Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 review

It’s been interesting watching Hankook’s progress, because it has improved its tyres to the point where the Korean producer has secured original equipment listings with premium brands such as BMW and Audi. It has also crept up our test results, and this latest version of the S1 evo3 has taken its first win. 

Our emphasis on wet performance played to the tyre’s advantages, because it was a front runner here, including that remarkable wet braking result. To finish two metres ahead of the next-best Continental – which was still doing 13mph when the Ventus had stopped – deserves noting.

It’s not just in a straight line where the Hankook works, because it was good on the wet handling circuit, marrying strong front-end performance with a grippy rear. The balance was good, with precise steering allowing secure progress through the turns on the throttle. It also worked well in the deeper water aquaplaning tests.

The Ventus was less convincing in the dry and missed a little steering sharpness, but it was close to the best. It gripped well, too, and backed up its handling result with a runner-up spot in braking. The only downside is fuel economy, but the Hankook was still on a par with most rivals.

We say...

A deserved first test win for Hankook. It really excelled in wet braking, but this was a great all-round performance.

Blackcircles.com says...

"The Hankook has proven to be a very popular choice with customers, with reviews frequently commending the tyre’s grip, excellent road handling and the overall performance."

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