Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Vredestein Ultrac
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 8.7/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 24
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 10 times and the Ultrac once. The PremiumContact 7 lasted 110.7% longer in the wear tests; the Ultrac held 9.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Continental PremiumContact 7 for safety-first driving, mixed conditions, and long-term value (shortest braking, best control, superior wear). Choose Vredestein Ultrac if you prioritize quiet comfort, strong aquaplaning resistance, and lower upfront cost, accepting longer braking distances and shorter tread life.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Class-leading wet braking across all shared tests; consistently shortest stopping distances
- Excellent handling precision and balance in dry and wet; frequent test winner
- Strong wear/mileage and value over lifecycle in major tests (ADAC, AutoBild)
Where the Ultrac is stronger
- Low exterior noise and high cabin refinement; strong comfort scores
- Very good straight/curved aquaplaning resistance across multiple tests
- Competitive pricing versus premium peers
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.
PremiumContact 7 vs Ultrac at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won11 shared tests | 10 | 1 | |
| Dry20 measurements | 18 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 3.6% shorter in the dry (10 tests) | 2 |
| Wet41 measurements | 25 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 8% shorter in the wet (10 tests) | 15 |
| Comfort11 measurements | 2 | The Ultrac was 0.8 dB quieter (8 tests) | 7 |
| Value12 measurements | 8 | The PremiumContact 7 lasted 110.7% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 3 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.8 | 8.7/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 24 reviews | 82% | The PremiumContact 7 by 4 points | 78% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The Ultrac by 9 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | +14.7% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 5 of 6 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 24 sizes made in both | 65 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre 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 11 tests, 2023 to 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | PremiumContact 7 | Field | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | P2 of 14 | P9 of 14 | |
| The Best Touring Tyres for 2025 Tested | P1 of 7 | P3 of 7 | |
| 2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test | P3 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| 2024 Motorhome Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 10 | P7 of 10 | |
| 2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test | P1 of 8 | P3 of 8 | |
| 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 9 | P4 of 9 | |
| 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | P2 of 20 | P20 of 20 | |
| 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 16 | P16 of 16 | |
| 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview | P1 of 55 | P3 of 55 | |
| 2023 Motor Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 8 | P6 of 8 | |
| Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres | P1 of 13 | P9 of 13 |
Performance profile
16 measurements from the 11 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Ultrac
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
Ultrac
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
PremiumContact 7
Ultrac
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 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 tyres 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 | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Ultrac | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.98 | 3.6% | 36.3 | 9-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 66.99 | 1.4% | 67.87 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 96.17 | 0.9% | 95.47 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.1% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 34.24 | 8% | 37.45 | 10-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 32 | 11.8% | 36.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 85.8 | 0.7% | 86.34 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.13 | 0.3% | 72.97 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.6% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.58 | 1% | 7.49 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.6 | 1.9% | 11.82 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.47 | 2.5% | 83.29 | 3-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.64 | 9.9% | 6.09 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.61 | 0.8 dB | 70.78 | 2-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45,525 | 110.7% | 21,300 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.15 | 2.1% | 7.28 | 5-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.9 | = | 5.9 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 60.1 | 41.5% | 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 tyres 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 Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Ultrac 8.7 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Ultrac | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 75 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 52 | ||
| 67 | Value | 18 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Ultrac | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 7.5 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 7.6 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 6.4 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 8 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Ultrac 78% from 24. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental PremiumContact 7
- 82%from 71 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 704,882 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are largely impressed with the Continental PremiumContact 7, rating it 82.9% on average with no outright negative reviews, and the standout theme is strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both dry and wet conditions. Nearly half of owners mention excellent dry and wet grip, often backed up by praise for secure handling and stability. The main drawback is refinement: around a quarter to a third of owners report notable road noise, and a similar share are disappointed by tread life, with wear sometimes described as quicker than expected. Comfort is generally viewed positively overall, though opinions vary, and steering feel is more mixed than the outright grip levels suggest.
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Very confident wet grip
- Secure, planted handling in the dry
- Comfortable ride over bumps and on longer runs
- Noticeable road noise, especially on coarse surfaces
- Tread life can be disappointing for a premium tyre
- Steering feel/precision can be inconsistent (some find it vague)
Summarised by AI from 58 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 71 PremiumContact 7 reviewsThe PremiumContact 7 offers a great balance of touring longevity, comfort, and sufficiently precise handling to keep you safe at higher speeds and in unexpected situations. These tires provide near-perfect grip across various conditions, performing exceptionally well on both dry and wet roads. On the other hand, they can get a bit noisy on rough surfaces.
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 tyre page.
All 24 Ultrac reviewsThese tyres came as stock on my Audi A1. After 40,000 miles and 2 years I have replaced 3 corners with what was my preferred tyre, but the rear drivers side still has 4mm of tread left, whereas the rear passenger (this tyre) 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 tyre: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 65 of the Ultrac, 24 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 65 sizes, 15 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 24 sizes 205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17and 12 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A85%B15% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | C46%A26%B26%D2% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 69-71 dB B89%A11% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2020 |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | - |
| Replaced by | - | Vredestein Ultrac Cento |
| Awards | Recommended: Best Tyres for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tyre in 5 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 14.7% on average. Each test priced the tyres 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.
This head-to-head sets Continental's PremiumContact 7, a premium-touring benchmark, against Vredestein's Ultrac, a value-forward high-performance summer tyre. Across 11 shared tests from 2023-2025 in sizes spanning 16-18 inches, the Continental consistently targets maximum active safety, while the Vredestein leans into refinement, aquaplaning resistance, and price appeal.
Expect decisive gaps in braking and overall safety in favor of the PremiumContact 7-especially in the wet-countered by the Ultrac's quieter ride, stronger aquaplaning metrics, and lower purchase cost. The data also reveal meaningful differences in wear life and efficiency that can shift total cost of ownership over time.
Conclusion
The PremiumContact 7 dominates objective safety: it wins 10 of 11 tests overall and is unbeaten in wet braking across the dataset, often by large margins (e.g., −16% in ADAC wet braking). It usually stops shorter in the dry too, and pairs that with precise, confidence-inspiring handling. Its trade-offs are higher external noise and, in some tests, average rolling resistance and aquaplaning scores.
The Ultrac's case rests on comfort, low noise, strong straight/curved aquaplaning, and a lower price. However, its braking-particularly in the wet-fluctuates by test and size, and its projected wear is markedly lower in major wear studies, hurting long-term value. For safety-first drivers and mixed-weather summers, the Continental is the clear pick. For quieter cruising in predominantly warm, heavy-rain climates where aquaplaning resistance and purchase price matter most, the Vredestein is the budget-friendly alternative-provided you accept longer braking distances. The key takeaway: Continental maximizes safety margins; Vredestein maximizes refinement and price.
PremiumContact 7 vs Ultrac: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Vredestein Ultrac the better tyre?
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 10 times and the Ultrac once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Ultrac 8.7 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Ultrac?
The PremiumContact 7 led 25 of the 41 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 8% shorter in the wet across 10 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 18 of the 20 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.6% shorter in the dry across 10 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 110.7% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 2.1% lower rolling resistance (8 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 6.4/10 for the Ultrac.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Ultrac was 0.8 dB quieter (8 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 8/10 for the Ultrac.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Ultrac 78% from 24. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Ultrac.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tyre in 5 of them, by 14.7% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The PremiumContact 7 is made in 56 sizes (16 to 21 inch) and the Ultrac in 65 (15 to 21 inch). 24 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the PremiumContact 7 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ultrac A and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The PremiumContact 7 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the Ultrac in 2020. The PremiumContact 7 replaced the Continental Premium Contact 6.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre 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 tyres 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 Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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