Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2
The story isn't one-note: Firestone often brakes shorter on wet concrete and shows solid snow braking/traction plus market-leading rolling resistance. Hankook answers with shorter dry stops, crisper steering, superior aquaplaning-especially in curves-and markedly better projected mileage in the latest wear tests. Buyers are essentially choosing between Hankook's dynamic safety envelope and Firestone's efficiency-leaning, value-savvy balance.
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 eleven tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 | two | |
| Hankook Kinergy 4S2 | nine |
While it might look like the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is better than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 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
- Excellent rolling resistance and fuel economy (multiple wins; e.g., −4-13% RR vs. Hankook)
- Often shorter wet and snow braking (e.g., ADAC 2024 wet +6.4%, ice +6.7%)
- Lower external noise in most tests
- Competitive wet handling laps and straight-line aquaplaning performance
- Consistently shorter dry braking and better dry handling
- Superior curved aquaplaning resistance (large margins in 2021-2023)
- High projected mileage and low wear in recent tests (e.g., +45-101%)
- Balanced, precise steering feel and higher safety reserves
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eleven tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during eleven dry braking tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 stopped the vehicle in 4.24% less distance than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Dry Braking: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 1.12% faster around a lap than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during four dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 0.61% faster around a lap than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scored 8% more points than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eleven tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during eight wet braking tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 stopped the vehicle in 1.23% less distance than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Wet Braking: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 stopped the vehicle in 7.09% less distance than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was 3.8% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 0.76% faster around a wet lap than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scored 8.16% more points than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 0.15% faster around a wet circle than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Wet Circle: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 floated at a 3.08% higher speed than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 slipped out at a 19.81% higher speed than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 stopped the vehicle in 0.17% less distance than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Braking: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 accelerated 6.8% faster than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Traction: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 had 0.09% better snow traction than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Traction: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was 0.07% faster around a lap than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during three snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 0.96% faster around a lap than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 scored 3.06% more points than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during three snow slalom tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was 5.25% faster through a slalom than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Snow Slalom: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 stopped the vehicle 6.67% shorter than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Ice Braking: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 scored 8.33% more points than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during four noise tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 measured 0.14% quieter than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Noise: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Tire Weight
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during two tire weight tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 weighed 5.86% less than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Tire Weight: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Tire Weight winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during two wear tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is predicted to cover 0.61% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Wear: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during one value tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 proved to have a 1.74% better value based on price/1000km than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Value: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 was better during three price tests. On average the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 cost 4.4% less than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Price: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during six rolling resistance tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 had a 4.57% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during three fuel consumption tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 used 2.86% less fuel than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Fuel Consumption 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 emitted 0.43% less particle wear matter than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Abrasion 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 emitted 36.36% less particle wear matter than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 highly, praising secure wet and cold-weather grip, reliable winter/snow performance, stable high-speed handling, and strong overall value. A minority report increased noise at higher speeds and one low-score outlier cites poor hot/dry braking and faster degradation, but the majority of higher-scoring reviews are positive across conditions.
Based on 9 reviews with an average rating of 84%
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%
Conclusion
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 remains compelling if you prioritize low fuel consumption, quieter running, and strong braking on wet and snow at sensible speeds. However, it trails in dry stopping and curved aquaplaning, and several tests flag handling precision limits at the edge. In short: choose Hankook for the broadest safety margins and longevity, Firestone for efficiency and calm manners with decent winter braking.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Hankook leads 9 wins to 2 and higher average placements
- Dry safety: Hankook stops shorter in every shared dry braking result
- Aquaplaning: Hankook notably stronger in curved aquaplaning; Firestone only marginally ahead in straight-line in some sizes
- Wet balance: Firestone can brake shorter on wet (incl. concrete), but Hankook often scores better overall wet packages
- Winter mix: Firestone frequently edges snow braking/traction; Hankook more variable but still competitive
- Efficiency and comfort: Firestone has lower rolling resistance and noise; Hankook delivers far better recent mileage and higher subjective comfort
Overall Winner: Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 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:
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 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.