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Hankook Kinergy 4S Test Results

Tested 2015 to 2025 7 publications

Tested 12 times by independent publications, the Hankook Kinergy 4S averages a finish of 6th.

  • 12Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 6thAverage finish
  • 39%Field beaten on average
  • 7Publications
Hankook Kinergy 4S

12 tests, 2015 to 2025

0%50%100%20152016201720182025Average 39%2015 AutoBild All Season Tire Test (2015): P5 of 10, Beat 56% of the field2016 GF All Season Tire Test (2016): P5 of 11, Beat 60% of the field2016 ACE All Season Tire Test (2016): P5 of 10, Beat 56% of the field2016 AutoBild All Season Tire Test (2016): P5 of 10, Beat 56% of the field2016 Auto Express All Season Tire Test (2016): P4 of 6, Beat 40% of the field2017 All Season VS Winter Tire Test (2017): P9 of 11, Beat 10% of the field2017 All Season Tire Test (2017): P9 of 10, Beat 11% of the field2017 Auto Express All Season Tire Test (2017): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the fieldNew VS 4mm VS 2mm All Season Tire Performance (2017): P4 of 6, Beat 40% of the field2018 ADAC All Season Tire Test (2018): P8 of 9, Beat 13% of the field2018 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tire Test (2018): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2025 All Season 30 Tire Braking Test (2025): P12 of 30, Beat 62% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 39%

Record by discipline

Where the Hankook Kinergy 4S finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 4 P9 of 15.8 44% -
Dry Handling 3 P5 of 11 60% -
Wet
Wet Braking 4 P9.8 of 15.8 32% -
Wet Handling 3 P8.7 of 11 24% -
Straight Aqua 3 P5.7 of 11 53% -
Snow
Snow Braking 3 P7.7 of 11 34% -
Snow Handling 3 P8.3 of 11 28% -
Comfort
Noise 3 P9 of 11 20% -
Value
Wear 1 P7 of 12 45% -
Value 1 P7 of 12 45% -
Rolling Resistance 3 P8 of 11 32% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Hankook Kinergy 4S. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2 10 shared: 0 ahead, 10 behind 10 0 10 - 0%
Vredestein Quatrac 5 9 shared: 5 ahead, 4 behind 9 5 4 - 56%
Nokian WeatherProof 9 shared: 3 ahead, 6 behind 9 3 6 - 33%
Michelin CrossClimate 8 shared: 1 ahead, 7 behind 8 1 7 - 13%
Pirelli Cinturato AllSeason 7 shared: 3 ahead, 4 behind 7 3 4 - 43%
Uniroyal AllSeasonExpert 5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind 5 3 2 - 60%
Falken EUROALL SEASON AS200 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%
Nexen N Blue 4 Season 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 3 0 3 - 0%

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Hankook Kinergy 4S This tire 12 0 6th 39%
Hankook Kinergy 4S2 Successor 36 2 5th 64%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 12 tests. Updated October 15, 2025.

Hankook Kinergy 4S delivers broadly mid-pack results across 12 all-season tests, with occasional upper-mid finishes (several 4th-6th places) and one strong 12/30 braking shootout progression. Its consistent pattern is balanced, UK-relevant versatility rather than class-leading grip, with recurrent weaknesses in wet braking/handling and noise. Dry handling tends to be respectable, economy metrics (rolling resistance/value) are occasionally competitive, and aquaplaning resistance sits around average. Awards and editorial notes repeatedly position it as a sensible, good-value mid-range choice rather than a test winner.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    Details
    • 2016 Auto Express: 'struggled in the wet'
    • 2017 Auto Bild: Wet braking 8/12 (+13.8%), Wet handling 12/12 (+6.2%)
    • 2017 Auto Zeitung: Wet braking 11/11 (+20.7%)
    • 2018 Auto Bild SUV: Wet braking 7/10 (+6.9%), Wet handling 7/10 (+4.9%)
    • 2025 Autobild Braking: Wet braking 13/30 (+12.1%)
  • Noise/Comfort Moderate
    Details
    • 2017 Auto Bild: Noise 12/12 (+3.7%)
    • 2018 Auto Bild SUV: Noise 9/10 (+3.3%)
  • Winter (Snow) Traction Moderate
    Details
    • 2017 Auto Bild: Snow braking 9/12 (+7.6%), Snow handling 9/12 (+4.8%)
    • 2017 Auto Zeitung: Snow handling 11/11 (+6.9%), Snow braking 7/11 (+10.4%)
    • 2018 Auto Bild SUV: Snow braking 7/10 (+16.9%)
  • Dry Braking Moderate in 2 of 8 tests
    Details
    • 2017 Auto Bild: Dry braking 9/12 (+13.7%)
    • 2018 Auto Bild SUV: Dry braking 8/10 (+12.9%)
    • 2025 Autobild Braking: Dry braking 16/30 (+8.7%)
  • Rolling Resistance (variability) Minor
    Details
    • 2017 Auto Bild: RR 10/12 (+25.6%)
    • 2017 Auto Zeitung: RR 11/11 (+25.9%) vs. 2018 Auto Bild SUV: RR 3/10 (+24.2%)
  • Snow traction Strong in 3 of 8 tests
    Details
  • Snow handling Moderate in 2 of 8 tests
    Details
  • Wet handling Moderate in 2 of 8 tests
    Details
  • Rolling resistance Moderate in 2 of 8 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Hankook Kinergy 4S (8 tests) and 13 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where they disagree

  • Wet grip weakness in 1 of 8 tests 6 praise, 1 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 12

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2025 1 test
2018 2 tests
2017 4 tests
P4 of 6 Beat 40% of the field

New VS 4mm VS 2mm All Season Tire Performance

Auto Bild 185/65 R15

Like the Pirelli, the Hankook is only safe when new, with the snow and wet performance dropping with tire wear. The dry performance increases as the tread wears. Poor wear. Conditionally recommended.

WinnerMichelin CrossClimate+

P9 of 10 Beat 11% of the field

2017 All Season Tire Test

Auto Bild 205/55 R16

WeakWet HandlingNoise WinnerGoodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2

P9 of 11 Beat 10% of the field

2017 All Season VS Winter Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 205/55 R16

WeakWet BrakingSnow HandlingRolling Resistance WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

2016 4 tests
2015 1 test

Back to the Hankook Kinergy 4S overview

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