As a car enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by the pivotal role that tires play in a vehicle’s performance and safety.
In this post, we’ll delve into an in-depth comparison between two heavyweight tire brands: Firestone and Hankook.
We’ll explore their rich histories, evaluate their dry, wet, and snow performances, analyze their mileage warranties and average lifespan, consider their prices, and weigh their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand comes out on top as the ultimate tire powerhouse.
So, fasten your seatbelts and join me on this exciting journey!
Firestone vs Hankook – Comparison Table
| Firestone | Hankook | |
| Country of Origin | United States | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1900 | 1941 |
| Made In | United States, Vietnam, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica | Clarksville, TN or Akron, OH, in addition to South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, and Japan |
| Parent | Bridgestone Corporation (Japan) | Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (South Korea) |
About the Brands
1. Firestone
Firestone is an iconic American tire brand that traces its roots back to 1900 when it was founded in the United States.
The company quickly gained recognition for its high-quality tires, becoming a leading player in the industry.
Throughout its history, Firestone has been committed to innovation and performance.
In 1988, Firestone became a subsidiary of the Bridgestone Corporation, a Japanese multinational company.
This acquisition allowed Firestone to benefit from Bridgestone’s global reach and technological advancements.
Over the years, Firestone has continued to thrive under Bridgestone’s ownership, leveraging its expertise and resources to maintain its position as a trusted tire brand.
Today, Firestone offers a wide range of tires for various vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles.
With a rich heritage and a legacy of excellence, Firestone remains a prominent name in the tire industry.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Light trucks
- Medium trucks
- Buses
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 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 vs the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2.
As someone who has extensively researched both tires, I would rate the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500’s dry performance at 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5.
It has received highly positive reviews for its impressive handling, quick steering response, excellent grip, stability, and comfortable ride.
The tire’s new tread compound and wide shoulder blocks contribute to its exceptional dry performance.
Similarly, the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 also boasts a strong dry performance, which I would rate at 4.6.
It offers impressive handling, cornering, and utilizes a high-grip silica tread compound for enhanced traction.
The tire’s aero-dynamic design and noise reduction features further add to its appeal.
Considering the minimal difference in ratings, both tires provide similar levels of dry performance, making it difficult to declare a clear winner.
It ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific requirements.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Firestone WeatherGrip vs the Hankook Kinergy GT.
In my assessment, I would rate the Firestone WeatherGrip tire’s wet performance at 4.3 out of 5.
Its features, like shorter braking distances and hydroplaning resistance, suggest good wet traction.
The design elements, including open shoulder slots, further enhance hydroplaning resistance.
With its all-season performance design, this tire aims to provide reliable traction and stability in various weather conditions, including wet roads.
On the other hand, the Hankook Kinergy GT tire received a wet performance rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on my evaluation.
It demonstrates solid grip, traction, and effective stopping distance in wet conditions.
Considering my ratings, both tires offer similar levels of wet performance.
Therefore, I declare it a tie between the Firestone WeatherGrip and Hankook Kinergy GT tires 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 – Firestone Winterforce 2 vs Hankook Winter i*cept evo2.
As someone who rates snow performance from 1 to 5, I would give the Firestone Winterforce 2 tire a score of 4.5.
Its cold weather compound maintains flexibility and grip in low temperatures, enhancing traction on snowy and icy surfaces.
The open shoulder slots and sipes in the tread provide better grip on snow.
Additionally, its 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification confirms its reliable traction in snowy conditions.
On the other hand, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 receives a rating of 4.4.
While it offers similar features, both tires provide excellent snow performance.
Thus, it’s a tie between them.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Firestone | Hankook | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 55,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 100,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Firestone tires are expected to last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on average. | Hankook tires have an average tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the Firestone tires come with a treadwear warranty of up to 55,000 miles, while Hankook offers a longer warranty of up to 100,000 miles.
However, the average lifespan for both tire brands is similar, ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
So, even though Hankook offers a higher mileage warranty, both Firestone and Hankook tires tend to last about the same length of time on average.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Firestone 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:
| Firestone | Hankook | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $82 to $603 /ea | $87 to $600 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | FT140 goes from $82 – $170 /ea | Kinergy ST H735 goes from $80 – $152 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Destination M/T 2 goes from $229 – $603 /ea | Dynapro MT2 RT05 goes from $191 – $600 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Firestone
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Firestone tires have good performance | ❌ Their shop is very expensive and they might try and sell you unnecessary services/things |
| ✔ Wide availability | |
| ✔ Good option for those who live in areas with harsh winter conditions |
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 Firestone:
- Destination LE3
- Firehawk Indy 500
- WeatherGrip
Some of Hankook’s best tires are shown below:
- Ventus S1 Noble2
- Kinergy PT
- Dynapro AT2
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the information provided, it is difficult to declare a clear winner between Firestone and Hankook tires.
Both brands offer excellent dry performance, similar wet performance, and impressive snow performance.
The mileage warranty is longer for Hankook, but the average lifespan is similar for both brands.
Firestone tires are widely available, while Hankook tires are known for their affordability.
Considering all these factors, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs when choosing between Firestone and Hankook.
