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Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 Test Results

Tyre Reviews tests: 1 Tested 2016 to 2022 14 publications

Tested 29 times by independent publications, the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 has taken 4 test wins with an average finish of 5th. Its strongest discipline is Dry Braking, beating 80% of the field across 14 tests; its weakest is Wear, at 40% across 5 tests.

  • 29Independent tests
  • 4Test wins
  • 8Podium finishes
  • 5thAverage finish
  • 59%Field beaten on average
  • 14Publications
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125

29 tests, 2016 to 2022

0%50%100%2016201720182019202020212022Average 59%2016 Market Overview - Braking Test (2016): P2 of 50, Beat 98% of the field2016 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test (2016): P1 of 15, Beat 100% of the field2017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Shootout (2017): P2 of 51, Beat 98% of the field2017 ADAC 195/65 R15 Summer Tyre Test (2017): P14 of 16, Beat 13% of the field2017 AZ Summer Tyre Test (2017): P6 of 10, Beat 44% of the field2017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test (2017): P5 of 20, Beat 79% of the field2017 ACE SUV Summer Tyre Test (2017): P4 of 11, Beat 60% of the field2017 Mid Range Tyre Test (2017): P6 of 10, Beat 44% of the field2017 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test (2017): P5 of 11, Beat 60% of the field2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test (2018): P5 of 9, Beat 13% of the field2018 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2018): P5 of 16, Beat 73% of the field2018 AutoBild Summer Tyre Overview (2018): P1 of 51, Beat 100% of the field2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test (2018): P1 of 20, Beat 100% of the field2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tyre Test (2018): P7 of 12, Beat 18% of the field2018 Auto Review 225/45 R17 Tyre Test (2018): P3 of 11, Beat 80% of the field2019 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test (2019): P2 of 10, Beat 67% of the field2019 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test (2019): P4 of 11, Beat 50% of the field2019 ACE Summer Tyre Test (2019): P6 of 9, Beat 25% of the field2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test (2019): P4 of 13, Beat 67% of the field2020 ADAC SUV Summer Tyre Test (2020): P5 of 12, Beat 45% of the field2020 ACE Mid Range Summer Tyre Test (2020): P8 of 9, Beat 13% of the field2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test (2020): P5 of 20, Beat 79% of the field2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test (2020): P6 of 10, Beat 44% of the field2020 New 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test (2020): P7 of 10, Beat 33% of the field2020 Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer Tyre Test (2020): P11 of 12, Beat 9% of the field2021 53 Summer Tyre Braking Test (2021): P1 of 53, Beat 100% of the field2021 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2021): P7 of 15, Beat 57% of the field2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test (2021): P6 of 20, Beat 74% of the field2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tyre Test (2022): P8 of 18, Beat 59% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 59%
The latest test

2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tyre Test P8 of 18

Overall, the Hankook ventus Prime 3 K125 does not get more than a satisfactory rating. Although it can still achieve a good result in the dry thanks to its braking distance, it shows slight weaknesses on wet roads. However, its wear behavior is convincing, for which it receives a very good rating. In the sum of its properties, the tire is classified as recommendable.

Winner: Continental Premium Contact 6

Record by discipline

Where the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking Strong 14 P2.9 of 16.4 80% 7
Dry Handling 9 P3.1 of 14.7 83% 3
Subj. Dry Handling 4 P4 of 14 76% 1
Wet
Wet Braking 14 P4.7 of 16.4 65% 2
Wet Handling 11 P6.7 of 13.8 47% 1
Subj. Wet Handling 4 P6.3 of 14 56% -
Straight Aqua 11 P7.2 of 13.4 50% -
Off road
Gravel Handling 1 P10 of 10 0% -
Gravel Traction 1 P1 of 10 100% 1
Grass Traction 1 P2 of 10 89% -
Mud Traction 1 P6 of 10 44% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 4 P4.8 of 13.3 66% -
Noise 8 P3.8 of 14 75% 1
Tyre Weight 2 P7.5 of 11 36% -
Value
Wear Weak 5 P11 of 17.4 40% -
Value 2 P15 of 20 26% -
Rolling Resistance 10 P7.7 of 13.4 44% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Continental Premium Contact 6 15 shared: 1 ahead, 13 behind 15 1 13 1 7%
Maxxis Premitra HP5 14 shared: 10 ahead, 4 behind 14 10 4 - 71%
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 14 shared: 7 ahead, 5 behind 14 7 5 2 58%
Bridgestone Turanza T005 14 shared: 4 ahead, 9 behind 14 4 9 1 31%
Dunlop Sport BluResponse 12 shared: 7 ahead, 5 behind 12 7 5 - 58%
Michelin Primacy 4 11 shared: 4 ahead, 7 behind 11 4 7 - 36%
Continental Premium Contact 5 10 shared: 5 ahead, 5 behind 10 5 5 - 50%
Nexen N Blue HD+ 9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind 9 9 0 - 100%
Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 9 shared: 7 ahead, 2 behind 9 7 2 - 78%
Kumho Ecsta HS51 9 shared: 6 ahead, 3 behind 9 6 3 - 67%
Firestone RoadHawk 9 shared: 6 ahead, 3 behind 9 6 3 - 67%
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue 9 shared: 5 ahead, 4 behind 9 5 4 - 56%
Vredestein Sportrac 5 8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind 8 7 1 - 88%
Nokian WetProof 8 shared: 3 ahead, 5 behind 8 3 5 - 38%
Cooper Zeon CS8 7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind 7 7 0 - 100%
Avon ZV7 7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind 7 7 0 - 100%
Fulda EcoControl HP 6 shared: 5 ahead, 1 behind 6 5 1 - 83%
Nokian Line 6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind 6 4 2 - 67%
Michelin Primacy 3 6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind 6 4 2 - 67%
Bridgestone Turanza T001 Evo 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%

Against its own line

The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.

Tyre Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Hankook Ventus Prime2 Predecessor 12 1 6th 59%
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 This tyre 29 4 5th 59%
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 Successor 16 0 6th 55%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 29 tests. Updated August 26, 2025.

Across 29 summer tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 consistently excels in braking and dry-road performance, frequently topping dry and wet braking and often ranking near the front in dry handling. Multiple test wins and shootout podiums underscore its peak capability, especially in mainstream 15-17-inch sizes. However, results fluctuate with size and test context; several mid-pack or lower finishes reveal variability in wet handling balance, aquaplaning resistance, rolling resistance, and wear/value. Overall, it's a strong all-rounder with standout stopping power, but not the class leader for efficiency or wet stability at the limit.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Wear and Value Strong
    Details
    • 19/20 wear and 18/20 value in 2021 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 (Test 2) with note: 'performed badly in the wear test'
    • Mid-pack to below wear in ADAC: 10/15 wear in 2021 (Test 3); 6/12 wear in 2020 SUV (Test 10)
  • Wet Handling Balance and Aquaplaning Moderate
    Details
    • Wet handling mid-pack or lower: 5/20 in 2021 Auto Bild (Test 2), 9/10 in 2020 Teknikens (Test 7), 9/9 in 2018 AZ (Test 20)
    • Straight aquaplaning often middling: 10/20 in 2021 Auto Bild (Test 2), 16/20 in 2018 Auto Bild (Test 17), 11/11 in 2019 AMS SUV (Test 13)
  • Rolling Resistance/Efficiency Moderate
    Details
    • 9/20 rolling resistance in 2021 Auto Bild (Test 2, +19.5% from best)
    • 12/20 rolling resistance in 2018 Auto Bild (Test 17, +25.3% from best)
    • 9/10 rolling resistance in 2020 Teknikens (Test 7), 5/10-6/20 mid-pack elsewhere (Tests 6, 8)
  • Result Variability by Size/Test Moderate
    Details
    • Low finishes: 11/12 in 2020 Tyre Reviews 205/55 R16 (Test 5), 8/9 in 2020 ACE Mid Range 215/55 R17 (Test 9), 14/16 in 2017 ADAC 195/65 R15 (Test 26)
    • Context notes of unusual/early OE spec affecting wet performance (2017 AZ, Test 25)
  • Wet handling Strong in 4 of 18 tests
    Details
  • Aquaplaning resistance Strong in 3 of 18 tests
    Details
  • Behaviour at the limit Moderate in 2 of 18 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 (18 tests) and 103 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Dry grip strength in 5 of 18 tests 44 praise, 2 criticise of 103 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 11 of 18 tests 21 praise, 3 criticise of 103 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry braking strength in 10 of 18 tests 9 praise, 3 criticise of 103 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Road noise strength in 2 of 18 tests 25 praise, 12 criticise of 103 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Value for money strength in 5 of 18 tests 23 praise, 0 criticise of 103 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet braking strength in 7 of 18 tests 7 praise, 0 criticise of 103 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • High-speed stability weakness in 1 of 18 tests 4 praise, 1 criticise of 103 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 29

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2022 1 test
P8 of 18 Beat 59% of the field

2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tyre Test

ADAC 215/60 R16

Overall, the Hankook ventus Prime 3 K125 does not get more than a satisfactory rating. Although it can still achieve a good result in the dry thanks to its braking distance, it shows slight weaknesses on wet roads. However, its wear behavior is convincing, for which it receives a very good rating. In the sum of its properties, the tire is classified as recommendable.

WinnerContinental Premium Contact 6

2021 3 tests
P7 of 15 Beat 57% of the field

2021 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16

ADAC 205/55 R16

The Hankook Ventus Prime3 is a dry specialist, up there with the best in dry braking and good levels of control and grip in dry handling. In contrast, the Hankook is average in the wet, finishing midpack. Low noise and low fuel consumption.

WinnerContinental Premium Contact 6

2020 6 tests
P11 of 12 Beat 9% of the field

2020 Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer Tyre Test

Tyre Reviews 205/55 R16 Tested by Tyre Reviews

If price is important to you, this might be a good option, but the Prime 3 is soon to be replaced by a much improved version, so we recommend waiting for that.Not Recommended

WeakDry BrakingWet BrakingWet Handling WinnerContinental Premium Contact 6

2019 4 tests
P4 of 13 Beat 67% of the field

2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test

Test World 205/55 R16

StrongDry BrakingSubj. Dry Handling WinnerNokian Hakka Blue 2

P4 of 11 Beat 50% of the field

2019 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 215/55 R17

StrongDry HandlingSubj. Dry Handling WeakStraight Aqua WinnerNokian WetProof

P2 of 10 Beat 67% of the field

2019 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test

Auto Bild Allrad 225/55 R17

Exemplary.

StrongDry BrakingGravel TractionGrass TractionNoise WeakGravel Handling WinnerGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

2018 6 tests
P7 of 12 Beat 18% of the field

2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tyre Test

Gute Fahrt 205/55 R16

Good.

StrongDry BrakingWet Braking WeakRolling Resistance WinnerGoodyear EfficientGrip Performance

P5 of 9 Beat 13% of the field

2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test

Auto Zeitung 225/45 R17

A surprisingly poor result for the Ventus Prime3. A poor wet performance was combined with an average dry performance.

StrongNoise WeakWet BrakingWet Handling WinnerMichelin Pilot Sport 4

2017 7 tests
P6 of 10 Beat 44% of the field

2017 Mid Range Tyre Test

Motor 205/55 R16

StrongDry BrakingDry Handling WinnerBridgestone DriveGuard

2016 2 tests

Back to the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 overview

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