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Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

This head-to-head pits two max-performance summer stalwarts with different philosophies: Bridgestone's Potenza Sport is a driver's tyre prioritising outright grip and precision, while Hankook's Ventus S1 evo 3 blends capable performance with efficiency, comfort, and value. Across 11 shared tests, the Bridgestone typically chases lap times; the Hankook aims to be the smarter everyday choice.

Expect the Potenza Sport to dominate dry and wet handling/braking metrics and aquaplaning resistance, often feeling the most agile and connected. Conversely, the Hankook frequently counters with lower rolling resistance, quieter road manners, a softer ride, and a friendlier price tag-attributes that matter on the daily commute and at the pump.
Potenza-Sport VS Ventus-S1-evo-3

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 eleven tests which compare both tyres directly!

Summary of eleven total tests comparing both tyres directly
TyreTest WinsPerformance
Bridgestone Potenza Sportseven
seven wins
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3three
three wins
one draws in one tests

While it might look like the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is better than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 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 dry and wet handling with sharp steering and feedback
  • Consistently shorter braking on dry (wins 8/9) and strong wet stops
  • Superior aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) across most tests
  • Engaging, sporty character with top lap times when warm
  • Low rolling resistance (wins 9/9) for better fuel economy
  • Quieter and more comfortable ride in most tests
  • Lower purchase price and stronger value per km
  • Competitive wet braking in several tests with balanced, predictable behavior

Dry Braking

Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during eight dry braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 1.66% less distance than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
34.34M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
34.92M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
35.1M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
36.8M (+1.7M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
34.7M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
34.9M (+0.2M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
33.4M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
33.57M (+0.17M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
36M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
36.1M (+0.1M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
35.6M (+1.6M)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
34M
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
33.9M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
35.8M (+1.9M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
33.5M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
34.7M (+1.2M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
33.21M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
33.4M (+0.19M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
33.62M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
35M (+1.38M)

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 1.66% faster around a lap than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
78.35s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
79.67s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
94.34s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
96.04s (+1.7s)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
67s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
68s (+1s)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
73.71s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
74.98s (+1.27s)

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.94% faster around a lap than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
110.76Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
109.72Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
98.2Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
97Km/H (-1.2Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
119.7Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
117.2Km/H (-2.5Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
102.2Km/H (-1.3Km/H)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
103.5Km/H
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
118.2Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
116.5Km/H (-1.7Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
115.5Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
114.4Km/H (-1.1Km/H)

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport scored 2.05% more points than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
48.83 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
47.83 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
49.5 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
48.5 Points (-1 Points)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
92 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
92 Points
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
5 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
3 Points (-2 Points)

Subj. Fun

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one subj. fun tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport scored 26.32% more points than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.5 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
7 Points
Subjective Fun Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Fun: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.5 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
7 Points (-2.5 Points)

Wet Braking

Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.03% less distance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
38.66M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
38.65M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
41.1M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
44.4M (+3.3M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
48.8M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
51.2M (+2.4M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
34.79M (+4.12M)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
30.67M
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
45.7M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
49.5M (+3.8M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
56.2M (+6.8M)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
49.4M
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
28.3M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
30.3M (+2M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
41.2M (+2.3M)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
38.9M
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
28.3M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
28.9M (+0.6M)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
23.58M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
24.55M (+0.97M)

Wet Braking - Cool

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during one wet braking - cool tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 stopped the vehicle in 6.35% less distance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
31.5M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
29.5M
Wet braking at cooler temperature in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Cool: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
31.5M (+2M)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
29.5M

Wet Braking - Worn

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one wet braking - worn tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 6.68% less distance than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
40.5M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
43.4M
Wet braking at Low Tread Depth, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Worn: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
40.5M
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
43.4M (+2.9M)

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three wet handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 2.35% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
74.11s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
75.89s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
64.53s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
65.23s (+0.7s)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
66.6s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
69.2s (+2.6s)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
91.2s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
93.25s (+2.05s)

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 2.52% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
81.68Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
79.62Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
85.5Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
78.3Km/H (-7.2Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
73.9Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
72.4Km/H (-1.5Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
88.8Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
87.6Km/H (-1.2Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
73.3Km/H (-1.6Km/H)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
74.9Km/H
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
86.9Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
84.9Km/H (-2Km/H)

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport scored 2.56% more points than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
52 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
50.67 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
57 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
53 Points (-4 Points)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
95 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
95 Points
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
4 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
4 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 3.4% faster around a wet circle than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
12.22s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
12.65s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
11.47s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
11.76s (+0.29s)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
11.35s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
11.71s (+0.36s)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
15s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
15.9s (+0.9s)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
11.04s
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
11.24s (+0.2s)

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during eight straight aqua tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport floated at a 1.85% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
79.3Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
77.83Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
74.6Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
73.6Km/H (-1Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
74Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
73.1Km/H (-0.9Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
73.4Km/H (-0.6Km/H)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
74Km/H
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
95.7Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
95.6Km/H (-0.1Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
92.6Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
91.4Km/H (-1.2Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
69.7Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
65.2Km/H (-4.5Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
77.8Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
74.4Km/H (-3.4Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
78.3Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
76.8Km/H (-1.5Km/H)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
77.6Km/H
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
76.4Km/H (-1.2Km/H)

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during seven curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport slipped out at a 22.16% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
5.37m/sec2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
4.18m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
2.72m/sec2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
2.52m/sec2 (-0.2m/sec2)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
1.93m/sec2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
1.9m/sec2 (-0.03m/sec2)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
3.06m/sec2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
2.85m/sec2 (-0.21m/sec2)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
2.73m/sec2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
2.5m/sec2 (-0.23m/sec2)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
18.7m/sec2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
12m/sec2 (-6.7m/sec2)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
2.72m/sec2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
2.26m/sec2 (-0.46m/sec2)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
5.7m/sec2
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
5.21m/sec2 (-0.49m/sec2)

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 scored 2.91% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
50 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
51.5 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
95 Points (-3 Points)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
98 Points
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
5 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
5 Points

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 scored 20% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
4 Points
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
5 Points
Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
4 Points (-1 Points)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during five noise tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 measured 1.52% quieter than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
72.5dB
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
71.4dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
72.9dB
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
74.1dB (+1.2dB)
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
73.7dB (+2dB)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
71.7dB
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
71.7dB (+0.2dB)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
71.5dB
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
74.1dB (+1.9dB)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
72.2dB
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
73.6dB (+2.9dB)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
70.7dB
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
69dB (+0.8dB)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
68.2dB

Noise

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during one noise tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 measured 0.28% quieter than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
72.2dB
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
72dB
Internal noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
72.2dB (+0.2dB)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
72dB

Wear

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during one wear tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 is predicted to cover 11.93% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
20459KM
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
23231KM
Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
20459KM (-2772KM)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
23231KM

Value

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during one value tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 proved to have a 30.24% better value based on price/1000km than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
4.53Price/1000
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
3.16Price/1000
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
4.53Price/1000 (+1.37Price/1000)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
3.16Price/1000

Price

Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during seven price tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 cost 16.87% less than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
512.27
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
425.86
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
1055 (+265)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
790
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
630 (+85)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
545
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
78.2 (+5.5)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
72.7
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
560 (+40)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
520
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
710 (+110)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
600
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
460 (+80)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
380
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
92.7 (+19.4)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
73.3

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 was better during nine rolling resistance tests. On average the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 had a 9.93% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.67kg / t
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.71kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.15kg / t (+0.04kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
9.11kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.57kg / t (+0.77kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.8kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.47kg / t (+0.99kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.48kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.7kg / t (+0.94kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.76kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.04kg / t (+0.45kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.59kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.5kg / t (+1.1kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.4kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.9kg / t (+1.35kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.55kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
10.3kg / t (+1.7kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
8.6kg / t
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
10.42kg / t (+1.3kg / t)
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
9.12kg / t

Abrasion

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport emitted 25.46% less particle wear matter than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
72.3mg/km/t
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
97mg/km/t
Weight of Tyre Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t), lower is better

Best In Abrasion: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
72.3mg/km/t
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
97mg/km/t (+24.7mg/km/t)

Real World Driver Reviews

Bridgestone Potenza Sport Driver Reviews

Across 115 reviews, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is praised for exceptional dry and wet grip, sharp steering response, strong braking, and confidence-inspiring handling, often rivaling or beating PS4/PS4S and PZ4. Many note it performs best when warmed and can be superb for spirited road use, with some citing good value. The most common drawbacks are rapid tread wear, higher noise and a firm ride, noticeable grip drop when cold, and poor durability on track abuse; a few also report slightly higher fuel consumption. Overall sentiment is strongly positive for performance-focused drivers, with caveats on longevity and comfort.

Based on 120 reviews with an average rating of 80%

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 Driver Reviews

Most drivers rate the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 highly, praising its excellent wet braking and very solid dry grip alongside a quiet, comfortable ride and strong value for money. Many note predictable, confidence-inspiring behavior and, for a good number of users, respectable tread life. The main drawback is a soft sidewall feel that limits steering precision and sporty feedback, so it suits grand-touring comfort more than hardcore performance. A minority report faster wear on certain fitments (notably some EV/OEM/runflat applications).

Based on 66 reviews with an average rating of 76%

Best Review for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Given 81% 225/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
I have had these on the rear of my XFR for a few months now, it has the optional "R-S" size of 295/30/20. They get a hard life on a heavy >500bhp RWD car with quite relaxed electronics, and these are by far the best tyres I have used on the rear of an XFR - various models of which have been my daily driver for 6.5 years now (about 90k miles covered in that time). Traction is superb in wet and dry conditions, and resistance to aquaplaning has been good as well. It is slightly concerning they come with
Helpful 2802 - tyre reviewed on November 22, 2021
View all Bridgestone Potenza Sport driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
Given 73% 215/45 R18 W on a combination of roads for 19,000 spirited miles
Fitted a set of these to my Mazda3 Sport Nav. I've always been a fan of Hankook tyres but have had various on different cars, Michelin to Budget.

First thing you notice with these tyres is just how much they improve the ride. The car had stock Dunlop Sport Maxx TT tyres and whilst these gave a sharper steering feel you felt every little ripple in the road. The Hankooks certainly smoothed things out, with only a small trade off in steering feel. Next is the grip. In both wet and dry I've been known to do some pretty stupid things, but I've yet to trigger the ABS or lose grip... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 1236 - tyre reviewed on April 16, 2019
View all Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

Pattern over many tests is clear: the Potenza Sport is the dynamic benchmark. It repeatedly stops shorter (dry/wet), turns quicker, and resists aquaplaning better, landing more podiums and test wins. If you value steering precision, warm-condition grip, and confidence at speed-whether spirited B-roads or occasional track days-Bridgestone is the safer bet.

The Ventus S1 evo 3 is the smarter all-rounder for everyday use. It's consistently quieter, more comfortable, and markedly more efficient (regularly 10-16% lower rolling resistance), with strong wet braking showings in several tests and a clear price advantage. For drivers prioritising refinement, fuel economy, and cost per kilometre without sacrificing competent performance, Hankook delivers excellent value.
Key Differences
  • Handling focus: Bridgestone feels sharper and more agile; Hankook skews comfort/predictability.
  • Braking trend: Potenza Sport generally shorter dry stops; wet braking swings but often favors Bridgestone when warm.
  • Aquaplaning: Bridgestone leads both straight and curved resistance in the majority of tests.
  • Efficiency: Hankook regularly posts 10-16% lower rolling resistance, aiding fuel economy.
  • Noise/comfort: Hankook is typically quieter and more compliant; Bridgestone can run firmer and louder.
  • Cost/value: Hankook is usually cheaper to buy and run; Bridgestone often carries a premium and higher energy use.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Overall Winner: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport 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

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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.