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Head-to-head Updated

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 1 + 19 road tests and 119 + 3,376 owner reviews. How we score

Ventus S1 evo3 leads, 70–68 Narrow edge

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Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
Tire ADunlop

Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV

Summer

± 7

Tests 74 · 1 test Owners 62 · 119 reviews

Best test result: #2 of 10 in 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test (dry braking)

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
Tire BHankook

Ventus S1 evo3

Summer

± 5

Tests 77 · 19 tests Owners 57 · 3,376 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 45 in 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout (wet braking)

“Tire preferences? My MK8 has a little over 18,000 miles now and the stock tires look like they’ve already gone to sh*t? Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 aren’t as good as they advertise? What do you recommend for tires?”

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 71

    Dry

    Ventus S1 evo3 +4
    75
    Why this score
    SourceSport Maxx RT 2 SUVVentus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 18 tests7486
    Reviews found online6860

    Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV: 60% × 73.8 + 40% × 67.5 = 71

    Ventus S1 evo3: 60% × 85.6 + 40% × 59.8 = 75

  2. 72

    Wet

    Ventus S1 evo3 +9
    81
    Why this score
    SourceSport Maxx RT 2 SUVVentus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 18 tests7590
    Reviews found online6768

    Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV: 60% × 75.2 + 40% × 66.6 = 72

    Ventus S1 evo3: 60% × 89.6 + 40% × 68 = 81

  3. 66

    Comfort

    Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV +7
    59
    Why this score
    SourceSport Maxx RT 2 SUVVentus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 4 tests≈ 68 (est.)64
    Reviews found online6556

    Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV: 40% × 67.9 (est.) + 60% × 64.9 = 66

    Ventus S1 evo3: 40% × 64.4 + 60% × 55.7 = 59

    No road tests of comfort for Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.

  4. 68

    Noise

    Ventus S1 evo3 +5
    73
    Why this score
    SourceSport Maxx RT 2 SUVVentus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 14 tests7077
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)

    Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV: 60% × 69.7 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 68

    Ventus S1 evo3: 60% × 76.9 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 73

    No owner ratings of noise for Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV or Ventus S1 evo3. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  5. 55

    Treadwear

    Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV +2
    53
    Why this score
    SourceSport Maxx RT 2 SUVVentus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 4 tests≈ 60 (est.)61
    Reviews found online4742

    Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV: 60% × 59.6 (est.) + 40% × 47.3 = 55

    Ventus S1 evo3: 60% × 60.8 + 40% × 41.5 = 53

    No road tests of treadwear for Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  6. 69

    Handling (owners)

    Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV +10
    59
    Why this score
    SourceSport Maxx RT 2 SUVVentus S1 evo3
    Reviews found online6959
  7. 61

    Efficiency

    Ventus S1 evo3 +7
    68
    Why this score
    SourceSport Maxx RT 2 SUVVentus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 15 tests6168
Scores at a glance
CategoryDunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUVHankook Ventus S1 evo3
Relative Score 68 70
Dry 71 75
Wet 72 81
Comfort 66 59
Noise 68 73
Treadwear 55 53
Handling (owners) 69 59
Efficiency 61 68

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV

± 5

Ventus S1 evo3

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

DisciplineCategorySport Maxx RT 2 SUVVentus S1 evo3ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% #2/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 96% #7/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #5/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 98% #7/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 96% #8/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 98% #8/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 96% #2/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 94% #6/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 98% #2/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 100% #2/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 98% #6/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 80% #10/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 97% #3/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 65% #9/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 74% #6/13 · 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #2/9 2020 Auto Bild Allrad SUV Summer Tire Test R18 #6/8 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and confidence-inspiring handling in both wet and dry conditions
  • Significantly lower road noise and quieter ride compared to predecessor or competing brands
  • Good tread wear longevity and durability, offering strong value for money

Cons

  • Potential for tire deformation and subsequent vibrations after periods of non-use or normal driving
  • Stiff or taut ride quality reported by some users
  • Limited effectiveness on ice and snow compared to dedicated all-season tyres
All owner themes in the Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV review

Tire B Ventus S1 evo3

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and confidence in wet and dry conditions
  • Low road noise and high ride comfort
  • Competitive pricing compared to premium tier-one brands

Cons

  • Faster-than-expected tread wear, particularly on rear axles or heavy vehicles
  • Soft sidewalls leading to reduced steering feedback and precision
  • Vulnerability to sidewall damage or bubbling from potholes
All owner themes in the Ventus S1 evo3 review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Tire B

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3

Mixed

Community sentiment toward the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 is mixed, with users frequently praising its strong dry and wet grip, comfort, and competitive pricing. However, notable drawbacks include relatively fast tread wear, reports of increasing road noise over time, and mixed experiences with OEM specs versus premium competitors like Michelin.

r/Golf_R ·6 upvotes ·2026-04-29

“Tire preferences? My MK8 has a little over 18,000 miles now and the stock tires look like they’ve already gone to sh*t? Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 aren’t as good as they advertise? What do you recommend for tires?”
r/tires ·1 upvote ·2026-02-03

“Small tire size change having different ratings? (Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3) Hi all, I'm looking for a good all round tire for my MX5 (I'm in the non snowy regions of the UK so summer tires) and a pretty popular recommendation are the Ventus S1 Evo 3s. At the MX5's stock size of 205/45/R17 they are rated at A for fuel and wet performance, and 68db of noise, which is great! However I'd like to size up to 215/45/R17, and for whatever reason the ratings drop to B for fuel and wet performance, and most importantly to me, 71db of noise. I was just wondering how such a small difference in size changes things quite drastically? I know these ratings aren't that important, but it seems strange to me they'd change at all Thanks! Read more”
teslamotorsclub.com ·2023-01-26

“You will love the Ventus S1 EVO3's, I purchased a set back in May 2020 for $473 delivered. In your climate driving at Texas speeds (75-85) efficiency is gonna be about 270-295 Wh/m. I just ordered a set of the iON EVO AS to try out as I have a need for snow use but not bad enough for snow tires.”
Top themes
#Wet and dry grip#Value for money#Road noise levels#Tread wear and longevity#OEM fitments and EV variants#Run-flat identification confusion#Ride comfort

Based on 33 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4Passenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available25110
Rim diameters17″ – 21″17″ – 22″
UTQG—200 - 420 A - AA A
Sizes in common33

Which one should you actually buy?

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3

Narrow edge: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — better wet, efficiency and noise. Pick the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV if handling and comfort matter most to you.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV scores 69 vs 59 on handling.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 81 vs 72 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV scores 66 vs 59 on comfort.

Pick tire B You want lower fuel or energy use

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 68 vs 61 on efficiency.

Tire A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
Check price on Amazon

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Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV or Ventus S1 evo3?

Which is better in the wet, Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, 81 vs 72 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, 75 vs 71 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, 73 vs 68 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV or Ventus S1 evo3?

Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV, 66 vs 59 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV or Ventus S1 evo3?

Neither, by our numbers: 55 vs 53 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.

Which rolls more easily, Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, 68 vs 61 on our efficiency score.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology