Michelin Primacy 4 Plus vs Vredestein Ultrac

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus and the Vredestein Ultrac to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

There are a few basic differences between the two tires. The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus is an Premium-Touring Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Vredestein Ultrac is an High-Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars

Primacy-4-Plus VS Ultrac

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been nine tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these nine tests:

  • Michelin Primacy 4 Plus finished ahead of the Vredestein Ultrac in five of the tests
  • Vredestein Ultrac finished ahead of the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus in four of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus is better than the Vredestein Ultrac purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during five dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus stopped the vehicle in 0.47% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
36.29M
Vredestein Ultrac
36.46M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:36.58M Vredestein Ultrac: 36.26M
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:36.7M Vredestein Ultrac: 37.4M
2024 Summer Tire Market Overview
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:36.3M Vredestein Ultrac: 36.1M
2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:37.3M Vredestein Ultrac: 37.8M
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:36.3M Vredestein Ultrac: 36.1M
2024 AZ Summer Tire Test
225/45 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:33.6M Vredestein Ultrac: 33.7M
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:35.5M Vredestein Ultrac: 35.7M
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test
225/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:38M Vredestein Ultrac: 38.6M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac was 0.44% faster around a lap than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
61.9s
Vredestein Ultrac
61.63s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Vredestein Ultrac

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:52.6s Vredestein Ultrac: 52.4s
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:56.7s Vredestein Ultrac: 56.8s
2024 AZ Summer Tire Test
225/45 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:76.4s Vredestein Ultrac: 75.7s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was 0.03% faster around a lap than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
95.5Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac
95.47Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:115.1Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 116.1Km/H
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:92.6Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 92.6Km/H
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test
225/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:78.8Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 77.7Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
85 Points
Vredestein Ultrac
85 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling:

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:85 Points Vredestein Ultrac: 85 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus stopped the vehicle in 1.54% less distance than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
38.42M
Vredestein Ultrac
39.02M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:32.88M Vredestein Ultrac: 35.29M
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:54.6M Vredestein Ultrac: 59M
2024 Summer Tire Market Overview
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:27.7M Vredestein Ultrac: 26.6M
2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:31.1M Vredestein Ultrac: 34.1M
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:43.3M Vredestein Ultrac: 41.6M
2024 AZ Summer Tire Test
225/45 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:44.6M Vredestein Ultrac: 44.1M
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:31M Vredestein Ultrac: 28.7M
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test
225/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:42.2M Vredestein Ultrac: 42.8M

Wet Braking - Concrete

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac stopped the vehicle in 2.16% less distance than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
37.1M
Vredestein Ultrac
36.3M
Wet braking on Concrete in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Vredestein Ultrac

2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:37.1M Vredestein Ultrac: 36.3M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during three wet handling [s] tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac was 1.63% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
84.04s
Vredestein Ultrac
82.67s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Vredestein Ultrac

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:85.72s Vredestein Ultrac: 84.91s
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:85.6s Vredestein Ultrac: 84.7s
2024 AZ Summer Tire Test
225/45 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:80.8s Vredestein Ultrac: 78.4s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was 1.43% faster around a wet lap than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
71.93Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac
72.97Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Vredestein Ultrac

2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:74.5Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 76.2Km/H
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:73.1Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 75.1Km/H
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test
225/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:68.2Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 67.6Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during zero subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus scored 5% more points than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
95 Points
Vredestein Ultrac
100 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Vredestein Ultrac

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:95 Points Vredestein Ultrac: 100 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during zero wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus had 3.07% higher lateral wet grip than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
7.26m/s
Vredestein Ultrac
7.49m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Vredestein Ultrac

2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:6.24m/s Vredestein Ultrac: 6.56m/s
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:8.28m/s Vredestein Ultrac: 8.42m/s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus floated at a 2.81% higher speed than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
79.94Km/H
Vredestein Ultrac
82.25Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Vredestein Ultrac

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:78.18Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 80.78Km/H
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:78.1Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 80.6Km/H
2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:75.3Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 78.4Km/H
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:85.2Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 86.8Km/H
2024 AZ Summer Tire Test
225/45 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:81.9Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 79.3Km/H
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:68.6Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 77.5Km/H
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test
225/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:92.3Km/H Vredestein Ultrac: 92.4Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during zero curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus slipped out at a 11.32% higher speed than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
6.03m/sec2
Vredestein Ultrac
6.8m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Vredestein Ultrac

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:3.42m/sec2 Vredestein Ultrac: 3.7m/sec2
2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:2.9m/sec2 Vredestein Ultrac: 3.5m/sec2
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:4.79m/sec2 Vredestein Ultrac: 5.12m/sec2
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:6.42m/sec2 Vredestein Ultrac: 8.58m/sec2
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test
225/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:12.6m/sec2 Vredestein Ultrac: 13.1m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
95 Points
Vredestein Ultrac
95 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Vredestein Ultrac

Noise

Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during four noise tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus measured 0.95% quieter than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
70.05dB
Vredestein Ultrac
70.72dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:70.3dB Vredestein Ultrac: 72dB
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:64.3dB Vredestein Ultrac: 65.3dB
2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:70.7dB Vredestein Ultrac: 71.8dB
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:72.7dB Vredestein Ultrac: 73.6dB
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:70.5dB Vredestein Ultrac: 70.1dB
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test
225/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:71.8dB Vredestein Ultrac: 71.5dB

Noise

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one noise tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus measured 1.41% quieter than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
70dB
Vredestein Ultrac
71dB
Internal noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2024 AZ Summer Tire Test
225/45 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:70dB Vredestein Ultrac: 71dB

Wear

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during two wear tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus is predicted to cover 57.08% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
49625KM
Vredestein Ultrac
21300KM
Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:60300KM Vredestein Ultrac: 27200KM
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:38950KM Vredestein Ultrac: 15400KM

Value

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one value tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus proved to have a 42.96% better value based on price/1000km than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
11.3Price/1000
Vredestein Ultrac
19.81Price/1000
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:11.3Price/1000 Vredestein Ultrac: 19.81Price/1000

Price

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Vredestein Ultrac was better during four price tests. On average the Vredestein Ultrac cost 9.19% less than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
1866.47
Vredestein Ultrac
1694.9
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Vredestein Ultrac

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:93.89 Vredestein Ultrac: 85.59
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:6750 Vredestein Ultrac: 6250
2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:182 Vredestein Ultrac: 139
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:440 Vredestein Ultrac: 305

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during six rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus had a 6.48% lower rolling resistance than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
6.64kg / t
Vredestein Ultrac
7.1kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Tires
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:8.24kg / t Vredestein Ultrac: 9.02kg / t
2023 Motor Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:0.797kg / t Vredestein Ultrac: 0.888kg / t
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
205/55 R16
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:8.16kg / t Vredestein Ultrac: 8.81kg / t
2024 AZ Summer Tire Test
225/45 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:7.6kg / t Vredestein Ultrac: 7.9kg / t
2024 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test
235/55 R18
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:6.6kg / t Vredestein Ultrac: 7.1kg / t
2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test
225/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:8.42kg / t Vredestein Ultrac: 8.86kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus used 1.69% less fuel than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
5.8l/100km
Vredestein Ultrac
5.9l/100km
Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Fuel Consumption: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:5.8l/100km Vredestein Ultrac: 5.9l/100km

Abrasion

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus emitted 53.16% less particle wear matter than the Vredestein Ultrac.

Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
48.1mg/km/t
Vredestein Ultrac
102.7mg/km/t
Weight of Tire Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t), lower is better

Best In Abrasion: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test
215/55 R17
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus:48.1mg/km/t Vredestein Ultrac: 102.7mg/km/t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus and Vredestein Ultrac.

In total the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus has been reviewed 30 times and drivers have given the tire 81% overall.

The Vredestein Ultrac has been reviewed 20 times and drivers have given the tire 76% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Vredestein Ultrac.

Best Review for the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
Given 97% 235/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 1,000 average miles
Coming from the Civics original tires Primacy 3 that’s lasted 25Kmls or just over 4 years, I don’t do a lot of miles daily but those Primacy 3 tires served me well with just the road noise being a little loud at times I liked the dry, wet, handling and comfort of these Michelin’s.

So with not a lot of info on the new Primacy 4Plus and needing 4tires I decided to go with these anyway as only £1.oo each dearer than the primacy 4 when I purchased, in for a penny in for a pound, these are the XL reinforced version I went for as they are a whole 1DB quieter than the non XL version... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 289 - tire reviewed on July 24, 2022
View all Michelin Primacy 4 Plus driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Vredestein Ultrac
Given 27% 205/45 R17 W on a combination of roads for 35,000 spirited miles
despite being described as tires 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 tires i have ever purchased by a long way, avoid them at all costs!
Helpful 66 - tire reviewed on November 21, 2008
View all Vredestein Ultrac driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus performed better in dry braking, dry handling [km/h], wet braking, noise, noise, wear, value, rolling resistance, fuel consumption and abrasion, while the Vredestein Ultrac performed better in dry handling [s], wet braking - concrete, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning and price.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in subj. dry handling, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Michelin Primacy 4 Plus seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Overall Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

Overall Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire 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 tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire 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 tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.