77
/ 100
Objective (60%)
73/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
61/100
13 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — 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.
VS
79
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
77/100
84 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — better noise, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV if handling and dry 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)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 95 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 85 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 83 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ventus S1 evo3 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 77 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Ventus S1 evo3 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 68 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ventus S1 evo3 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 57 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 40 | 69 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 74 |
| DriverReviews owners | 84 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 79 |
| Dry | 91 | 86 |
| Wet | 85 | 84 |
| Snow | – | 80 |
| Comfort | 72 | 79 |
| Noise | 68 | 80 |
| Treadwear | 63 | 71 |
| Handling | 87 | 74 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
77
/ 100
Tire A
79
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV is generally regarded as a high-performance tire that excels in dry handling, cornering predictability, and cabin quietness. While many users praise its performance as an original equipment choice for performance-oriented vehicles, there are notable concerns regarding tread longevity and potential structural deformation issues.
Pros
- Exceptional dry handling and cornering stability
- Low road noise levels contributing to a quiet ride
- Predictable performance and driver confidence in various conditions
- Strong performance as an original equipment (OE) fitment for performance vehicles
Cons
- Reports of premature tread wear and limited mileage
- Significant concerns regarding structural deformation and vibration
- Noticeable decline in wet weather traction as the tread wears down
- Higher price point compared to some competitors with similar performance ratings
Observations
- Users with high-performance vehicles like the Subaru STi and Nissan GTR report that the stiff sidewall construction is well-matched to their handling characteristics.
- Drivers of SUVs and 4x4s have reported issues with tire deformation when the vehicle is left stationary for extended periods.
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.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Max Performance Summer tire |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
77
/ 100
Dunlop
79
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — better noise, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV if handling and dry matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV scores 87 vs 74 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 80 vs 68 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 71 vs 63 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 79 vs 72 on comfort.
Tire A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
Tire B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3
More comparisons
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Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV also compared with
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 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.