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Head-to-head Updated

Firestone RoadHawk vs Hankook Ventus Prime 4 — 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 17 + 13 road tests and 644 + 2,504 owner reviews. How we score

Ventus Prime 4 is ahead, 75–57

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Firestone RoadHawk
Tire AFirestone

RoadHawk

Summer

± 6

Tests 70 · 17 tests Owners 40 · 644 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2019 Summer and All Season Tyre Test (wet handling)

“sind diese Sommerreifen noch okay? Im August 2023 gekauft und circa 25 tausend km gefahren. Firestone Roadhawk, DOT 4922. Habe an meinem Opel Meriva beim Anfahren nach links, zB beim Ausparken oder beim Anfahren in einer engen Linkskurve von vorne rechts ein mehrmaliges Poltern gehört. Habe ein bisschen gegoogelt und von ausgeschlagenem Querlenker gelesen. Im Oktober 2022 hat das Auto einen neuen Vorderachsträger und neue Querlenker bekommen. Nun habe ich Winterräder montiert und das Poltern beim Anfahren nach links ist weg. Was kann das sein? Read more”

Hankook Ventus Prime 4
Tire BHankook

Ventus Prime 4

Summer

± 4

Tests 78 · 13 tests Owners 71 · 2,504 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 21 in 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test (dry handling)

“Simbolul cu mașina și fulgerul de pe Hankook Ventus Prime 4 arată că anvelopa e compatibilă și cu mașini electrice (EV), nu că e destinată exclusiv lor. Poate fi folosită fără probleme și pe mașini cu motor termic.”

Category by category

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

Key facts

  • In 4 tests that measured dry braking for both, RoadHawk won 0 and Ventus Prime 4 won 4 (average 96% vs 99% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured wet braking for both, RoadHawk won 0 and Ventus Prime 4 won 4 (average 87% vs 95% of the best).
  1. 68

    Dry

    Ventus Prime 4 +12
    80
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkVentus Prime 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 16 / 11 tests8284
    Reviews found online4673
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–496%99%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%100%

    RoadHawk: 60% × 82.1 + 40% × 46.4 = 68

    Ventus Prime 4: 60% × 84.2 + 40% × 73.4 = 80

  2. 65

    Wet

    Ventus Prime 4 +13
    78
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkVentus Prime 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 12 tests7781
    Reviews found online4875
    Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–092%86%
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–097%92%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–487%95%
    Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–187%99%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–099%98%

    RoadHawk: 60% × 76.5 + 40% × 47.5 = 65

    Ventus Prime 4: 60% × 80.5 + 40% × 74.6 = 78

  3. 51

    Comfort

    Ventus Prime 4 +18
    69
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkVentus Prime 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 1 tests6770
    Reviews found online4068

    RoadHawk: 40% × 67 + 60% × 39.6 = 51

    Ventus Prime 4: 40% × 70.3 + 60% × 67.8 = 69

  4. 45

    Noise

    Ventus Prime 4 +16
    61
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkVentus Prime 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 8 tests3058
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)
    Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–197%99%

    RoadHawk: 60% × 30.5 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 45

    Ventus Prime 4: 60% × 57.6 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 61

    No owner ratings of noise for RoadHawk or Ventus Prime 4. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  5. 50

    Treadwear

    Ventus Prime 4 +24
    74
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkVentus Prime 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 5 tests6578
    Reviews found online2967
    Abrasion (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–151%52%
    Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–160%59%

    RoadHawk: 60% × 64.7 + 40% × 28.5 = 50

    Ventus Prime 4: 60% × 78.2 + 40% × 66.7 = 74

  6. 36

    Handling (owners)

    Ventus Prime 4 +36
    72
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkVentus Prime 4
    Reviews found online3672
  7. 72

    Efficiency

    Ventus Prime 4 +11
    83
    Why this score
    SourceRoadHawkVentus Prime 4
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 8 tests7283
    Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–193%95%
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–198%98%
Scores at a glance
CategoryFirestone RoadHawkHankook Ventus Prime 4
Relative Score 57 75
Dry 68 80
Wet 65 78
Comfort 51 69
Noise 45 61
Treadwear 50 74
Handling (owners) 36 72
Efficiency 72 83

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
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Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
± 6

RoadHawk

± 4

Ventus Prime 4

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 4 tests that ran both, Firestone RoadHawk finished ahead 1 times and Hankook Ventus Prime 4 3 times.

DisciplineCategoryRoadHawkVentus Prime 4ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 96% 99% −3.2 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16
Dry Handling Dry 100% 100% +0.1 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 92% 86% +6.7 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 97% 92% +5.4 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Wet Braking Wet 87% 95% −8.8 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16
Wet Braking (concrete) Wet 87% 99% −12.5 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Wet Handling Wet 99% 98% +1.7 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Noise Noise 97% 99% −1.5 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Abrasion Treadwear 51% 52% −0.8 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Wear Treadwear 60% 59% +1.2 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Fuel Consumption Efficiency 93% 95% −1.6 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 98% 98% −0.3 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #3/20 #4/20 – 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Value Cost 59% 57% +2.4 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Overall Ranking Overall #12/55 #4/55 – 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A RoadHawk

Pros

  • Exceptional wet weather performance, particularly in standing water and heavy rain
  • Strong dry grip and confident cornering for daily driving
  • Comfortable ride quality with good bump absorption

Cons

  • Accelerated and sometimes uneven tread wear, resulting in shorter-than-expected lifespan
  • Soft sidewalls that can cause a visual 'under-inflated' bulge and spongy cornering response
  • Limited steering feedback and precision during spirited driving
All owner themes in the RoadHawk review

Tire B Ventus Prime 4

Pros

  • Exceptional wet and dry grip providing high confidence
  • Significantly reduced road noise and smooth, quiet ride quality
  • Competitively priced offering great value compared to top-tier premium brands

Cons

  • Accelerated tread wear reported by some users, leading to shorter overall tire life
  • Noticeable decrease in wet traction and grip as the tread wears down past the halfway mark
  • Stiffer sidewalls can translate to a firmer ride or reduced comfort on rough surfaces
All owner themes in the Ventus Prime 4 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Firestone RoadHawk

Mixed

Community discussions reflect mixed perspectives on the Firestone Roadhawk, noting reasonable reviews alongside concerns regarding tread wear. While some test results place it competitively among budget-friendly summer options, owners also discuss practical issues such as unusual noises, generational replacement difficulties, and overall value.

r/automobil ·2025-11-20

“sind diese Sommerreifen noch okay? Im August 2023 gekauft und circa 25 tausend km gefahren. Firestone Roadhawk, DOT 4922. Habe an meinem Opel Meriva beim Anfahren nach links, zB beim Ausparken oder beim Anfahren in einer engen Linkskurve von vorne rechts ein mehrmaliges Poltern gehört. Habe ein bisschen gegoogelt und von ausgeschlagenem Querlenker gelesen. Im Oktober 2022 hat das Auto einen neuen Vorderachsträger und neue Querlenker bekommen. Nun habe ich Winterräder montiert und das Poltern beim Anfahren nach links ist weg. Was kann das sein? Read more”
bobistheoilguy.com ·2023-09-18

“Not sure if it is what you are looking for. I am Polish but I live in the USA. I am still following info from Poland but I am not buying tires there anymore. A magazine Motor tests tires. magazynauto.pl Firestone was included in their "accessibly priced" summer tires: Firestone Roadhawk. They lost to Uniroyal, Semperit, Dębica but were ahead of Kumho, Apollo, Tomket, Imperial and Double Coin. They were not included in their premium and middle priced test. German based Auto Bild (and its Polish version Auto Świat) did a test in 2019 and the same Roadhawk passed the elimination test (53 down to 20: wet and dry braking distances added together as #13) and finished #18 in detailed test. So Firestone is present in Poland and Europe as a cheaper brand from Bridgestone but how popular it is I do not know. Krzyś”
Top themes
#tread wear concerns#budget tire test results#replacement availability issues#generation differences#driving noise symptoms

Based on 5 community posts

Tire B

Hankook Ventus Prime 4

Positive

Community opinion on the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 is largely positive, with drivers viewing it as a comfortable, quiet, and capable touring tire. Users frequently praise its strong dry and wet performance alongside its compelling price-to-performance ratio compared to premium alternatives like Michelin. Some uncertainties exist regarding long-term tread wear and slight fuel economy impacts, but owners generally report satisfactory everyday reliability.

forums.hardwarezone.com.sg ·2024-11-12

“Ya. I read that review too. If I up the psi to 3, or 4 would result in hard and harsh bumps and much less comfy ride which I don't like. Therefore, I settle for 34 front and 32 back and started back to use Eco mode. I don't carry heavy loads and many pax in my car. I restricted it to 4 adult pax including myself as a driver, with or without loads at the boot.”
r/AutomobileRO ·2 upvotes ·2025-03-23

“Simbolul cu mașina și fulgerul de pe Hankook Ventus Prime 4 arată că anvelopa e compatibilă și cu mașini electrice (EV), nu că e destinată exclusiv lor. Poate fi folosită fără probleme și pe mașini cu motor termic.”
teslamotorsclub.com ·2023-09-04

“plumped for four tyres at once and will put a calendar appt in to rotate after a year from now on I think. With Kwikfit's summer deal offer I got the four fitted for £519 (under £130 each)”
Top themes
#value for money#comfort and low noise#wet and dry grip#comparison with premium brands#tread longevity questions#touring versus sports handling

Based on 41 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Firestone RoadHawk B · Hankook Ventus Prime 4
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / Crossover—
Sizes available11566
Rim diameters15″ – 21″15″ – 20″
Sizes in common5252

Which one should you actually buy?

Firestone RoadHawk

Hankook Ventus Prime 4

Winner: Hankook Ventus Prime 4 — better handling, treadwear and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Hankook Ventus Prime 4 scores 72 vs 36 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Hankook Ventus Prime 4 scores 74 vs 50 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Hankook Ventus Prime 4 scores 69 vs 51 on comfort.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Hankook Ventus Prime 4 scores 61 vs 45 on noise.

Pick tire A Your priority is straight aquaplaning

Firestone RoadHawk won 2 of 2 shared straight aquaplaning tests.

Tire A · Firestone RoadHawk
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Tire B · Hankook Ventus Prime 4
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RoadHawk or Ventus Prime 4?

Which is better in the wet, RoadHawk or Ventus Prime 4?

Hankook Ventus Prime 4, 78 vs 65 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, RoadHawk or Ventus Prime 4?

Hankook Ventus Prime 4, 80 vs 68 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, RoadHawk or Ventus Prime 4?

Hankook Ventus Prime 4, 61 vs 45 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, RoadHawk or Ventus Prime 4?

Hankook Ventus Prime 4, 69 vs 51 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, RoadHawk or Ventus Prime 4?

Hankook Ventus Prime 4, 74 vs 50 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, RoadHawk or Ventus Prime 4?

Hankook Ventus Prime 4, 83 vs 72 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