2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test
Recommended.
Tested 35 times by independent publications, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 averages a finish of 5th. Its strongest discipline is Noise, beating 71% of the field across 6 tests; its weakest is Dry Handling, at 47% across 9 tests.
Where the Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 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 | 11 | P5.2 of 10 | 52% | 1 |
| Dry Handling Weak | 9 | P5.4 of 9.1 | 47% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1 | P4 of 16 | 80% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 11 | P4.5 of 10 | 59% | - |
| Wet Handling | 9 | P5.4 of 9.9 | 50% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1 | P7 of 16 | 60% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 6 | P4.7 of 10.7 | 66% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 1 | P4 of 11 | 70% | - |
| Noise Strong | 6 | P3.7 of 10.2 | 71% | 2 |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance | 5 | P4 of 9 | 67% | 2 |
Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Hankook Ventus S1 evo2. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 7 | 12 | - | 37% | |
| 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 47% | |
| 16 | 3 | 13 | - | 19% | |
| 14 | 9 | 5 | - | 64% | |
| 13 | 6 | 7 | - | 46% | |
| 13 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 33% | |
| 13 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 17% | |
| 11 | 9 | 2 | - | 82% | |
| 10 | 8 | 2 | - | 80% | |
| 10 | 4 | 6 | - | 40% | |
| 9 | 8 | 1 | - | 89% | |
| 9 | 3 | 6 | - | 33% | |
| 8 | 5 | 3 | - | 63% | |
| 7 | 1 | 6 | - | 14% | |
| 7 | 0 | 7 | - | 0% | |
| 6 | 2 | 4 | - | 33% | |
| 6 | 2 | 4 | - | 33% | |
| 6 | 0 | 6 | - | 0% | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% |
The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.
| Tyre | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo Predecessor | 15 | 3 | 4th | 66% |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 This tyre | 35 | 0 | 5th | 55% |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 Successor | 25 | 2 | 5th | 59% |
Drawn from 34 tests. Updated September 15, 2025.
Across 34 summer tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 delivers consistently solid upper-mid to front-pack performance (average P5), with standout results in braking, aquaplaning resistance, noise, and rolling resistance. It frequently places top three in wet braking/handling and environmental metrics, and has multiple podiums and strong showings in UHP-focused tests. However, it can slip to mid-pack in dry handling and occasionally in wet handling consistency, and has some older tests showing weaker wet performance against the latest premium rivals.
short dry braking- 2019 Auto Bild Sports Car Tyre Test (2019)
Short wet and dry braking distances- 2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test (2018)
short stopping distance on wet and dry surfaces- 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test (2017)
Very short braking distances in the dry and wet- 2016 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tyre Test (2016)
Short braking distances on dry surfaces- 2016 Test World Performance Tyre Test (2016)
high aquaplaning resistance- 2019 Gute Fahrt Summer 18 Inch Tyre Test (2019)
Good aquaplaning resistance- 2019 Auto Bild Sports Car Tyre Test (2019)
good aquaplaning result- 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test (2018)
high resistance to aquaplaning- 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test (2017)
Very high resistance to aquaplaning- 2016 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test (2016)
stable in the dry- 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test (2020)
Good wet and dry handling- 2018 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test (2018)
High lateral stability and good handling on dry roads- 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test (2017)
Good handling on dry surfaces- 2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tyre Test (2017)
good handling in the dry- 2016 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tyre Test (2016)
stable in the dry and wet- 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test (2020)
good wet handling- 2019 Gute Fahrt Summer 18 Inch Tyre Test (2019)
excellent wet handling- 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test (2018)
Good wet and dry handling- 2018 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test (2018)
good handling in all conditions- 2015 Sport Auto 235/35 R19 UHP Tyre Test (2015)
low noise- 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test (2020)
low noise- 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test (2017)
low noise level- 2017 AMS Summer UHP Tyre Test (2017)
low noise level- 2015 Sport Auto 235/35 R19 UHP Tyre Test (2015)
Only winning the cabin noise test- 2015 Auto Express Tyre Test (2015)
Very good in the wet- 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test (2018)
good dry and wet grip- 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test (2018)
High resistance to aquaplaning, good wet and dry grip, good price- 2015 Auto Review Summer Tyre Test (2015)
near flawless performance in the wet- 2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tyre Test (2014)
A string of top three results in the wet really shows how well the tyre has been developed- 2013 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test (2013)
more load change sensitive than other tyres- 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test (2018)
Oversteer balance when making emergency maneuvers- 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test (2018)
Strong tendency to understeer in the wet- 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test (2017)
Oversteer balance on the limit can make the tyre a little nervous- 2016 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tyre Test (2016)
snappy on-the-limit style- 2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tyre Test (2014)
High rolling resistance, relatively noisy- 2018 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test (2018)
High rolling resistance, relatively poor grip on wet surfaces- 2016 Test World Performance Tyre Test (2016)
Increased rolling resistance- 2015 Sport Auto 235/35 R19 UHP Tyre Test (2015)
it could only place sixth in the rolling resistance tests- 2013 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test (2013)
Slightly slow steering response- 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test (2020)
Poor steering feel in the dry- 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test (2018)
Lack of comfort, weak sidewalls- 2015 Auto Review Summer Tyre Test (2015)
comparatively high noise and low comfort- 2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tyre Test (2014)
Every tester write-up on the Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 (27 tests) and 74 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
Recommended.
Highly Recommended.
Recommended
Exemplary
The worst tyre in the wet was saved from last place by a mid table performance i the dry. Ok on the road, but lacking elsewhere.
Recommended
Exemplary
The Hankook was let down by its wet performance, and dry braking. Competitive in dry laptime.
Only winning the cabin noise test, the Hankook S1 Evo 2 had a strong performance in every category, always close to the front and rarely slipping past mid table.
Every year Hankook tyres are getting better and better, and with the Korean company now OE on cars like the Mercedes Benz S Class, the 'big 6' tyre companies really need to watch out. The Ventus S1 EVO 2 is strong in the wet and dry, scoring particularly well in the aquaplaning tests. In the dry, the Hankook has a nice balance of safety with strong braking and stable high speed maneuvers. Negative points? Not the best comfort on test, or shock resistance, but a low price wins it back some points.
The Hankook S1 Evo 2 had both good results, and bad. Strong in aquaplaning, and mid pack in dry handling, the tyre was let down by a last place finish in wet handling and a poor score on the road route section
The new Hankook S1 Evo 2 have a near flawless performance in the wet. They grip well and are backed by predictable behavior on a winding road. Though the laps are slightly slower than Goodyear and Conti, the tyre has excellent control, with an excellence resistance to aquaplaning rounding out the wet performance. Slightly weaker in the dry, the performance is average, with good grip ruined by a snappy on-the-limit style and comparatively high noise and low comfort. An excellent choice for those who gives priority to safety on a wet road.
The midrange Korean brands are finally making progress towards the premium, with a strong showing from Hankook with the Ventus S1 evo2. A string of top three results in the wet really shows how well the tyre has been developed, only being let down by wet cornering. Like the Goodyear, the Hankook found it hard to match the best tyres in the dry, giving up grip earlier than the competition, and while it was the quietest tyre on test, it could only place sixth in the rolling resistance tests.
Excellent dry handling with good steering precision and an agile response. Sporty too in the wet, with a good balance. Average aquaplaning properties knock the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 2 down to 6th.
Not the fastest tyre on test, with last place in wet braking as a test low, the Hankook S1 Evo2 never felt particularly bad, scoring well subjectively in many places
Even after 15 consecutive fast laps the S1 Evo2 maintains a good turn in and doesn't overheat making the Hankook one of the best in dry conditions. In the wet, the performance drops a bit due to a strong tendency to understeer, which ultimately becomes apparent in the lap time.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tyre Reviews score. All Hankook tyres