Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs Hankook iON FlexClimate
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 81
- TR Score
- 9.8/10
- Owners say
- 88% · 11
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Hankook iON FlexClimate finished ahead 2 times and the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 not once. The iON FlexClimate stopped 10% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
The Hankook iON FlexClimate is the better choice for EV drivers and anyone prioritising braking safety, wet grip, aquaplaning resistance and long wear. The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is still a strong option for drivers seeking a comfortable, efficient, proven all-season tyre with solid snow ability and slightly better value.
Where the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is stronger
- Comfortable ride quality, scoring better than the Hankook for subjective comfort in the AutoBild test
- Strong and consistent snow performance, including narrow wins in snow traction, snow handling and snow slalom in the 2026 AutoBild test
- Slightly better rolling resistance and value score in the AutoBild comparison
Where the iON FlexClimate is stronger
- Class-leading overall performance in both shared tests, winning 1st place twice
- Excellent dry braking, stopping 4.0 to 4.9 metres shorter than the Goodyear in the shared tests
- Superior wet safety, with clear wins in wet braking, wet handling, wet circle and aquaplaning resistance
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.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs iON FlexClimate at a glance
| Category | Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Gap | iON FlexClimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won2 shared tests | 0 | 2 | |
| Dry3 measurements | 0 | The iON FlexClimate stopped 10% shorter in the dry (2 tests) | 3 |
| Wet8 measurements | 0 | The iON FlexClimate stopped 7.3% shorter in the wet (2 tests) | 8 |
| Snow7 measurements | 3 | Level between the two. | 3 |
| Comfort2 measurements | 2 | 0 | |
| Value2 measurements | 1 | Level between the two. | 1 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The iON FlexClimate by 0.4 | 9.8/10 |
| Owner rating81 and 11 reviews | 82% | The iON FlexClimate by 6 points | 88% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 78% | The iON FlexClimate by 13 points | 91% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 102 | 12 sizes made in both | 15 |
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 2 tests, 2025 to 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 | Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Field | iON FlexClimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test for EVs (215/55 R18) | P4 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| 2025 TUV Hankook iON FlexClimate EV Report | P3 of 5 | P1 of 5 |
Performance profile
18 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
iON FlexClimate
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.
Where each scores higher
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
Not ahead in any category
iON FlexClimate
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
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
Not ahead in any category
iON FlexClimate
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 82% from 81 reviews and the iON FlexClimate 88% from 11. 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 | Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Gap | iON FlexClimate | Wins | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44.35 | 10% | 39.9 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 91.2 | 1.5% | 92.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 40.85 | 7.3% | 37.85 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 74.4 | 1.2% | 75.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 7.9 | 1.3% | 8 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 13.2 | 1.5% | 13 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 71.3 | 8% | 76.85 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 2.55 | 7.1% | 2.73 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 24.2 | 2.2% | 23.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 10.2 | 2% | 10 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 3,577 | 0.9% | 3,544 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 63 | 4.8% | 60 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 56.5 | 0.4% | 56.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 3.81 | 1.1% | 3.77 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| scored | 9.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 71.1 | 0.2 dB | 71.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 52,160 | 4.6% | 54,560 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 7.35 | 0.8% | 7.41 | 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 Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 scores 9.4 and the iON FlexClimate 9.8 out of 10.
| Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Category | iON FlexClimate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | Dry | 100 | ||
| 89 | Wet | 100 | ||
| 68 | Comfort | 90 | ||
| 73 | Value | 77 | ||
| 81 | Snow | 81 | ||
| 87 | Ice | - | ||
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
| Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | Category | iON FlexClimate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 8.7 | Wet Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 7.8 | Road Feedback | 8.1 | ||
| 8 | Handling | 8.8 | ||
| 8.6 | Wear | 9.7 | ||
| 8.3 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 8.4 | Snow Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 7.5 | Ice Grip | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 82% from 81 reviews and the iON FlexClimate 88% from 11. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3
- 82%from 81 reviews
- 78%would buy again
- 1,078,534 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 highly overall (average 79.9%), with most praising its dependable all-round grip, particularly in the wet, where over half of reviewers comment positively. Dry grip, snow traction and cold-weather performance are also frequently highlighted, and around a third of owners report strong tread life. The main recurring downsides are a noticeably weaker dry braking performance and slightly vague steering feel, raised by around one in five and around one in six owners respectively, while road noise feedback is mixed but leans positive.
- Confident wet grip in heavy rain and greasy conditions
- Strong dry grip for everyday driving
- Long tread life and slow wear rates
- Impressive snow traction for an all-season tyre
- Longer dry braking distances / less bite under heavy braking
- Vague or light steering feel and less direct response
- Higher rolling resistance / noticeable fuel economy drop for some drivers
Summarised by AI from 75 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 81 Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 reviewsAlmost perfect tyres that even didn't let my down in heavy snow which really amazed me. And driven normally they seem to last forever.
Hankook iON FlexClimate
- 88%from 11 reviews
- 91%would buy again
- 100,500 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners overwhelmingly rate the Hankook iON FlexClimate highly, with most highlighting very low road noise and a comfortable, refined ride. Many also report strong all-round grip, particularly in the wet, and several found it impressively capable in snow and on ice for an all-weather tyre. The main recurring drawback is efficiency, with around one in five owners noting reduced EV range/rolling resistance, while isolated comments mention slightly weaker dry handling or a touch more noise as it wears.
- Very low road noise
- Comfortable, compliant ride
- Strong wet grip and confidence in rain
- Good dry grip
- Reduced efficiency / higher rolling resistance impacting range
- Slightly weaker dry handling than summer tyres
- A little noisier as it wears
Summarised by AI from 11 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 11 iON FlexClimate reviewsMuch quieter than pilot 5’s they’re replacing.
Better fuel efficiency.
Amazing in wet roads.
Much more comfortable ride over bumpy roads.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 102 sizes of the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and 15 of the iON FlexClimate, 12 of them made in both.
| Category | Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 | iON FlexClimate |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| Sizes made | 102 sizes, 14 to 22 inch | 15 sizes, 18 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 12 sizes 215/55 R18225/55 R18235/45 R18215/50 R19235/40 R19235/45 R19235/50 R19245/40 R19245/45 R19255/40 R19215/45 R20245/45 R20 | |
| EU label wet grip | B87%C13% | B94%A6% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C47%B29%A21%D4% | C76%B24% |
| EU label noise | 69-73 dB B99%A1% | 69-73 dB B94%A6% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 252 of 252 | 17 of 17 |
| On the market since | - | 2024 |
| Replaced | Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2 (2021) | - |
| Replaced by | Goodyear Vector All Season 4 | - |
| Awards | Commended: Best All-Season Tyres (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: All-Season Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) Winner: All-Season Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2021) Winner: Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2021) | - |
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.
This comparison puts a highly regarded mainstream all-season tyre, the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3, against Hankook's newer EV-focused iON FlexClimate. The Goodyear has long been known as a dependable premium touring option for drivers wanting one tyre to handle dry, wet and winter conditions. The Hankook enters with a more specialised brief: all-season capability tuned for electric vehicles, where weight, torque delivery, noise, wear and efficiency all become especially important.
The shared test data gives the Hankook a strong platform, with wins in both available comparisons: first place in the 2026 AutoBild all-season EV test and first place in the 2025 TÜV Hankook iON FlexClimate EV report. However, the details matter. The Hankook dominates braking, wet grip and aquaplaning resistance, while the Goodyear remains competitive in snow, comfort, noise, value and rolling resistance. This is less a case of one tyre being poor and more a contrast between a proven all-rounder and a newer tyre that appears particularly well matched to EV demands.
Conclusion
Across the shared data, the Hankook iON FlexClimate is the stronger performer overall. It won both head-to-head tests and repeatedly delivered meaningful advantages in the areas that matter most for safety: braking and aquaplaning resistance. The dry braking gap is especially important, with the Hankook stopping 4.0 to 4.9 metres shorter than the Goodyear in the two tests, while its wet braking advantage ranged from 2.6 to 3.4 metres. Those are not marginal differences in real traffic.
The Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 remains a very competent and proven all-season tyre. Its strengths are comfort, slightly lower noise, competitive running cost, efficient rolling resistance in the AutoBild EV test, and dependable snow behaviour. In the 2026 AutoBild test it even edged the Hankook in snow traction, snow handling and snow slalom, although by small margins. Its main weakness is clear and repeated: dry braking, where it was consistently behind the Hankook.
For EV drivers, the Hankook looks like the more modern and better-optimised choice, combining high wet and dry grip with excellent durability. The Goodyear is still attractive for drivers who prioritise comfort, balanced winter capability and value, especially on conventional passenger cars. The practical takeaway is simple: choose the Hankook for maximum all-round safety and EV-specific performance; choose the Goodyear if comfort, proven year-round balance and cost control matter more than outright braking performance.
Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 vs iON FlexClimate: your questions
Is the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 or the Hankook iON FlexClimate the better tyre?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Hankook iON FlexClimate finished ahead 2 times and the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 scores 9.4 and the iON FlexClimate 9.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 or the iON FlexClimate?
The iON FlexClimate led 8 of the 8 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7.3% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The iON FlexClimate led 3 of the 3 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 10% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
Across the shared tests the snow measurements are split 3-3 between the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and the iON FlexClimate.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 and 9/10 for the iON FlexClimate.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 82% from 81 reviews and the iON FlexClimate 88% from 11. 78% of Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 owners would buy it again, against 91% for the iON FlexClimate.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is made in 102 sizes (14 to 22 inch) and the iON FlexClimate in 15 (18 to 20 inch). 12 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Vector 4Seasons Gen 3 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the iON FlexClimate B and C.
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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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