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Head-to-head Updated May 2026

Dunlop Direzza ZIII vs Hankook Ventus R-S4 — Compared (May 2026)

Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.

Tire A Dunlop

Dunlop Direzza ZIII

Summer Extreme Performance tires

Dunlop Direzza ZIII tread pattern
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
76/100
2 owner reviews
Dry
85
Wet
75
Comfort
60
Treadwear
90
Handling
85

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VS
Hankook Ventus R-S4 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
81/100
20 owner reviews
Dry
87
Wet
72
Comfort
61
Treadwear
86
Handling
88

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictToo close to call: Dunlop Direzza ZIII and Hankook Ventus R-S4 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Direzza ZIII is stronger on treadwear and wet. Hankook Ventus R-S4 is stronger on handling.
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Category breakdown

5 categories, side by side

Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.

Dry

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Ventus R-S4 leads by 2
A — Dunlop Direzza ZIII
85
B — Hankook Ventus R-S4
87
Why this score
SourceDirezza ZIIIVentus R-S4
Tire Rack owners – 91
Tyre Reviews owners 85 87

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Direzza ZIII leads by 3
A — Dunlop Direzza ZIII
75
B — Hankook Ventus R-S4
72
Why this score
SourceDirezza ZIIIVentus R-S4
Tire Rack owners – 71
Tyre Reviews owners 75 72

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Ventus R-S4 leads by 1
A — Dunlop Direzza ZIII
60
B — Hankook Ventus R-S4
61
Why this score
SourceDirezza ZIIIVentus R-S4
Tire Rack owners – 75
Tyre Reviews owners 60 61

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Direzza ZIII leads by 4
A — Dunlop Direzza ZIII
90
B — Hankook Ventus R-S4
86
Why this score
SourceDirezza ZIIIVentus R-S4
Tire Rack owners – 87
Tyre Reviews owners 90 86

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Ventus R-S4 leads by 3
A — Dunlop Direzza ZIII
85
B — Hankook Ventus R-S4
88
Why this score
SourceDirezza ZIIIVentus R-S4
Tyre Reviews owners 85 88

Scores at a glance

Dunlop Direzza ZIII vs Hankook Ventus R-S4: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryDunlop Direzza ZIIIHankook Ventus R-S4
Relative Score 80 79
Dry 85 87
Wet 75 72
Comfort 60 61
Treadwear 90 86
Handling 85 88

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Neutral
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Important
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Recomputed
Headline score

Tire A

Tire B

Test data

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.

DisciplineCategoryTire ATire BΔBoth?
Overall Ranking Overall 20% #5/8 · 2021 Track Day 200TW Tyre Test 25% #4/8 · 2021 Track Day 200TW Tyre Test -5 Same test
From owners

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Dunlop Direzza ZIII

The Dunlop Direzza ZIII is widely regarded as a reliable, predictable 200tw tire that excels in consistency and ease of use rather than outright competitive speed. It serves as a versatile option for drivers who prioritize longevity and manageable handling characteristics over peak performance in specialized environments like autocross.

Pros

  • High level of predictability and ease of handling
  • Consistent performance during extended track sessions
  • Good durability and tread life for a 200tw tire
  • Reliable wet and dry grip characteristics

Cons

  • Lacks the peak grip required for top-tier competitive autocross
  • Tendency to 'grease up' or lose optimal grip after prolonged hard driving
  • Not the fastest option in its category for pure lap times

Observations

  • Proven durability in endurance racing environments, specifically noted on heavier platforms like the Lexus LS400.
  • Performance remains consistent across varied track conditions, making it a suitable 'baseline' tire for endurance racing teams.
Tire B Hankook Ventus R-S4

The Hankook Ventus RS4 is widely regarded as the industry benchmark for endurance-focused extreme performance summer tires. While it may not offer the absolute peak grip of specialized autocross tires, it is highly praised for its exceptional tread life, heat consistency, and value, making it a favorite for HPDE participants and endurance racers.

Pros

  • Exceptional tread life and durability under heavy track abuse
  • High value-to-performance ratio compared to more expensive competitors
  • Consistent dry grip and performance throughout the tire's lifespan
  • Predictable handling and excellent steering feedback
  • Strong heat resistance during long track sessions

Cons

  • Requires significant time and effort to reach optimal operating temperatures
  • Increased road noise and harsh ride quality compared to standard tires
  • Reduced traction in cold or wet conditions
  • Potential fitment issues due to narrow section width relative to nominal size

Observations

  • Lightweight FWD vehicles report excellent handling characteristics and high confidence with this tire.
  • Users note that the tire's sidewall width runs narrow, which may leave rims exposed if sized based on standard tire width expectations.
Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Dunlop Direzza ZIII B · Hankook Ventus R-S4
CategorySummer Extreme Performance tires—
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Dunlop

Hankook

Too close to call: Dunlop Direzza ZIII and Hankook Ventus R-S4 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Direzza ZIII is stronger on treadwear and wet. Hankook Ventus R-S4 is stronger on handling.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 90 vs 86 on treadwear.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Dunlop Direzza ZIII scores 75 vs 72 on wet.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Hankook Ventus R-S4 scores 88 vs 85 on handling.

Tire A · Dunlop Direzza ZIII
Tire B · Hankook Ventus R-S4

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.

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