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Continental AllSeasonContact 2 vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2

All Season Passenger Car 13 shared tests
Continental AllSeasonContact 2
TR Score
9.5/10
Owners say
83% · 71
Head to head 12-1 wins in 13 shared tests 2023-2026 · 9 publications
Hankook Kinergy 4S2
TR Score
8.9/10
Owners say
75% · 72

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In the 13 independent tests that ran both tires, the AllSeasonContact 2 finished ahead 12 times and the Kinergy 4S2 once. The AllSeasonContact 2 had 10.6% lower rolling resistance; the Kinergy 4S2 lasted 6.1% longer in the wear tests.

Data updated

Which should you buy?

Choose the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 if you want the most consistently high-performing all-season-especially for wet-road safety, balanced handling, low noise and strong efficiency (ideal for daily commuting and EVs). Choose the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 if your priority is aquaplaning resistance and value/long wear, and you're comfortable trading away some wet-braking advantage and overall “breadth” versus the Continental.

Where the AllSeasonContact 2 is stronger

  • Stronger wet braking and wet handling consistency across tests (e.g., ADAC 2026: 32.8 m vs 36.5 m; AutoBild 2025: 44.9 m vs 49.2 m)
  • Lower rolling resistance / better efficiency almost everywhere (wins rolling resistance 8-1; highlighted as EV-friendly in AMS 2026)
  • More balanced “all-surface” dynamic behavior, often leading dry and wet handling while staying secure in winter handling (e.g., AMS 2026: fastest wet & dry handling; Auto Zeitung 2026: better snow handling and safety scoring)
Everything on the AllSeasonContact 2

Where the Kinergy 4S2 is stronger

  • Aquaplaning resistance advantage in many tests, especially straight-line (straight aquaplaning wins 8-2; often also ahead in curved aquaplaning 7-1)
  • Very strong snow braking performance on average (snow braking wins 8-2, including standout mentions like AMS 2026 shortest snow braking)
  • Often competitive, enjoyable steering/handling feel in the dry for the money (frequent positive subjective notes; strong dry handling showings in several tests)
Everything on the Kinergy 4S2

Conclusion

Looking across the shared tests, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is the more complete and more frequently top-ranked tire. It wins the comparison on overall results (11 test wins vs 1) and most convincingly on wet safety and “everyday breadth”: for example, it is repeatedly ahead in wet braking (category win tally 8-3) with meaningful gaps in some tests (ADAC 2026: 32.8 m vs 36.5 m; Auto Zeitung 2026: 45.9 m vs 49.1 m; AutoBild 2025: 44.9 m vs 49.2 m). It also tends to combine that wet security with lower rolling resistance (win tally 8-1), lower noise (7-1) and a calmer, more premium touring feel-key reasons it keeps finishing at the sharp end even when it isn't #1.

The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 remains a credible, often good-value all-season, but its strengths are narrower. Where it repeatedly pushes back is in deep-water security and some snow “static grip” metrics: it dominates straight aquaplaning results overall (8 category wins to 2) and often leads curved aquaplaning too (7-1), and it frequently posts very short snow braking (8-2). The trade-off is that in several tests its wet braking and/or dynamic winter behavior is not as confidence-inspiring as its headline snow-stop numbers suggest (notably the AMS 2026 narrative: best snow braking/slalom grip, but least desirable when driven hard on snow, plus high noise and the highest rolling resistance). In short: Hankook can be the smart buy if your priorities match its peaks; Continental is the safer “rarely the wrong answer” pick.

Practical takeaway: if you want one tire that feels modern, efficient and consistently strong on wet roads-the conditions most drivers face most often-the Continental is the more dependable choice. If your main concern is resisting aquaplaning in heavy rain and you're shopping on cost-per-kilometer, the Hankook can still make sense, provided you accept that wet stopping distances and efficiency typically won't match the best-in-class.

The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.

AllSeasonContact 2 vs Kinergy 4S2 at a glance

Category AllSeasonContact 2 Gap Kinergy 4S2
Shared tests won13 shared tests 12 1
Dry26 measurements 12 The AllSeasonContact 2 lapped the dry handling course 0.6% faster (2 tests) 10
Wet54 measurements 26 The Kinergy 4S2 held 6.2% more grip in curved aquaplaning (10 tests) 27
Snow41 measurements 25 The AllSeasonContact 2 averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the snow handling course (6 tests) 16
Ice1 measurement 1 0
Comfort17 measurements 12 The AllSeasonContact 2 was 0.7 dB quieter (9 tests) 3
Value19 measurements 13 The AllSeasonContact 2 had 10.6% lower rolling resistance (10 tests) 5
Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold 9.5/10 The AllSeasonContact 2 by 0.6 8.9/10
Owner rating71 and 72 reviews 83% The AllSeasonContact 2 by 8 points 75%
Would buy againshare of owners 82% The AllSeasonContact 2 by 8 points 74%
Pricein the 12 tests that listed prices +16% The AllSeasonContact 2 was dearer in 12 of 12 Cheaper
Sizes madeEU label registrations 140 72 sizes made in both 96

Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.

Head to head in 13 tests, 2023 to 2026

Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.

Test AllSeasonContact 2 Field Kinergy 4S2
2026 AMS All Season Tire Test - 195/55 R16 Auto Motor Und Sport · 2026 · 195/55 R16 · Hyundai i20 P1 of 9 P7 of 9
2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tire Test Auto Zeitung · 2026 · 225/45 R17 · VW Golf 1.5 TSI (snow), VW Golf TSI and Golf GTI (wet and dry) P2 of 10 P6 of 10
The BEST All Season Tires For 2026/27 Tire Reviews · 2026 · 225/40 R18 · VW Golf GTI CS Tire Reviews test P6 of 10 P7 of 10
2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tire Test - 225/40 R18 Die Reifentester · 2026 · 225/40 R18 · VW Golf GTI Clubsport P8 of 9 P5 of 9
2026 ADAC All Season Tire Test - 185/65 R15 ADAC · 2026 · 185/65 R15 P1 of 16 P5 of 16
2025 AutoBild All Season Tire Test Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P2 of 15 P5 of 15
2025 Auto Bild All Season Camper Van Tire Test Auto Bild · 2025 · 245/45 R18 P4 of 9 P6 of 9
2025 Die Reifentester All Season Tire Test - 195/55 R16 Die Reifentester · 2025 · 195/55 R16 · VW Polo 1.0 TSI, Skoda Fabia, Seat Ibiza P3 of 8 P7 of 8
2024 Sport Auto All Season Tire Test Sport Auto · 2024 · 215/40 R18 P1 of 6 P2 of 6
2024 Auto Express All Season Tire Test Auto Express · 2024 · 205/55 R16 P3 of 7 P4 of 7
2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tire Test Auto Bild Allrad · 2024 · 245/45 R18 P1 of 10 P2 of 10
2023 Auto Bild All Season Tire Test Auto Bild · 2023 · 225/45 R17 P2 of 16 P8 of 16
2023 All Season Tire 35 Set Shootout Auto Bild · 2023 · 225/45 R17 P5 of 35 P13 of 35

Performance profile

24 measurements from the 13 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.

Dry BrakingDry Handling (s)Dry Handling (mph)Subj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingWet Handling (s)Wet Handling (mph)Subj. Wet HandlingWet Circle (s)Straight AquaCurved AquaplaningSnow BrakingSnow Traction (lbf)Snow HandlingSnow Handling (mph)Subj. Snow HandlingSnow CircleSnow SlalomSubj. ComfortSubj. NoiseNoiseWearRolling ResistanceFuel Consumption

Where each is furthest ahead

AllSeasonContact 2

Kinergy 4S2

Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.

In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 9 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.

Every measurement, side by side

Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.

Measurement AllSeasonContact 2 Gap Kinergy 4S2 Wins
133 0.6% 134 5-5
81.67 0.6% 82.11 2-0
62.3 0.3% 62.1 3-2
scored 1.7% scored 2-2
scored 12.5% scored 0-1
130 4.9% 138 9-3
129 8% 140 1-0
72.79 0.6% 72.37 1-1
48.8 2.2% 47.8 6-0
scored 9% scored 2-3
17.4 2% 17.1 1-0
13.1 0.2% 13.13 3-3
49.5 2% 50.4 2-9
26.7 6.2% 30.5 1-8
84 1% 83 3-8
4.18 1.2% 4.23 1-0
558 2.3% 543 5-5
72.51 1.1% 73.34 2-0
37 0.7% 36.7 5-1
scored 13.3% scored 5-0
12.3 0.3% 12.3 1-1
12.8 0.7% 12.7 3-1
69 4.5% 73 1-0
scored 8.1% scored 4-0
scored 4% scored 1-1
72.05 0.7 dB 72.73 7-1
82 2.2% 80.2 0-1
30,156 6.1% 31,983 1-3
7.62 10.6% 8.52 9-1
5.48 3.4% 5.67 2-0
59 = 59 0-0
1,125 21.3% 885 0-1
0.1 8.6% 0.11 1-0

Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.

Scores beyond the shared tests

On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the AllSeasonContact 2 scores 9.5 and the Kinergy 4S2 8.9 out of 10.

Tire Reviews Score by category
AllSeasonContact 2 Category Kinergy 4S2
87Dry 82
94Wet 85
81Comfort 39
75Value 41
84Snow 74
42Ice 25

Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.

What owners say

What owners rate
AllSeasonContact 2 Category Kinergy 4S2
8.4Dry Grip 8.1
8.7Wet Grip 8
8Road Feedback 7.1
8Handling 7.4
8Wear 7.6
8.9Comfort 7.3
8.3Snow Grip 7.5
7.7Ice Grip 6.5

Owners rate the AllSeasonContact 2 83% from 71 reviews and the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.

Continental AllSeasonContact 2

  • 83%from 71 reviews
  • 82%would buy again
  • 687,287 milesdriven by reviewers

Owners rate the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 highly overall (81% average), most often praising its smooth, comfortable ride and low noise levels, alongside very strong wet grip that inspires confidence. Dry grip is also widely viewed as secure and predictable, and around one in five owners report it coping well in snow for an all-season. The main recurring drawback is steering feel: around one in four owners describe softer, less immediate response, and tread life feedback is mixed, with a noticeable minority reporting faster-than-expected wear.

  • Noticeably smoother, more comfortable ride
  • Low cabin noise and a refined drive
  • Excellent wet grip and confidence in the rain
  • Strong dry grip and traction under acceleration
  • Steering feels soft or delayed, with a dead spot for some drivers
  • Tread life reports are inconsistent, with some seeing faster wear
  • Handling can feel less sharp than expected in the dry

Summarised by AI from 61 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.

Since I live in central Europe, for the last 7 years I always went with all season tires. Previously on my VW T-Roc I had Michelin crossclimate2. When I changed a car, I decided to give a try to Continental, and boy was that a good move. Continental behaves more or less like Michelin in every aspect, except for the wet handling. With Continental I feel much more control on a steering wheel, especially on higher speed.

89% Peugeot 3008 225/55 R19 20,000 miles November 2, 2026
All 71 AllSeasonContact 2 reviews

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

  • 75%from 72 reviews
  • 74%would buy again
  • 995,659 milesdriven by reviewers

Owners generally praise the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 for its wet and dry grip, with snow traction another frequent strength. Many also like its dry handling and comfortable ride. Tread life is more often praised than criticised, although around one in six owners report rapid wear. Road noise is the main complaint, raised by around one in four owners, while some find it quiet. A smaller group, around one in ten, report higher rolling resistance or fuel consumption. Overall, 52 of 69 reviews are positive, with an average score of 75%.

  • Wet grip
  • Dry grip
  • Good tread life for many owners
  • Snow traction
  • Intrusive road noise
  • High rolling resistance

Summarised by AI from 69 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.

Excellent tires for all seasons, this was my first test as I've always used summer/winter tires on all my cars for more safety and longevity. These tires perform very well on dry roads, in corners whether wet or not, but especially great on snow, whether it's recovery, acceleration, or grip (Summit of the Vosges for example or the Belgian Ardennes). I was very surprised despite all my extensive research on tires with a good price-quality ratio. After 46,000 km, I wouldn't try them again on snow as I've far exceeded the winter wear indicator, but there are still 2mm of tread left for summer.

81% Skoda Skoda Fabia 1.0 Tsi PJ3 DSG 215/45 R17 33,777 miles October 28, 2026
All 72 Kinergy 4S2 reviews

Sizes, EU label and lineage

From the EU label registrations for each tire: 140 sizes of the AllSeasonContact 2 and 96 of the Kinergy 4S2, 72 of them made in both.

Category AllSeasonContact 2 Kinergy 4S2
Season All Season All Season
Sizes made 140 sizes, 15 to 22 inch 96 sizes, 14 to 20 inch
Made in both 72 sizes 165/60 R15175/65 R15185/55 R15185/60 R15185/65 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15205/60 R15205/65 R15185/50 R16195/45 R16195/50 R16and 60 more
EU label wet grip B98%C2% B96%C4%
EU label rolling resistance B75%C20%A4%D1% C78%D22%B1%
EU label noise 70-73 dB B97%A3% 70-73 dB B100%
Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes 248 of 248 194 of 194
On the market since 2023 2018
Replaced Continental AllSeasonContact (2017) Hankook Kinergy 4S (2021)
Awards Highly Recommended: Best All Season Tires (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Recommended: Best All Season Tires for SUVs (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: All-Season SUV Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2026/27) -
Price in the shared tests The AllSeasonContact 2 was the dearer tire in 12 of the 12 tests that listed prices, by 16% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable.

Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.

Previous generation: Continental AllSeasonContact vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2 (19 shared tests)

Reading the results

Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.

This is a straight fight between two well-known “premium touring” all-season tires, but from two different generations of thinking: the newer Continental AllSeasonContact 2 (positioned as a very broad, efficiency-focused all-rounder) versus the older-but-proven Hankook Kinergy 4S2 (often priced aggressively and frequently praised for its winter stopping power and aquaplaning reserves).

Across 12 shared tests in common passenger-car sizes (and a couple of heavier-vehicle applications where trends still show through), the headline is consistency. The Continental repeatedly lands at or near the top overall (including wins in AMS 2026 and ADAC 2026), largely because it rarely has a true weak surface in the scoring. The Hankook's story is more polarised: it can look excellent in specific winter or water-resistance metrics, but it gives away points in the areas that dominate many all-season rankings-wet braking, efficiency, and overall balance at higher speeds.

AllSeasonContact 2 vs Kinergy 4S2: your questions

Is the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 or the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 the better tire?

In the 13 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 finished ahead 12 times and the Kinergy 4S2 once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the AllSeasonContact 2 scores 9.5 and the Kinergy 4S2 8.9 out of 10.

Which is better in the wet, the AllSeasonContact 2 or the Kinergy 4S2?

The Kinergy 4S2 led 27 of the 54 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 6.2% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 10 tests.

Which is better in the dry?

The AllSeasonContact 2 led 12 of the 26 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the dry handling course 0.6% faster across 2 tests.

Which is better in snow?

The AllSeasonContact 2 led 25 of the 41 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the snow handling course across 6 tests.

Which lasts longer and costs less to run?

The AllSeasonContact 2 had 10.6% lower rolling resistance (10 tests) and used 3.4% less fuel (2 tests); the Kinergy 4S2 lasted 6.1% longer in the wear tests (4 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the AllSeasonContact 2 and 7.6/10 for the Kinergy 4S2.

Which is quieter and more comfortable?

The AllSeasonContact 2 was 0.7 dB quieter (9 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the AllSeasonContact 2 and 7.3/10 for the Kinergy 4S2.

What do owners say?

Owners rate the AllSeasonContact 2 83% from 71 reviews and the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72. 82% of AllSeasonContact 2 owners would buy it again, against 74% for the Kinergy 4S2.

Which is more expensive?

In the 12 tests that listed prices, the AllSeasonContact 2 was the dearer tire in 12 of them, by 16% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.

Are they available in the same sizes?

The AllSeasonContact 2 is made in 140 sizes (15 to 22 inch) and the Kinergy 4S2 in 96 (14 to 20 inch). 72 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the AllSeasonContact 2 is graded B for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Kinergy 4S2 B and C.

Which is the newer tire?

The AllSeasonContact 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2023, the Kinergy 4S2 in 2018. The AllSeasonContact 2 replaced the Continental AllSeasonContact. The Kinergy 4S2 replaced the Hankook Kinergy 4S.

Discussion

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Where this data comes from

Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.

About the TR Score

The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.

Who does the testing

Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.

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