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Summer tire Summer Tires Updated May 2026

Hankook Ventus R-S4 review

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.

Relative score
79/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
81/100
20 reviews
Hankook Ventus R-S4
Scores

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

By owner reviews

81%
Would buy again 87%
Dry
Overall dry
87%
Corner stability
91%
Dry traction
91%
Steering response
90%
Wet
Overall wet
72%
Hydroplaning resistance
75%
Wet traction
75%
Comfort
Overall comfort
61%
Ride comfort
79%
Noise
Overall noise
74%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
86%
Handling
Overall handling
88%
By source
Tire Rack88%191 reviews Tyre Reviews81%20 reviews
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 20 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

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

Worth knowing

  • 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.
Test results

1 published test appearance

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2021 Track Day 200TW tire Test · 225/45 R17

4th of 8
DisciplinePlacementField position
Head-to-head

Hankook Ventus R-S4 compared

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