Vredestein Ultrac

The Vredestein Ultrac is a High Performance Summer tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tyre review data from 20 tyre reviews averaging 76% over 203,505 miles driven, and 10 tests with an average result of 7th.

Dry Grip 84%
Wet Grip 79%
Road Feedback 72%
Handling 75%
Wear 65%
Comfort 78%
Buy again 79%

First On MarketJuly 2020
Wheel Size15 - 20"
Width175 - 255mm
Profile40 - 70
Rolling ResistanceA - D
Wet GripA - B
Noise (dB)69 - 71
Winter RatingNot Winter Rated

The Ultrac is ranked 60th of 203 Summer High Performance tyres.

This tyre has been replaced by the Vredestein Ultrac Cento.

In Depth Tyre Comparisons

Tests Included

10

Best Result

1st

Worst Result

20th

Average Result

7th

Latest Tyre Test Results

2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test
20th of 21 tyres
  • Excellent driving dynamics, short wet and dry braking distances, very good aquaplaning properties.
  • Low tread life, increased rolling resistance.
  • Conditionally Recommended.
View Full Test >>
2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
16th of 16 tyres
  • The Vredestein Ultrac is rated as good in driving safety. It provides good steering feedback and secure handling at the limit on dry roads, along with a short braking distance. On wet roads, its properties are also considered good, including in braking distance measurements and aquaplaning resistance, although it narrowly misses a good rating in handling. The tyre offers a medium level of grip but needs to better combine longitudinal and lateral forces for a higher rating. In terms of environmental impact, the Vredestein Ultrac is rated as merely adequate overall due to its low projected mileage. It receives a satisfactory rating for wear but is praised for its efficiency, attributed to its low weight and fuel consumption.
View Full Test >>
2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test
1st of 8 tyres
  • Summary

    The Vredestein Ultrac tyre won an Auto Express victory due to its consistent performance across various tests. It excelled in wet conditions, ranking highly in wet braking, cornering, and handling. The tyre also demonstrated impressive fuel economy. While its dry performance was less remarkable, it still performed adequately. The Ultrac received top marks for refinement, offering low cabin noise and excellent bump absorption.

    Results

    The Vredestein Ultrac 5 achieved an overall score of 100%, priced at £98.15. It performed exceptionally well in wet conditions, ranking 2nd in wet braking (99.70%), 3rd in wet handling (98.90%), and tied for 3rd in wet cornering (99.10%). The tyre excelled in refinement, ranking 1st in cabin noise (100%) and 2nd in rolling resistance (99.40%). Its performance in dry conditions was less impressive, ranking 6th in dry braking (95.30%) and 8th in dry handling (98.40%). The tyre also showed good results in aquaplaning tests, particularly in straight aquaplaning (tied for 4th at 97.30%).

    .
View Full Test >>

2024 Tyre Tests

2023 Tyre Tests

2021 Tyre Tests

SizeFuelWetNoise
15 inch
185/65 R 15 88 HCA69
195/65 R 15 91 VCA69
195/65 R 15 91 HCA69
195/55 R 15 85 VDA69
16 inch
205/60 R 16 96 V XLCA69
205/60 R 16 92 HCA69
205/55 R 16 91 WCA69
205/55 R 16 91 VCA69
205/55 R 16 91 HCA69
215/70 R 16 100 HCA69
215/60 R 16 95 VCA69
215/60 R 16 99 H XLCA69
205/55 R 16 94 W XLCA69
17 inch
205/50 R 17 93 Y XLCA69
205/50 R 17 93 V XLCA69
215/45 R 17 91 Y XLBA69
215/55 R 17 98 Y XLCA69
215/55 R 17 94 WCA69
225/60 R 17 99 VBA69
225/45 R 17 94 Y XLCA69
225/45 R 17 91 YCA69
235/65 R 17 108 V XLBA70
18 inch
235/60 R 18 107 W XLBA70
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Vredestein Ultrac >>

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Size Price Range  
205/50 R17 £102.79 - £107.36 (2 Prices) Compare Prices >>
205/55 R16 £79.97 - £80.29 (2 Prices) Compare Prices >>
225/45 R17 £91.19 - £96.70 (2 Prices) Compare Prices >>
Available in 44 tyre sizes - View all.

YouTube Review

Top 3 Vredestein Ultrac Reviews

Given 90% while driving a Peugeot 308 (225/45 R17) on for 0 miles
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.
Helpful 31 - tyre reviewed on September 25, 2023
Given 95% while driving a Kia Motors ceed (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 500 easy going miles
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.
Helpful 64 - tyre reviewed on May 28, 2021
Given 52% while driving a Skoda (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 4,000 average miles
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).
Helpful 35 - tyre reviewed on February 20, 2023
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Latest Vredestein Ultrac Reviews

Given 72% while driving a Peugeot 308 (225/45 R17) on mostly motorways for 0 spirited miles
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.
Helpful 19 - tyre reviewed on January 16, 2024
Given 84% while driving a Porsche (195/65 R15) on mostly motorways for 5 average miles
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
Helpful 21 - tyre reviewed on January 7, 2024
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Given 92% while driving a Ford c max (215/50 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 spirited miles
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 +
Helpful 36 - tyre reviewed on June 10, 2022
Given 37% while driving a Mercedes Benz E220Cdi (225/55 R16 H) on mostly country roads for 10,000 easy going miles
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.
Helpful 35 - tyre reviewed on December 30, 2015
Given 83% while driving a Skoda Yeti (225/55 R17) on mostly country roads for 35,000 easy going miles
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.
Helpful 50 - tyre reviewed on August 22, 2012
Given 93% while driving a Volkswagen Touran sport TDi (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 35,000 average miles
Excellent tyre never let me down,dry or wet .Lasted in excess of 35,000 miles
Helpful 36 - tyre reviewed on December 17, 2010
Given 87% while driving a Volkswagen Passat 1.9TDi Sport Estate (Chipped) (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
A great all round tyre with a fantastic, eye catching tread pattern. Been very impressed with their wet weather performance on motorways, instilling confidence even in the heaviest Swedish downpours.

Would certainly buy these again, HOWEVER there is a catch! Vredestein (in their wisdom) have STOPPED MANUFACTURING THE ULTRAC MODEL! I found this out last week when I got a side wall puncture (unrepairable) and have been trying every avenue to get a new one.

If anyone from Vredestein reads this, please go back into production with the ULTRAC, they are much better than your Sessanta model!!
Helpful 42 - tyre reviewed on July 20, 2010
Given 90% while driving a Mazda RX8 (225/45 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 22,000 spirited miles
Surprisingly excellent tyres bought to replace the Potenza R040's that car came with. They lasted ages and were very excellent for normal road driving from April to November, borderline useless on ice and almost reasonable on snow. I used these on a few track days too and they offered good drip on dry days and lots of opportunities to practice powersliding on wet days. The only gripe I have with these tyres is that once they get hot they become a little bit like soap bars and that's not on track! If I had a sensible car I would buy them again, but for the time being it's time to move on to the UHP sector. :-)
Helpful 40 - tyre reviewed on April 4, 2010
Given 94% while driving a Honda Euro R (205/50 R16 W) on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Excellent tyre. I noticed the difference straight away once they were fitted. I found them better than my old f1's. I was suprised how comfortable they were too. Wet grip is amazing. Couldnt be happier with them. Would highly recommend.
Helpful 34 - tyre reviewed on January 29, 2009
Given 27% while driving a Honda Civic Type R (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 72 - tyre reviewed on November 21, 2008
Given 77% while driving a MG ZT T (190) (225/45 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 20,000 spirited miles
Excellent dry grip and pretty good wet grip considering it is a summer tyre. Handling in the wet and dry is very consistent with lots of feedback through the steering.

I was expecting poor wear from these but they were excellent- far better than the michelin and toyo tyres previously fitted. I would definitely buy these again.
Helpful 35 - tyre reviewed on October 22, 2008
Given 87% while driving a Skoda Octavia vRS (205/50 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 0 spirited miles
These tyres just get better and better really seem to grip well, better then the falkens 452's !
Helpful 37 - tyre reviewed on October 18, 2008