Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Pirelli Cinturato C3
Across two independent 2025 tests (205/55 R17 and 225/55 R18), the Pirelli consistently finished at the sharp end (2/7 and 1/7 overall), while the Hankook trailed mid-pack (both 6/7). The margins that matter-wet braking, aquaplaning resistance, and subjective control-tilt decisively toward the Pirelli, even though the Hankook remains competitive in select metrics such as wet braking distances and efficiency.
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 two tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Pirelli Cinturato C3 | two |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is better than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 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
- Competitive wet braking in one test (29.7 m vs 29.4 m for Pirelli)
- Respectable efficiency (rolling resistance 7.7 kg/t in 225/55 R18)
- Dry braking can be close in some sizes (36.76 m vs 36.54 m)
- Generally balanced everyday behavior for routine driving
- Consistently superior wet performance (e.g., 24.17 m vs 26.59 m wet braking; +9.1%)
- Better aquaplaning resistance, straight and curved (+8.86% straight in 205/55 R17; +3.99% curved in 225/55 R18)
- More precise, predictable handling with confident stability under load changes
- Lower noise and slightly better efficiency (71.8 dB; 7.4 kg/t rolling resistance)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 2.68% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 2.56% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 4.83% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 3.24% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 13.41% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 floated at a 4.43% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 slipped out at a 3.83% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 4.94% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 7.32% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Noise: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 measured 1.51% quieter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 had a 3.9% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 highly for its quiet, comfortable ride, strong dry grip, confident wet performance (especially when new), and excellent value versus premium rivals. Handling stability and braking inspire confidence across varied conditions, with many noting a step up in refinement and noise compared to previous tyres. A recurring downside is faster-than-expected wear, with multiple reports of wet grip and overall performance declining as tread depth drops, alongside noise increasing as the tyre ages. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with durability-related concerns being the main caveat.
Based on 75 reviews with an average rating of 82%
Pirelli Cinturato C3 Driver Reviews
Drivers overwhelmingly praise the Pirelli Cinturato C3 for exceptional safety and control, with standout wet and dry grip, confident braking, and precise handling. Many highlight very low noise and high comfort, with some noting good rolling efficiency and promising durability after initial use. A few mention that steering precision isn't as sharp as top sport-focused rivals, but without calling it a weakness. Overall sentiment is strongly positive for everyday and spirited driving.
Based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 94%
Conclusion
The Hankook Ventus Prime 4 is competent for everyday use and stays close in certain measures-wet braking in the Al Volante test was within 0.3 m, and dry braking gaps were modest in one size. However, its weaker wet handling and aquaplaning margins, higher noise, and occasional rear instability in the wet place it a tier below for safety-critical performance. If your driving is predominantly gentle, urban and in fair weather, the Hankook remains a serviceable option; for broad-condition confidence, the Pirelli is the clear pick.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Pirelli wins both tests (1st and 2nd); Hankook 6th in both
- Wet braking advantage to Pirelli in both sizes (up to 2.42 m shorter in 205/55 R17)
- Aquaplaning resistance: Pirelli leads in straight and curved scenarios (+0.74% to +8.86%)
- Subjective control: Pirelli higher in dry and wet handling (e.g., +15.49% wet handling score)
- Comfort/noise: Pirelli quieter and rated more comfortable (e.g., 82 vs 76 noise score; 71.8 dB vs 72.9 dB)
- Efficiency: Pirelli shows slightly lower rolling resistance (7.4 vs 7.7 kg/t)
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 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.