Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Viking Fourtech Plus
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 75% · 72
- TR Score
- 8.2/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 1
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 finished ahead 2 times and the Fourtech Plus not once. The Kinergy 4S2 stopped 7.3% shorter in the dry; the Fourtech Plus resisted straight aquaplaning at a 3.5% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
For most drivers, choose Hankook Kinergy 4S2 for stronger dry safety, balanced winter control, and better overall consistency. Consider Viking Fourtech Plus if you prioritize lower price and aquaplaning resistance in rain-heavy climates and can accept longer dry braking and less precise handling.
Where the Kinergy 4S2 is stronger
- Markedly shorter dry braking and quicker dry handling across both tests
- Broad winter competence with better snow handling and stability
- Comfort and refinement advantages noted in subjective scores
Where the Fourtech Plus is stronger
- Strong aquaplaning resistance (notably straight and curved in SUV test)
- Good snow traction results
- Budget-friendly pricing as a Continental second brand
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.
Kinergy 4S2 vs Fourtech Plus at a glance
| Category | Kinergy 4S2 | Gap | Fourtech Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won2 shared tests | 2 | 0 | |
| Dry4 measurements | 4 | The Kinergy 4S2 stopped 7.3% shorter in the dry (2 tests) | 0 |
| Wet10 measurements | 5 | Level between the two. | 5 |
| Snow8 measurements | 5 | The Kinergy 4S2 averaged a 1.6% higher speed on the snow handling course (2 tests) | 2 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 3 | 1 | |
| Value2 measurements | 1 | Level between the two. | 1 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Kinergy 4S2 by 0.7 | 8.2/10 |
| Owner rating72 and 1 reviews | 75% | The Fourtech Plus by 9 points | 84% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | +25.7% | The Kinergy 4S2 was dearer in 2 of 2 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 96 | 39 sizes made in both | 51 |
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 2 tests in 2025
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 | Kinergy 4S2 | Field | Fourtech Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tire Test | P2 of 10 | P9 of 10 | |
| 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tire Test | P3 of 11 | P9 of 11 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Kinergy 4S2
Fourtech Plus
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.
Where each scores higher
Kinergy 4S2
Fourtech Plus
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
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.
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 | Kinergy 4S2 | Gap | Fourtech Plus | Wins | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 133 | 7.3% | 144 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 57.6 | 1.3% | 56.9 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 176 | 3.7% | 181 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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| 48.1 | 2.3% | 47.1 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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| 15.34 | 2.3% | 15.7 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 46.4 | 3.5% | 48 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 8 | 10.1% | 8.9 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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| 77 | 0.8% | 78 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 678 | 2.4% | 694 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 48 | 1.6% | 47.3 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 12.9 | 2.6% | 12.6 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| scored | 12.1% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 70.6 | 0.1 dB | 70.5 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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| 8.16 | 0.3% | 8.11 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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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 Kinergy 4S2 scores 8.9 and the Fourtech Plus 8.2 out of 10.
| Kinergy 4S2 | Category | Fourtech Plus | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Dry | 32 | ||
| 85 | Wet | 78 | ||
| 43 | Comfort | 30 | ||
| 42 | Value | 56 | ||
| 74 | Snow | 61 | ||
| 25 | Ice | 26 | ||
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
| Kinergy 4S2 | Category | Fourtech Plus | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Dry Grip | 8 | ||
| 8 | Wet Grip | 8 | ||
| 7.1 | Road Feedback | 8 | ||
| 7.4 | Handling | 8 | ||
| 7.6 | Wear | - | ||
| 7.3 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 7.5 | Snow Grip | 10 | ||
| 6.5 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72 reviews and the Fourtech Plus 84% from 1. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Hankook Kinergy 4S2
- 75%from 72 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 995,659 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 as a strong all-weather all-rounder, with most praise focused on dependable wet and dry grip (mentioned by around half of reviewers) and reassuring snow traction. Longevity is often reported as good, and a notable minority also highlight the comfortable ride and strong value for money. The most consistent drawback is road noise, raised by over a third of owners, while a smaller group report higher fuel consumption/rolling resistance.
- Confident wet grip in cold and rain
- Strong dry grip for an all-season tire
- Good tread life for year-round use
- Surprisingly capable traction in snow
- Noticeable road noise or whining at certain speeds
- Higher rolling resistance or worse fuel economy
- Can feel less predictable at the limit (soft/squealy breakaway)
Summarised by AI from 65 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 72 Kinergy 4S2 reviewsExcellent 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.
Viking Fourtech Plus
- 84%from 1 reviews
- 1,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 1 Fourtech Plus reviewsA good all season tire with excellent braking and grip on snow, like a winter tire. High comfort and low noise.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 96 sizes of the Kinergy 4S2 and 51 of the Fourtech Plus, 39 of them made in both.
| Category | Kinergy 4S2 | Fourtech Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| Sizes made | 96 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 51 sizes, 13 to 19 inch |
| Made in both | 39 sizes 155/65 R14165/60 R14165/65 R14165/70 R14175/65 R14175/70 R14185/60 R14185/65 R14175/65 R15185/55 R15185/60 R15185/65 R15and 27 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%C4% | B70%C30% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C78%D22%B1% | C59%D41% |
| EU label noise | 70-73 dB B100% | 71-72 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 194 of 194 | 56 of 56 |
| On the market since | - | 2022 |
| Replaced | Hankook Kinergy 4S (2021) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Kinergy 4S2 was the dearer tire in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 25.7% 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.
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 head-to-head pits the premium-touring Hankook Kinergy 4S2 against the value-focused Viking Fourtech Plus, both all-season options for passenger cars. Across two 2025 Auto Bild tests (sports car 225/45 R18 and SUV 215/55 R17), the Hankook consistently finished near the front (2/12 and 3/13), while the Viking landed mid-pack (9/12 and 9/13). That gap is driven largely by decisive wins for Hankook in dry safety and balanced winter behavior.
Conclusion
The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is the stronger all-rounder with clear safety margins on dry roads (up to ~9% shorter dry braking) and broadly superior control on snow, while maintaining good comfort and efficiency. Its minor trade-off is slightly weaker wet performance versus the very best, though it still outperforms Viking in the sports car wet tests and remains competitive overall.
Viking Fourtech Plus offers credible snow traction and strong straight/curved aquaplaning in the SUV test, plus a price advantage. However, extended dry and (in one test) wet braking undermine overall safety, and steering precision is less satisfying. Choose Hankook if you value consistent safety and driver confidence year-round; pick Viking only if budget is tight and wet aquaplaning resistance is a top priority in mild-winter, rain-heavy regions.
Kinergy 4S2 vs Fourtech Plus: your questions
Is the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 or the Viking Fourtech Plus the better tire?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 finished ahead 2 times and the Fourtech Plus not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kinergy 4S2 scores 8.9 and the Fourtech Plus 8.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Kinergy 4S2 or the Fourtech Plus?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 5-5 between the Kinergy 4S2 and the Fourtech Plus.
Which is better in the dry?
The Kinergy 4S2 led 4 of the 4 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7.3% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Kinergy 4S2 led 5 of the 8 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 1.6% higher speed on the snow handling course across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.3/10 for the Kinergy 4S2 and 9/10 for the Fourtech Plus.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72 reviews and the Fourtech Plus 84% from 1.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Kinergy 4S2 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 25.7% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Kinergy 4S2 is made in 96 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the Fourtech Plus in 51 (13 to 19 inch). 39 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Kinergy 4S2 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Fourtech Plus B and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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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