Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 vs Nexen N Fera Primus — 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.
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
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 evo3 | N Fera Primus |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 67 |
| Tire Rack owners | 86 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 87 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo3 | N Fera Primus |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 81 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 90 |
Snow
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo3 | N Fera Primus |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 1 |
| Tire Rack owners | 78 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 80 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo3 | N Fera Primus |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 81 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo3 | N Fera Primus |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 57 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 84 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Ventus S1 evo3 | N Fera Primus |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 77 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 | Nexen N Fera Primus |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 76 |
| Dry | 86 | 76 |
| Wet | 84 | 84 |
| Snow | 80 | 76 |
| Comfort | 79 | 35 |
| Noise | 80 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 71 | 85 |
| Handling | 74 | 77 |
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
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
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.
The Nexen N Fera Primus is widely regarded as a high-value performance tire that offers impressive wet and dry traction, often rivaling more expensive premium brands. While most users praise its comfort, quiet ride, and affordability, it is strictly a summer-oriented tire that performs poorly in freezing or wintry conditions.
Pros
- Excellent value for the price point
- Strong wet and dry surface traction
- High levels of ride comfort and noise suppression
- Predictable handling and stability in spirited driving
Cons
- Poor performance and lack of traction in snow or freezing temperatures
- Potential for rapid tread wear
- Inconsistent reports regarding road noise levels
- Long-term durability concerns, such as sidewall cracking after several years
Observations
- Users with lightweight vehicles noted that XL (Extra Load) rated tires can feel overly stiff, increasing sensitivity to road imperfections.
- Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., Focus RS) reported that the tire provides competitive grip levels compared to premium alternatives like the Michelin Pilot Super Sport.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 | B · Nexen N Fera Primus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Max Performance Summer tire | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
Hankook
Nexen
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 — better comfort, dry and snow. Pick the Nexen N Fera Primus if treadwear, noise and handling matter most to you.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 79 vs 35 on comfort.
Nexen N Fera Primus scores 85 vs 71 on treadwear.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 scores 86 vs 76 on dry.
Nexen N Fera Primus scores 85 vs 80 on noise.
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.