Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Vredestein Quatrac: The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, launched in 2020, and the Vredestein Quatrac, introduced in 2021, are two strong contenders in the all-season 3-peak mountain certified segment. Both promise year-round performance with a focus on mastering diverse conditions. This matchup pits Goodyear’s all-weather expertise against Vredestein’s innovative approach—hyped as a battle of durability, grip, and versatility. Who will come out on top? Let’s dive in!
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Results: Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Vredestein Quatrac
Results below were taken from 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test with a total of 53 tires tested. Only 20 tires made it into the final round of testing with wet & dry braking being the evaluation criteria. The graph below shows the comparison between Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Vredestein Quatrac based on the relevant performance category. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Since we are talking about the middle European winter segment with both tires having the converted 3 peak mountain logo, snow performances was tested. The tire size of interest is 205/55 R16 which is a common tire size for Toyota Corolla & Volkswagen Jetta. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf.
Wet
In wet braking, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 stops slightly shorter at 55.2 meters compared to the Vredestein Quatrac’s 55.4 meters, a minimal 0.2-meter difference. However, in wet handling, the Quatrac takes the lead with a speed of 75.2 km/h, outperforming the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 by 2.7 km/h. Similarly, in straight-line aquaplaning, the Quatrac edges ahead at 75 km/h, just 0.6 km/h faster than the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3.
Quatrac :
- ~0% in wet braking
- +4% in wet handling (average lap speed)
- +1% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
In snow braking, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 stops slightly shorter at 23.9 meters compared to the Vredestein Quatrac’s 24.1 meters, a 0.2-meter advantage. For snow traction, the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 delivers a stronger pulling force of 2688 N, outperforming the Quatrac by 83 N. However, in snow handling, the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 maintains a faster pace at 54.7 km/h, beating the Quatrac by 1.7 km/h.
Quatrac :
- -1% in snow braking
- -3% in snow traction
- -3% in snow handling (average lap speed)
Mileage
The Vredestein Quatrac delivers a significantly higher mileage of 55,140 km compared to the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3’s 45,360 km, a notable difference of 9,780 km. Interestingly, despite the higher mileage, the Quatrac also exhibits a much higher abrasion rate at 669 g versus the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3’s 612 g. This could be attributed to the Quatrac starting with a higher tread depth, allowing for extended mileage but at the cost of faster material wear.
Quatrac :
- +22% in mileage
- -9% in abrasion
Dry
In dry braking, the Vredestein Quatrac outperforms the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, stopping 1.3 meters shorter at 40.2 meters compared to 41.5 meters. However, in dry handling, the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 edges ahead with a slightly faster speed of 94.4 km/h, just 0.1 km/h more than the Quatrac’s 94.3 km/h.
Quatrac :
- +3% in dry braking
- ~0% in dry handling (average lap speed)
Noise
The Vredestein Quatrac produces less exterior noise at 71.8 dB compared to the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3’s 72.4 dB, a difference of 0.6 dB, making the Quatrac the quieter option.
Quatrac :
- ~0% in exterior noise (-0.6 dB)
Rolling Resistance
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 has a slightly lower rolling resistance at 7.95 N/kN compared to the Vredestein Quatrac’s 8.1 N/kN, a small difference of 0.15 N/kN. Interestingly, this difference did not translate into any variation in fuel consumption, as both tires recorded an identical 4.91 l/100km.
Quatrac :
- -2% in rolling resistance
Price
The Vredestein Quatrac offers significantly better value at €88 compared to the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3’s €101, making it 15% cheaper and a more budget-friendly option.
Tire size: 205/55R16
- Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 : € 101
- Quatrac : € 88
Difference: -15% more cheaper for Quatrac
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
As a tire expert, I must say the Vredestein Quatrac’s brilliant performance caught everyone by surprise. It not only delivered exceptional mileage and quietness but also outperformed in key areas like dry braking and wet handling—all at a significantly lower price. This all-season contender has truly raised the bar in its segment.
Dr Edwin Pang