81
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
28 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
77 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Nexen N Blue 4 Season — 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%)
78/100
11 professional tests
User signal (40%)
82/100
34 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 — better snow, dry and wet. Pick the Nexen N Blue 4 Season if comfort and handling 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)
Kinergy 4S2 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Kinergy 4S2 | N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | 75 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 79 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 97% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 97% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Kinergy 4S2 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Kinergy 4S2 | N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 75 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 81 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 95% | 89% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 91% | 98% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Kinergy 4S2 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Kinergy 4S2 | N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 61 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 79 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 95% | 96% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 94% | 95% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 91% | 95% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
N Blue 4 Season leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | Kinergy 4S2 | N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 96 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 82 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Kinergy 4S2 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Kinergy 4S2 | N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 69 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Kinergy 4S2 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Kinergy 4S2 | N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 74 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
N Blue 4 Season leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Kinergy 4S2 | N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 79 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Kinergy 4S2 | Nexen N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 79 |
| Dry | 84 | 78 |
| Wet | 85 | 79 |
| Snow | 78 | 70 |
| Comfort | 80 | 91 |
| Noise | 83 | 80 |
| Treadwear | 80 | 79 |
| Handling | 74 | 79 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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.
Neutral
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
81
/ 100
Tire A
79
/ 100
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.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 93% #2/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | 77% #9/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | +15.5 | Same test |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% #6/31 · 2020 All Season Tyre Market Overview - 32 Tyre Braking Test | 95% #9/14 · 2020 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +1.8 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #8/9 · 2021 AZ All Season Tyre Test | 97% #8/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | +2 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 83% #5/10 · 2018 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 78% #14/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +4.9 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 98% #11/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 97% #8/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +0.7 | Same test |
| Abrasion | Other | 100% #14/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 61% #1/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +38.7 | Same test |
| Noise | Other | 99% #13/14 · 2020 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 97% #1/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +2.4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 84% #7/10 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | 69% #1/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | +15 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 72% #11/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 62% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +9.7 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 59% #9/10 · 2018 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 85% #4/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | -25.6 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 25% #4/27 · 2018 27 All Season Tyre Shootout | 14% #7/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | +10.7 | Different tests |
| Rough Noise | Rough | 98% #5/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | 97% #1/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | +0.9 | Same test |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 95% #3/10 · 2019 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 96% #9/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | -0.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 94% #1/9 · 2021 AZ All Season Tyre Test | 95% #15/16 · 2021 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | -0.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 91% #4/9 · 2025 Auto Bild All Season Camper Van Tyre Test | 95% #4/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | -4.3 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 84% #11/12 · 2024 Minivan / SUV All Season Tyre Test | 95% #10/16 · 2021 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | -11.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #5/10 · The BEST All Season Tyres For 2026/27 | 98% #2/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | -8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 94% #6/10 · The BEST All Season Tyres For 2026/27 | 89% #8/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | +4.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 88% #3/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | 75% #6/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | +12.5 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 91% #6/9 · 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 | 95% #6/9 · 2020 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | -4.1 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #8/10 · 2018 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 0% #6/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% #3/10 · 2018 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | 89% #9/14 · 2020 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +5.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 91% #5/10 · 2023 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | 98% #3/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | -6.6 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is widely regarded as a high-value, versatile all-season tire that excels in wet and cold conditions. While most users praise its exceptional price-to-performance ratio and reliable handling in varied weather, some report concerns regarding road noise at highway speeds and inconsistent tread longevity.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather traction and hydroplaning resistance
- Strong value proposition with a competitive price point
- Reliable performance in cold temperatures and light-to-moderate snow
- Solid dry handling and steering responsiveness for an all-season tire
Cons
- Audible road noise or 'whining' at highway speeds (120-140 km/h)
- Reports of inconsistent tread wear or premature degradation
- Potential for reduced fuel economy compared to dedicated summer or specialized touring tires
- Occasional reports of sudden grip loss at the limit on specific vehicle setups
Observations
- EV owners noted that the tire can be noticeably noisier than specialized low-noise EV tires.
- Users with performance-oriented or heavier vehicles reported more rapid wear on the front axle.
- Drivers of smaller, lighter vehicles often praised the tire's ability to improve ride comfort and handling over OEM options.
The Nexen N Blue 4 Season is widely regarded as a high-value, budget-friendly all-season tire that excels in cold, wet, and snowy conditions. While users consistently praise its comfort, quiet ride, and impressive winter traction, some note that it lacks the sharp handling feedback of premium summer tires and can exhibit accelerated wear or structural issues in specific cases.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium brands
- Strong traction and safety in snow and cold weather
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Predictable and reliable performance in wet conditions
Cons
- Vague steering feedback and limited performance during spirited dry driving
- Tendency toward understeer in warmer temperatures (above 20°C)
- Reports of premature tread cracking or structural deformation in some units
- Noticeable decrease in fuel efficiency compared to dedicated summer tires
Observations
- Users with XL (Extra Load) versions noted increased road noise compared to standard variants, often describing the sound profile as similar to dedicated winter tires.
- Drivers of heavier vehicles and commercial vans reported surprisingly good longevity and stability, though some noted that the soft compound is less suited for aggressive cornering.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook Kinergy 4S2 | B · Nexen N Blue 4 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season Premium Touring tires | All Season Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Hankook
79
/ 100
Nexen
Winner: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 — better snow, dry and wet. Pick the Nexen N Blue 4 Season if comfort and handling matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Nexen N Blue 4 Season scores 91 vs 80 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scores 78 vs 70 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scores 84 vs 78 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scores 85 vs 79 on wet.
Tire A · Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Tire B · Nexen N Blue 4 Season
More comparisons
Also compared with
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 also compared with
Nexen N Blue 4 Season 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.