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Head-to-head Updated

Hankook Kinergy 4S2 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 24 + 19 road tests and 3,636 + 3,359 owner reviews. How we score

Kinergy 4S2 leads, 70–68 Narrow edge

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Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Tire AHankook

Kinergy 4S2

All Season

± 4

Tests 79 · 24 tests Owners 60 · 3,636 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (curved aquaplaning)

“Zimske gume - premium ili neka srednja klasa? Nakon 2 proklizavanja u skretanju ovaj vikend (po kiši) zaključila sam da je vrijeme da kupim nove gume. Otkako sam uzela auto (prosinac 2022.) imam jedne te iste cjelogodišnje gume, Hankook Kinergy 4S2, 225/45/R17. Prošlu zimu kad je bilo snijega jedva sam kući s posla išla koliko sam se klizala po ulici, kiša još nekako ali snijeg i led katastrofa. Ove godine je i na kiši počeo proklizavati. Auto je zadnji pogon, 115ks ništa specijalno. Ono što me zanima je koliko ima smisla uzeti neke premium gume obzirom da godišnje radim oko 15k kilometara, većinski po gradu (Slavonija), tu i tamo autoput do Zg, možda 2 puta godišnje Mađarska/Austrija/Slovenija. Vidim da svi hvale Continental Wintercontact TS870 ali poprilično su skupe pa imate li možda preporuku za nešto jeftinije, a kvalitetno? Više me zanima da su dobre za kišu jer snijega nema nešto specijalno i sve će biti bolje nego ove koje sad imam. Što se dimenzije tiče imam jedne alu felge pa bih onda uzela istu dimenziju čisto da se ne moram izut iz cipela zbog troškova s kupovanjem još i felgi. TLDR: Zimska guma, 225/45/R17, zadnji pogon, što kupiti? Read more”

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
Tire BHankook

Ventus S1 evo3

Summer

± 6

Tests 78 · 19 tests Owners 56 · 3,359 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. 72

    Dry

    Ventus S1 evo3 +3
    75
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 23 / 18 tests8386
    Reviews found online5660

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 82.6 + 40% × 56.4 = 72

    Ventus S1 evo3: 60% × 85.5 + 40% × 60 = 75

  2. 78

    Wet

    Ventus S1 evo3 +3
    81
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 23 / 18 tests8790
    Reviews found online6468

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 86.6 + 40% × 64.3 = 78

    Ventus S1 evo3: 60% × 90.2 + 40% × 67.5 = 81

  3. 72

    Snow

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 18 / – tests79–
    Reviews found online61–

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 79 + 40% × 61.3 = 72

  4. 64

    Comfort

    Kinergy 4S2 +5
    59
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 4 tests7765
    Reviews found online5555

    Kinergy 4S2: 40% × 76.6 + 60% × 54.8 = 64

    Ventus S1 evo3: 40% × 64.7 + 60% × 55.4 = 59

  5. 66

    Noise

    Ventus S1 evo3 +7
    73
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 18 / 14 tests6677
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 65.6 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 66

    Ventus S1 evo3: 60% × 77.3 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 73

    No owner ratings of noise for Kinergy 4S2 or Ventus S1 evo3. 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.

  6. 67

    Treadwear

    Kinergy 4S2 +14
    53
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 4 tests7161
    Reviews found online6040

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 71.5 + 40% × 59.5 = 67

    Ventus S1 evo3: 60% × 60.7 + 40% × 40.4 = 53

  7. 56

    Handling (owners)

    Ventus S1 evo3 +2
    58
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3
    Reviews found online5658
  8. 54

    Efficiency

    Ventus S1 evo3 +14
    68
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 18 / 15 tests5468
Scores at a glance
CategoryHankook Kinergy 4S2Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
Relative Score 70 68
Dry 72 75
Wet 78 81
Snow 72 –
Comfort 64 59
Noise 66 73
Treadwear 67 53
Handling (owners) 56 58
Efficiency 54 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 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

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 4

Kinergy 4S2

± 6

Ventus S1 evo3

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

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.

DisciplineCategoryKinergy 4S2Ventus S1 evo3ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 94% #7/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 96% #7/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 100% #1/9 · 2025 Auto Bild All Season Camper Van Tyre Test 98% #7/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 95% #3/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 60% #8/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 100% #1/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 87% #6/7 · 2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 97% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 98% #8/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 89% #12/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 94% #6/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 98% #4/15 · 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test 98% #5/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 98% #7/9 · 2025 Auto Bild All Season Camper Van Tyre Test 100% #2/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 91% #6/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 80% #3/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 88% #8/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 100% #2/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 96% #14/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 100% #1/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise (tester's mark) Noise 91% #7/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 100% #2/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 97% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 56% #13/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 86% #8/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 97% #3/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 74% #3/12 · 2024 Minivan / SUV All Season Tyre Test 74% #6/13 · 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #7/15 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test #14/20 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Value Cost 81% #6/15 · 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test 58% #15/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #5/16 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 #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 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
All owner themes in the Kinergy 4S2 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

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

Mixed

Community members frequently view the Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 as a solid, budget-friendly alternative to premium all-weather tires like the Michelin CrossClimate 2, highlighting its strong wet traction and good snow performance for the price. However, users report mixed experiences regarding tread longevity, with some noting rapid or uneven wear, as well as drawbacks such as highway humming noise, a stiff ride, and twitchy handling on ice.

r/tires ·2 upvotes ·2024-11-16

“We're able to get the Kinergy 4S2 from Discount Tires (America's Tires) for less than half the price of. the Cross Climate 2's. We plan to give them a try on a Nissan LEAF and Prius Prime. Hot take: Hit the "found a lower price" feature on the Discount Tire site and see what they offer you! We were very pleasantly surprised!”
r/mercedes_benz ·8 upvotes ·2026-09-06

“Tire recommendations E-class Hi all, I've been enjoying my first E-class for a couple months now. The only thing that has been bothering me is the loud noise the tires make at about 130 kph. I've ruled everything out so I'm really certain it is just the tires. They are hankook kinergy 4s2 h750 all seasons, so a bit of noise is to be expected but these really make a loud humming noise at highway speeds. Does anyone have recommendation for quiet all season tires? They do need to have the 3pmsf certifaction. My sizes are front: 245/40 R19 & back: 275/35 R19. Read more”
r/KiaNiroEV ·2 upvotes ·2026-01-20

“New Tyres - Kia dealership recommend Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 H750 215/55R17 98W Just had my 40,000 service at my local Kia dealership for my ‘22 E Niro. I am going to get my tyres changed elsewhere to save a few £££’s but am just wondering if the Hankooks are a good tyre? I am looking at around £140-160 per tyre and wondering if this is a good tyre for the price or if anyone has better suggestion for similar price or cheaper?”
Top themes
#Affordable CrossClimate alternative#Wet weather traction#Snow and winter performance#Tread wear longevity#Cabin road noise#Ride stiffness and comfort

Based on 33 community posts

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.

teslamotorsclub.com ·1 upvote ·2023-01-26

“Nice. I'm in Texas, so I'm not sure if those (as all seasons) would be the best choice for me. I will never drive in snow/ice, and have been leaning towards the Hankook Ventus S1 EVO3 for my Model 3 AWD with 19" wheels. Those are the only Tesla OEM (I prefer the Tesla specs like acoustic lining, tread width, extra sidewall stability, etc.) summer tires in the 19" size.”
insideevsforum.com ·2022-12-19

“So, I was conversing on a Canadian EV group on Facebook and someone said their SE arrived with run flats…Hankook Ventus S1 evo3. My Mini also has Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 and I was not aware they are considered run flats. So I looked them up online and it appears that in 205/45R17 XL it says Run Flat…Y on . Was anyone else aware of this? Should it say run flat somewhere on the tire?”
jaguarforums.com

“I had Hankook tires on my XKR, and thought they were the noisiest tires I had ever heard on a car, and I had to get rid of them as I couldn't stand it.”
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 · Hankook Kinergy 4S2 B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
CategoryAll SeasonSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available95110
Rim diameters14″ – 20″17″ – 22″
Sizes in common3939

Which one should you actually buy?

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3

Narrow edge: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 — better treadwear and comfort. Pick the Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 if efficiency, noise and dry matter most to you.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scores 67 vs 53 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want lower fuel or energy use

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 68 vs 54 on efficiency.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 73 vs 66 on noise.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scores 64 vs 59 on comfort.

Tire A · Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
Check price on Amazon

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Kinergy 4S2 or Ventus S1 evo3?

Which is better in the wet, Kinergy 4S2 or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, 81 vs 78 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Kinergy 4S2 or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, 75 vs 72 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, Kinergy 4S2 or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, 73 vs 66 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Kinergy 4S2 or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Kinergy 4S2, 64 vs 59 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Kinergy 4S2 or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Kinergy 4S2, 67 vs 53 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Kinergy 4S2 or Ventus S1 evo3?

Hankook Ventus S1 evo3, 68 vs 54 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