Overview: Hankook is a mid-range brand with an excellent reputation for quality and innovation. It produces tyres that are packed with unique features, making every drive a pleasure without breaking the bank. The Ventus Prime4 is our favourite Hankook passenger car tyre.
Since rubber tyres first appeared in the 1800s, there have been tonnes of innovations to improve performance and suit the needs of different vehicles. As a result, drivers have more choice than ever when it’s time for a new set. But with more options comes a difficult decision - how do you choose between tyre brands when there are so many of them, all with pros and cons?
That’s where reviews come in.
This article focuses on Hankook, a brand known for producing high-performance tyres at a reasonable price. Its tyres are multi-award winning, earning accolades at the 2023 Auto Express Product of the Year Awards and in the AutoBild summer tyre test, where the Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 took the top spot.
We’ve collected data from drivers and industry experts to create this ultimate review guide, which includes everything you need to know, including:
Why choose Hankook?
Design features of Hankook tyres
What Hankook tyres are available?
Are Hankook tyres any good? Full review
FAQs
Why choose tyres from Hankook?
Hankook started manufacturing tyres in 1942 in Seoul, Korea, producing roughly 110,000 tyres a year. Today, that number is closer to 50 million. It is the seventh-largest tyre manufacturer in the world, serving a range of vehicles, including cars, vans, SUVs, trucks, trailers and buses.
If there’s one thing Hankook is known for, it’s innovation. The company has five research and development facilities globally; this, along with the unique Hankook Innovative Performance (HIP) and quality system, shows its tireless commitment to improving customers’ driving experience.
In the 2023 Auto Express Product of the Year Awards, Hankook tyres occupied no less than three podiums. The all-season Kinergy 4S 2 won overall product of the year; the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 tyre, designed for SUVs, and the Winter I*Cept RS3, both earned a ‘commended’ rating.
Hankook also has an impressive number of original equipment (OE) partnerships with top automotive brands, including:
BMW
Audi
Ford
Hyundai
Porsche
Mercedes-Benz
Toyota
Volkswagen
The automotive landscape is changing fast, with new hybrid and electric vehicles and various new technologies. Far from being left behind, Hankook is already producing tyres for the latest green models from leading manufacturers.
Additionally, the brand provides tyres for and sponsors several teams. It has circuit partnerships with the 24H Series, Stock Car Pro Series, TCR Italy and FR Americas.
Further proving its innovative credentials, Hankook exclusively supplies Formula E - the world’s first and only single-seater, all-electric racing world championship - with iON, a premium, ultra-high-performance tyre for electric vehicles.
Ultimately, Hankook’s reputation is for producing some of the best value mid-range tyres available in the UK, packed to the brim with the latest innovations. The brand features in our guide to the best winter tyres for your car.
Design features of Hankook tyres
Hankook follows a Kontrol Technology philosophy, which promotes enhanced performance, safety, comfort and efficiency. Here are some of the features that set Hankook tyres apart from the competition:
Sound absorption - a unique pitch structure and pattern groove ensure that tyres are quieter and vibrate less.
Hankook Runflat System (HRS) - includes reinforced sidewalls, ensuring the tyre retains its shape even when there is a drop in pressure.
Sealguard - if the tyre is pierced by a nail or other sharp object, a layer of special sealant inside the tyre fills the hole, preventing air from escaping (as long as the hole is less than 5mm across).
Zig-zag 5 tread design - on winter tyres, this tread design provides excellent grip.
3-dimensional sipe - boosts traction performance and mileage, reducing uneven wear.
What Hankook tyres are available?
Hankook has a wide range of tyres for different seasons, car types and purposes.
Hankook tyres for cars
iON Evo - a summer tyre tailored for electric vehicles, offering optimised performance.
Ventus Prime4 - a summer tyre with low noise and precision handling technology.
Ventus S1 Evo Z - a high-end super sports tyre based on racing competition technology.
Ventus S1 Evo3 - a luxury tyre offering extra stability and safety even on wet roads.
Ventus Prime3 - a summer tyre that balances performance with safety.
Kinergy Eco2 - a summer tyre boasting all-round performance and a safer drive.
Kinergy 4S 2 - an all-weather tyre with smooth handling and strong grip on wet roads.
Hankook winter tyres
Winter I*Cept LV RW12 - a studless tyre for vans with exceptional traction and handling.
iON I*Cept - an electric vehicle tyre, designed for performance with an extended range through reduced rolling resistance.
Winter I*Cept RS3 - provides enhanced safety and grip even in snowy conditions.
Winter I*Cept Evo2 - an ultra-high-performance winter tyre.
Winter I*Cept Evo3 - offers unparalleled grip - test winner in the Auto Bild Sportscar magazine 2021 and 2022.
Winter I*Cept RS2 - boasts an optimised pattern design for excellent performance in the snow.
Hankook van tyres
Vantra LT - a durable summer tyre for vans and commercial vehicles.
Vantra ST AS2 - an all-weather tyre with multi-performance features.
Winter I*Cept LV - a studless winter tyre with excellent traction and handling.
Best Hankook car tyre
Hankook Ventus Prime4
If you’re looking for a tyre that performs well across the board, the Hankook Ventus Prime4 should be a strong contender. It’s a summer tyre, so it handles extremely well in dry conditions, but it also holds up well when the roads are wet, which is why we think it deserves the title of best Hankook passenger car tyre. Drivers typically praise its longevity and durability; the main area for improvement is the noise level.
Purchase Hankook Ventus Prime 4 tyres online
Best Hankook van tyre
Hankook Vantra ST AS2
The Hankook Vantra ST AS2 is designed for exceptional performance no matter the conditions, and on this promise, it certainly delivers. It has been cleverly designed to handle snow, thanks to a carbon black compound in the kerfs, and a wide steel belt layer ensures the treads have optimal stiffness on dry and wet roads. It also features new-generation ice-philic technology, maximising the contact between the tyre and the road.
Purchase Hankook Vantra ST AS2 tyres online
Best Hankook winter tyre
Hankook Winter I*Cept Evo3
Dry roads, wet roads, snowy roads - you name it, the I*Cept Evo3 can handle it. This performance SUV tyre boasts dynamic handling, high aquaplaning resistance and exceptional road grip. The awards it has won speak for themselves. It features a unidirectional tread design, a 3D GripKontrol sipe and a winter control compound, resulting in a tyre that feels almost invincible.
Best Hankook SUV/4x4 tyre
Hankook Dynapro HP2
The Hankook Dynapro HP2 is a high-performance tyre for powerful and luxury SUVs. It offers excellent performance in both wet and dry conditions. Silencer sipes minimise any noise while driving, a straight 4-channel waterway reduces the risk of aquaplaning, and a stiff centre rib ensures precise steering. Drivers who try the Dynapro HP2 rarely go back, as is proven by the tyre’s 100% buy again rating on Tyre Reviews.
Purchase Hankook Dynapro HP2 tyres online
Best Hankook value tyre
Hankook Kinergy 4S 2
The Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 is a reasonably priced all-weather tyre. It has a range of features to help it perform in wet conditions, such as a two-step aqua slant and wide lateral grooves, and it is also designed for comfort. It is by no means the best performing tyre in Hankook’s range - handling and road feedback are two areas where improvements could be made - but it does reasonably well given its affordable price tag.
Purchase Hankook Kinergy 4S 2 tyres online
Best Hankook Performance Tyre
Ventus S1 Evo Z
The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo is based on racing competition technology, so you know you’re in for a fun drive. It has been created using a new silica and resin compound, which helps rubber particles to penetrate the road easily in high temperatures, resulting in excellent braking and handling. The downside to this tyre is that it is less durable than some of its counterparts.
Purchase Hankook S1 Evo Z tyres online
Are Hankook Tyres Any Good? Full Review
Hankook tyres are packed with small innovations that make a big difference when driving, from the shape and spacing of sipes to the unique compounds added to the rubber.
For your peace of mind, Hankook’s passenger car, SUV, 4x4 and van tyres come with a warranty, based on the premature removal of the tyre before the UK minimum tread depth of 1.6mm is reached. The brand receives excellent customer satisfaction ratings, so it’s unlikely you’d ever need to use the warranty, but you may find it reassuring to know it’s there.
Even though Hankook is still a little-known brand in the UK, you shouldn’t let this put you off. It’s one of the fastest-growing tyre manufacturers in the world right now, and the number of OE partnerships it has with car makers like BMW and Mercedes proves just how highly regarded Hankook tyres are.
Taking a closer look at the Ventus Prime4 - our favourite passenger car tyre by Hankook - 94% of drivers surveyed by Tyre Reviews said they would repurchase the same tyre, which is an impressive statistic. It scored 93% for dry and wet handling and 92% for wear, showing its versatility and durability.
Hankook’s commitment to consumer research means it frequently brings out new tyres designed to overcome pain points identified by drivers like you. It also has its own test centres where professional drivers test tyres and engineers assess the results.
Overall, Hankook is a mid-range tyre brand, offering the best of both worlds - reasonable pricing without compromising on performance and durability. Some other brands are cheaper, of course, but drivers often report that Hankook tyres provide better value in the long run because they last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Hankook Tyres Noisy?
Many Hankook tyres have been designed with technology that reduces noise from the road. That said, some Hankook tyres are louder than others, so it’s worth comparing design features before you buy. The quietest Hankook tyre is the Ventus S1 Evo3.
What is the Lifespan of Hankook Tyres?
Most Hankook tyres last for a minimum of 50,000 miles and usually have a tread warranty for between 20,000 and 60,000. Compensation is only provided for the cost of the tyre, based on the remaining tread depth against the original depth, and is to be provided by the original retailer or dealership according to their terms and conditions of settlement.
Is Hankook a Budget Brand?
Hankook sits somewhere in the middle of the tyre market - it is cheaper than rivals like Pirelli and Continental but more expensive than the likes of Yatone, Tristar and Accelera.
Are Hankook Tyres Good in Snow?
Hankook is a great brand to choose if you’re looking for winter tyres. The I*Cept Evo3 performs exceptionally well for snow grip, scoring 92% based on Tyre Reviews data.
What Tyre Brands Are Similar To Hankook?
Hankook is a mid-range tyre brand, similar to:
Avon
Yokohama
Cooper
Kelly
B F Goodrich
Firestone
GT Radial
Crossleader
Find the Right Tyres with WhoCanFixMyCar
At WhoCanFixMyCar, we believe finding the right tyres should be easy. That’s why we’ve spent time comparing specs and gathering reviews so that you don’t have to.
Ready to take the plunge and purchase your perfect tyres? We’ve got brands for every budget and one of the best networks of mobile and garage tyre fitters, all just a few clicks away.
Enter your reg, and we’ll help you find the perfect fit.
Compare tyre prices
Still not convinced Hankook tyres are for you? Check out one of our other tyre review guides:
Goodyear tyres review
Avon tyres review
Bridgestone tyres review
Continental tyres review
Firestone tyres review
Uniroyal tyres review
Toyo tyres review
Nankang tyres review
RoadX tyres review
Blackarrow tyres review
Accelera tyres review
Pirelli tyres review
More tyre guides:
Ultimate guide to tyre pressure
Budget car tyres - are they actually any good?
Ultimate guide to car tyre tread
What should I do if I have a slow puncture?
How to change a car tyre - a beginner’s guide
How to check your tyre tread with the 20p test
