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Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — 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.
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7 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
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx TT | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 85 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx TT | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 83 |
Snow
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx TT | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 77 |
Noise
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx TT | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 57 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 69 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx TT | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 74 |
| DriverReviews owners | 82 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT | Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 79 |
| Dry | 86 | 86 |
| Wet | 75 | 84 |
| Snow | 70 | 80 |
| Comfort | 69 | 79 |
| Noise | 95 | 80 |
| Treadwear | 66 | 71 |
| Handling | 76 | 74 |
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.
Tire A
Tire B
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT is a polarizing performance tire that excels in dry handling and steering feedback but receives significant criticism for its inconsistent tread life and high road noise. While many users praise its stiff sidewall and cornering stability, others report disappointing wet-weather performance and rapid wear, leading to a highly subjective ownership experience.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and cornering stability
- Precise steering feedback and stiff sidewall construction
- Strong performance in warm, dry conditions
- Good rim protection and aesthetic appeal
Cons
- High levels of road noise reported across various vehicles
- Inconsistent and often rapid tread wear
- Poor wet-weather traction and braking performance for many users
- Significant loss of performance as the tire ages
Observations
- Users with high-torque vehicles (e.g., C63s AMG) report significant traction issues and wheel spin, suggesting the tire may struggle with high-horsepower applications.
- Mazda 3 owners frequently cite the tire as being excessively noisy, though this is often attributed to the vehicle's own cabin insulation.
- Drivers of luxury sedans like the Lexus SC430 appreciate the stiff sidewall for maintaining handling characteristics, whereas others find the same stiffness results in a harsh ride.
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 is widely regarded as a high-value, comfortable summer tire that excels in wet and dry traction, often serving as a competent OEM choice for premium vehicles. While many users praise its ride quality and wet-weather confidence, a significant portion of enthusiasts note a lack of steering feedback and 'soft' sidewall characteristics that can make the handling feel less precise compared to top-tier competitors like the Michelin Pilot Sport series.
Pros
- Excellent wet-weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong dry-road traction and predictable handling at the limit
- Competitive pricing relative to premium performance alternatives
- Good overall durability for many daily driving applications
Cons
- Lack of steering precision and 'numb' road feedback
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a wobbly or unstable feel during aggressive cornering
- Inconsistent tread life, with some users reporting premature wear on specific vehicle platforms
- Occasional reports of sidewall bubbling or structural issues on rough road surfaces
Observations
- Users with heavy EVs and SUVs often report mixed results, with some praising the low rolling resistance and comfort, while others note rapid tread wear.
- Drivers of performance-oriented sedans (e.g., BMW 3-series, Audi S3) frequently highlight the tire's comfort advantage over competitors but criticize the lack of sharp steering response.
- The tire is frequently noted as a significant upgrade over stock Pirelli P Zero or Dunlop Sport Maxx tires in terms of wet-weather confidence and noise reduction.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT | B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Max Performance Summer tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — better snow, comfort and wet. Pick the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT if noise matters most to you.
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT scores 95 vs 80 on noise.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 80 vs 70 on snow.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 79 vs 69 on comfort.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 84 vs 75 on wet.
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.