Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
Yet the Hankook is far from outclassed. It repeatedly challenges on handling balance, shows tangible strengths on snow braking, ride quietness in some sizes, and delivers markedly better wear and ownership value. The result is a clear performance-versus-value trade-off that will matter depending on your climate, mileage, and driving style.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been five tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Hankook Kinergy 4S2 | one | |
| Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 | four |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is better than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Outstanding value and lower total cost of ownership (better price index and abrasion)
- Longer tread life (wear +30% vs Pirelli in shared test)
- Strong on snow braking and balanced winter manners
- Competitive handling and often quieter in select sizes
- Class-leading dry and wet braking across tests
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved)
- Sporty, precise handling with broad-condition consistency
- Lower rolling resistance than Hankook in all shared results
Dry Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 7.43% less distance than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 0.31% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 3.55% less distance than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 0.53% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 0.07% faster around a wet circle than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 floated at a 7.5% higher speed than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 slipped out at a 10.49% higher speed than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during three snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 stopped the vehicle in 4.75% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Braking: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 had 3.15% better snow traction than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Traction: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during three snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 0.83% faster around a lap than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 provided 1.06% more lateral grip than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Circle: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two snow slalom tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 4.26% faster through a slalom than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Slalom: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 scored 7.69% more points than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 measured 0.1% quieter than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one wear tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is predicted to cover 23.49% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Wear: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one value tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 proved to have a 32.02% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Value: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during four rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 had a 8.97% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 lost 19.84% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 Driver Reviews
Across 60 reviews, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is generally seen as a strong-value all-season tire with standout wet-road confidence and dependable year-round grip for normal driving. Many drivers report reassuring performance in cold rain and acceptable snow capability for an all-season, along with a comfortable ride and good overall balance. The most recurring drawbacks are noticeable road noise (often a hum/whine at motorway speeds), a softer/less precise handling feel when pushed, and mixed reports on longevity with several users experiencing faster wear or wet-grip drop-off as tread gets lower.
Based on 61 reviews with an average rating of 75%
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 Driver Reviews
Across 44 reviews, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is widely praised as a top-tier all-season tire with strong dry and especially wet grip/braking, plus reassuring performance in snow for a 4-season. Many drivers also highlight low cabin noise, good comfort, predictable handling at the limit, and wear that looks encouraging for the mileage covered. The main recurring downside is inconsistent quality control reported by several users (out-of-round tires causing vibration/shimmy and warranty frustration), and a smaller but repeated theme that the tire can feel softer/less responsive than a true summer tire-particularly in warmer temperatures or when driven very sportily.
Based on 48 reviews with an average rating of 83%
In dry conditions manages to have acceptable levels of grip in a straight line, slight wheel spin sometimes but cannot complain since the M2 is RWD 365bhp.
Very strong tire in the dry and super progressive, really lets you know when it does begin to slip when doing spirited driving. A big strong point as these tires still allow the vehicle to be driven in a sporting manner.
In the wet they are okay for wet straight line grip, it spins up pretty... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
The Hankook 4S2 counters with excellent value, noticeably longer tread life, and strong snow braking-plus competitive handling that often runs the Pirelli close. If you drive high annual mileage, want lower running costs, or face frequent light-to-moderate snow, the Hankook makes a compelling, budget-savvy alternative. The practical takeaway: choose Pirelli for maximum year-round grip and wet security; choose Hankook for the best cost-per-mile with solid winter safety.
Key Differences
- Braking: Pirelli consistently stops shorter in dry (e.g., 38.1-39.2 m vs Hankook ~41-42 m) and wet (e.g., 46.3-48.1 m vs Hankook ~49-50 m).
- Aquaplaning: Pirelli holds meaningful advantages in straight and curved aquaplaning (often +10-20% thresholds).
- Snow balance: Hankook often wins snow braking, while Pirelli edges snow handling/traction in several tests.
- Handling character: Pirelli feels crisper and more composed; Hankook remains predictable and balanced, sometimes fastest on handling laps.
- Efficiency: Pirelli shows lower rolling resistance; Hankook offsets with much better wear and lower price.
- Overall results: Pirelli 4 overall test wins vs Hankook's 1, reflecting stronger all-round peak performance.
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.