Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129 - Test Results

Test Statistics

4

Tests Completed

5^th

Average Position

2^nd

Best Result

7^th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129 - Official Image

Across three UUHP/UHP summer tire tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129 shows a mixed but generally mid-pack profile overall (average overall position 4.7), with one standout result (2nd/10 in 2022) offset by weaker finishes in more recent Autobild Sportscars tests (5th/7 in 2024 and 7th/8 in 2026). Its most repeatable strengths appear in high-speed water evacuation (aquaplaning) and low external noise/comfort-type metrics, while its dry performance tends to lag the class leaders.

The tire's wet performance is not uniformly strong: it can be very competitive in straight-line aquaplaning and sometimes wet braking, but it also shows notable volatility in wet braking and wet handling depending on test and size/fitment (from top-3 to bottom-3). In dry braking/handling it more often places in the lower half of the field, suggesting it prioritizes stability/efficiency/comfort traits over ultimate dry grip and steering precision versus the best UUHP benchmarks.

Performance Strengths

Aquaplaning Resistance (Straight & Curved) Strong Details
• 1st place curved aquaplaning in 2022 Sport Auto test (1/10)
• 2nd place straight aquaplaning in 2024 Autobild Sportscars (2/7, +0.8% from best)
• 2nd place straight aquaplaning in 2022 Sport Auto (2/10, +1.1% from best)
Noise / Refinement Strong Details
• 2nd place noise in 2026 Autobild Sportscars (2/8, 72 dB, +1.6% from best)
• 2nd place noise in 2022 Sport Auto (2/10, 68.1 dB, +0.3% from best)
• 3rd place subjective comfort in 2026 Autobild Sportscars (3/8, +8% from best)
Rolling Resistance / Efficiency Moderate Details
• 1st place rolling resistance in 2026 Autobild Sportscars (1/8, 8.29 kg/t)
• Competitive but variable efficiency results: 4th rolling resistance in 2022 Sport Auto (4/10, +13.1% from best)

Performance Weaknesses

Dry Performance (Braking & Handling Grip) Moderate Details
• Dry braking placed 7th/10 in 2022 Sport Auto (+6.6% from best)
• Dry handling placed 6th/7 in 2024 Autobild Sportscars (+3.0% from best) and 5th/8 in 2026 (+1.4% from best)
• Dry braking placed 5th/7 in 2024 (+7.3% from best)
Wet Grip Consistency (Wet Braking & Wet Handling Variability) Moderate Details
• Wet braking ranged from 2nd/7 in 2024 (+2.0% from best) and 3rd/8 in 2026 (+8.5% from best) to 7th/10 in 2022 (+23.6% from best)
• Wet handling ranged from 3rd/10 in 2022 (+2.3% from best) to 7th/8 in 2026 (+10.8% from best)
Overall Competitiveness in Recent Tests Moderate Details
• 7th place overall in 2026 Autobild Sportscars (7/8)
• 5th place overall in 2024 Autobild Sportscars (5/7)

Performance Over Time

Test History

of 8

The BEST Performance Summer Tires for 2026 Tested! Recommended

2026
Winner: Pirelli P Zero R

The Hankook was the best in the deeper water of aquaplaning and it was slightly ahead of the Falken in the wet tests, but honestly it's hard for me to explain how the tires that came sixth and seve...

Strong:
Straight Aqua

Weak:
Subj. Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance

View Test

of 8

2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z has the most balanced aquaplaning behaviour, with both axles floating at exactly 87.9 km/h. Dry braking is short and rolling resistance is among the lowest in the test. ...

Strong:
Noise, Rolling Resistance

Weak:
Wet Handling

View Test

of 7