Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
The Hankook consistently ranks higher overall (4 test wins vs. 1) and separates itself in the wet and on snow, while the Nexen counters with shorter dry braking in several sizes plus standout mileage and price efficiency. Drivers choosing between them are essentially weighing dynamic security in adverse weather against long-term running costs and stop-and-go dry braking performance.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been five tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Hankook Kinergy 4S2 | four | |
| Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 | one |
While it might look like the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is better than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading aquaplaning resistance (e.g., +27% curved aqua vs Nexen in 245/45 R18)
- Stronger wet braking and handling (up to ~12% shorter wet stops)
- Consistent snow performance across braking, traction and handling
- Sharper dry handling and driver feedback; higher overall test placements
- Shorter dry braking in multiple sizes
- Outstanding mileage and value (e.g., +24% wear, best price-to-wear ratio)
- Lower rolling resistance in several tests, aiding fuel economy
- Good ride comfort and agreeable daily manners
Dry Braking
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 stopped the vehicle in 2.55% less distance than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Dry Braking: Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 0.6% faster around a lap than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 1.73% faster around a lap than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 stopped the vehicle in 3.2% less distance than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Wet Braking: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 2.54% faster around a wet lap than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 1.96% faster around a wet lap than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during four wet circle tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 2.35% faster around a wet circle than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Wet Circle: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 floated at a 5.71% higher speed than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 slipped out at a 14.81% higher speed than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 stopped the vehicle in 3.42% less distance than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Snow Braking: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during four snow traction tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 had 2.52% better snow traction than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Snow Traction: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 3.72% faster around a lap than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during two snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 1.14% faster around a lap than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 provided 1.55% more lateral grip than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Circle: Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 0.77% faster through a slalom than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Snow Slalom: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scored 23.12% more points than the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 was better during three noise tests. On average the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 measured 0.35% quieter than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Noise: Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Tyre Weight
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 and Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 performed equally well in tyre weight tests.
Best In Tyre Weight: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Tyre Weight winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 was better during one wear tests. On average the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 is predicted to cover 19.65% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Wear: Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 was better during one value tests. On average the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 proved to have a 28.9% better value based on price/1000km than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Value: Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 had a 3.59% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 used 1.05% less fuel than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 highly for everyday use, praising its strong wet grip (especially in cold rain), reassuring snow performance for an all-season, comfortable ride, and excellent value with often solid tread life. Across varied cars and climates, many report confident handling and balanced behavior in dry and wet conditions. Common drawbacks include noticeable road noise/whine at certain speeds and a softer handling feel with some understeer when pushed; several users also note that wet grip can decline once tread drops below ~4-5 mm. Overall sentiment is strongly positive with the tyre suiting mild-winter, rain-heavy climates particularly well.
Based on 59 reviews with an average rating of 75%
Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 Driver Reviews
Drivers of the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 report a strong all-rounder with standout snow and ice traction, a very quiet and comfortable ride, and solid performance in typical dry and wet conditions. Many highlight excellent value and even improved fuel economy. A minority note that dry/wet grip can feel merely average at times and that traction in heavy standing water isn't class-leading, but overall satisfaction is high.
Based on 7 reviews with an average rating of 87%
Conclusion
The Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 excels in value metrics. It commonly delivers shorter dry braking, lower rolling resistance in several tests, much higher projected mileage (+24% in one test), and a notably better price-to-wear ratio. Its compromises appear in wet grip and aquaplaning reserves, where it trails the class leaders and the Hankook.
If you frequently face rain and winter conditions, choose the Hankook for its safety margins and balanced dynamics. If your driving is mostly urban/suburban in fair weather and you value low cost per mile, the Nexen is a pragmatic pick. The key takeaway: Hankook for all-weather security, Nexen for wallet-friendly commuting.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Hankook typically finishes higher (e.g., 2/12 and 3/13 vs Nexen's 8/12 and 6/13)
- Wet safety: Hankook notably stronger in wet braking and handling (up to ~12% better) and aquaplaning (+10-27%)
- Snow capability: Hankook leads in snow braking/traction/handling across most tests
- Dry braking: Nexen often stops shorter on dry surfaces
- Efficiency: Nexen shows lower rolling resistance and markedly better wear/value
- Subjective dynamics: Hankook offers crisper steering/handling; Nexen is comfortable but less precise in the wet
Overall Winner: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.