Usually, there’s ultra-high-performance tires, then there’s all-season tires, and rarely the twain shall meet. UHP and summer tires offer great cornering and braking performance, partly thanks to a softer, stickier tread formulation that gets great adhesion on wet or dry pavement (when we say “soft,” we mean almost as soft as a pencil eraser, in some cases). The biggest problem with that rubber compound, though, is that it will stiffen and lose traction on colder days, possibly sending you skidding like a hockey puck. That’s why tire companies advise against summer/UHP tires if temperatures are below 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit.

That all changes with the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400), though. This is a tire that delivers year-round traction with the sharp, crisp, responsive handling, and steering that you’d expect from a summer/UHP tire. This combination of versatility, performance, great ride quality, and a generous tread life warranty make the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) a great choice for sedans, minivans, and crossovers as well as sporty rides.

But is this the right tire for you and your ride? Let’s take a look in this Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) review.

Features and Benefits

As an ultra-high-performance all-season tire, the Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) offers sporty performance year-round. Here’s how it does that:

• Silica-enhanced tread compound boosts traction in wet or dry conditions and delivers long, even wear
• 3D sipe design enhances traction in wet or light winter conditions
• Four wide circumferential grooves evacuate water from the tire’s contact patch to avoid hydroplaning
• High void ratio at center of tread for good traction in rain or slush
• Lower void ratio toward shoulder for enhanced dry-weather cornering and steering response
• Tread pitch is computer tuned to keep road noise low
• Built-in rim guard protects rim and sidewall from curb damage

Backed by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) is available in 16” to 20” sizes and comes with a Z speed rating.

Pros and Cons

No tire is perfect, but we think this one has more Pros than Cons:

PROS:

• Responsive steering and handling
• More affordable than some competitors
• Quiet, comfortable ride
• Year-round traction
• Long tread life

CONS:

• Traction is not very good in heavier snow

SimpleTire’s view on Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) tires

Kenda doesn’t have the name recognition of some of the bigger brands, but that doesn’t mean they don’t offer great products with excellent performance and value.

The Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) certainly delivers the goods and gets the job done, with tenacious traction for braking and cornering. It doesn’t lose its composure in wet weather or light wintry conditions (no, it doesn’t perform like a winter tire in heavier snow, but most all-season tires don’t). We feel that the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) is a tire you can’t go wrong with.

Vehicles the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) is a good replacement tire for

While not used as original equipment on any vehicle, the tire is still a great replacement option. If you drive an Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 530i, Buick Lacrosse, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Ford Fusion, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Jaguar XJ8, Kia Optima, Mazda3, Mercedes-Benz C280, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Nissan Altima, Toyota Avalon, Volkswagen Passat, or Volvo S80, then the Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) is a tire that might meet your needs.