Continental SportContact 7 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
- TR Score
- 9.7/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 136
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 76% · 85
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the SportContact 7 finished ahead 2 times and the Ventus S1 evo 3 not once, with one level. The SportContact 7 stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry; the Ventus S1 evo 3 averaged a 1.5% higher speed on the wet handling course.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental SportContact 7 for its more consistent dry performance and aquaplaning results. The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 suits a driver who gives more weight to the comfort noted in the 2025 test and its strong wet performance in the 2022 test.
Where the SportContact 7 is stronger
- Shorter dry braking in all three shared tests
- Stronger dry handling in the measured 2022 and 2023 tests
- Better straight-line aquaplaning results in all three tests
Where the Ventus S1 evo 3 is stronger
- About 6% shorter wet braking in Auto Bild Sportscars' 2022 test
- Nearly 3% faster wet handling in Auto Bild Sportscars' 2022 test
- Higher comfort and quieter subjective ratings in Die Reifentester's 2025 test
Conclusion
The SportContact 7 has the stronger overall record: first against the Hankook's sixth in Auto Bild Sportscars' 2023 test, third against sixth in Die Reifentester's 2025 test, and a shared second place in Auto Bild Sportscars' 2022 test. It stopped shorter in the dry in all three, with the clearest margin, about 4%, in 2023. It was also quicker through both measured dry-handling courses, while Die Reifentester's 2025 testers rated its dry handling more highly. For a driver who puts steering response and dry-road performance first, that is the most consistent distinction.
The wet results need more care. Continental had a small advantage in straight-line aquaplaning in every test and a larger advantage in curved aquaplaning in 2022. Yet the Hankook stopped about 6% shorter and was nearly 3% faster through the wet-handling course in that 2022 test. That wet-braking result is an unusual reversal: the two were virtually level on wet stopping distance in both 2023 and 2025. Hankook's measured wet-handling lead in 2023 was also too small to treat as a meaningful gap. Die Reifentester rated Continental higher for subjective wet handling in 2025, although its testers noted an unexpected weakness in wet braking and lateral aquaplaning against the wider field.
Hankook has a case as an everyday choice rather than simply a slower sports tire. Die Reifentester's 2025 testers found it more comfortable and quieter, and praised its wet performance, though they found its dry handling less sporty. Both tires were rated average for comfort in the 2022 test, and the measured noise result changed sides between 2022 and 2023, so a consistent quietness advantage is not established. Continental had slightly lower rolling resistance in all three tests. Choose it for the more repeatable dry performance and aquaplaning results; choose the Hankook if its 2025 comfort assessment and strong 2022 wet showing matter more to you.
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.
SportContact 7 vs Ventus S1 evo 3 at a glance
| Category | SportContact 7 | Gap | Ventus S1 evo 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 2 | 1 level | 0 |
| Dry6 measurements | 6 | The SportContact 7 stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 0 |
| Wet13 measurements | 10 | The SportContact 7 stopped 2% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 3 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 1 | 3 | |
| Value3 measurements | 3 | The SportContact 7 had 1.9% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.7/10 | The SportContact 7 by 0.8 | 8.9/10 |
| Owner rating136 and 85 reviews | 84% | The SportContact 7 by 8 points | 76% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 79% | The SportContact 7 by 12 points | 67% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +17.6% | The SportContact 7 was dearer in 3 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 123 | 75 sizes made in both | 110 |
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 3 tests, 2022 to 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 | SportContact 7 | Field | Ventus S1 evo 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tire Test | P3 of 8 | P6 of 8 | |
| 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test | P1 of 13 | P6 of 13 | |
| 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tire Test | P2 of 10 | P2 of 10 |
Performance profile
9 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
SportContact 7
Ventus S1 evo 3
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 97%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
SportContact 7
Ventus S1 evo 3
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
SportContact 7
Ventus S1 evo 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 136 reviews and the Ventus S1 evo 3 76% from 85. 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 | SportContact 7 | Gap | Ventus S1 evo 3 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 2.6% | 113 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 72.9 | 1.6% | 71.7 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 66.7% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 127 | 2% | 123 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 49 | 1.5% | 49.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 11.23 | 2.2% | 11.48 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 51.1 | 1.9% | 50.2 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.3 | 6.8% | 7.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 69.55 | 0.1 dB | 69.45 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.58 | 1.9% | 8.75 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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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 SportContact 7 scores 9.7 and the Ventus S1 evo 3 8.9 out of 10.
| SportContact 7 | Category | Ventus S1 evo 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | Dry | 84 | ||
| 98 | Wet | 87 | ||
| 29 | Comfort | 55 | ||
| 39 | Value | 38 | ||
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
| SportContact 7 | Category | Ventus S1 evo 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.4 | Dry Grip | 8.4 | ||
| 9.1 | Wet Grip | 8.2 | ||
| 8.7 | Road Feedback | 7.3 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 7.5 | ||
| 6.7 | Wear | 7 | ||
| 7.7 | Comfort | 7.7 | ||
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 136 reviews and the Ventus S1 evo 3 76% from 85. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental SportContact 7
- 84%from 136 reviews
- 79%would buy again
- 1,343,502 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Continental SportContact 7 very highly overall (average 83%), with the strongest agreement around outstanding dry and wet grip, backed up by confident handling and strong steering response. Comfort and noise are often described as better than expected for a UHP summer tire, though experiences vary by car and set-up. The main recurring drawback is wear: around a third of owners who mention tread life report rapid wear, meaning running costs can be high if you drive hard or run a heavier, high-torque car.
- Exceptional dry grip and traction
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in rain
- Sharp, secure dry handling
- Good steering feel and feedback
- Rapid tread wear and short life for many drivers
- Ride can feel harsh or uncomfortable on some set-ups
- Road noise can be intrusive on rough surfaces
Summarised by AI from 117 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 136 SportContact 7 reviewsAfter 25,000 miles, 4 years and some rotations, I am down to 3mm. I will be fitting these tires again soon (unless there is something superior available) they have been superb in all conditions and have an abundance of grip when pushed. Life and and fuel economy have been just fine, and price was very reasonable for an premium UUHP tire. They saved me from an accident due to the class leasing short stopping distance 100%, having the best tire and highest grip possible is invaluable.
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
- 76%from 85 reviews
- 67%would buy again
- 952,278 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 as a strong all-rounder, with nearly two thirds of reviews scoring it positively (73% average). The most consistent praise is for secure dry and wet grip, backed up by good comfort and relatively low road noise for a UHP tire. Wear is more mixed: many report good mileage, but around one in eight owners complain of faster-than-expected tread life. The standout drawback is feel at the wheel, with roughly a quarter of owners describing muted or vague steering response, and a smaller group mentioning earlier aquaplaning than rivals.
- Strong dry grip
- Reassuring wet grip
- Quiet running for its class
- Comfortable, absorbs bumps well
- Muted or vague steering response and feedback
- Tread life can be disappointing for some
- Aquaplanes sooner than some rivals in standing water
Summarised by AI from 78 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 85 Ventus S1 evo 3 reviewsGiven this is one of extremly few tires in the size i needed its a great tire. pushing 420 hp to the rear wheels of my porsche 911 it never let go until it was worn down, and then just in wet conditions. its a safe well handling tire with great even wear, the 911 is know for wearing down the insides.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 123 sizes of the SportContact 7 and 110 of the Ventus S1 evo 3, 75 of them made in both.
| Category | SportContact 7 | Ventus S1 evo 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 123 sizes, 18 to 24 inch | 110 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 75 sizes 215/40 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18235/40 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/35 R18265/35 R18265/40 R18225/35 R19225/40 R19and 63 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A85%B15% | A79%B17%C5% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C61%D16%A14%B9% | C65%A14%B13%D8% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B98%A2% | 67-75 dB B79%A21% |
| On the market since | - | 2021 |
| Replaced | Continental Sport Contact 6 (2015) | Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 (2021) |
| Replaced by | - | Hankook Ventus Evo |
| Awards | Highly Recommended: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (Compact Sports Cars) (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Commended: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Best Tires for Large Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2023) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) Winner: Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) | Commended: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The SportContact 7 was the dearer tire in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 17.6% 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.
Three independent tests put the Continental SportContact 7 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 side by side: Die Reifentester's 2025 UHP summer test and Auto Bild Sportscars' 2023 and 2022 summer tests. Continental finished ahead in the two newer tests, while the tires shared second place in 2022. Its clearest repeated advantages are dry braking, dry handling and aquaplaning resistance.
The Hankook is closer than those overall positions suggest in some wet-road measures. Wet braking was effectively level in 2025 and 2023, and the Hankook stopped about 6% shorter in the 2022 test. It also handled the wet course faster that year. Continental had the lower rolling resistance in all three tests, while the comfort and noise findings were mixed. The 2022 test used a larger 19-inch size; the two newer tests used 18-inch tires.
SportContact 7 vs Ventus S1 evo 3: your questions
Is the Continental SportContact 7 or the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental SportContact 7 finished ahead 2 times and the Ventus S1 evo 3 not once, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportContact 7 scores 9.7 and the Ventus S1 evo 3 8.9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the SportContact 7 or the Ventus S1 evo 3?
The SportContact 7 led 10 of the 13 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The SportContact 7 led 6 of the 6 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The SportContact 7 had 1.9% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 6.7/10 for the SportContact 7 and 7/10 for the Ventus S1 evo 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.7/10 for the SportContact 7 and 7.7/10 for the Ventus S1 evo 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 136 reviews and the Ventus S1 evo 3 76% from 85. 79% of SportContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 67% for the Ventus S1 evo 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the SportContact 7 was the dearer tire in 3 of them, by 17.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The SportContact 7 is made in 123 sizes (18 to 24 inch) and the Ventus S1 evo 3 in 110 (17 to 22 inch). 75 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the SportContact 7 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ventus S1 evo 3 A and C.
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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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