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Summer tire Summer Max Performance tires Updated September 2026

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 review

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.

Relative score
72/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
75/100
105 reviews
Road tests
76/100
8 published tests
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
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

75.1%
Would buy again 64%
Dry
Overall dry
85%
Corner stability
79.5%
Dry traction
84.5%
Steering response
76%
Wet
Overall wet
77.9%
Wet traction
78.5%
Snow & ice
Overall snow & ice
50%
Comfort
Overall comfort
73.4%
Noise
Overall noise
70%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
67.7%
Handling
Overall handling
79%
By source
Tyre Reviews74%84 reviews Tire Rack81%16 reviews

By road tests

76%
Dry
82.3%
Wet
82.5%
Comfort
68.5%
Noise
70.2%
By discipline (% of best in test)
Dry Braking
43.2%
Dry Handling
33.6%
Wet Braking
67.3%
Wet Handling
52.3%
Straight Aquaplaning
85.9%
Inside Noise level
95.5%
Subjective Comfort
72.7%
Rolling Resistance
63.6%
Price
71.4%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 105 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

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

Worth knowing

  • 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.
Test results

8 published test appearances

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

2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch tire Test · 265/35 R19

5th of 10
Best: Rolling Resistance · 1st Weakest: Dry Handling · 7th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 10
Wet Handling6th of 10
Dry Braking6th of 10
Dry Handling7th of 10
Rolling Resistance1st of 10
Straight Aqua2nd of 10
Noise1st of 10
Price4th of 10

2019 Auto Bild Sports Car tire Test · 245/45 R18

6th of 11
Best: Noise · 2nd Weakest: Dry Handling · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking6th of 11
Wet Handling6th of 11
Dry Braking8th of 11
Dry Handling9th of 11
Rolling Resistance9th of 11
Straight Aqua3rd of 11
Subj. Comfort4th of 11
Noise2nd of 11
Price4th of 11

2019 Gute Fahrt Summer 18 Inch tire Test · 225/40 R18

4th of 10
Best: Price · 3rd Weakest: Dry Braking · 7th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking6th of 10
Dry Braking7th of 10
Straight Aqua6th of 10
Price3rd of 10

2018 Auto Express Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17

8th of 10
DisciplinePlacementField position

2018 Ace 235/45 R18 Summer tire Test · 235/45 R18

4th of 11
DisciplinePlacementField position

2018 Test World Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17

7th of 16
Best: Dry Braking · 1st Weakest: Straight Aqua · 12th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 16
Wet Handling8th of 16
Dry Braking1st of 16
Straight Aqua12th of 16
Subj. Dry Handling4th of 16
Subj. Wet Handling8th of 16
Noise10th of 16

2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer tire Test · 245/35 R19

2nd of 6
Best: Rolling Resistance · 1st Weakest: Noise · 5th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking4th of 6
Wet Handling3rd of 6
Dry Braking2nd of 6
Dry Handling3rd of 6
Rolling Resistance1st of 6
Straight Aqua3rd of 6
Noise5th of 6
Price4th of 6

2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day tire Test · 245/35 R19

5th of 9
Best: Wet Braking · 2nd Weakest: Dry Braking · 7th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 9
Wet Handling3rd of 9
Dry Braking7th of 9
Dry Handling6th of 9
Rolling Resistance3rd of 9
Straight Aqua2nd of 9
Noise3rd of 9
Price5th of 9
Head-to-head

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 compared

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