Hankook Kinergy 4S2 - All-Season Tyre Test 2021

• Score: 100%
• Ranking: 1st
• Price: £75.72

As we’ve seen with other tyres in the Korean producer’s range, Hankook is not afraid to develop a tyre during its life. 

Launched in 2018, the Kinergy 4S2 finished seventh in our 2019 test, with its relatively poor ability on snow a major factor in that result. Last year, albeit in 17-inch form, it ended up in third with an improved, if still not particularly special, snow performance. This time it was runner- up in the frozen north and, with little compromise elsewhere, that was enough to secure Hankook’s first all-season win. 

It was best in the wet and a close fourth in the dry – an all-round performance that is key to success in our tests. The Kinergy 4S2 was even the quietest on test and its only real weak area was fuel economy, where it would lead to a car using around three per cent more fuel than the best. 

It starred in aquaplaning and inspired confidence on the handling track, pulling the car through turns where lesser rivals simply ran wide. It was not the sharpest in the dry, but the grip was there and it was just a couple of tenths off the pace. In the end, a narrow but well deserved win.

We say:

It finishes top in this test by the narrowest of margins, but it’s the tyre to choose for snowy and wet conditions. 

Blackcircles.com says:

Customers who ordered this tyre have left positive reviews, scoring it 4.5/5. Feedback often highlights the tyre’s snow performance, plus its comfort and good fuel economy.