Hankook Kinergy ST AS vs Nexen Primus AS T1
- TR Score
- 6.9/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 2
- TR Score
- 4.9/10
- Owners say
- -
The Hankook Kinergy ST AS and the Nexen Primus AS T1 have met in 2 independent tests and the record is level at 1-1. The Kinergy ST AS stopped 7.2% shorter in the wet; the Primus AS T1 was 0.9 dB quieter.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Hankook Kinergy ST AS if wet-weather safety margin and predictable handling are your priorities-it's the more confidence-inspiring tire and repeatedly the better wet stopper. Choose the Nexen Primus AS T1 if you value a quieter, more comfortable touring feel (and likely sharper pricing) and can accept clearly weaker wet braking performance.
Where the Kinergy ST AS is stronger
- Stronger wet braking across both shared tests (notably 32.96 m vs 37.35 m from 80 km/h in the comfort test, ~11.75% shorter)
- More confident, consistent steering feel: wins subjective dry handling in both tests (6.75 vs 6.0; 7.5 vs 7.4)
- Better cornering grip in the all-season test (dry circle speed 72.761 km/h vs 71.11 km/h)
Where the Primus AS T1 is stronger
- Quieter and more comfort-oriented tuning: wins subjective comfort in both tests and measured noise in both (e.g., 59.9 dB vs 61.5 dB)
- Often lighter in the comfort test (9.59 kg), aiding fuel economy/unsprung mass and general ride compliance
- Competitive dry capability for the category (edges dry handling speed in the comfort test: 70.14 vs 69.97 km/h)
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 ST AS vs Primus AS T1 at a glance
| Category | Kinergy ST AS | Gap | Primus AS T1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won2 shared tests | 1 | 1 | |
| Dry6 measurements | 4 | 2 | |
| Wet2 measurements | 2 | The Kinergy ST AS stopped 7.2% shorter in the wet (2 tests) | 0 |
| Comfort5 measurements | 0 | The Primus AS T1 was 0.9 dB quieter (2 tests) | 5 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 6.9/10 | The Kinergy ST AS by 2.0 | 4.9/10 |
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 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 ST AS | Field | Primus AS T1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is Expensive Better? 2026 AutoView Korean All-Season Tire Test | P8 of 9 | P9 of 9 | |
| 2026 AutoView Mid-Range Comfort Tire Test | P4 of 5 | P2 of 5 |
Performance profile
5 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 ST AS
Primus AS T1
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. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Kinergy ST AS
Primus AS T1
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 ST AS | Gap | Primus AS T1 | Wins | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140 | 0.6% | 139 | 1-1 | |||||||||
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| 43.5 | 0.2% | 43.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 6.9% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 45.2 | 2.3% | 44.2 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 115 | 7.2% | 124 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| scored | 4.8% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| scored | 4% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 57.05 | 0.9 dB | 56.13 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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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 ST AS scores 6.9 and the Primus AS T1 4.9 out of 10.
| Kinergy ST AS | Category | Primus AS T1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | Dry | 42 | ||
| 37 | Wet | 13 | ||
| 38 | Comfort | 51 | ||
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 ST AS | Category | Primus AS T1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Dry Grip | - | ||
| 7 | Wet Grip | - | ||
| 7.5 | Road Feedback | - | ||
| 7 | Handling | - | ||
| 8.5 | Wear | - | ||
| 8 | Comfort | - | ||
Owners rate the Kinergy ST AS 80% from 2 reviews; the Primus AS T1 has no owner reviews yet. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Hankook Kinergy ST AS
- 80%from 2 reviews
- 105,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 2 Kinergy ST AS reviewsBought these after a horrible experience with some Tiger Paws (avg rating in all categories about a 5) Got them over 5 years ago and have been very satisfied with all aspects of this tire. Even with over 60k miles, they handle very well (for a moderately spirited, mostly highway driver--at least as spirited as my old KIA Soul w/ 250+k miles will allow) and are pretty quiet. Traction in wet is excellent and in snow (we get a lot in MN) is really pretty good. OEM tires were Nexen Premier and these were better. Although I still have some tread left, I can see the wear bars sprouting and since I am somewhat elderly, am about to replace them with something else. Why? Because I want to.
Nexen Primus AS T1
No owner reviews yet. Be the first to review it →
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | Kinergy ST AS | Primus AS T1 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
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 ST AS and Nexen's Primus AS T1 sit in the same mainstream touring all-season lane-built for everyday passenger cars where predictable handling, wet safety, low noise and decent efficiency matter more than outright sportiness. The twist in this matchup is that the two AutoView tests paint them as almost “opposites” in priorities: Hankook consistently feels more tied-down and confidence-inspiring, while Nexen often comes across as the more refined, comfort-first choice.
Across two shared AutoView comparisons (including a 245/45 R19 all-season group test and a 215/55 R17 comfort-focused test), the most decisive separator isn't dry grip-it's wet stopping performance versus refinement. If you drive in frequent rain or want maximum safety margin in emergency stops, the data leans strongly one way; if your priority is cabin quiet and a softer day-to-day experience, it leans the other.
Conclusion
On performance and safety fundamentals, the Hankook Kinergy ST AS is the more convincing tire overall in this head-to-head. It wins both wet braking comparisons, and in the comfort-tire test the gap is large and practical: 32.96 m vs 37.35 m from 80 km/h-about 4.4 m (11.75%) shorter for Hankook, which is roughly a full car length of extra margin in the wet. It also leads subjective dry handling in both tests and tops dry cornering (circle speed) in the all-season test, supporting the test drivers' view that it's the more consistent and predictable tire at the limit.
The Nexen Primus AS T1's case is refinement and value, not outright capability. It repeatedly scores better on comfort and noise (e.g., 59.9 dB vs 61.5 dB in the comfort test; also slightly lower measured noise in the all-season test) and it's described as keenly priced and light, which can help efficiency. But the recurring red flag is wet braking: AutoView calls it the longest in the 9-tire all-season test and a standout weakness again in the comfort test, alongside notes about limited high-speed control.
Practical takeaway: if you want one touring all-season that prioritizes confident steering and especially wet-stop safety, the Hankook is the smarter choice even if it isn't the quietest. If your driving is mostly urban/highway in fair weather and you value a calmer cabin (and potentially a sharper price), the Nexen can make sense-but you're accepting a meaningful wet braking penalty.
Kinergy ST AS vs Primus AS T1: your questions
Is the Hankook Kinergy ST AS or the Nexen Primus AS T1 the better tire?
The Hankook Kinergy ST AS and the Nexen Primus AS T1 have met in 2 independent tests and the record is level at 1-1. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kinergy ST AS scores 6.9 and the Primus AS T1 4.9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Kinergy ST AS or the Primus AS T1?
The Kinergy ST AS led 2 of the 2 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7.2% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Kinergy ST AS led 4 of the 6 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Primus AS T1 was 0.9 dB quieter (2 tests).
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Kinergy ST AS 80% from 2 reviews; the Primus AS T1 has no owner reviews yet.
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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