Head-to-head Updated

Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.

Pilot Sport 5 is ahead, 83–70

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Tire AHankook

Kinergy 4S2

All Season

Tests 78 · 24 tests Owners 61 · 3,626 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test (curved aquaplaning)

“Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Continental AllSeasonContact 2 For the past 3 years I have been using the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 195/55R15 and I am super happy with them, but a little over 50,000km in it is time to get new shoes this winter. I have driven in snow and they felt quite ok. Now I am looking to either get them again since I enjoyed them, or try the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 - but they only come in 185/55R15. I have read that narrower tires are better in the snow - most of the driving I do is on maintained roads but we do go into the mountains for a few weekends through winter usuallly. First of all, are the Continental a big step up from the Hankooks, like-for-like? Secondly, would the width difference be a significant factor in snow performance gain or dry/wet performance loss? And if it is better to have the narrower tire, would the Hankook in 185/55R15 be still a reasonable move from my current 195/55? Price-wise: Continental AllSeasonContact 2 185/55 R15 - 100Eur Hankook Kinergy 4S2 185/55 R15 - 79Eur Hankook Kinergy 4S2 195/55 R15 - 84Eur Cheers :) Read more”

Tire BMichelin

Pilot Sport 5

Summer

Tests 84 · 23 tests Owners 82 · 6,414 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2025 AZ Summer Tyre Test (abrasion)

“PS5 is a very good allround, comfortable but grippy tire. PS4S has a stiffer sidewall and is way sportier but harsher. There is to date no successor for the PS4S. I switched from PS4S to PS5 on my mustang and its a way better fit for a daily tire. I would remommend to get PS5 for the rear aswell.”

Category by category

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

  1. 72

    Dry

    Pilot Sport 5 +16
    88
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Pilot Sport 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)8290
    Reviews found online5784
    Dry Braking (% of best)94%92%
    Dry Handling (% of best)99%99%
  2. 78

    Wet

    Pilot Sport 5 +12
    90
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Pilot Sport 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)8592
    Reviews found online6787
    Wet Braking (% of best)98%100%
    Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best)91%97%
    Wet Circle (% of best)100%99%
    Wet Handling (% of best)98%98%
  3. 72

    Snow

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Pilot Sport 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)79–
    Reviews found online63–
  4. 70

    Comfort

    Pilot Sport 5 +5
    75
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Pilot Sport 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)7771
    Reviews found online6080
  5. 66

    Noise

    Kinergy 4S2 +20
    46
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Pilot Sport 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)6632
  6. 67

    Treadwear

    Pilot Sport 5 +15
    82
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Pilot Sport 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)7187
    Reviews found online6075
  7. 57

    Handling

    Pilot Sport 5 +26
    83
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2Pilot Sport 5
    Reviews found online5783
Scores at a glance
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryHankook Kinergy 4S2Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Relative Score 70 83
Dry 72 88
Wet 78 90
Snow 72 –
Comfort 70 75
Noise 66 46
Treadwear 67 82
Handling 57 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.

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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.

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Recomputed
Headline score

Kinergy 4S2

Pilot Sport 5

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

The professional test results behind the scores

Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.

DisciplineCategoryKinergy 4S2Pilot Sport 5ΔBoth?
Curved Aquaplaning Curved 100% #1/16 · 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 92% #5/6 · 2024 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test +8.0 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 94% #7/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 92% #7/9 · 2025 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test +1.4 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #3/10 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test 99% #3/8 · 2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test +0.6 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 79% #9/10 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test 95% #2/9 · 2023 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 −15.8 Different tests
Fuel Consumption Fuel 96% #7/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 95% #8/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +1.8 Different tests
Abrasion Other 81% #4/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 100% #1/10 · 2025 AZ Summer Tyre Test −18.6 Different tests
Noise Other 100% #2/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 97% #12/13 · 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test +2.5 Different tests
Price Other 88% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 56% #13/13 · 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test +31.8 Different tests
Value Other 71% #3/16 · 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 70% #10/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test +1.5 Different tests
Wear Other 97% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 76% #2/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +20.9 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 100% #1/11 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test 20% #5/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test +80.0 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 98% #3/10 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test 97% #10/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test +1.2 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 91% #2/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tyre Test 99% #2/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test −7.3 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 95% #3/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 96% #3/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test −0.8 Different tests
Subj. Noise Subj 91% #7/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 80% #5/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test +11.4 Different tests
Subj. Wet Handling Subj 91% #6/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 70% #5/7 · 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test +20.6 Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #7/15 · 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test 0% #8/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test 0.0 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 98% #2/12 · 2024 Minivan / SUV All Season Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · Top Tire Review 2026 UHP Tyre Test: Big Brands vs Challengers −2.4 Different tests
Wet Braking - Concrete Wet 91% #12/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 97% #3/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test −6.3 Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 100% #1/10 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test 99% #3/9 · 2025 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test +0.7 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 98% #5/9 · 2021 AZ All Season Tyre Test 98% #5/13 · 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test +0.9 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 Pilot Sport 5

Pros

  • Outstanding wet and dry traction with high resistance to aquaplaning
  • Superior tread life and longevity compared to competitors and previous generations
  • Noticeable improvements in ride comfort and a quieter cabin over rough road surfaces

Cons

  • Softer sidewalls can lead to initial steering vagueness or understeer during hard cornering
  • Higher price point compared to some tier-one competitors
  • Performance and grip degrade significantly under intense track heat or heavy circuit use
All owner themes in the Pilot Sport 5 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

Positive

The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is widely regarded by the community as an excellent, value-oriented all-weather (3PMSF) tire that punches above its weight, often compared favorably to premium alternatives like the Michelin CrossClimate 2 at a significantly lower price point. Users frequently praise its strong wet traction, balanced performance in mild-to-moderate winter conditions, and top ratings in independent tests, though some drivers report concerns regarding highway noise, a stiffer ride quality, or shorter-than-expected tread life depending on the vehicle and driving habits.

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?”

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/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
#Price and Value#Wet and Winter Traction#Noise Levels#Ride Comfort and Stiffness#Tread Wear and Longevity#Comparison to Michelin CrossClimate 2

Based on 26 community posts

Tire B

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Positive

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is widely praised as an exceptional daily-driver tire, offering impressive wet grip, low road noise, and remarkable longevity compared to predecessors and rivals. While some enthusiast drivers find the sidewalls a bit soft or note less extreme track performance compared to dedicated track or 4S tires, community consensus highlights it as a top-tier, well-balanced choice for spirited street driving and commuting.

r/Miata ·2 upvotes ·2026-05-13

“Anyone else greatly disappointed with their Michelin Pilot sport 5? My 10th anniversary recently got a set of 16 inch ND wheels (due to better tires being available on 16s) and a set of brand new PS5s. It’s on the original bilstein suspension with H&R sway bars and poly bushings all around. After having driven the PS5s for around 4k km i have to say i really don’t like them most of the time. Pros: They’re numb, which is amazing for highway driving. You really can’t feel anything from the tires and they’re super quiet. Cons: They’re numb. I literally can’t feel what they’re doing, they just don’t give any useable feedback from the road and the main thing i do is spirited driving. They also overheat extremely fast? I take five to six quicker turns and on the next turn in the entire car is just sliding around doing whatever the fuck it wants all while there still being no feedback whatsoever.. I’m frustrated af because i thought i’d treat myself to a good nice quality set of tires for once and thats the result.. I have driven on Kumho PS71s for i think a thousand km’s last year and they were waaay grippier and gave very good feedback. The car just isn’t as fun to drive now and it sucks hard. Rant over, thanks for listening. Tldr: Tyre bad :(”

r/TeslaUK ·3 upvotes ·2026-03-27

“Pilot sport 5? Hi, after replacement tyres for M3. Just touched 30k miles and all 4 need doing. Michelin 235/45 ZR18 (98Y) XL TL PILOT SPORT 5 I was looking at these 154 pounds from Costco. Only they’re not T rated. Was comparing them with the original 235/45 ZR 18 PILOT SPORT 4 XL TO TESLA these are 204 pounds at Costco. Thoughts on whether the PS5 will be ok please? Visited a couple of independent tyre shops yesterday, 1 quoted budget 100 each through to PS4s at 230 each. The second wouldn’t quote on non Tesla approved, so just quoted the PS4 T0s at 203 each. Cheers”

r/CarsAustralia ·8 upvotes ·2025-09-10

“In my experience they are quite long wearing tires and well worth the cost. I used to get around 40k out of most tyres. My first set of ps4’s lasted 55k and now the ps5’s are trending to beat it. I'm a pretty spirited driver around the roundabouts of Canberra too, though I only have a hatch so experiences may vary. As to performance I've driven them on my i30 n-line and other people’s i30N, BRZ, tesla 3, and stinger and the tyres have more grip than I have guts to push them on public roads. In both wet and dry they are very confidence inspiring and a hell of a lot of fun.”

Top themes
#Wet grip and safety#Road noise and comfort#Tread life and durability#Daily driving vs track performance#Comparison with PS4 and PS4S#Value and pricing

Based on 134 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Hankook Kinergy 4S2 B · Michelin Pilot Sport 5
CategoryAll SeasonSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available9566
Rim diameters14″ – 20″16″ – 22″

Which one should you actually buy?

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 — better handling, dry and treadwear. Pick the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 if noise matters most to you.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 83 vs 57 on handling.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scores 66 vs 46 on noise.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 88 vs 72 on dry.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 82 vs 67 on treadwear.

Tire A · Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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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.

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

83

Leads

Pilot Sport 5

Amazon