72
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
67/100
180 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx vs Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 — 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.
VS
82
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
83/100
152 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 — better comfort, wet and treadwear. Pick the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx if snow and noise matter most to you.
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Category breakdown
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
Score (0–100)
Ventus V12 evo2 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx | Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 87 |
| SimpleTire owners | 100 | – |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ventus V12 evo2 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx | Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 81 |
| SimpleTire owners | 60 | – |
Snow
Score (0–100)
SP Sport Maxx leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx | Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | 60 | – |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ventus V12 evo2 leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx | Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 64 | 77 |
| SimpleTire owners | 100 | – |
Noise
Score (0–100)
SP Sport Maxx leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx | Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ventus V12 evo2 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx | Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 72 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 63 | 73 |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | – |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ventus V12 evo2 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport Maxx | Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 79 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx | Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 82 |
| Dry | 80 | 91 |
| Wet | 70 | 85 |
| Snow | 70 | 67 |
| Comfort | 66 | 84 |
| Noise | 95 | 92 |
| Treadwear | 64 | 78 |
| Handling | 67 | 79 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
Tire A
82
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SP Sport Maxx is a polarizing ultra-high-performance tire that excels in dry-weather handling and steering responsiveness but faces significant criticism regarding tread longevity and noise levels. While many users praise its initial grip and stability, a substantial portion of the user base reports inconsistent performance in wet conditions and premature wear, leading to a mixed overall consensus.
Pros
- Strong dry-weather grip and cornering stability
- High level of steering feedback and precision
- Effective rim protection design
- Good aquaplaning resistance in straight lines
Cons
- Rapid and often uneven tread wear
- High levels of road noise, particularly as the tire ages
- Inconsistent or poor wet-weather traction
- Susceptibility to sidewall cracking and bubbling
Observations
- Owners of high-torque, rear-wheel-drive vehicles frequently report excessive wheel spin and poor traction off the line.
- Drivers of heavier luxury sedans and SUVs often note that the tire's stiff sidewall provides good handling but can lead to a harsh ride and increased cabin noise.
- Users with high-performance hatchbacks frequently report 'sawtoothing' wear patterns, resulting in significant humming noises.
The Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 is widely regarded as a high-value, performance-oriented summer tire that offers a compelling balance of dry grip, wet weather confidence, and comfort at a competitive price point. While it excels in daily driving and spirited road use, some enthusiasts note limitations in steering precision and sidewall stiffness when pushed to the absolute limit on track or in aggressive cornering.
Pros
- Excellent value-for-money proposition compared to premium tier brands.
- Strong traction and handling in both dry and wet road conditions.
- Low road noise levels and high comfort for a performance tire.
- Predictable and progressive breakaway characteristics at the limit.
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a 'floaty' feel or lack of steering feedback during aggressive maneuvers.
- Tread life is generally considered average to short, particularly for spirited drivers.
- Performance can degrade noticeably as the tire wears down, specifically regarding noise and wet grip.
- Not suitable for cold weather or near-freezing temperatures.
Observations
- Users with high-torque, rear-wheel-drive vehicles (e.g., Mustang GT, C5/C6 Corvette) report excellent straight-line hook but note that aggressive driving significantly accelerates rear tread wear.
- Drivers of European sedans (BMW, Audi) appreciate the comfort and noise reduction compared to OEM run-flat tires, though some note the soft sidewall is less ideal for track-focused setups.
- Some users on 17-inch or smaller wheels report a firmer ride than expected, while those on larger diameters generally praise the balance of comfort and performance.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx | B · Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Dunlop
82
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 — better comfort, wet and treadwear. Pick the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx if snow and noise matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 scores 84 vs 66 on comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 scores 85 vs 70 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 scores 78 vs 64 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 scores 79 vs 67 on handling.
Tire A · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx
Tire B · Hankook Ventus V12 evo2
More comparisons
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Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 also compared with
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.