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Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 — 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 | Ventus S1 evo2 | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | 82 |
| Tire Rack owners | 92 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 90 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 97% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo2 | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 85 |
| Tire Rack owners | 89 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 88 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 97% | 89% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
Snow
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo2 | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 68 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 82 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo2 | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 70 | – |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo2 | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 66 | 73 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo2 | Pilot Sport 3 PS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 90 |
| Dry | 83 | 88 |
| Wet | 81 | 88 |
| Snow | 50 | – |
| Comfort | 70 | 92 |
| Noise | 70 | 92 |
| Treadwear | 68 | 88 |
| Handling | 79 | 94 |
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.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% #8/11 · 2019 Auto Bild Sports Car Tyre Test | 95% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | +1 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #3/6 · 2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test | 97% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | +1.6 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/6 · 2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test | 80% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | +20.2 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 59% #5/9 · 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test | 100% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | -41 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 14% #7/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 33% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | -19 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #3/6 · 2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | -6.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 97% #4/6 · 2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test | 89% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | +7.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #6/10 · 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test | 97% #3/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres | +0.4 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 is widely regarded as a high-performance summer tire that offers an excellent balance of dry and wet traction at a competitive price point. While many users praise its handling and value compared to premium rivals, consensus is divided regarding its longevity and susceptibility to sidewall damage, with some users reporting rapid tread wear and structural issues on rougher road surfaces.
Pros
- Strong dry and wet grip performance
- Excellent value for money compared to premium brands
- Responsive handling and steering feedback
- Generally quiet operation when new
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly on heavier or high-performance vehicles
- Increased road noise as the tire ages
- Reports of fragile sidewalls prone to bulging or damage
- Performance degradation in cold or near-freezing temperatures
Observations
- Users with heavy SUVs and high-horsepower sedans frequently report significantly shorter tread life, often requiring replacement under 15,000 miles.
- Owners of premium German vehicles (Audi, BMW, Mercedes) note that while the tire is a capable OEM choice, it is often perceived as a 'downgrade' in comfort or longevity compared to top-tier Michelin or Continental alternatives.
- The foam-lined 'sound absorber' variants received mixed feedback, with some users reporting vibrations or balancing issues over time.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) is widely regarded as a high-performance summer tire that excels in wet-weather confidence and ride comfort. While many users praise its ability to transform vehicle handling and provide a quiet, stable driving experience, a significant portion of the user base reports concerns regarding rapid tread wear and soft sidewalls that may feel less precise during aggressive cornering.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Predictable and progressive handling characteristics
- Strong dry-weather traction for daily spirited driving
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly on high-torque or front-wheel-drive vehicles
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a 'squishy' or vague feel during extreme cornering
- High price point relative to longevity
- Performance degradation as the tire reaches the end of its tread life
Observations
- Users with hot hatches and performance-oriented FWD vehicles frequently report faster-than-expected front tire wear.
- Drivers transitioning from run-flat tires to the PS3 consistently note a dramatic improvement in ride quality and noise reduction.
- Some owners of heavier, high-torque vehicles noted that the soft sidewalls can feel less stable under heavy load compared to dedicated track-focused tires.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) is largely viewed as an older generation tire, often overshadowed by its successor, the PS4. While some users consider buying discounted warehouse stock for daily driving or note limited size availability, others strongly advise against choosing the PS3 when newer iterations are available. (Note: Several posts in the discussion confuse the tire with the PlayStation 3 gaming console.)
“Michelin PS3 MO1 vs Pirelli Pzero MO About to order 4 new tires for this 2012 Mercedes CLS500 SB (X218), but tire choices are quite limited. Sizes: 255/40R18 99Y front 285/35R18 97Y rear Currently running Pirelli Pzero MO on all corners, which are in desperate need of replacement. Unfortunately, Michelin PS4, PS5 or PS4S are not available in both these sizes in Europe. The PS4 has been quite an improvement over the PS3 iirc, so it feels wrong to go for the PS3. However, the Pirelli Pzero MO isn’t the newest PZ5 iteration nor the previous PZ4 I suppose. So… Should we go for another set of Pirelli Pzero or the Michelin PS3? (PFA) Read more”
“Is the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 a good choice for a daily driver? I've been considering changing my tires to Michelin Primacy 4 for my Mazda 2. I've been quoted with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 ones with manufacturing date of mid 2024 for 25% less, that the garage wants to clear from their warehouse. Is this an overkill? Edit: Thank you all for your help. I went with the PS3 and it seems that it was a good choice. Read more”
“~2000 miles into a set of PS3 all seasons, plug or leave in?”
Based on 10 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Hankook
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 — better comfort, noise and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 scores 92 vs 70 on comfort.
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 scores 92 vs 70 on noise.
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 scores 88 vs 68 on treadwear.
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 scores 94 vs 79 on handling.
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.