Tests 66 · 15 tests Owners 70 · 13 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 9 in 2023 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test (wet handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2 — 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 15 + 27 road tests and 13 + 3,669 owner reviews. How we score
Kinergy 4S2 leads, 70–68 Narrow edge
Add your size for an exact match
/R
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Tests 78 · 27 tests Owners 60 · 3,669 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (curved aquaplaning)
“Softer alternative to HANKOOK KINERGY 4S2? Searching for alternarive to HANKOOK KINERGY 4S2 Good day to you! I recently decided to move to all-season tires. After checking reviews, costs and availability I went for HANKOOK 4S2. But i find them VERY stiff and not comfortable at all. (245 40 18). Would you please recommend an alternative with a softer ride? I am in Europe. Cheers and thank you!”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 10 tests that measured dry braking for both, MultiSeason Gen 02 won 0 and Kinergy 4S2 won 10 (average 91% vs 94% of the best).
- In 10 tests that measured wet braking for both, MultiSeason Gen 02 won 3 and Kinergy 4S2 won 7 (average 93% vs 94% of the best).
- In 6 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, MultiSeason Gen 02 won 3 and Kinergy 4S2 won 3 (average 92% vs 95% of the best).
- In 6 tests that measured snow braking for both, MultiSeason Gen 02 won 3 and Kinergy 4S2 won 2 (average 95% vs 95% of the best).
- In 6 tests that measured noise for both, MultiSeason Gen 02 won 4 and Kinergy 4S2 won 2 (average 98% vs 98% of the best).
-
68
Dry
Kinergy 4S2 +472Why this score
Source MultiSeason Gen 02 Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 14 / 26 tests 67 83 Reviews found online 70 56 Dry Braking (% of best) · 10 shared tests · wins 0–10 91% 94% Dry Handling (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–5 99% 99% MultiSeason Gen 02: 60% × 66.6 + 40% × 70.2 = 68
Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 82.9 + 40% × 56 = 72
-
78
Wet
Level78Why this score
Source MultiSeason Gen 02 Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 14 / 26 tests 81 87 Reviews found online 72 65 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 76% 96% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 3–3 92% 95% Wet Braking (% of best) · 10 shared tests · wins 3–7 93% 94% Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 95% 89% Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 98% Wet Handling (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 97% 97% MultiSeason Gen 02: 60% × 81.2 + 40% × 72 = 78
Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 64.9 = 78
-
70
Snow
Kinergy 4S2 +171Why this score
Source MultiSeason Gen 02 Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 21 tests 73 79 Reviews found online 66 61 Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 92% 86% Snow Braking (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 3–2 95% 95% Snow Handling (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 1–4 96% 97% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 92% 92% Snow Traction (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–2 94% 94% MultiSeason Gen 02: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 65.7 = 70
Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 78.6 + 40% × 60.8 = 71
-
60
Comfort
Kinergy 4S2 +161Why this score
Source MultiSeason Gen 02 Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 7 tests 48 72 Reviews found online 68 54 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 58% 83% MultiSeason Gen 02: 40% × 48.1 + 60% × 67.6 = 60
Kinergy 4S2: 40% × 71.5 + 60% × 54.4 = 61
-
62
Noise
Kinergy 4S2 +163Why this score
Source MultiSeason Gen 02 Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 21 tests 59 62 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 4–2 98% 98% MultiSeason Gen 02: 60% × 58.6 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 62
Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 61.6 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 63
No owner ratings of noise for MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2. 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.
-
58
Treadwear
Kinergy 4S2 +967Why this score
Source MultiSeason Gen 02 Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 10 tests 52 72 Reviews found online 69 60 Abrasion (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 60% 77% Wear (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–2 70% 71% MultiSeason Gen 02: 60% × 51.6 + 40% × 68.6 = 58
Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 72.5 + 40% × 59.6 = 67
-
73
Handling (owners)
MultiSeason Gen 02 +1756Why this score
Source MultiSeason Gen 02 Kinergy 4S2 Reviews found online 73 56 -
77
Efficiency
MultiSeason Gen 02 +2651Why this score
Source MultiSeason Gen 02 Kinergy 4S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 21 tests 77 51 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 97% 95% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 5–0 91% 86%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 | Hankook Kinergy 4S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 70 |
| Dry | 68 | 72 |
| Wet | 78 | 78 |
| Snow | 70 | 71 |
| Comfort | 60 | 61 |
| Noise | 62 | 63 |
| Treadwear | 58 | 67 |
| Handling (owners) | 73 | 56 |
| Efficiency | 77 | 51 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
68
/ 100
MultiSeason Gen 02
70
/ 100
Kinergy 4S2
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.
In the overall rankings of 10 tests that ran both, Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 finished ahead 2 times and Hankook Kinergy 4S2 8 times.
| Discipline | Category | MultiSeason Gen 02 | Kinergy 4S2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 91% | 94% | −3.6 | 0–10 in 10 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 99% | −0.7 | 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 80% #4/8 · 2024 Promobil Commercial Winter Tire Test R17 | 90% #2/9 · 2026 AMS All Season Tyre Test - 195/55 R16 | – | Different tests |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 76% | 96% | −20.0 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 92% | 95% | −3.8 | 3–3 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 93% | 94% | −0.7 | 3–7 in 10 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 95% | 89% | +6.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 100% | 98% | +2.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 97% | +0.6 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 80% #3/8 · 2024 Promobil Commercial Winter Tire Test R17 | 70% #6/9 · 2026 AMS All Season Tyre Test - 195/55 R16 | – | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 92% | 86% | +6.1 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 95% | 95% | −0.5 | 3–2 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Circle | Snow | 93% #4/8 · 2024 Motorhome Camper Van All Season Tyre Test | 95% #6/15 · 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% | 97% | −1.5 | 1–4 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 92% | 92% | −0.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 94% | 94% | −0.7 | 3–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 58% | 83% | −25.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 98% | +0.1 | 4–2 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 60% | 77% | −17.0 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 70% | 71% | −0.3 | 3–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 97% | 95% | +2.7 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 91% | 86% | +5.1 | 5–0 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 78% | 82% | −3.6 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test · 195/55 R16 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #12/16 | #3/16 | – | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Value | Cost | 66% | 62% | +4.4 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Tyre Weight | Other | 94% | 93% | +1.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #8/16 | #3/16 | – | 2–8 in 10 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A MultiSeason Gen 02
Pros
- Strong wet-weather grip and confidence in rain, mentioned by several reviewers
- Good cold-weather and light-snow performance, with some users reporting no problems on snowy or icy roads at temperatures down to -10°C
- Good dry grip and braking, with a planted, smooth feel and stable high-speed directional stability
Cons
- Road noise is the most frequent complaint, noted by several reviewers; one says it becomes slightly noisy above 120 km/h
- Reduced performance in extreme conditions, including poor braking in hot, dry weather above about 30°C and weak grip and stability in heavy snow and ice for some users
- Durability concerns from a minority, including one report of dry rotting and winter performance becoming undrivable after about 25,000 km
Tire B Kinergy 4S2
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather grip, braking, and aquaplaning resistance
- Strong performance and confidence in cold temperatures, light snow, and slush
- High overall value for money compared to premium tier alternatives
Cons
- Increased road noise and occasional highway 'whining' or howling between 120-140 km/h
- Some reports of faster-than-expected tread wear or uneven inner tread deformation
- Softer sidewalls can induce initial steering delay or a slight floating feel during aggressive cornering
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Mixed
Hankook Kinergy 4S2
The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is widely regarded as a good-value 3PMSF all-weather tire, often recommended as a cheaper alternative to the Michelin CrossClimate 2 thanks to strong wet performance and good independent test results. Complaints include a stiff ride, highway road noise, fast or uneven tread wear, and weaker snow and ice grip for some owners. Several users noted that ice performance wasn't tested and that it suits milder, wet climates best.
bobistheoilguy.com
·2021-03-02
“Hankook's 3-peak all-season tire, also called all-weather, is finally available from TR, though it had been out awhile now, when it replaced the 4S (4s1?) that was sold in Canada, but not the US. Like all the other 3-peak all-seasons that they carry, TR classifies the 4S2 as grand touring all-season”
teslamotorsclub.com
·3 upvotes ·2023-12-30
“I've been running the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 all seasons on my M3 for just over a year - great tyres, esp in the wet, although they take a few hundred miles to scrub in (a touch "slippery" until then, so care is needed pulling out of junctions, etc). They placed 2nd behing the CrossClimate 2s in the 2022 all-season tyre test on Tyre Reviews, and were considered better overall in milder, wet conditions (bulk of UK basically!), which is why I chose them over the CC2s. Only had the recent spell of wintry weather to check the snow/ice performance - no issues with snow, but felt twitchy on ice. Supply seems limited this year - only place I've seen them listed in M3 18" size is ATS Euromaster, whereas I could have also got them from Halfords & Kwikfit last year.”
r/tires
·4 upvotes ·2025-03-18
“Hankook Worn out after 15k miles Took my car in for a standard tire rotation and was informed all 4 tires only had 4/32 of tread remaining left. I was shocked. I've only put about 15k miles on in the 2.5 years I've had the tires. I don't drive aggressively at all. Mix of city and highway. Anyways, I got about a 75% credit on the Hankook Kinergy 4s2 all weather tires and only paid about $70 out of pocket towards my new tires (plus $90 balancing and mounting fee)! I went with the Falken Aklimate that were about $150 a tire. Just wanted to share my story. Can the softer rubber in all weather tires cause them to wear out faster in the summer? Only other thing I can think of is my car was parked outside for 2 summers in a south facing parking lot so maybe the sun just baked them and cause the tread to wear faster? But I would think that would be more dry rot related than tread wear. Read more”
Top themes
#Value vs CrossClimate 2#Wet traction#Snow and ice grip#Tread wear concerns#Ride comfort stiffness#Road noise#Tyre Reviews test results#EV and range use
Based on 34 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 | B · Hankook Kinergy 4S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | All Season |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 95 |
| Rim diameters | — | 14″ – 20″ |
| UTQG | — | 500 A A |
Which one should you actually buy?
68
/ 100
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
70
/ 100
Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Narrow edge: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 — better treadwear and dry. Pick the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 if efficiency and handling matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 scores 77 vs 51 on efficiency.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 scores 73 vs 56 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scores 67 vs 58 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scores 72 vs 68 on dry.
Tire A · Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
Tire B · Hankook Kinergy 4S2
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2?
Which is better in the wet, MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2?
Neither, by our numbers: 78 vs 78 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2?
Hankook Kinergy 4S2, 72 vs 68 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2?
Neither, by our numbers: 70 vs 71 on the snow score, within 3 points.
Which is quieter, MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2?
Neither, by our numbers: 62 vs 63 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2?
Neither, by our numbers: 60 vs 61 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2?
Hankook Kinergy 4S2, 67 vs 58 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, MultiSeason Gen 02 or Kinergy 4S2?
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02, 77 vs 51 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