P3 of 8
Beat 71% of the field
Hankook Ventus S1 evo Test Results
Tested 2010 to 2018
9 publications
Tested 15 times by independent publications, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo has taken 3 test wins with an average finish of 4th.
- 15Independent tests
- 3Test wins
- 8Podium finishes
- 4thAverage finish
- 66%Field beaten on average
- 9Publications
15 tests, 2010 to 2018
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 66%
The latest test
Record by discipline
Where the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 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 | 1 | P5 of 8 | 43% | - |
| Dry Handling | 1 | P2 of 8 | 86% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 1 | P3 of 8 | 71% | - |
| Wet Handling | 1 | P5 of 8 | 43% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 1 | P8 of 8 | 0% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Noise | 1 | P5 of 8 | 43% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance | 1 | P3 of 8 | 71% | - |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Hankook Ventus S1 evo. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pirelli P Zero
10 shared: 4 ahead, 6 behind
|
10 | 4 | 6 | - | 40% |
 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
9 shared: 5 ahead, 4 behind
|
9 | 5 | 4 | - | 56% |
 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
8 shared: 5 ahead, 3 behind
|
8 | 5 | 3 | - | 63% |
 Bridgestone Potenza S001
8 shared: 4 ahead, 4 behind
|
8 | 4 | 4 | - | 50% |
 Continental Sport Contact 3
8 shared: 3 ahead, 5 behind
|
8 | 3 | 5 | - | 38% |
 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT
6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind
|
6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% |
 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT
6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind
|
6 | 2 | 4 | - | 33% |
 Continental ContiSportContact 5 P
6 shared: 1 ahead, 5 behind
|
6 | 1 | 5 | - | 17% |
 Nokian Z G2
5 shared: 4 ahead, 1 behind
|
5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% |
 Vredestein Ultrac Cento
5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind
|
5 | 3 | 2 | - | 60% |
 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind
|
5 | 2 | 3 | - | 40% |
 Uniroyal RainSport 2
4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind
|
4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind
|
4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75% |
 Kumho Ecsta KU39
3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind
|
3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Nankang Noble Sport NS20
3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind
|
3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta
3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind
|
3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
 Toyo Proxes T1 Sport
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
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 Ventus S1 evo This tire | 15 | 3 | 4th | 66% |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 Successor | 35 | 0 | 5th | 55% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 15 tests. Updated November 16, 2025.
Across 15 tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo delivers consistently strong overall performance (avg. 4.1), frequently contending for wins in UHP-focused comparisons. It shows balanced capability with notable highlights in dry handling and wet performance in several demanding tests, translating to multiple overall victories and podiums. However, results vary by size and test emphasis: while dynamic grip and braking can be excellent, aquaplaning resistance and occasional wet consistency gaps prevent universal dominance.
The tire's best showings cluster in premium-brand and UHP tests (2011-2012) where it scores wins or top-three finishes, backed by strong subjective handling. Later large-diameter tests reveal weaknesses in straight-line aquaplaning and some wet metrics, indicating sensitivity to size and test conditions. Overall, it's a high-performing, well-rounded UHP tire with standout dry and wet handling, tempered by aquaplaning variability.
Performance Strengths
-
Dry Performance
Strong
Details
- Joint 1st in dry (subjective) and 3rd fastest dry lap in 2012 EVO Max Performance (2/10 overall)
- Overall win with strong dry results in 2011 Autobild Max Performance (1/10)
- Competitive dry handling: 2nd place dry handling (+0.4% from best) in 2018 Auto Bild 20"
- Praised for very good dry handling/braking in 2010 AMS Premium Brand Test (1/10)
-
Wet Performance (Handling/Braking)
Strong
Details
- Won wet performance tests in 2010 Sport Auto UHP (3/11 overall)
- Traded top places in wet handling/braking in 2015 Auto Bild Performance (1/7 overall)
- Very good wet handling/braking noted in 2010 AMS Premium Brand Test (1/10)
-
Overall Competitiveness/Awards
Strong
Details
- Overall wins in 2011 Autobild Max Performance (1/10) and 2010 AMS Premium Brand (1/10)
- Multiple podiums: 2012 EVO Max Performance (2/10), 2011 Autoreview (3/9), 2010 Sport Auto (3/11), 2010 Auto Bild UHP (3/6)
-
Value vs. Performance
Moderate
Details
- Strong overall performance despite being second cheapest in 2010 Auto Bild UHP (3/6)
- Consistently competitive finishes across diverse tests and sizes
-
Rolling Resistance/Noise (Secondary)
Minor
Details
- 2018 Auto Bild 20": Rolling resistance 3/8 (+2.5% from best), Noise mid-pack (5/8, +1.2% from best)
- 2010 AMS notes low road noise
-
Rolling resistance
Strong
in 4 of 9 tests
Details
very low rolling resistance
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Tire Test (2015)aced the rolling resistance test, finishing 1st
- 2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2011)encouraging low rolling resistance
- 2011 Autobild Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011)Lowest rolling resistance
- 2010 EVO FWD Tire Test (2010)
-
Wet braking
Strong
in 3 of 9 tests
Details
Short braking distances in any weather
- 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tire Test (2018)the shortest braking distance in the wet
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Tire Test (2015)Short wet and dry braking distances
- 2011 Autobild Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011)
-
Wet handling
Strong
in 3 of 9 tests
Details
stable corning on wet and dry roads
- 2012 Auto Bild 20 inch Tire Test (2012)Impeccable handling and Stable cornering on a wet runway
- 2011 Autobild Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011)Good in the wet, excellent resistance to aquaplaning, quietest tire on test
- 2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011)
-
Dry braking
Moderate
in 2 of 9 tests
Details
Short braking distances in any weather
- 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tire Test (2018)Short wet and dry braking distances
- 2011 Autobild Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Aquaplaning Resistance
Strong
in 2 of 9 tests
Details
- Straight aquaplaning 8/8 (+10.2% from best) in 2018 Auto Bild 20"
- 2010 Auto Express: beat P Zero overall due to Pirelli's poor aquaplaning, implying Hankook was not class-leading
Average aquaplaning
- 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tire Test (2018)fail miserably during aquaplaning tests finishing last
- 2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2011)
-
Wet Consistency Across Sizes
Moderate
Details
- 2010 ADAC/TCS/AMTC: "Strong in dry, slightly weak wet" (8/16 overall)
- 2018 Auto Bild 20": Wet handling 5/8 (+2% from best) and wet braking 3/8 (+4.6% from best) show mid-pack variability
-
Result Variability/Test Sensitivity
Moderate
Details
- Bottom result 10/10 in 2011 Auto Express UHP
- Lower-tier finishes in 2010 EVO FWD (8/9) and 2012 Auto Bild 20" (5/8)
-
Dry Braking (Large Sizes)
Minor
Details
- 2018 Auto Bild 20": Dry braking 5/8 (+4.7% from best) despite excellent dry handling
- Some tests highlight handling strength over pure braking metrics
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Hankook Ventus S1 evo (9 tests) and 34 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Dry grip strength in 2 of 9 tests 15 praise, 2 criticise of 34 reviews · Read those reviews
Where they disagree
- Ride comfort weakness in 1 of 9 tests 3 praise, 1 criticise of 34 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire
- Tread life no test mentions it 11 praise, 5 criticise of 34 reviews · Read those reviews
- Puncture resistance no test mentions it 0 praise, 3 criticise of 34 reviews · Read those reviews
Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners
- Rolling resistance strength in 4 of 9 tests no owner mentions it
- Dry braking strength in 2 of 9 tests no owner mentions it
Every test, newest first 15
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2018 1 test
2015 1 test
P1 of 7
Beat 100% of the field
2012 2 tests
P5 of 8
Beat 43% of the field
P2 of 10
Beat 89% of the field
2012 EVO Max Performance Tire Test
Although the Hankook S1 Evo only managed a single top place (its subjective feel on the dry track) the rest of its results were strong enough to give it a close second behind the Conti and a whisker ahead of the Goodyear.
2011 4 tests
P10 of 10
Beat 0% of the field
2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test
It was a disappointing and somewhat unusual result for the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo finishing in 10th position, behind the budget Apollo brand. The S1 Evo aced the rolling resistance test, finishing 1st but went on to fail miserably during aquaplaning tests finishing last. In previous tests the S1 Evo has been called “the best wet weather tireâ€, so this either indicates the S1 Evo doesn’t work well in this size, the aquaplaning tests used a new level of water which the tire couldn’t cope with, or something has changed recently. The S1 Evo2 is due out in the next few months.
P3 of 9
Beat 75% of the field
2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tire Test
The Korean Ventus S1 EVO was the surprise of the test, scoring well in nearly every test and offering excellent value for money, being the cheapest tire on test.
P1 of 10
Beat 100% of the field
P4 of 14
Beat 77% of the field
2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance Tire Test
The S1 EVO's strong wet performance places it a respectable 4th
2010 7 tests
P8 of 9
Beat 13% of the field
P5 of 11
Beat 60% of the field
P3 of 11
Beat 80% of the field
P8 of 17
Beat 53% of the field
P3 of 6
Beat 60% of the field
P1 of 10
Beat 100% of the field
P4 of 9
Beat 63% of the field
Back to the Hankook Ventus S1 evo overview
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