Falken ZIEX ZE320 vs Vredestein Ultrac
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 17
- TR Score
- 8.7/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 24
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Vredestein Ultrac finished ahead 1 times and the ZIEX ZE320 not once, with one level. The ZIEX ZE320 stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Falken ZIEX ZE320 for drivers prioritizing braking distance and handling precision on mixed roads. Choose Vredestein Ultrac for drivers prioritizing quiet comfort, long motorway trips, and better stability in standing water. In warm climates or refinement-focused use, pick Vredestein; for dynamic driving or safety-first stopping, pick Falken.
Where the ZIEX ZE320 is stronger
- Shortest dry and wet braking in both tests
- Fastest or near-fastest dry and wet handling times
- Very low cabin noise in one test with strong overall refinement
Where the Ultrac is stronger
- Class-leading refinement: lowest noise and excellent ride comfort
- Stronger curved aquaplaning performance and more predictable wet balance
- Fine steering feel with stable motorway manners
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 ZE320 vs Ultrac at a glance
| Category | ZIEX ZE320 | Gap | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won2 shared tests | 0 | 1 level | 1 |
| Dry5 measurements | 5 | The ZIEX ZE320 stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry (2 tests) | 0 |
| Wet9 measurements | 4 | Level between the two. | 4 |
| Comfort3 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Value2 measurements | 1 | Level between the two. | 1 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The ZIEX ZE320 by 0.7 | 8.7/10 |
| Owner rating17 and 24 reviews | 87% | The ZIEX ZE320 by 9 points | 78% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 80% | The Ultrac by 3 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | Level | Level | |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 53 | 42 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 2 tests in 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 | ZIEX ZE320 | Field | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | P13 of 14 | P9 of 14 | |
| The Best Touring Tyres for 2025 Tested | P3 of 7 | P3 of 7 |
Performance profile
7 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
ZIEX ZE320
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 97%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
ZIEX ZE320
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
ZIEX ZE320
Ultrac
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE320 87% from 17 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 | ZIEX ZE320 | Gap | Ultrac | Wins | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.71 | 2.6% | 35.67 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 85.54 | 1.2% | 86.57 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| scored | 9% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 30.89 | 0.9% | 31.15 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 92.04 | 0.4% | 91.84 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 7.1% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 86.3 | 0.8% | 86.9 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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| 2.27 | 12.3% | 2.55 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 5.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 71.2 | 0.3 dB | 70.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 7.88 | 0.7% | 7.83 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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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 ZIEX ZE320 scores 9.4 and the Ultrac 8.7 out of 10.
| ZIEX ZE320 | Category | Ultrac | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | Dry | 75 | ||
| 86 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 52 | Comfort | 52 | ||
| 46 | 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
| ZIEX ZE320 | Category | Ultrac | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.3 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.9 | Wet Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 8.8 | Road Feedback | 7.5 | ||
| 8.9 | Handling | 7.6 | ||
| 8.1 | Wear | 6.4 | ||
| 8.5 | Comfort | 8 | ||
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE320 87% from 17 reviews and the Ultrac 78% from 24. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken ZIEX ZE320
- 87%from 17 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 92,020 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are overwhelmingly happy with the Falken ZIEX ZE320, with consistently strong reports of dry grip and confident handling, backed up by positive wet-weather feedback. Around half of owners who mention it also find road noise low for the class, and a third highlight sharp steering response. The main caveats come from around one in five owners citing higher fuel use and similarly around one in five questioning tread life, while isolated comments mention reduced performance in extreme heat and less progressive behaviour at the limit.
- Strong dry grip
- Low road noise for the class
- Confident wet grip
- Sharp steering response and good feedback
- Mediocre rolling resistance (worse fuel economy)
- Questionable tread life for some owners
- Can lose performance in very high heat
Summarised by AI from 13 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 17 ZIEX ZE320 reviewsThe tires provide excellent handling and grip in both dry and wet conditions. There is absolutely no tire noise on the highways, although if the asphalt quality is poor, some noise returns. The ride is very comfortable and not too firm. I rotated the tires from front to back at 10,000 km, and I haven't noticed any wear at this point. Overall, these tires offer great value for the price, and I feel very confident in both braking and cornering!
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: 53 sizes of the ZIEX ZE320 and 65 of the Ultrac, 42 of them made in both.
| Category | ZIEX ZE320 | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 53 sizes, 15 to 18 inch | 65 sizes, 15 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 42 sizes 195/50 R15195/55 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15195/45 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/45 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16205/65 R16and 30 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A85%B15% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C91%B9% | C46%A26%B26%D2% |
| EU label noise | 66-68 dB A100% | 69-71 dB B89%A11% |
| On the market since | 2024 | 2020 |
| Replaced | Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun (2017) | - |
| Replaced by | - | Vredestein Ultrac Cento |
| Awards | Winner: Summer Value Performer (16in and below) (WhatTyre, 2026/27) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | Within 1% of each other on average across the 2 tests that listed prices. 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.
Previous generation: Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun vs Vredestein Ultrac (10 shared tests)
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 pitches the Falken ZIEX ZE320, a premium-touring summer tyre, against the Vredestein Ultrac, a comfort-leaning high-performance summer option. Tested across two recent 2025 evaluations in mainstream sizes (225/45 R17 and 225/50 R17), both tyres earned solid remarks but for different reasons.
The data shows a clear pattern: the Falken tends to deliver stronger objective braking and lap-time performance in both dry and wet, while the Vredestein counters with superior refinement, comfort, and aquaplaning security in curves. If you value crisp handling and short stops, the Falken stands out; if you prioritize quietness and plush ride with more composed wet balance, the Vredestein makes a compelling case.
Conclusion
Across shared tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 consistently brakes shorter in dry and wet and posts faster wet/dry handling times, giving it the performance edge for keen drivers and safety-minded buyers who value stopping distance. However, its weakness in curved aquaplaning and occasionally uneasy wet feel in cooler conditions temper its appeal, and rolling resistance can be on the higher side.
The Vredestein Ultrac trades a little outright pace for day-to-day polish: lower noise, better comfort, steadier wet balance, and stronger curved aquaplaning performance. While it can feel bouncy in the dry and lacks ultimate bite under braking, it's the calmer, more refined companion-especially suited to warmer climates and motorway use.
Bottom line: choose Falken for sharper control and consistently shorter stops; choose Vredestein for quieter, cushier miles and greater confidence in standing water.
ZIEX ZE320 vs Ultrac: your questions
Is the Falken ZIEX ZE320 or the Vredestein Ultrac the better tyre?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Vredestein Ultrac finished ahead 1 times and the ZIEX ZE320 not once, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the ZIEX ZE320 scores 9.4 and the Ultrac 8.7 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the ZIEX ZE320 or the Ultrac?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 4-4 between the ZIEX ZE320 and the Ultrac.
Which is better in the dry?
The ZIEX ZE320 led 5 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.5/10 for the ZIEX ZE320 and 8/10 for the Ultrac.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE320 87% from 17 reviews and the Ultrac 78% from 24. 80% of ZIEX ZE320 owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Ultrac.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the two were priced within 1% of each other on average.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The ZIEX ZE320 is made in 53 sizes (15 to 18 inch) and the Ultrac in 65 (15 to 21 inch). 42 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the ZIEX ZE320 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 ZIEX ZE320 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2024, the Ultrac in 2020. The ZIEX ZE320 replaced the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun.
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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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