Hankook first appeared in 1941, with headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. After decades of construction and development, now Hankook does not merely serve the Asian market.
This Korean brand occupies a significant market share in the North American market and is currently one of the leading tire brands in the popular segment.
Besides being reasonably priced, the products of this brand are also impressed with the size variety and especially the quality.
If you still doubt this question: “Are Hankook tires good?” when looking at the lower price than many other brands available on the market, the Hankook tires review below will change your mind. Let’s get right into the details!
I also have a list of the most popular Hankook tires on the market along with an overview of them in this article.
Tires | Summary |
---|---|
Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 | The All-terrain tire designed for the drivers of pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, Jeeps and other capable all-terrain vehicles that demand off-road traction, but also require reliable on-road performance. |
Hankook Kinergy ST H735 | The Standard Touring All-season tire developed for the drivers of family sedans, crossovers, coupes and minivans who want a balanced blend of performance combined with long tread life. |
Hankook Ventus V2 concept2 H457 | The High Performance All-Season tire developed for the drivers of mid-level sports cars, sports coupes and performance sedans looking for dynamic styling and all-season performance. |
Hankook Dynapro AT2 RF11 | The On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tire developed for drivers of pickup trucks, Jeeps, work vans and full-size SUVs who are looking for a satisfying blend of all-around performance. |
Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 K120 | The Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans who want to express their personality and style. |
Most Popular Hankook Tires Review
Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05
Hankook Dynapro MT 2 is one of the all-terrain tires used in all seasons. When considered in different terrain conditions, the product received a lot of praise.
Usually, muddy terrain tires will not be too impressive when running on dry roads. However, with this new product, Hankook has completely changed the existing disadvantages of mud-terrain tires.
To achieve this effect, the manufacturer has changed the design of the treads by seamlessly linking the treads together, increasing handling ability.
The Dynapro MT2 is quite responsive and has a good grip. In particular, the product is relatively safe when the stopping distance is not too long.
Not only performing very well on dry terrain, but the unique tread design of the Dynapro MT2 is also capable of conducting water and waterproofing well. Therefore, you are comfortable and safe when using this tire model when driving through shallow rivers.
However, the above advantages are not enough for the product to be a great choice in rainy conditions. Because in too slippery terrain, the product’s grip will probably not be too good.
Not too grippy in heavy rain, so can Hankook Dynapro mt2 work well on snow?
The answer is yes because the product has grooves that help create additional ridges, so the ability to grip the road on snow is significantly better than similar tire models.
Even so, you should still be aware that the Dynapro MT2 cannot perform at its best in extreme conditions. If you still want to use this brand, you can turn your attention to its winter tire models.
For detailed reviews, check this video!
Hankook Kinergy ST H735
Kinergy st is another Touring tire from Hankook. But when compared with Dynapro MT 2, the product still has unique features that you cannot ignore.
The most significant advantage of the Hankook Kinergy ST is its good handling and precise steering support.
There may still be some downsides considering the practical capabilities of this product. For example, the performance of Kinergy ST is not too high.
However, what this tire model offers is enough to become one of the options worth considering if you are driving at a steady speed on dry terrain.
Kinergy GT can work quite well on many different types of terrain, including wet environments.
Maybe the tire handling, in this case, won’t be as good as what you’re used to in favorable terrain. However, as long as you know how to adjust the throttle properly, driving safely in wet conditions is probably not too much of a problem.
Kinergy ST performs exceptionally well in cold weather, on icy terrain.
But like with the previous product, you should still be aware of re-hunting in heavy snow or low tire temperatures.
From that, it can be that the best option is still specialized products for the cold season if you live in a locality with harsh winters.
Hankook Ventus V2 concept2 H457
There are quite a few interesting points about this Hankook Ventus v2 concept2 product line. In particular, the product has its own advantages and disadvantages on each type of terrain.
The ability to grip the road, especially on dry roads of the Ventus v2 concept2, is unquestionable. In particular, even after a long time of use, the grip of the product remains almost unchanged.
However, if you require more than a model of tire that runs on dry summer roads, you will probably need specialized products for the summer.
Ventus V2 Concept2 performs exceptionally well on wet roads. Thanks to the help of this impressive tire, you can accelerate, brake sharply, and do many other maneuvers on wet highways.
In particular, when you step on the brake, you almost do not have any problems related to slippery issues. With a series of above advantages, Ventus V2 Concept2 is one of the good choices if you often move on wet terrain.
Like the snowy terrain, the Ventus V2 Concept2 also performed exceptionally well. However, it would help if you still were careful when using your tires on terrain with more than 2 inches of snow and ice.
Because like any tire that is not exclusive to any season, it is difficult for the Ventus V2 Concept2 to make an impression on the above harsh terrain.
Hankook Dynapro AT2 RF11
For the front tire models, Hankook has focused on developing all-season all-terrain products at affordable prices accessible to a wide variety of audiences.
But in recent years, the brand has begun to make significant strides in entering the high-end segment, directly competing with a series of big names.
And Dynapro AT 2 is one of the products that marks the brand’s transformation.
Dynapro AT2 has outstanding traction, especially on dry terrain. Compared to some other tires in the same price range, the product offers a great experience when cornering, even outperforming many existing tires on the market.
The ability to grip the road in wet conditions of the Dynapro AT2 does not disappoint.
This remarkable ability is mainly due to the highly dispersed silica compound. In addition, the wide grooves and open shoulders on the tire body also play an essential role in water drainage and waterproofing.
With the above combination, Dynapro AT2 is an excellent suggestion for use in harsh conditions with high humidity and slipperiness.
A suitable winter tire model needs good traction and a high grip. With a large number of omnidirectional and wavy tracks, the Dynapro AT2 met both requirements well.
Although not a specialized product for winter, Dynapro AT2 is still proud to be 3PMSF certified, proving its ability to perform in ice much better than previous models.
Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2 K120
High performance is the most significant advantage of Ventus V12 Evo2 – a tire exclusively for sedans, sports coupes, or any other performance-demanding vehicle.
With the Ventus V12 Evo2, there are too many technologies and innovations to enhance handling on dry terrain. However, the product has done quite nicely when it comes to handling and cornering ability.
Because it only stops at a reasonable response level, you may not be too satisfied if you use the Ventus V12 Evo2 on the track.
However, when considering the affordable price and impressive performance, the above shortcoming is not noticeable.
The manufacturer defined and built the Ventus V12 Evo2 as a summer tire from the very beginning. But in fact, the product performed very well even in wet conditions.
Specifically, with the Ventus V12 Evo2, Hankook has brought a unique design including side grooves, the circumference has changed to be more convenient for water drainage.
In addition, the manufacturer also provides enough traction for this particular tire model by using rubber material with high silica content.
As mentioned, because it is a summer tire model, Ventus V12 Evo2 will probably not meet the requirements to use it safely on snowy terrain.
Hankook Optimo H724
The Optimo H724 is one of Hankook’s most affordable products.
There are quite a few reasons that make the Optimo H724 one of Hankook’s most worth-testing products. In addition to its affordable price tag, the product’s impressive dry-road performance is also a significant factor.
The product’s grip is good even when you drive at any speed. But the terrain where the product shows all its advantages is the city or the highway – very suitable for everyday use.
In wet conditions, the performance of the Optimo H724 did not make much of a difference when used in a dry environment.
But you need to note, to be safe when driving the car, you should still pay attention to the speed and ability to grip the road.
Surprisingly, a product with a reasonably affordable price like the Optimo H724 can work quite well in light snow conditions. Because in this case, you will get the most out of the groove on the tire.
Meanwhile, tire traction decreases a bit if you drive through areas of heavy snow.
Hankook Tires Overview
Although established in 1941, compared to domestic North American brands, Hankook is still a young tire manufacturer from Asia.
The initial difficulties in entering the North American market made users skeptical, is Hankook a good tire?
However, Hankook with the following features quickly gained attention and was widely applied on passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks.
Price
The price of Hankook tires is slightly lower than the famous brands on the market today.
According to some statistics, on average, you only need to spend about $123 to $223 to own a quality tire from Hankook. The brand even offers products specifically for passenger cars for less than $100.
Obviously, the above cost is much more affordable than Michelin, Goodyear, or Continental products.
At affordable prices, Hankook’s products are always on the list of best budget tires because of their long-term warranty and good enough quality to be used as a product substitute for more expensive tire models.
Quality
From a brand based in the Korean capital, Hankook has expanded its influence by building 8 production plants in various territories worldwide.
Each factory is made to the correct standards and takes advantage of high-quality raw materials in the region.
Besides, the brand has made a revolution when it replaces the manual production process with the automatic supervision of robots. As a result, Hankook can mass-produce high-precision products.
As far as the brand itself has proudly shared, the automated process only comes in and removes 0.0001% of tires that do not meet high-quality standards.
All of the above advantages are why any product from this brand has excellent quality. Because of not sacrificing quality for a low price that makes Hankook is an option worth considering.
Range
Although compared to the famous domestic brands of the North American market, Hankook appeared late.
However, the brand has also brought a lot of tire models with many different sizes and designs. In particular, the most prominent of this brand is probably the tire models suitable for passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks.
Even within the same category, Hankook also offers more options with different specifications to better serve the diverse needs of users.
Durability
Hankook has researched and developed a proprietary tread compound structure and wear-reduction technology.
Combined with several unique elements in the design of each different tire, this representative from Korea is always at the forefront of durability compared to products in the same segment.
In addition, this brand also focuses on after-sales services such as warranty and replacement of defective products. Therefore, you can completely stick with Hankook’s affordable and high-performance tires.
Handling
The dynamic profile control technology is one of Hankook’s advantages. The most significant advantage of the above technology is that it can minimize the force of gravity acting on the tires.
If you care about tire performance, you will undoubtedly understand that gravity is one of the biggest causes of tire deformation. And Hankook, with the above unique technology, has solved this problem very well.
Not only does it stop at maintaining performance, but the handling ability of Hankook tires also comes from the impressive border pattern design.
This different design makes this representative from Korea able to improve his ability to grip the road and work well in all types of terrain and weather conditions.
Treadwear
Tires from Hankook have another advantage of having a long life. If you have doubts about the longevity of a reasonably affordable product, you can rely on the tire wear announced by the manufacturer.
Leading experts agree that passenger tires should abrasion between 300 – 500. And nearly all Hankook tires have worn in this range.
The manufacturer also offers many products suitable for trucks and off-road vehicles with abrasive levels in the field of 500 – 700.
To put it simply, if the tire has a wear rating of 700, it means that the product lasts 7 times longer than the standard. The above parameters have proved the outstanding durability of the product of this Korean brand.
Traction
To assess the grip of the road objectively, experts will use a scale according to the AA, A, B, and C points.
Once again, Hankook surprised users when most products had at least a B or higher grip.
Temperature
Heat resistance is more important than you think. Because if you often move at high speed or use it in the hot season, good heat resistance is one of the most critical factors.
Experts also use scales A, B, and C like assessing traction. Hankook understands the importance of the heat resistance of summer tires and heavy loads. Therefore, most of the above products are heat resistant class B or higher.
Hankook’s Design Features and Technologies
Although most products are pretty affordable, Hankook has never stopped researching, developing, and applying new features and technologies. Two of the essential features that directly affect performance can be as follows:
Multiple Tread Radius
The technology uses rubber compounds and proprietary modifications to create tires that are well-suited to different environments, from dry to wet, even heavy snow.
Therefore, with this technology, the manufacturer was able to bring tires suitable for running in four seasons because of their excellent adaptability to all weather changes.
The new technology also contributes significantly to limiting the contact of abrasive friction between the tire and the road surface, thereby reducing the drag on the tire.
And as a matter of course, when limiting pain, you get a tire capable of handling flexibly but with maximum fuel economy.
Virtual Compound System
As mentioned, Hankook attaches great importance to applying science and technology in the production cycle.
In addition to using control robots, manufacturers also rely on the help of AI to control the virtual compound design system.
The advantage of being processed by AI is that the manufacturer can capture all information about the rubber compound, from basic properties, formula, structure to reaction, durability.
Once all the above information is known in a production process, the manufacturer can improve the quality of the input materials, thereby improving the quality of the output products. And Hankook, with the above Virtual Compound System technology, did quite well on that task.
Guarantees
There are almost no complaints about Hankook’s customer service and warranty because this Korean brand has done a great job in supporting customers, providing attractive commitments and warranty programs.
Limited Warranty
This type of warranty aims to support buyers when they encounter problems beyond their control, such as defects in materials, defects in workmanship coming from the manufacturer.
In such unfortunate cases, Hankook will provide the following services:
Free replacement
Within 12 months of purchase, if your tire has a manufacturer problem, Hankook will replace a similar new tire free of charge.
However, you should note that you have to bear some additional costs such as taxes and handling fees when using this service.
Proportional replacement
If your tire has problems after 12 months of use, you will receive a refund instead of a new replacement as above.
The amount you receive will depend on the current condition of the tire and your actual usage time. Usually, to assess the current condition of the tire, the manufacturer will base the remaining tread on the product.
Treadwear Mileage Warranty
Tire wear warranty is one of the warranty services that help protect users’ interests quite well: you will avoid receiving damage when the tire has a durability that is not what the manufacturer claims.
Not all manufacturers are confident in providing tire wear warranty service, and not all product lines are with this service. However, for Hankook, this brand has provided exceptional warranty service on many product models.
From the Optimo line to Kinergy or Dynapro, nearly every product that makes Hankook’s name receives this service.
Hankook Tire Pros & Cons
If there were only one affordable advantage, perhaps Hankook would not be so successful. With the popularity and the current position in the market, it would be remiss not to mention the advantages and disadvantages below:
Pros
- Reasonable price.
- Good customer service, ideal warranty.
- Stable performance and meet basic needs.
- The scientific production process minimizes errors.
- Apply many new technologies.
Cons
- Products for SUVs are limited.
Final Thoughts
Not being a domestic brand and not having hundreds of years of experience like other long-standing cult names, Hankook is still constantly developing and has a particular foothold in the market nowadays.
Perhaps, the above solid position is more than enough to answer the question: “Are Hankook tires good?” Indeed, if the current advantages are maintained and the existing disadvantages are overcome, this representative from Korea can go even further in the future.
Our Hankook tires review
Alvin Reyes has expertise in automotive evaluation. He collaborated with famous newspapers and is still making efforts in tire review for DrivingPress.com
What is the reality for durability of Hankook at2 dynapro extreme 235/60r18 103t between made in usa and made in Indonesia?
I have 4 summer tires 205/55/16 91H, dot 2xrp ex h 0218. The tires have traveled no more than 12,000 km.
I want to sell them and want to hear your official opinion about how much those tires are worth. Are the tires safe? How long it will still be able to be used?
Thank you.
I just bought a Nissan Sentra the car has a whole 2400 miles on it. Now we come to the problem. The tire on this car has Hancock tires on it. One tire has a bubble on the side wall of the front driver’s side wheel. My daughter took the car back to the dealership where we bought the car. Had them look at the tire and they told her this is not their problem. She ask how could this happen? They said wear and tear of the tire. I just could not believe the Nissan dealership where we bought the car said that. The car has just over 2400 miles on the tires which is far from the life of a tire. But we could sell you a new tire to replace this tire. So this is why I am writing you. My daughter is going to flip out because she would rather just buy a new tire. I say hell no I did not just pay $32000 dollars for a car that the tires don’t even last 3000 miles. Now mind you I am 66 years young and I take my grandsons to school everyday during the school year. Oh yes I forgot to say that I have not even made the first car payment. So you can say the car is very very new!!!!! Please help!!!!!!
Thank you
Marsha Tanner