Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 75% · 72
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 15
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 finished ahead 5 times and the N Blue 4Season 2 once. The Kinergy 4S2 held 18.7% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the N Blue 4Season 2 had 3.4% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 if you want the more consistently high-ranking, confidence-first all-season-particularly for wet weather, standing water, and generally stronger snow fundamentals. Choose the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 if your priority is a quieter ride and potentially better price-per-mile (depending on size/market), and your driving is mostly moderate with less exposure to heavy rain-while accepting reduced aquaplaning safety reserves versus the Hankook.
Where the Kinergy 4S2 is stronger
- Much stronger aquaplaning resistance across tests (e.g., ADAC straight aqua 89.4 vs 81.1 km/h; Auto Bild SUV 2024 straight aqua 74.1 vs 66.9 km/h; consistently wins curved aquaplaning too)
- More consistent winter competence in snow braking and traction (wins snow braking and snow traction in all shared tests where measured; e.g., ADAC snow braking 11.8 vs 12.1 m)
- Generally better wet cornering/handling stability (repeated wet handling/circle wins, e.g., Auto Bild SUV 2024 wet circle 15.53s vs 16.43s)
Where the N Blue 4Season 2 is stronger
- Quieter, more refinement-focused in most comparisons (e.g., ADAC 69.8 vs 72.8 dB; wins noise in 4 tests)
- Can offer strong cost/value metrics in some test methodologies (Auto Bild 2023: higher predicted wear 75,034 vs 60,289 km and best value score)
- Competitive (sometimes class-leading) dry braking results (wins dry braking 4/6; e.g., Auto Bild 2023 39.2 vs 41.3 m; 2025 SUV 38.5 vs 39.3 m)
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 N Blue 4Season 2 at a glance
| Category | Kinergy 4S2 | Gap | N Blue 4Season 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 5 | 1 | |
| Dry10 measurements | 5 | Level between the two. | 5 |
| Wet24 measurements | 19 | The Kinergy 4S2 held 18.7% more grip in curved aquaplaning (4 tests) | 4 |
| Snow18 measurements | 14 | The Kinergy 4S2 stopped 3.2% shorter on snow (5 tests) | 4 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort8 measurements | 2 | The N Blue 4Season 2 was 0.8 dB quieter (5 tests) | 4 |
| Value9 measurements | 3 | The N Blue 4Season 2 had 3.4% lower rolling resistance (4 tests) | 5 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Kinergy 4S2 by 0.1 | 8.8/10 |
| Owner rating72 and 15 reviews | 75% | The N Blue 4Season 2 by 3 points | 78% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The N Blue 4Season 2 by 12 points | 86% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | +11% | The Kinergy 4S2 was dearer in 4 of 4 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 96 | 76 sizes made in both | 118 |
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 6 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 | Kinergy 4S2 | Field | N Blue 4Season 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ADAC All Season Tire Test - 185/65 R15 | P5 of 16 | P9 of 16 | |
| 2025 Autobild SUV All Season Tire Test | P3 of 11 | P6 of 11 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tire Test | P2 of 10 | P8 of 10 | |
| 2023 Auto Zeitung All Season Tire Test | P3 of 9 | P9 of 9 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tire Test | P8 of 16 | P12 of 16 | |
| 2023 All Season Tire 35 Set Shootout | P13 of 35 | P9 of 35 |
Performance profile
16 measurements from the 6 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Kinergy 4S2
N Blue 4Season 2
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 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Kinergy 4S2
N Blue 4Season 2
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.
Where owners rate each higher
Kinergy 4S2
N Blue 4Season 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72 reviews and the N Blue 4Season 2 78% from 15. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
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 | N Blue 4Season 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 132 | 1.9% | 130 | 2-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 83.5 | 0.6% | 84 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 61.2 | 1.6% | 60.1 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 161 | 2.3% | 165 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 140 | 4.4% | 134 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 99.9 | 2.5% | 102.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.8 | 2% | 47.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.95 | 2.3% | 15.31 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.8 | 7% | 45.6 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.5 | 18.7% | 8.8 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69 | 3.2% | 72 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 674 | 2.5% | 658 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 54.4 | 3.7% | 56.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 43.7 | 1.6% | 43.2 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.5 | 1.6% | 12.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.7 | 0.6% | 12.6 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73 | 7.2% | 67 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 33.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.68 | 0.8 dB | 70.88 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.2 | = | 80.2 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 32,556 | 2.4% | 34,869 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.07 | 3.4% | 7.78 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.67 | 0.5% | 5.64 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 59 | 18.1% | 72 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 N Blue 4Season 2 8.8 out of 10.
| Kinergy 4S2 | Category | N Blue 4Season 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Dry | 86 | ||
| 85 | Wet | 51 | ||
| 43 | Comfort | 71 | ||
| 42 | Value | 64 | ||
| 74 | Snow | 47 | ||
| 25 | Ice | 91 | ||
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 | N Blue 4Season 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Dry Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 8 | Wet Grip | 7.9 | ||
| 7.1 | Road Feedback | 7.6 | ||
| 7.4 | Handling | 7.7 | ||
| 7.6 | Wear | 8.5 | ||
| 7.3 | Comfort | 8.5 | ||
| 7.5 | Snow Grip | 7.2 | ||
| 6.5 | Ice Grip | 6.4 | ||
Owners rate the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72 reviews and the N Blue 4Season 2 78% from 15. 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.
Nexen N Blue 4Season 2
- 78%from 15 reviews
- 86%would buy again
- 145,500 milesdriven by reviewers
With an 80% average score and 10 of 12 reviews rating it positively, owners generally find the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 to be a capable all-season option with dependable dry and wet grip, plus reassuring traction in snow for everyday driving. A notable minority mention ice performance, and opinions are mixed here (around a third of owners commenting), with a couple finding it excellent and a similar number reporting it's not as confidence-inspiring as a dedicated winter tire. Comfort and refinement also come through strongly, with several owners describing it as particularly quiet.
- Strong dry grip for an affordable all-season
- Confident wet grip in mixed conditions
- Surprisingly capable traction in snow
- Very low road noise
- Mixed ice grip versus a proper winter tire
- Soft/squishy feel or sidewalls when pushed
Summarised by AI from 12 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 15 N Blue 4Season 2 reviewsIn the meantime, I've driven 32,000 miles (51,000 km) on these tires (see current photos), and I have to say, they're still performing excellently on my car. Summers here are hot, and winters are mild; we rarely get snow, just wet and slushy roads. These all-season tires are the perfect choice for these conditions, eliminating the need for unnecessary tire changes (except for swapping the front tires to the rear and vice versa). And they’re a great fit for my car (Kia Optima K5). The only downside is that at highway speeds, within a certain speed range, a pulsating noise occurs due to the tread pattern, but as soon as the speed goes above or below that range, it goes away. I highly recommend them for everyday driving—I’d buy them again.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 96 sizes of the Kinergy 4S2 and 118 of the N Blue 4Season 2, 76 of them made in both.
| Category | Kinergy 4S2 | N Blue 4Season 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| Sizes made | 96 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 118 sizes, 14 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 76 sizes 155/65 R14165/60 R14165/65 R14165/70 R14175/65 R14175/70 R14185/60 R14185/65 R14185/70 R14155/60 R15175/65 R15185/55 R15and 64 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%C4% | B86%A14%C1% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C78%D22%B1% | C81%D18%B2% |
| EU label noise | 70-73 dB B100% | 71-73 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 194 of 194 | 200 of 200 |
| On the market since | - | 2022 |
| Replaced | Hankook Kinergy 4S (2021) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Kinergy 4S2 was the dearer tire in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 11% 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.
Hankook's Kinergy 4S2 and Nexen's N Blue 4Season 2 sit in a similar “do-it-all” all-season space, but the test data shows they get there with very different priorities. Across six shared comparative tests (from compact-car sizes like 185/65 R15 to SUV fitments up to 245/45 R18), Hankook is more consistently near the top of the overall rankings (e.g., 2/12 and 3/13 in Auto Bild SUV tests; 5/16 in ADAC), while Nexen tends to land mid-to-lower pack (8/12, 6/13, 9/16, and 9/9 in Auto Zeitung).
The pattern that emerges is clear: the Hankook typically offers stronger “safety-margin” performance-especially in aquaplaning resistance and most snow metrics-whereas the Nexen often counters with refinement and cost/value angles (notably lower noise and, in some tests, better rolling resistance and/or price-per-mile). The result is less a simple winner/loser story and more a question of which compromises fit your climate and driving style.
Conclusion
Taken as a whole, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is the more convincing all-rounder and the safer choice in variable, rain-heavy conditions. It dominates aquaplaning performance in every shared test where it's measured-often by a meaningful margin (e.g., ADAC straight aquaplaning 89.4 vs 81.1 km/h; Auto Bild SUV 2024 curved aquaplaning 2.75 vs 2.16 m/s²). It also repeatedly wins snow braking and traction across the datasets (5/5 wins in both categories), and generally posts stronger wet handling/circle results (e.g., Auto Bild SUV 2024 wet circle 15.53s vs 16.43s; wet braking 53.1m vs 56.9m). That combination translates into more predictable behavior when conditions suddenly worsen.
The Nexen N Blue 4Season 2's strongest case is comfort/value-oriented ownership-particularly for drivers who prioritize cabin calm and purchase economics over maximum wet safety reserves. It is consistently quieter (winning noise in 4 of the 5 tests that report it; e.g., ADAC 69.8 dB vs 72.8 dB), and it can deliver attractive running costs in certain test frameworks (Auto Bild 2023 predicted wear 75,034 km vs 60,289 km and best “value” score). However, multiple reports flag its weaker wet grip/aquaplaning reserves, which is exactly where all-season tires most need to protect you.
Practical takeaway: if you regularly drive in heavy rain, on motorways, or you want the more “confidence-first” all-season, the Hankook is the smarter buy. If your climate is milder, you drive conservatively, and you mainly want a quiet, cost-effective all-season with decent ice performance, the Nexen can make sense-but it asks you to accept smaller wet safety margins.
Kinergy 4S2 vs N Blue 4Season 2: your questions
Is the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 or the Nexen N Blue 4Season 2 the better tire?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 finished ahead 5 times and the N Blue 4Season 2 once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kinergy 4S2 scores 8.9 and the N Blue 4Season 2 8.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Kinergy 4S2 or the N Blue 4Season 2?
The Kinergy 4S2 led 19 of the 24 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 18.7% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 5-5 between the Kinergy 4S2 and the N Blue 4Season 2.
Which is better in snow?
The Kinergy 4S2 led 14 of the 18 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.2% shorter on snow across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The N Blue 4Season 2 had 3.4% lower rolling resistance (4 tests) and used 0.5% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.6/10 for the Kinergy 4S2 and 8.5/10 for the N Blue 4Season 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The N Blue 4Season 2 was 0.8 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.3/10 for the Kinergy 4S2 and 8.5/10 for the N Blue 4Season 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Kinergy 4S2 75% from 72 reviews and the N Blue 4Season 2 78% from 15. 74% of Kinergy 4S2 owners would buy it again, against 86% for the N Blue 4Season 2.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Kinergy 4S2 was the dearer tire in 4 of them, by 11% 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 N Blue 4Season 2 in 118 (14 to 21 inch). 76 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 N Blue 4Season 2 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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