Pirelli Cinturato C3 vs Vredestein Ultrac plus
Across three shared tests (Motor, a 13-tyre comparative, and ADAC), the pattern is clear: Cinturato C3 is the more complete tyre for grip and braking-especially in the wet-whereas the Ultrac+ leans more toward efficiency/refinement metrics (lower rolling resistance and often lower measured noise) and shows flashes of strength in aquaplaning resilience. If your priority is maximum safety margin and all-round pace, this comparison is largely about how much you're willing to trade for comfort/efficiency gains.
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 three tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Pirelli Cinturato C3 | three |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is better than the Vredestein Ultrac plus 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.
Key Strengths
- Consistently class-leading braking (wins all 3 wet-braking comparisons and all 3 dry-braking comparisons; up to ~8-9% shorter stops vs Ultrac+ in 225/45 R17 tests)
- Strong, confidence-building wet and dry handling balance (front-running wet handling/circle and strong subjective scores in the 13-tyre test)
- Excellent predicted longevity and lower wear impact (ADAC 48,600 km vs 30,600 km; lower abrasion 79 vs 97 mg/km/t)
- Well-rounded wet safety including strong straight-line aquaplaning (wins straight aquaplaning in all three tests)
- Better efficiency metrics (lower rolling resistance in both non-ADAC tests; slightly lower fuel consumption in ADAC: 5.6 vs 5.7 l/100 km)
- Often lower measured noise (wins noise in the two 225/45 R17 tests)
- Strong curved aquaplaning in 225/45 R17 testing (wins both datasets: 3.76 vs 3.42 m/s²)
- Generally acceptable everyday stability/communication in the wet when driven within limits (mid-pack subjective wet impressions in the 13-tyre test)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 7% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 2.23% faster around a lap than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 13.38% more points than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 7.65% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 5.57% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 4.71% faster around a wet lap than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 9.3% more points than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 had 8.97% higher lateral wet grip than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 floated at a 1.45% higher speed than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac plus was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac plus slipped out at a 5.18% higher speed than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Vredestein Ultrac plus
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 3.03% more points than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac plus was better during two noise tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac plus measured 1.5% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Noise: Vredestein Ultrac plus
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wear tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is predicted to cover 37.04% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Wear: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac plus was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac plus had a 6.39% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Vredestein Ultrac plus
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Vredestein Ultrac plus was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac plus used 1.75% less fuel than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Vredestein Ultrac plus
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 emitted 18.56% less particle wear matter than the Vredestein Ultrac plus.
Best In Abrasion: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Pirelli Cinturato C3 and Vredestein Ultrac plus.
In total the Pirelli Cinturato C3 has been reviewed 13 times and drivers have given the tyre 93% overall.
The Vredestein Ultrac plus has been reviewed 5 times and drivers have given the tyre 80% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
They are much quieter than All Season Pirellis, the noise is mainly a low hum, which is nicer to the ear than the alternatives.
I feel more comfortable when cornering at speed with them. Been driving some forest/field roads and they held up nicely. The tread doesn't seem as deep as other brands, will update how things are looking after 10k km.
Conclusion
The Vredestein Ultrac+ isn't unsafe-it's repeatedly described as acceptable/solid for everyday use-but it's outgunned in the core performance areas that matter most in emergency situations and spirited driving. Its main wins come in measured noise and rolling resistance (e.g., Motor rolling resistance 0.762 vs 0.818 kg/t; the 13-tyre test 7.73 vs 8.27 kg/t), and it performs well in curved aquaplaning in the two 225/45 R17 datasets (3.76 vs 3.42 m/s²). However, the same tests highlight weaker lateral wet grip and longer wet braking, and the 13-tyre test notes it can overheat and understeer when pushed.
Practical takeaway: choose the Cinturato C3 if you want a “set-and-forget” touring summer tyre with top-tier wet/dry stopping power and notably better longevity; choose the Ultrac+ mainly if your priorities skew toward efficiency and potentially quieter running and you drive in a calmer, less demanding style-while accepting a clear reduction in ultimate grip and braking performance.
Key Differences
- Overall competitiveness: Cinturato C3 is a repeat front-runner (1/9, 1/13, 2/16) while Ultrac+ trails (9/9, 10/13, 12/16)
- Braking safety margin: Pirelli repeatedly stops materially shorter-Motor dry braking 35.7 m vs 39.3 m; Motor wet braking 43.3 m vs 47.2 m; ADAC wet braking 31.8 m vs 33.9 m
- Wet grip consistency: C3 is strong across wet braking/handling/circle; Ultrac+ is described as inconsistent, with weaker wet braking/lateral grip despite decent aquaplaning
- Aquaplaning shape: Ultrac+ tends to be better in curved aquaplaning (two wins in 225/45 R17), while C3 is consistently better in straight-line aquaplaning (three wins) and is also strong in ADAC curved aquaplaning
- Running costs and sustainability: C3 shows a major durability advantage (48,600 km vs 30,600 km) and lower abrasion, whereas Ultrac+ is penalized on mileage/abrasion despite decent efficiency
- Refinement/efficiency trade: Ultrac+ generally brings lower rolling resistance and lower noise, while C3 is frequently marked as relatively noisy and only average for rolling resistance
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 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
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Vredestein Ultrac plus Top Comparisons
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.
Discussion
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