79
/ 100
Objective (60%)
84/100
13 professional tests
User signal (40%)
77/100
84 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Kumho Ecsta PS71 vs Vredestein Ultrac — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
95/100
13 professional tests
User signal (40%)
77/100
23 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Kumho Ecsta PS71 and Vredestein Ultrac are within 2 points overall. Kumho Ecsta PS71 is stronger on noise and treadwear. Vredestein Ultrac is stronger on comfort and dry.
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Category breakdown
6 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Ultrac leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 79 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 99% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ultrac leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 80 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 94% | 98% |
| Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) | 65% | 91% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 96% | 99% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ultrac leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 80 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Ecsta PS71 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 92 | 78 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ecsta PS71 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 64 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ecsta PS71 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 77 |
| DriverReviews owners | 82 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Vredestein Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 78 |
| Dry | 81 | 87 |
| Wet | 83 | 84 |
| Comfort | 74 | 85 |
| Noise | 92 | 78 |
| Treadwear | 71 | 64 |
| Handling | 79 | 77 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
79
/ 100
Tire A
78
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 100% #1/10 · 2022 Tyre Reviews UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 95% #3/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | +5.4 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #9/52 · 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | 99% #6/44 · 2022 Summer Tyre Market Overview | -3.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #12/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 99% #7/8 · 2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test | -0.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 84% #5/10 · 2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test | +16.4 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 98% #17/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 98% #7/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | -0.1 | Different tests |
| Abrasion | Other | 88% #14/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 100% #16/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | -12.3 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #7/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 99% #14/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | -0.8 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 69% #6/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | 89% #1/8 · 2023 Motor Summer Tyre Test | -20.2 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 47% #2/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 100% #20/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | -53 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 49% #20/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 53% #19/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -4.1 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 17% #6/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 25% #4/44 · 2022 Summer Tyre Market Overview | -8.3 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #2/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 99% #2/14 · 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 94% #10/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 95% #2/7 · The Best Touring Tyres for 2025 Tested | -1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 70% #7/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 80% #9/14 · 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 60% #13/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 80% #7/14 · 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | -20 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #20/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 0% #20/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 94% #5/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 98% #4/44 · 2022 Summer Tyre Market Overview | -3.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | Wet | 65% #5/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 91% #3/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | -25.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% #5/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 98% #4/8 · 2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test | +0.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #9/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 99% #4/10 · 2025 Autobild SUV Off-Road Summer Tyre Test | -3.3 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Kumho Ecsta PS71 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-range performance tire that offers impressive wet and dry grip, often rivaling more expensive premium brands. While most users praise its handling and affordability, a subset of owners reports significant issues with road noise, inconsistent manufacturing quality, and occasional balancing difficulties.
Pros
- Excellent wet and dry traction
- High value-for-money proposition
- Predictable handling and cornering feedback
- Strong aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Reports of road noise and droning at highway speeds
- Inconsistent manufacturing quality (balancing issues and 'egg-shaped' tires)
- Soft sidewall construction leading to a 'floaty' or unstable feel for some drivers
- Variable tread life depending on vehicle type and driving style
Observations
- Users with high-torque RWD vehicles (e.g., BMW, Jaguar) generally report high satisfaction with grip levels, though some note faster rear-tire wear.
- Owners of smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., MX-5) occasionally report a 'floaty' sensation due to tread block movement, which can be unsettling during spirited driving.
- Some users on larger rim sizes (19-20 inch) report increased road noise and sensitivity to road imperfections.
The Vredestein Ultrac is widely regarded as a comfortable, high-performance touring tire that excels in wet weather conditions and provides a refined, quiet ride. While many users praise its daily driving capabilities and steering feedback, the tire experiences a significant divide in user experience regarding tread longevity, with reports ranging from exceptional durability to premature, rapid wear.
Pros
- Outstanding ride comfort and noise reduction
- Strong wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- Predictable and consistent handling for daily driving
- Improved steering feel compared to many entry-level or older performance tires
Cons
- Highly inconsistent tread life, with some users reporting premature wear
- Lack of sharp, high-performance steering feedback for aggressive driving
- Reports of soft sidewalls leading to a lack of stability under heavy cornering
- Occasional reports of increased road noise or 'hollow' sounds
Observations
- Users with smaller, daily-driven vehicles (e.g., C-Max, Audi A1) report high satisfaction with comfort and longevity.
- Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles or those expecting track-day precision often find the sidewalls too soft and the steering feedback lacking compared to dedicated performance tires.
Community buzz
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Mixed
Kumho Ecsta PS71
Community discussions regarding the Kumho Ecsta PS71 generally present it as a solid, budget-friendly ultra-high-performance (UHP) summer tire offering good value, though opinions on its limits vary. Some users praise its handling transformations and decent wet/dry grip for spirited driving, while others note it feels merely adequate or mediocre until warmed up, preferring premium alternatives when budget permits.
r/tires
·5 upvotes ·2022-10-17
“Those are Kumho Ecsta PS71s, thread width is supposed to be 245mm, the actual one is hardly 235. How so?”
r/TyreReviews
·3 upvotes ·2026-03-08
“Between those I'd go with the Premiumcontact 7 or the ZE320 if you want to save some money. The continental seems to be serious competition for premium UHP tyres, afaik it gets similar results to the PS5 in tests. I wouldn't touch any of the sporty tyres mentioned, except for the PS71 which I still wouldn't take over the Continental.”
r/TyreReviews
·2 upvotes ·2024-10-25
“I've had the PS71 several years ago - it was ok, nothing spectacular. They might have changed the compound now, so it may be better. Its a good tire, I don't remember any real weaknesses, it just never felt like "yeah, this sticks like glue to the road". Edit: I just remembered - it was mediocre in the city - when the tire was not warmed up, but I reckon this is shared between most sport tires with high speed rating. Once warmed up was good.”
r/TeslaUK
·2 upvotes ·2026-08-28
“go with Kumho Ecsta PS71 EV around £140 – £165. Good value for money”
Top themes
#Wet and dry grip#Value for money#Tire wear and longevity#UHP performance characteristics#Comparison with premium brands#Sidewall width and markings#Tire pressure management
Based on 19 community posts
Tire B
Positive
Vredestein Ultrac
Community members generally view the Vredestein Ultrac and Ultrac Pro as a compelling, budget-friendly alternative to premium high-performance summer tires like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. Users frequently highlight significant cost savings alongside comparable dry and wet performance, comfort, and noise levels, though a few note trade-offs in extreme cornering stiffness.
r/mazda3
·55 upvotes ·2025-04-02
“New boots! Vredestein Ultrac Pro 225s for the Turbo 3”
r/CarTalkUK
·22 upvotes ·2025-05-27
“Are budget tyres closing the gap to premium? I changed a set of tyres on my daily pd130 winter bash about and managed to get a set of vredestein ultrac for £80 a tyre fitted which I thought was a pretty good price. The tyre fitting service was saying to me that the gap between budgets and premium is much smaller in the last 10 years and that taxis tend to opt for budget tyres all the time and have no issues. Any thoughts on this? I’ve always gone for medium to higher end tyres. Leer más”
r/ZL1
·2 upvotes ·2013-12-15
“I just had a set of Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta put on. Initial thoughts... I got them in 275/40/20 for the fronts and 315/35/20 for the rears. They fit the wheels perfectly. I immediately noticed a much softer ride. Sport Mode now feels like Tour Mode, maybe even softer. I DD my ZL1 so cold weather performance is very important. Temps were near 40°F and they stayed quite grippy. This is a huge improvement over the stock Goodyear's. Initial turn in response is good. I had the opportunity to push them on an off ramp and they felt a little mushy when pushed and didn't seem to want to exceed .75g I had a set of these on a previous car (2004 ZO6) and expect great wet weather performance. I will update this post once I get some more miles on them. Read more”
r/ZL1
·2 upvotes ·2013-12-19
“The Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta are probably the best sport tyres ever made. Ive sold tyres for a living since I was 16, I've tried and tested hundreds of different tyres so i can give my customers the best advice, so I class myself as somewhat of an expert. The Sessantas are brilliant. I had them on an X5 for 8,000 miles, they couldn't have performed all round any better. EDIT: Oh and they wear so evenly it's unbelievable!”
Top themes
#Price and Value Comparison#Comparison to Michelin PS4S#Wet and Dry Grip#Ride Comfort and Noise#Tread Wear and Longevity#Handling and Steering Feel
Based on 17 community posts
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta PS71 | B · Vredestein Ultrac |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
79
/ 100
Kumho
78
/ 100
Vredestein
Too close to call: Kumho Ecsta PS71 and Vredestein Ultrac are within 2 points overall. Kumho Ecsta PS71 is stronger on noise and treadwear. Vredestein Ultrac is stronger on comfort and dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 92 vs 78 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Vredestein Ultrac scores 85 vs 74 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 71 vs 64 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Vredestein Ultrac scores 87 vs 81 on dry.
Tire A · Kumho Ecsta PS71
Tire B · Vredestein Ultrac
More comparisons
Also compared with
Kumho Ecsta PS71 also compared with
Vredestein Ultrac also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.