When it comes to choosing the right tires for your vehicle, the options seem endless.
However, two brands that often stand out among the competition are Continental and Hankook.
In this post, I’ll be diving deep into the world of Continental vs Hankook, exploring their rich histories, analyzing their performances in dry, wet, and snowy conditions, considering their mileage warranties and average lifespan, comparing their prices, and finally, determining which brand reigns supreme.
So, fasten your seatbelts and let’s embark on this exhilarating comparison journey!
Continental vs Hankook – Comparison Table
| Continental | Hankook | |
| Country of Origin | Germany | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1871 | 1941 |
| Made In | mostly in Germany but they have manufacturing facilities in the United States and possibly China | Clarksville, TN or Akron, OH, in addition to South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, and Japan |
| Parent | Schaeffler Group (Germany) | Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (South Korea) |
About the Brands
1. Continental
Continental, a renowned tire brand, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in Germany in 1871.
Originally known as Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie, the company started as a rubber manufacturer and soon diversified into producing bicycle tires.
Over the years, Continental expanded its product range, delving into automobile tires and becoming a leading tire manufacturer globally.
Under the umbrella of its parent company, Schaeffler Group, the brand has continued to innovate and excel.
Renowned for its commitment to safety, performance, and quality, Continental has become a trusted choice for drivers worldwide.
With a legacy spanning over a century and a half, Continental has earned a reputation for excellence and has become synonymous with German engineering and precision.
Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading tire brands, offering a wide range of products for various vehicles, from passenger cars to motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- Buses
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
2. Hankook
Hankook Tire is a renowned tire brand that originated in South Korea in 1941.
It is a subsidiary of Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd., the parent company responsible for its success.
Over the years, Hankook has established itself as a global leader in the tire industry, catering to diverse vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and buses.
The company’s commitment to innovation and quality has propelled its growth, allowing it to become one of the largest tire manufacturers worldwide.
With cutting-edge research and development capabilities, Hankook consistently introduces advanced tire technologies, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and durability.
Today, Hankook tires are trusted by millions of drivers around the globe, offering a wide range of products that deliver excellent traction, handling, and comfort across various road conditions.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Trucks (including light trucks and medium-duty trucks)
- Buses
- Race cars
- Golf carts
- All-terrain vehicles
Differences
1. Dry Performance
I’m going to compare the performance of two summer tires as they are the ideal type in dry weather.
I’m taking a look at the Continental ExtremeContact Sport vs the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2.
In my evaluation, both the Continental ExtremeContact Sport and the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 demonstrate exceptional dry performance, receiving a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
The Continental tire boasts superior dry handling and braking, thanks to its SportPlus Technology and two-ply sidewall construction.
Similarly, the Hankook tire impresses with its handling, cornering, and high-grip silica tread compound.
The rectangular dimples in the sidewall also contribute to noise reduction.
As both tires offer comparable dry performance, I declare this comparison a tie.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs the Hankook Kinergy GT.
In my assessment, both the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus and the Hankook Kinergy GT tires demonstrate exceptional wet performance.
The Continental tire receives positive reviews for faultless wet performance, magnificent grip, and great wet handling.
Although it has slightly longer braking distances on wet roads, it still excels in wet conditions.
Similarly, the Hankook Kinergy GT tire performs well with solid grip, traction, and effective stopping distance.
Considering their equal ratings of 4.4, I declare it a tie in terms of wet performance.
3. Snow Performance
We all know that you need dedicated winter tires if you’re going to be driving on harsh winter conditions.
That’s why I’ll be comparing the snow performance of two specialized winter tires – Continental WinterContact SI vs Hankook Winter i*cept evo2.
In my assessment, as the one giving the snow performance rating from 1 to 5, both the Continental WinterContact SI and the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 earn a commendable score of 4.4.
The Continental WinterContact SI exhibits improved snow and ice traction due to its structured siping and advanced tread compound, making it suitable for snowy and wet conditions.
Similarly, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 impresses with its silica-enhanced tread compound, optimized pattern design, and 3D sipes that enhance traction and grip.
Therefore, I declare a tie as both tires offer similar levels of snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Continental | Hankook | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 100,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Continental tires are expected to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 70,000 miles. | Hankook tires have an average tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. |
After researching, I found that Continental tires come with a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, while Hankook tires offer a warranty of up to 100,000 miles.
On average, Continental tires last between 20,000 to 70,000 miles, while Hankook tires have a lifespan of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
Therefore, Hankook tires tend to have a longer mileage warranty and slightly longer average lifespan compared to Continental tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Continental vs Hankook.
I’ll be using one of the biggest tire and wheel retailers in the US for this comparison – Discount Tire.
Here is a comprehensive table that showcases each brand has to offer:
| Continental | Hankook | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $81 to $614 /ea | $87 to $600 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Control Contact Tour A/S PLUS goes from $81 – $192 /ea | Kinergy ST H735 goes from $80 – $152 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Scandinavia HD3 goes from $614 /ea | Dynapro MT2 RT05 goes from $191 – $600 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Continental
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Advanced technologies that provide maximum fuel-saving, noise reduction, and performance | ❌ Fewer options compared to other brands |
| ✔ Strong reputation in the tire industry | |
| ✔ They are known for their reliability, comfort, and quietness |
Hankook
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Hankook tires are known for their affordable prices | ❌ Limited weather categorization |
| ✔ Good durability and longevity | |
| ✔ Generous mileage warranties of up to 100,000 miles |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Continental:
- ExtremeContact DWS 06
- TrueContact Tour
- TerrainContact A/T
Some of Hankook’s best tires are shown below:
- Ventus S1 Noble2
- Kinergy PT
- Dynapro AT2
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After considering the dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and pros and cons of Continental and Hankook tires, I declare this comparison a tie.
Both brands offer exceptional performance in various conditions, with similar ratings and benefits.
Continental tires are known for their advanced technologies and reputation, while Hankook tires stand out for their affordability and generous mileage warranties.
Ultimately, the decision between the two brands depends on individual preferences and specific tire needs.