The Vredestein Ultrac is a mid-range, high-performance summer tyre that repeatedly impresses with confident wet-weather grip and standout aquaplaning resistance. It feels secure and predictable on the road, with strong enough dry performance to satisfy enthusiastic driving. Most drivers also note a refined, quiet ride that punches above its price point versus premium alternatives.
Professional testing backs up this real-world confidence, frequently placing the Ultrac near the top of mixed tyre groups thanks to its wet handling and stability in heavy rain, alongside competitive dry grip and low noise levels. Where it tends to fall behind the best is ownership-related metrics: wear can be disappointing for some, and rolling resistance is often higher than key rivals, which can hurt fuel economy and overall value scores in tests. In short, it's a compelling choice if you prioritise wet safety and a comfortable, quiet drive, but it may not be the best pick for drivers chasing maximum mileage and efficiency.
The quick answer
Owners say77%from 24 owner reviews83% would buy againRead the reviews
Strengths & weaknessesWet, DryValueRelative to its rivals across every test we hold
Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tyre - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated October 2026.
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 braking performance on both wet and dry surfaces. Provides consistent traction across varied off-road surfaces. Quiet operation with good comfort characteristics and average rolling resistance. Priced in the mid-premium range, it offers top performance at a slightly lower price point than some competitors.
In 205/55 R16, the Vredestein Ultrac is projected to cost €29.04 per 1,000 km to buy and run - about €1,162 over 40,000 km - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test.
Tyre purchase + fittingExtra fuel vs the most efficient tyrecost per 1,000 km
Assumes a typical car using 8 l/100km (with rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €1.65 per litre and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2024 test; financing costs are excluded.
Rim Protection
Small
A modest lip. Enough for a slow scrape against a kerb, but it will not save a wheel from a real hit.
Assessed by eye on the tyres we tested, in the sizes listed. No manufacturer publishes rim protection as a specification, so treat this as a guide rather than a measurement.
Across the 14 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Vredestein Ultrac stops 0.7% longer than premium rivals, 1.6% shorter than mid-range rivals and 12.1% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews wet score of 89/100, and owners rate it 8.1/10 in the wet from 24 reviews.
How good is the Vredestein Ultrac in the dry?
Across the 14 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Vredestein Ultrac stops 0.2% shorter than premium rivals, 0.5% shorter than mid-range rivals and 4.9% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tyre Reviews dry score of 75/100, and owners rate it 8.3/10 in the dry from 24 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Vredestein Ultrac?
Across the 11 tests measuring rolling resistance, the Vredestein Ultrac's rolling resistance is 7.9% higher than premium rivals, 0.6% lower than mid-range rivals and 1.5% lower than budget rivals.
How many miles does the Vredestein Ultrac last?
Based on test and owner data, the Vredestein Ultrac is expected to last around 14,457 miles (23,266 km).
What treadwear rating and mileage warranty does the Vredestein Ultrac have?
In the US, the Vredestein Ultrac carries UTQG treadwear grades of 280 to 320, depending on size, with traction AA and temperature A. UTQG treadwear is relative: a tyre graded 400 lasted four times as long as the reference tyre, graded 100, on the government test course.
More questions about the Vredestein Ultrac(12)
What do owners say about the Vredestein Ultrac?
Across 24 owner ratings the Vredestein Ultrac averages 77%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 8.3 out of 10 and Wear lowest at 6.4. 9 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 80% of owners score it 70% or better.
How much does the Vredestein Ultrac cost to run?
In 205/55 R16, the Vredestein Ultrac is projected to cost €29.04 per 1,000 km to buy and run - about €1,162 over 40,000 km - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test. The cheapest to run in that test is the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, at €10.33.
What is the Vredestein Ultrac's EU tyre label rating?
Across its range, the Vredestein Ultrac most commonly carries EU label ratings of C for fuel efficiency, A for wet grip and 69 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Vredestein Ultrac?
Owners rate the Vredestein Ultrac 8 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 21 reviews.
How well do the Vredestein Ultrac wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Vredestein Ultrac 6.4 out of 10 for wear across 21 reviews. 9 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 20,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Vredestein Ultrac again?
83% of owners say they would buy the Vredestein Ultrac again, based on the 23 owner reviews that answered the question. 39% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Vredestein Ultrac's dry grip?
Of the 21 owner reviews analysed for the Vredestein Ultrac, 12 mention dry grip: 11 praise it (strong dry grip) and 1 criticise it (limited dry grip). One owner wrote: "never let me down,dry or wet". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Vredestein Ultrac's wet grip?
Of the 21 owner reviews analysed for the Vredestein Ultrac, 11 mention wet grip: 11 praise it (confident wet grip) and 0 criticise it (weak wet grip). One owner wrote: "never let me down,dry or wet". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Vredestein Ultrac's tread life?
Of the 21 owner reviews analysed for the Vredestein Ultrac, 10 mention tread life: 6 praise it (long-lasting) and 4 criticise it (wears quickly). One owner wrote: "Lasted in excess of 35,000 miles". Read those reviews
Does the Vredestein Ultrac have a rim protector?
Yes. Rim protection on the Vredestein Ultrac is small, measured in 225/50 R17. No manufacturer publishes rim protection as a specification; this is assessed by eye when the tyres are mounted for our own testing. The Best Touring Tyres for 2025 Tested
I use Vredestein Ultrac for years now on my mk2.5 Ford Focus in 205/55R16 and possibly I need to change it for the next summer season. Show moreI use Vredestein Ultrac for years now on my mk2.5 Ford Focus in 205/55R16 and possibly I need to change it for the next summer season. I like that it’s all around performance is quite good (dry and wet), but I would accept a bit more direct and sporty tyre as next choice.
Before that I used Conti PC6 and Vredestein Sportrac 5. Interestingly the PC6 felt less direct, it was easy to bring out the ESP light, while with the Sportrac 5 was a tyre that was very hard to do the same. The Ultracs are closer to the PC6 in that term.
What would you recommend for me as the next choice. From the older tyres I still see Pilot Sport 4 as available in my size, but is it behind the modern ones in performance? From the more modern ones I saw Nokian Powerproof 2 as a nice option for my preferencies. What is your recommendation for me? Show less
October 14, 2026
A lot of people in the smaller sizes do stick with the Pilot Sport 4. The other option I'd consider is the Maxxis HP6. Although you would be sacrificing some wet grip, I always find it a very good tyre in terms of steering response for its category
Show all questions(2)
Are these tires EV-compatible? I have the JAC E30X for reference.
January 21, 2026
Yes, I believe all sizes of the Ultrac are marked as EV compatible, though it's probably worth double checking with Vredestein or your tyre retailer.
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.
What owners mention most counted across 21 reviews
Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.
Owner ratings averaged from 24 ratings
Owner score77%
Dry Grip83%
Wet Grip81%
Comfort80%
Handling76%
Road Feedback75%
Wear64%
Featured reviews
Most helpful 61%
“I purchased a new car in December 2023 which had VREDESTEIN Ultrac tyres installed as standard. Best aspect for me was the notable reduced noise. Worst aspect was the extreme tyre wear after only 12 months (”
“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...”
“I have been driving with these tires for 4 years and I am relatively satisfied. I have never lost control in turns with them. There has been a side water at 80 km/h but I have not lost control (I mean the laws of...”
These tyres have very good all round performance and for the price they’re definitely a good choice. For a normal every day use they have good dry and wet grip. I would accept a bit more directness and a bit more sporty handling, but on the other hand on the terrible Hungarian roads it has very good comfort levels.
Although a lot of people say it has high wear, my tyres are in their third season, I’ve already put about 40-50.000 kms into them and still has 3-4 mm depth left, so the wear is much better than I expected considering that I have a habit to drive a bit more sporty.
If you are looking for a tyre for a great price for regular use for a family car or a smaller city car with not high performance these are more than good enough!
I had Vredestein Sportrac 5 and Continental PremiumContact 6 before. The PC6 had the kinda same habit to be a bit more comfort oriented and less direct, while the Sportrac 5’s were very difficult to push to the limit they were like cemented to the ground, so from that point of view I liked the Sportracs more than the PC6.
The Ultracs are more closer to the PC6 in that perspective, they’re more like a comfortable all arounders with more than decent grip in dry or wet circumstances.
These 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
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
I purchased a new car in December 2023 which had VREDESTEIN Ultrac tyres installed as standard. Best aspect for me was the notable reduced noise. Worst aspect was the extreme tyre wear after only 12 months (
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I have been driving with these tires for 4 years and I am relatively satisfied. I have never lost control in turns with them. There has been a side water at 80 km/h but I have not lost control (I mean the laws of physics, though). Braking is also good. I could say that they are not noisy. The price with qualities compared to the premium models is good. The only thing I do not like is that they do not have very good traction when starting at higher speeds.
Don't expect a tire with sharp steering and tons of stability. It is a premium, high-performance touring tire. Previously I had Continental premium contact 6 and Bridgestone Potenza sport, the Ultrac is superior to the other two for lateral grip and road holding, especially in the wet even at cooler temperatures. Safe and quality rubber, the only flaw is the rather rapid wear. I managed to drive on a wet road cornering at over 150-160kmh, very safe even for aquaplaning.
84%
Member
Porsche
195/65 R15
5 miles
Mostly Motorways
Average
1973 Porsche 911T
Bought these for the above car despite the very mixed reviews.
Would I recommend them. Yes, for both long and short trips, track use and in the wet.
London to Le Mans and back and five flat out dry laps behind the pace car on the whole circuit.
Road driving, no issues at any speed to report of.
Track (tyre pressures adjusted) I'd like a bit more feedback and bite out of the corners BUT I did not expect them to have this. For comparison I have PZero Ns on a Boxster for the same drive and track use the previous year and the feedback was superb. These are relatively inexpensive tyres and my expectations were set accordingly. I did though find them satisfyingly predictable as to where the limits were and not difficult to control.
London to Spa and back.. Again no issues on the way through France, but then their roads are like glass. You feel it when you get into Belgium, but that's the car and the suspension set up on their lumpy roads and not the tyres.
If you're going to Spa at some point it will absolutely lash it down with rain. These tyres are pretty outstanding in it (and this was one of the reasons reading other reviews for the initial purchase).
Track, five laps of Spa. Tyre pressures adjusted again predictable solid performance, including in the 100-120mph range. Same comments as above on feedback and bite and them being inexpensive tyres.
I know some will say, it's an old car etc ... didn't seem to have any issues passing a 996, Boxster or Mustang at Spa, just takes longer to catch them and then pass them in the corners.
Would I buy again, yes. Just found a nail in one of the tyres. Will plug it for now and swap it with a new one when it arrives
I come from Bridgestone Potenza Sport, as soon as I fitted them I immediately noticed less noise, less nervousness in the steering, more comfort and lighter, more manageable steering. I will update my review in a few weeks.
52%
Member
Skoda
205/55 R16
4,000 miles
A Combination of Roads
Average
Replaced Vred Sportrac 5 on front after the usual approx 3 years. Ultracs performed similarly in every respect except they wore out after only 5 months! Wear was absolutely atrocious - down to illegal after just about 4k miles. Of course I went back to the tyre fitter, who said the suspension must be wrong, so off to the trusted service centre who checked everything, including tracking and concluded there was nothing wrong with the suspension. They also noted the tyres were worn evenly and in a pattern consistent with normal wear - no scrubbing or anything. They are just very lacking in durability. I won't be going back for these. The sportrak 5s off the front, by the way, were demoted to the back wheels and still look fair (very little further wear).
put these on a cmax on all 4 ! I had vreds ultrac satiln on and was a nice ride but you had to put the extra psi in as they always looked flat and wear was about avrage so once they ran out i thought i would try the new and improved ultrac and to be truthfull they are a massive impovement the walls are reinforced dont look flat grip very good in wet and dry steering feels light no fancy pattern on the side which is a shame (love the tyre gel) the only down side is you may get a holo sound when cold inside cabin just a slight one but flik the radio on and off you go!!!!!
wear could not tell you as not been on long but i would thought 12000 +
Wanted the previously used sportracs 5, but appears that the new ultrac is replacing them and the ultrac satin, so here I am in about 500 kms with the new tyres. First I can say that the comfort is outstanding, given the hard suspension on 1st gen ceed. 205 55 16 are even softer than my winter 195 65 15 alpin 6 used 2000 kms max. So really impressive achievement here for the new ultracs. They are good in the dry ofc, I feel somewhat better on wet. Need more kms to comment further these characteristics and wear. Really happy with my choice so far.
I put a pair on the front of my Mercedes.
I'm a pensioner, and drive rather conservatively.
Firstly, I thought they rail-lined a lot.
Slightly noisier than previous brands.
The grip seems no better or worse than most.
My gripe is how short they lasted.
It failed the MoT today on both front tyres being worn down in places.
I assumed it would sale through, as I've only had 'em about 10000 miles in Cornish weather.
Not for me I'm afraid.
Perfectly acceptable tyre BUT it is noisy, is prone to punctures (the tread pattern seems to collect nails etc) and not particularly comfortable. It is very hard wearing though.
