ultrac

Overall Winner: Vredestein Ultrac

Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Vredestein Ultrac has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

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Footnote

This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.

Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.