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Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo — Compared (September 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 | Sport Maxx 050+ | Ventus S1 evo |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 81 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx 050+ | Ventus S1 evo |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 73 |
Snow
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx 050+ | Ventus S1 evo |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 62 | 72 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx 050+ | Ventus S1 evo |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 95 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx 050+ | Ventus S1 evo |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 75 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx 050+ | Ventus S1 evo |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 73 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ | Hankook Ventus S1 evo |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 80 |
| Dry | 77 | 87 |
| Wet | 67 | 82 |
| Snow | 90 | 80 |
| Comfort | 59 | 76 |
| Noise | 90 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 74 | 77 |
| Handling | 78 | 73 |
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 Sport Maxx 050+ receives a polarized reception, often serving as a divisive Original Equipment (OE) choice for premium vehicles. While many users praise its dry-weather handling and value-for-money proposition, a significant portion of owners report severe dissatisfaction regarding cabin noise, ride harshness, and unpredictable wet-weather performance.
Pros
- Strong dry-weather grip and cornering stability
- Competitive pricing compared to premium European rivals
- Good tread longevity for a performance-oriented tire
- Responsive steering feedback
Cons
- High levels of road and cabin noise
- Harsh ride quality and lack of comfort
- Poor wet-weather traction and susceptibility to hydroplaning
- Inconsistent performance on uneven road surfaces
Observations
- Owners of Lexus and Infiniti models frequently cite this tire as a major detractor from the vehicle's intended luxury and comfort experience.
- Users transitioning from Run-Flat tires to the 050+ often report an improvement in ride comfort, whereas those moving from premium touring tires report a significant increase in noise.
- Performance-oriented drivers on high-power sedans generally report higher satisfaction with grip levels than those using the tire for daily commuting on standard passenger vehicles.
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo is widely regarded as a high-value performance tire that bridges the gap between premium pricing and budget accessibility. While many users praise its excellent wet and dry traction and progressive handling characteristics, experiences regarding tread longevity and road noise are notably polarized, often depending on vehicle weight and driving style.
Pros
- Strong wet and dry grip performance
- High value-for-money proposition compared to premium competitors
- Predictable and progressive handling at the limit
- Generally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Effective hydroplaning resistance
Cons
- Inconsistent tread wear life across different vehicle platforms
- Reports of premature sidewall cracking or perishing in some climates
- Occasional difficulty with balancing and road-force vibration
- Performance drop-off as the tire ages or reaches lower tread depths
Observations
- Users with Audi Quattro models frequently report high satisfaction with the tire as an OE replacement, citing a balanced feel.
- Owners of smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., Ford Fiesta) report highly variable experiences, with some noting excellent longevity while others report poor wet-weather performance in specific small-diameter sizes.
- High-torque or heavier vehicles occasionally report rapid rear-tire wear and a 'twitchy' feeling when using run-flat variants.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ | B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Max Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo — better comfort, wet and dry. Pick the Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ if snow and handling matter most to you.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo scores 76 vs 59 on comfort.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo scores 82 vs 67 on wet.
Dunlop Sport Maxx 050+ scores 90 vs 80 on snow.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo scores 87 vs 77 on dry.
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.