As an automotive enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the tire industry, and today, I want to delve into a compelling comparison: Dunlop vs Hankook.
In this post, we’ll embark on an in-depth exploration of these renowned tire brands.
We’ll examine their rich histories, dissect their performances in dry, wet, and snowy conditions, scrutinize their mileage warranties and average lifespan, analyze their prices, and weigh their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Let’s dive in!
Dunlop vs Hankook – Comparison Table
| Dunlop | Hankook | |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1889 | 1941 |
| Made In | Germany or Japan | Clarksville, TN or Akron, OH, in addition to South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, and Japan |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA), Sumitomo Rubber Industries (Japan) & Continental AG (Germany) | Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (South Korea) |
About the Brands
1. Dunlop
The Dunlop tire brand, founded in 1889 in the United Kingdom, has a rich and storied history.
It was established by John Boyd Dunlop, who invented the first practical pneumatic tire.
Dunlop quickly gained popularity and became a leading tire manufacturer, known for its innovative designs and high-quality products.
Over the years, the company expanded its operations globally, offering a wide range of tires for various applications.
In 1999, Dunlop became a subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, a prominent American tire manufacturer.
This acquisition brought together two industry giants, combining their expertise and resources.
Under Goodyear’s ownership, Dunlop continued to thrive, benefiting from the parent company’s global reach and advanced technologies.
Today, Dunlop remains a trusted and respected brand in the tire industry, known for its commitment to performance, durability, and safety.
It continues to innovate and develop cutting-edge tire technologies, catering to the diverse needs of drivers worldwide.
With its strong legacy and the backing of Goodyear, Dunlop continues to be a symbol of excellence in the tire market.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Motorcycles
- Commercial trucks
- ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles)
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 Dunlop SP Sport MAXX RT2 vs the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2.
Based on my research, I would rate the dry performance of the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT2 at 4.4 and the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 at 4.6, both on a scale of 1 to 5.
The Dunlop tire offers excellent grip and handling, short braking distances, and increased steering precision.
On the other hand, the Hankook tire boasts impressive handling and cornering, a high-grip silica tread compound, and technologies to enhance dry terrain handling.
Considering the slight difference in ratings, I declare the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 as the winner for dry performance by a narrow margin.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Dunlop Signature HP vs the Hankook Kinergy GT.
Based on my research and personal rating, both the Dunlop Signature HP and the Hankook Kinergy GT tires offer commendable wet performance with a rating of 4.4 out of 5.
The Dunlop Signature HP receives positive feedback for its good wet traction and all-season performance, thanks to its asymmetric tread pattern and enhanced all-season tread compound.
Similarly, the Hankook Kinergy GT tire demonstrates solid grip, traction, and effective stopping distance in wet conditions.
Therefore, I declare a tie between the two tires as they offer similar levels 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 – Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 vs Hankook Winter i*cept evo2.
In my assessment, as someone who rates snow performance on a scale of 1 to 5, the Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 tire receives a rating of 4.6.
Its rubber compound and asymmetric tread design contribute to its effectiveness in snowy conditions.
Numerous reviews highlight its reliable and confident traction, as well as its excellent grip.
On the other hand, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 achieves a rating of 4.4, offering reliable snow performance with its silica-enhanced tread compound and optimized pattern design.
Due to their similar snow performance levels, it is a tie between the two tires.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Dunlop | Hankook | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 60,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 100,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Dunlop tires have an average lifespan of 15,000 to 50,000 miles. | Hankook tires have an average tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Based on the research I have gathered, the mileage warranty and average lifespan of Dunlop and Hankook tires differ.
Dunlop tires come with a treadwear warranty of up to 60,000 miles, while Hankook tires offer a warranty of up to 100,000 miles.
On average, Dunlop tires last between 15,000 to 50,000 miles, whereas Hankook tires have an average lifespan of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
Therefore, Hankook tires tend to have a longer mileage warranty and average lifespan compared to Dunlop tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Dunlop 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:
| Dunlop | Hankook | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $86 to $857 /ea | $87 to $600 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Winter Maxx 2 goes from $86 – $162 /ea | Kinergy ST H735 goes from $80 – $152 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | SP Sport Maxx GT goes from $315 – $857 /ea | Dynapro MT2 RT05 goes from $191 – $600 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Dunlop
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Dunlop tires have good handling | ❌ Complaints about their tread life |
| ✔ Solid overall performance | |
| ✔ Low pressure |
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 Dunlop:
- Direzza ZIII
- Signature HP
- Grandtrek AT20
Some of Hankook’s best tires are shown below:
- Ventus S1 Noble2
- Kinergy PT
- Dynapro AT2
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After carefully considering the dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and pros/cons of both Dunlop and Hankook tires, I have determined that Hankook is the better pick overall.
While Dunlop offers good handling and solid performance, Hankook excels in durability, longevity, and affordability.
With generous mileage warranties and positive reviews, Hankook tires provide a compelling option for those seeking reliable and long-lasting tires.
