Toyo Celsius II vs Vredestein Quatrac: The upcoming showdown in the Grand Touring All-Season segment promises to be a thrilling encounter as the Toyo Celsius II and Vredestein Quatrac go head-to-head. These two formidable contenders are both 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified, indicating their superior capabilities in severe snow conditions. The Toyo Celsius II, known for its exceptional balance of all-weather versatility and long-lasting tread life, is set to challenge the Vredestein Quatrac, which boasts an impressive reputation for its innovative tread design and outstanding performance in both wet and dry conditions.
This battle is not just about grip and durability; it’s a test of engineering prowess and the ability to deliver a comfortable, quiet ride without compromising on safety. Fans of the Grand Touring All-Season segment are eagerly anticipating this matchup, as these two tire giants prepare to demonstrate why they are considered top choices in a highly competitive market. Get ready for a gripping contest where innovation, performance, and safety take center stage!
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Results: Toyo Celsius II vs Vredestein Quatrac
Results below were taken from Tire Rack’s Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires 2023 test. A total of 4 tires were tested on Tire Rack’s proving ground. The graph below shows the comparison between Toyo Celsius II vs Vredestein Quatrac based on the relevant performance category. The Toyo Celsius II was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
As both tires are classified as an all weather tire with the 3 peak mountain logo, Tire Rack will include snow & ice in its testing portfolio. A detailed testing on snow including acceleration, braking & handling will be available after the 2023 winter season. The tire size of interest is a 205/55R16 which is a common tire size for Toyota Corolla & Volkswagen Golf. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a powerful 2022 Subaru BRZ.
Wet
When comparing the wet performance of the Toyo Celsius II and Vredestein Quatrac tires, it’s clear that each has its distinct strengths and weaknesses. In wet braking, the Vredestein Quatrac shows a significant advantage, stopping nearly 20 feet shorter than the Toyo Celsius II, with a braking distance of 100.50 feet from 50-0 mph, compared to 119.90 feet for the Toyo. This difference is crucial in terms of safety and responsiveness in wet conditions.
In subjective wet handling, the Vredestein Quatrac again outperforms the Toyo Celsius II, scoring 7.38 out of 10, which is noticeably higher than the 6.41 rating of the Toyo. This indicates a better overall feel and control during wet driving conditions, as perceived by drivers.
The disparity continues in wet handling lap times, where the Vredestein Quatrac completes laps considerably faster, clocking in at 32.14 seconds, compared to the 33.84 seconds of the Toyo Celsius II. This quicker lap time reflects the Vredestein’s superior agility and grip on wet tracks.
Toyo Celsius II :
The Toyo Celsius II presented a unique performance during laps. It successfully avoided the common issue of understeer seen in its category, but this came at the cost of a less stable rear-end and lower overall traction. This characteristic required drivers to focus on steering more centrally due to the rear-end becoming tail-happy as it approached its traction limit.
Test driver feedback on Toyo Celsius II
Vredestein Quatrac :
Test driver feedback on Vredestein Quatrac
The Vredestein Quatrac excelled on the wet track, standing out in every objective measurement used in the test. Its traction and handling were notably strong, especially in braking, where it stopped from 50 mph in just over 100 feet, outperforming its closest competitor by 10 feet. Although it had some issues with simultaneous inputs, the Quatrac generally provided a solid and precise response to driver commands.
Overall, while both tires are competent in wet conditions, the Vredestein Quatrac consistently outperforms the Toyo Celsius II across various wet performance metrics, demonstrating its stronger capability in handling, braking, and overall control in wet environments.
Vredestein Quatrac :
- +19.3% in wet braking
- +4.9% in wet handling (subj)
- +5.3% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry
In the realm of dry performance, both the Toyo Celsius II and Vredestein Quatrac showcase their capabilities, though with some notable differences. For dry braking, the Vredestein Quatrac takes the lead, requiring only 84.70 feet to come to a stop, which is 7 feet shorter than the 91.70 feet needed by the Toyo Celsius II. This shorter stopping distance is a critical factor in ensuring safety and responsiveness in dry conditions.
When it comes to subjective dry handling, the Vredestein Quatrac again slightly edges out the Toyo Celsius II, scoring 7.13 out of 10 compared to the Toyo’s 6.88. This higher score suggests that drivers perceive the Vredestein as offering a slightly better feel and control during dry driving conditions.
The difference in dry handling is further evidenced in the lap times, where the Vredestein Quatrac completes laps marginally faster with a time of 30.06 seconds, as opposed to the Toyo Celsius II’s 30.23 seconds. This indicates that the Vredestein has a slight advantage in terms of agility and grip on dry tracks.
Overall, while both tires perform well in dry conditions, the Vredestein Quatrac demonstrates a consistent edge over the Toyo Celsius II in braking distance, handling feel, and lap times, making it a slightly more superior choice for dry performance.
Vredestein Quatrac :
- +8.3% in dry braking
- +1.3% in dry handling (subj)
- +0.6% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
When evaluating the Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) performances of the Toyo Celsius II and Vredestein Quatrac, we find a very close competition with subtle differences.
In terms of ride quality, both tires are on an equal footing, each scoring 6.75 out of 10. This indicates a similar level of comfort and smoothness during the ride, suggesting that both tires effectively absorb road irregularities and provide a pleasant driving experience.
However, the Toyo Celsius II takes a slight lead in noise reduction, scoring 6.25 out of 10, compared to the Vredestein Quatrac’s 5.75. This suggests that the Toyo is marginally quieter, offering a slightly more serene driving environment by better dampening road and tread noise.
In the category of steering and road handling, the Vredestein Quatrac outperforms the Toyo Celsius II with a score of 7 out of 10, as opposed to 6.38 for the Toyo. This higher score indicates that the Vredestein provides a better feel of the road and more responsive steering, contributing to a more engaging driving experience.
When these aspects are averaged into an overall NVH score, the Vredestein Quatrac narrowly edges out with an average score of 6.50, while the Toyo Celsius II is close behind with 6.46. This slight advantage for the Vredestein reflects its better balance in providing a comfortable ride, lower noise levels, and more responsive handling, making it a marginally preferable choice for drivers prioritizing NVH performance.
Vredestein Quatrac :
- +0.2% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality
UTQG rating
We have previously shown that UTQG tread wear rating can be a good indication of your expected mileage. Below are the UTQG values of both of the tirelines.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyo | Celsius II | All | 560 | A | A |
| Vredestein | Quatrac | All | 400 | A | A |
The UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) ratings for the Toyo Celsius II and Vredestein Quatrac reveal some differences in their expected tread life and overall durability. The Toyo Celsius II has a higher treadwear rating of 560 compared to the Vredestein Quatrac’s 400. This suggests that the Toyo tire is expected to have a longer lifespan under normal driving conditions.
This difference in treadwear ratings aligns with the respective mileage warranties offered by each brand. The Toyo Celsius II comes with a 60,000-mile warranty, which is 5,000 miles more than the 55,000-mile warranty offered for the Vredestein Quatrac. The higher mileage warranty of the Toyo supports the notion that it is designed to last longer, as indicated by its higher treadwear rating.
Both tires, however, share the same traction and temperature ratings of ‘A’, indicating similar performance in terms of grip on wet roads and their ability to perform at high temperatures. The key difference lies in their longevity and tread life, where the Toyo Celsius II seems to have an advantage.
Price
Comparing the prices of the Toyo Celsius II and Vredestein Quatrac for the tire size 205/55R16, the Vredestein Quatrac is the more affordable option. Priced at $132, it is about 6% cheaper than the Toyo Celsius II, which is priced at $140. This price difference positions the Vredestein as a slightly more budget-friendly choice in this tire size category.
Tire size: 205/55R16
- Toyo Celsius II : $140
- Vredestein Quatrac : $132
Difference: -6% more cheaper for Vredestein Quatrac.
Summary
As a tire expert, after closely analyzing the summer performance metrics of both the Vredestein Quatrac and the Toyo Celsius II, it is evident that in Round 1 of the summer performances, the Vredestein Quatrac emerges as the clear victor. Its superior traction, shorter braking distances, and more responsive handling in both wet and dry conditions have given it a distinct edge over the Toyo Celsius II. The Vredestein Quatrac not only excels in practical performance but also offers a more economical choice in terms of pricing.
Dr Edwin Pang
However, the true test of a tire’s versatility is often seen in its winter performance. The Toyo Celsius II, with its unique design and features, may still hold the potential for a strong comeback in colder, more challenging conditions. As the winter season approaches, it will be intriguing to see if the Toyo can leverage its design to outperform the Vredestein in snow and ice conditions.
Therefore, for those keenly following this tire rivalry, stay tuned after this winter season. We will be closely observing and analyzing how these tires fare in winter conditions to see if the Toyo Celsius II can indeed make a significant comeback and challenge the current supremacy of the Vredestein Quatrac in the all-season tire segment.