73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
75/100
11 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Avon ZZR vs Hankook Ventus R-S4 — 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
Tire B
Hankook
Hankook Ventus R-S4
79
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
81/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Ventus R-S4 — better treadwear and wet. Pick the Avon ZZR if comfort matters most to you.
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Category breakdown
5 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)
ZZR leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus R-S4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 87 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ventus R-S4 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus R-S4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 71 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 72 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
ZZR leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus R-S4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 75 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 61 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ventus R-S4 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus R-S4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 86 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ventus R-S4 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ventus R-S4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 88 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon ZZR | Hankook Ventus R-S4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 79 |
| Dry | 89 | 87 |
| Wet | 61 | 72 |
| Comfort | 70 | 61 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 86 |
| Handling | 86 | 88 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
73
/ 100
Tire A
79
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon ZZR is a specialized track-focused tire that delivers exceptional dry-weather grip and performance, particularly for lightweight sports cars like the Caterham and Lotus Elise. While highly regarded for track use, users consistently warn that its wet-weather capabilities are severely limited, making it unsuitable for year-round road driving or inclement conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and traction
- Strong performance consistency during consecutive track laps
- Lightweight construction ideal for track-oriented vehicles
- Good longevity and wear characteristics when used appropriately
Cons
- Poor wet-weather performance and high risk of aquaplaning
- Sensitive to low temperatures
- Thin sidewalls provide minimal rim protection
- Prone to flat-spotting if left stationary for extended periods
Observations
- Highly praised by owners of lightweight, track-focused vehicles like the Caterham 7 and Lotus Exige.
- Users noted that tire pressure management is critical for optimal performance, with some reporting significant handling improvements at higher PSI settings.
- Performance on heavier road cars is mixed, with reports of uneven wear and less predictable breakaway characteristics compared to dedicated track platforms.
The Hankook Ventus RS4 is widely regarded as the industry benchmark for endurance-focused extreme performance summer tires. While it may not offer the absolute peak grip of specialized autocross tires, it is highly praised for its exceptional tread life, heat consistency, and value, making it a favorite for HPDE participants and endurance racers.
Pros
- Exceptional tread life and durability under heavy track abuse
- High value-to-performance ratio compared to more expensive competitors
- Consistent dry grip and performance throughout the tire's lifespan
- Predictable handling and excellent steering feedback
- Strong heat resistance during long track sessions
Cons
- Requires significant time and effort to reach optimal operating temperatures
- Increased road noise and harsh ride quality compared to standard tires
- Reduced traction in cold or wet conditions
- Potential fitment issues due to narrow section width relative to nominal size
Observations
- Lightweight FWD vehicles report excellent handling characteristics and high confidence with this tire.
- Users note that the tire's sidewall width runs narrow, which may leave rims exposed if sized based on standard tire width expectations.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon ZZR | B · Hankook Ventus R-S4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Trackday and Competition tires | — |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
73
/ 100
Avon
79
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Ventus R-S4 — better treadwear and wet. Pick the Avon ZZR if comfort matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Ventus R-S4 scores 86 vs 70 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Hankook Ventus R-S4 scores 72 vs 61 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Avon ZZR scores 70 vs 61 on comfort.
Tire A · Avon ZZR
Tire B · Hankook Ventus R-S4
More comparisons
Also compared with
Avon ZZR also compared with
Hankook Ventus R-S4 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.