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Hankook Ventus K104 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 | Ventus K104 | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 85 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 42 | 83 |
Snow
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 77 |
Noise
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 57 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 55 | 69 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 44 | 74 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Ventus K104 | Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 53 | 79 |
| Dry | 68 | 86 |
| Wet | 42 | 84 |
| Snow | – | 80 |
| Comfort | 61 | 79 |
| Noise | – | 80 |
| Treadwear | 55 | 71 |
| Handling | 44 | 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
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Hankook Ventus K104 is generally regarded as a budget-oriented performance tire that offers acceptable dry-weather handling for enthusiasts with specific suspension setups, but it suffers from significant deficiencies in wet-weather traction. While some users appreciate its responsiveness and longevity, the consensus points toward inconsistent performance, high road noise, and a lack of confidence-inspiring grip in damp or rainy conditions.
Pros
- Responsive and crisp handling characteristics in dry conditions
- Competitive price point for budget-conscious buyers
- Good tread life for users who maintain proper suspension geometry
- Aesthetically pleasing tread pattern
Cons
- Poor and unpredictable wet-weather traction
- High levels of road noise
- Inconsistent tread wear performance across different vehicle types
- Lack of progressive grip during cornering
Observations
- Users noted that the tire's performance is highly dependent on precise suspension tuning, with some suggesting it is better suited for performance-oriented setups than standard passenger vehicles.
- Drivers of luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes-Benz, reported that the tire's high noise levels negatively impacted the overall refinement of the vehicle.
- Light commercial vehicle users reported premature tread wear, suggesting the tire is not well-suited for heavier loads or utility applications.
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 · Hankook Ventus K104 | B · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer High Performance tires | Max Performance Summer tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Hankook
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — better wet, handling and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 84 vs 42 on wet.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 74 vs 44 on handling.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 86 vs 68 on dry.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 79 vs 61 on comfort.
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.