Falken ZIEX ZE320 vs Hankook Ventus Prime 4
In the 205/55 R17 format, the Falken turns in a dominant performance with outstanding wet safety and composed handling. Shift to 225/45 R17 and the script flips: Hankook delivers the stronger wet package and a higher overall score, while Falken's wet braking falls away despite excellent cabin refinement. Expect a contrast between Falken's sport-tinged stability and comfort versus Hankook's broadly safe, easygoing behavior with some quirks in sudden maneuvers.
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 three tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Falken ZIEX ZE320 | two | |
| Hankook Ventus Prime 4 | one |
While it might look like the Falken ZIEX ZE320 is better than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 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
- Outstanding wet braking and handling in 205/55 R17, including best aquaplaning speed
- Calm, confidence-inspiring handling with strong dry grip
- High cabin refinement and low perceived noise (perfect 10 in refinement context)
- Balanced ride comfort without sacrificing steering precision
- Stronger wet braking/handling in 225/45 R17 with solid aquaplaning resistance
- Easy to drive with precise steering feel in everyday use
- Competitive dry braking across both tests
- Balanced overall behavior with predictable manners in touring use
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 stopped the vehicle in 3.68% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Dry Braking: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 scored 4.49% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 stopped the vehicle in 1.39% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Braking: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 stopped the vehicle in 10.45% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was 1.9% faster around a wet lap than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 scored 12.09% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 floated at a 3.27% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Straight Aqua: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 slipped out at a 8.82% higher speed than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 scored 1.28% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 and Hankook Ventus Prime 4 performed equally well in subj. noise tests.
Best In Subj. Noise: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one wear tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 is predicted to cover 16.11% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Wear: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 and Hankook Ventus Prime 4 performed equally well in rolling resistance tests.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 used 3.57% less fuel than the Falken ZIEX ZE320.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Falken ZIEX ZE320 emitted 5.33% less particle wear matter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Abrasion: Falken ZIEX ZE320
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Falken ZIEX ZE320 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Falken ZIEX ZE320 highly for strong dry and wet grip, confident handling, and generally low noise, positioning it as a sporty-leaning touring tire with good value. Comfort is praised by several users, though one hybrid owner reports intrusive high-pitch noise and a harsh, hollow feel. Wear feedback is mixed but limited: one mid-score review reports fast front wear, while others note early days or acceptable longevity. A few note increased fuel consumption versus competitors, but overall sentiment is strongly positive.
Based on 7 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 highly for its quiet, comfortable ride, strong dry grip, confident wet performance (especially when new), and excellent value versus premium rivals. Handling stability and braking inspire confidence across varied conditions, with many noting a step up in refinement and noise compared to previous tires. A recurring downside is faster-than-expected wear, with multiple reports of wet grip and overall performance declining as tread depth drops, alongside noise increasing as the tire ages. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with durability-related concerns being the main caveat.
Based on 75 reviews with an average rating of 82%
Conclusion
If your priority is wet-road confidence in the 225/45 R17 size, go Hankook. If you drive the 205/55 R17 size (or value a sportier, calm steering feel with strong wet margins in that format), the Falken shines. Both carry higher rolling resistance in the combined test context, so efficiency-minded buyers should verify label ratings by size. The practical takeaway: choose by size and climate-Falken for composed agility and refinement in the right fitment, Hankook for consistent wet security and easy manners in the larger test size.
Key Differences
- Size sensitivity: Falken dominates in 205/55 R17 but trails in 225/45 R17; Hankook shows the opposite pattern.
- Wet performance split: Falken leads wet by a large margin in 205/55 R17, Hankook leads wet in 225/45 R17.
- Handling character: Falken feels stoic and stable with a sportier edge; Hankook is easygoing but can step out at the rear in evasive moves.
- Noise/refinement: Falken is notably quieter (perfect 10 context) versus Hankook's higher noise in the combined test.
- Aquaplaning: Falken faster in straight aqua in 205/55 R17; Hankook slightly ahead in 225/45 R17.
- Value perception: Both show higher rolling resistance in the combined test context, potentially impacting fuel economy; check size-specific labels.
Overall Winner: Falken ZIEX ZE320
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 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:
Falken ZIEX ZE320 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 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.