Vredestein Quatrac 5 Review
The latest version of the brand’s iconic tire, the Vredestein Quatrac 5 is designed to deliver on the promise that every all-season tire has ever broken.
PROS
- Actually delivers on the promise of year-round grip
- Excellent wet weather handling
- Certified for true winter use
CONS
- Shorter tire life
- Still not as capable as a true winter tire
- Some performance sacrifice in the summer
What we mean is that all-season tires do not deliver on all-season performance, unless of course you live in Florida or Arizona. When the snow flies, all-season tires are useless. As a result we always find ourselves recommending winter tires if you live in a colder climate.
For decades, Vredestein has been pushing and perfecting its all-weather tire, which is sometimes also referred to as a four-season tire. A luxurious performance all-season option, it’s also certified for true winter use and wears the three-peak mountain snowflake logo as proof.
The tire compound utilizes a high ratio of silica which enables it to maintain much of its dry weather grip in the wet as well. In fact, for all the hype around this tire’s winter performance, its wet weather grip is arguably its most impressive feature.
Rather than a conventional five-row tread layout, the Quatrac 5 makes use of four rows. This does slightly diminish turn-in response but that trade off allows for incredibly wide outside shoulder tread blocks that give grip, stability and predictability in cornering. This is particularly appreciated on modern high-riding crossovers.
Wider circumferential grooves are then also built into the tire’s design to help maximize water evacuation.
In terms of winter grip, the inboard two rows of treads are specifically engineered for this purpose, with zig-zag sipes running in several directions. The sipes themselves act to grip the snow to the tire, using it as a traction surface against snow on the road – exactly how snow tires do. With sipes running in different directions this tire is optimized for grip in acceleration and braking, but also during cornering on snowy roads.
The compound itself resists freezing so that when the temperature drops, these tires maintain their grip.
Continually improved, Vredestein is a go-to brand for four-season tires, which are rapidly growing in popularity with brands like Michelin and Goodyear now also pushing their own versions. Vredestein has going for it decades of experience not just in the handling department, but making sure their tires are civilized too with comfortable ride quality and very low noise levels.
Overall the concept has inherent drawbacks. It’s not as grippy in the summer as some drivers might want, though we suspect that the majority of drivers will never noticed any drawback. In the winter grip is also not equal to a true winter tire either, it’s just a lot better than an all-season.
Who Should Consider This Tire?
While the Vredestein Quatrac 5 seems like the deal tire for the snow-belt crowd, it isn’t really. Those who live in climates that get a real dose of winter each year should get true winter tires. If you’re not going to swap tires though, these are tremendously safer than all-seasons.
The ideal customer for this tire actually lives somewhere that does experience all four seasons but where winter is on the lighter side. So if there’s a few times a year you really wish you had winter tires, but can’t see the sense in owning a set for that limited use, these are an ideal choice to keep you safe all year round.
Vredestein Quatrac 5 Price
Pricing for the Vredestein Quatrac 5 starts at less than $60 per tire for an ultra-tiny 13-inch fitment and goes up to just around $200 for a 20-inch fitment.
Vredestein Quatrac 5 Warranty
Vredestein backs the Quatrac 5 with a 45,000 mile warranty. In addition, the brand’s standard limited warranty covers replacement for defective tires within the first year or first 2/32-inch of treadwear, whichever comes first. It then covers replacement for defective tires on a pro-rated basis up until eight years from the date of production.
Vredestein Quatrac 5 Sizes
13-inch sizes
145/80R13
165/65R13
165/70R13
14-inch sizes
165/65R14
175/70R14
185/55R14
185/60R14
185/65R14
15-inch sizes
145/65R15
155/60R15
165/60R15
175/55R15
185/55R15
195/50R15
195/65R15
205/50R15
205/65R15
205/70R15
16-inch sizes
195/55R16
205/60R16
215/55R16
215/60R16
215/70R16
225/55R16
225/60R16
225/70R16
235/70R16
245/70R16
265/70R16
17-inch sizes
215/50R17
225/60R17
225/65R17
235/45R17
235/60R17
245/65R17
18-inch sizes
215/45R18
215/55R18
225/60R18
235/50R18
235/55R18
19-inch sizes
235/45R19
255/35R19
20-inch sizes
255/45R20
265/45R20