Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Nokian Seasonproof 2
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 75% · 72
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 21
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 finished ahead 4 times and the Seasonproof 2 once. The Kinergy 4S2 lasted 20.5% longer in the wear tests; the Seasonproof 2 had 8.9% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Nokian Seasonproof 2 if you drive in persistently wet climates (Atlantic/coastal, frequent rain, motorway standing water) and want the strongest wet-braking and aquaplaning safety margin with better efficiency. Choose the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 if you prioritise snow stopping/traction, a more sporty dry feel, and lower cost-per-kilometre via longer wear-while accepting that the Nokian is generally the safer option for wet braking.
Where the Kinergy 4S2 is stronger
- Strong snow braking across all shared tests (wins 5/5), giving a consistent stopping advantage on packed snow (e.g., ADAC 11.8 m vs 12.3 m; AMS 30.0 m vs 31.9 m).
- Generally strong snow traction and acceleration (wins 4/5), useful for hill starts and pulling away in slush/soft snow.
- More engaging/competent dry-road dynamics in multiple tests, including better subjective dry handling (wins 3 tests) and faster dry handling in Auto Zeitung and the 225/40 R18 group test.
Where the Seasonproof 2 is stronger
- Wet-braking specialist: wins wet braking in all five shared tests, with the largest and most safety-relevant margin in ADAC (32.4 m vs 36.5 m).
- Very strong aquaplaning resistance overall (straight aquaplaning wins 4/5; also top-tier curved aquaplaning in AMS), boosting confidence in standing water.
- Better efficiency: lower rolling resistance in every shared test where reported (wins 4/4), supporting fuel economy/EV range.
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Kinergy 4S2 vs Seasonproof 2 at a glance
| Category | Kinergy 4S2 | Gap | Seasonproof 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 4 | 1 | |
| Dry13 measurements | 8 | The Kinergy 4S2 lapped the dry handling course 2.2% faster (2 tests) | 4 |
| Wet25 measurements | 6 | The Seasonproof 2 stopped 4.2% shorter in the wet (5 tests) | 17 |
| Snow19 measurements | 14 | The Kinergy 4S2 stopped 4.1% shorter on snow (5 tests) | 4 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort9 measurements | 2 | The Seasonproof 2 was 1 dB quieter (4 tests) | 6 |
| Value9 measurements | 4 | The Seasonproof 2 had 8.9% lower rolling resistance (4 tests) | 5 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Seasonproof 2 by 0.2 | 9.1/10 |
| Owner rating72 and 21 reviews | 75% | The Seasonproof 2 by 5 points | 80% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The Seasonproof 2 by 2 points | 76% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Seasonproof 2 was dearer in 3 of 5 | +2.8% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 96 | 37 sizes made in both | 60 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 5 tests in 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Kinergy 4S2 | Field | Seasonproof 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 AMS All Season Tyre Test - 195/55 R16 | P7 of 9 | P4 of 9 | |
| 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test | P6 of 10 | P7 of 10 | |
| The BEST All Season Tyres For 2026/27 | P7 of 10 | P9 of 10 | |
| 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 | P5 of 9 | P7 of 9 | |
| 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | P5 of 16 | P7 of 16 |
Performance profile
18 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Kinergy 4S2
Seasonproof 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 12 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Kinergy 4S2
Seasonproof 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Kinergy 4S2
Seasonproof 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72 reviews and the Seasonproof 2 80% from 21. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Kinergy 4S2 | Gap | Seasonproof 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40.22 | 0.3% | 40.08 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.11 | 2.2% | 84.16 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115.2 | = | 115.2 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 10.9% | scored | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 36.37 | 4.2% | 34.73 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 42.7 | 8.7% | 39 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.37 | 1.2% | 71.47 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 86.2 | 0.3% | 86.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.7% | scored | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.64 | 1.7% | 7.51 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.74 | 1.8% | 12.96 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 85.07 | 1.9% | 86.71 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.01 | 4.4% | 3.15 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 25.38 | 4.1% | 26.49 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4.23 | 5.2% | 4.46 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,730 | 2.9% | 1,654 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.34 | 1.5% | 74.59 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 86 | 3.8% | 89.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 9.8% | scored | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.86 | 6.6% | 3.63 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 22.1 | 0.5% | 22.2 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.2% | scored | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.4% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.63 | 1 dB | 71.67 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 43,750 | 20.5% | 36,300 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.71 | 8.9% | 7.94 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 1.8% | 5.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 59 | 18.1% | 72 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.11 | 39% | 0.17 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kinergy 4S2 scores 8.9 and the Seasonproof 2 9.1 out of 10.
| Kinergy 4S2 | Category | Seasonproof 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Dry | 70 | ||
| 85 | Wet | 97 | ||
| 43 | Comfort | 62 | ||
| 42 | Value | 54 | ||
| 74 | Snow | 63 | ||
| 25 | Ice | 28 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Kinergy 4S2 | Category | Seasonproof 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Dry Grip | 7.7 | ||
| 8 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 7.1 | Road Feedback | 7.7 | ||
| 7.4 | Handling | 7.8 | ||
| 7.6 | Wear | 8.3 | ||
| 7.3 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 7.5 | Snow Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 6.5 | Ice Grip | 8.2 | ||
Owners rate the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72 reviews and the Seasonproof 2 80% from 21. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Hankook Kinergy 4S2
- 75%from 72 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 995,659 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 as a strong all-weather all-rounder, with most praise focused on dependable wet and dry grip (mentioned by around half of reviewers) and reassuring snow traction. Longevity is often reported as good, and a notable minority also highlight the comfortable ride and strong value for money. The most consistent drawback is road noise, raised by over a third of owners, while a smaller group report higher fuel consumption/rolling resistance.
- Confident wet grip in cold and rain
- Strong dry grip for an all-season tyre
- Good tread life for year-round use
- Surprisingly capable traction in snow
- Noticeable road noise or whining at certain speeds
- Higher rolling resistance or worse fuel economy
- Can feel less predictable at the limit (soft/squealy breakaway)
Summarised by AI from 65 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 72 Kinergy 4S2 reviewsExcellent tires for all seasons, this was my first test as I've always used summer/winter tires on all my cars for more safety and longevity. These tires perform very well on dry roads, in corners whether wet or not, but especially great on snow, whether it's recovery, acceleration, or grip (Summit of the Vosges for example or the Belgian Ardennes). I was very surprised despite all my extensive research on tires with a good price-quality ratio. After 46,000 km, I wouldn't try them again on snow as I've far exceeded the winter wear indicator, but there are still 2mm of tread left for summer.
Nokian Seasonproof 2
- 80%from 21 reviews
- 76%would buy again
- 80,950 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Nokian Seasonproof 2 highly, most often praising its strong wet grip and reassuring all-round safety, alongside a quiet, comfortable ride. Snow traction is also frequently highlighted as impressively winter-like for an all-season tyre, with dry-road grip getting positive mentions too. A meaningful minority report mixed feelings about steering precision and stability at higher speeds, and around one in five owners mention fuel economy/rolling resistance not being as good as hoped.
- Strong wet grip and confidence in rain
- Low road noise (quiet motorway and around town)
- Comfortable, compliant ride quality
- Very capable traction in snow for an all-season tyre
- Steering feel can be a bit vague or not very direct
- Mixed stability at higher speeds (some report nervousness)
- Fuel economy/rolling resistance can be disappointing
Summarised by AI from 21 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 21 Seasonproof 2 reviewsAfter installing the Seasonproof 1 and being happy with it, I decided to put on the Seasonproof 2 and it has improved a lot... good performance in water, they provide safety and are very comfortable... they are not sports tyres, but in water they provide safety... I don't know how they perform in snow... silent just like the Seasonproof 1... happy ☺ so far good wear.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 96 sizes of the Kinergy 4S2 and 60 of the Seasonproof 2, 37 of them made in both.
| Category | Kinergy 4S2 | Seasonproof 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| Sizes made | 96 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 60 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 37 sizes 175/65 R15185/55 R15185/60 R15185/65 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16and 25 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%C4% | A83%B17% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C78%D22%B1% | B90%C10% |
| EU label noise | 70-73 dB B100% | 68-72 dB B69%A31% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 194 of 194 | 78 of 78 |
| Replaced | Hankook Kinergy 4S (2021) | Nokian SeasonProof (2020) |
| Awards | - | Winner: All-Season Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2026/27) Winner: All-Season SUV Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2025) Winner: All-Season Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2025) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Seasonproof 2 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 2.8% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Hankook's Kinergy 4S2 and Nokian's Seasonproof 2 are both premium-touring all-season tyres aimed at drivers who want one set of tyres to cover dry motorway work, cold rain, and occasional winter conditions without the compromises of a full winter tyre. Across five major 2026 tests (AMS, Auto Zeitung, ADAC, and two independent 225/40 R18 comparisons), they repeatedly land in the mid-pack-yet for very different reasons.
The data paints a “split personality” matchup. The Hankook tends to feel more traditionally “summer-tyre like” in steering/handling metrics and repeatedly posts strong snow braking/traction numbers, while the Nokian's core story is wet-weather safety (especially wet braking and aquaplaning) plus consistently better efficiency. However, the Nokian's dry/snow results are notably size- and test-dependent, swinging from strong snow pace in AMS to very weak snow traction/handling in other tests.
Conclusion
Over these shared tests, the Seasonproof 2 is the more rain-focused tyre: it wins wet braking in all five shared tests, including a very meaningful gap in the ADAC test (32.4 m vs 36.5 m, about 11% shorter for the Nokian). It also tends to pair that stopping power with stronger straight-ahead water evacuation (straight aquaplaning wins 4/5) and clearly better rolling resistance (wins 4/4), which translates to easier efficiency gains and a more modern “low energy loss” feel. If your typical winter is cold rain, standing water and motorways, that wet-safety margin is the decisive differentiator.
The Kinergy 4S2 counters with a more robust long-life/value proposition and more dependable winter “get moving / get stopped” performance on snow: it wins snow braking in every shared test (5/5) and usually leads in snow traction (4/5). It also repeatedly scores better for dry driving enjoyment and objective dry handling in several tests, while delivering substantially longer predicted mileage (e.g., Auto Zeitung 43,000 km vs 35,500 km; ADAC 44,500 km vs 37,100 km). The trade-off is that it's typically louder, less efficient, and-most importantly-can give away significant wet-braking distance versus the Nokian.
Practical takeaway: Seasonproof 2 is the safer choice for wet climates and high-speed water clearance, while Kinergy 4S2 makes most sense for drivers who see more snow days, want stronger dry-road feel, and care about cost-per-kilometre-so long as they accept that wet stopping distances are not its strongest suit.
Kinergy 4S2 vs Seasonproof 2: your questions
Is the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 or the Nokian Seasonproof 2 the better tyre?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 finished ahead 4 times and the Seasonproof 2 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kinergy 4S2 scores 8.9 and the Seasonproof 2 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Kinergy 4S2 or the Seasonproof 2?
The Seasonproof 2 led 17 of the 25 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.2% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Kinergy 4S2 led 8 of the 13 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the dry handling course 2.2% faster across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Kinergy 4S2 led 14 of the 19 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.1% shorter on snow across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Kinergy 4S2 lasted 20.5% longer in the wear tests (2 tests); the Seasonproof 2 had 8.9% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 7.6/10 for the Kinergy 4S2 and 8.3/10 for the Seasonproof 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Seasonproof 2 was 1 dB quieter (4 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.3/10 for the Kinergy 4S2 and 8.8/10 for the Seasonproof 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72 reviews and the Seasonproof 2 80% from 21. 74% of Kinergy 4S2 owners would buy it again, against 76% for the Seasonproof 2.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Seasonproof 2 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 2.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Kinergy 4S2 is made in 96 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the Seasonproof 2 in 60 (15 to 20 inch). 37 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Kinergy 4S2 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Seasonproof 2 A and B.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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