In this post, I’ll be delving into the world of tires to compare two renowned brands: General and Hankook.
We’ll explore their fascinating histories, dissect their performances in dry, wet, and snowy conditions, analyze their mileage warranties and average lifespan, scrutinize their price ranges, and weigh their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Let’s dive in and discover the tire brand that stands out in every aspect.
General vs Hankook – Comparison Table
| General | Hankook | |
| Country of Origin | United States | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1915 | 1941 |
| Made In | Waco TX, Uvalde TX, Mayfield KY, Bryan OH, Charlotte NC, and Mt. Vernon IL in the US | Clarksville, TN or Akron, OH, in addition to South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, and Japan |
| Parent | Continental AG (Germany) | Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (South Korea) |
About the Brands
1. General
General Tire, founded in 1915 in the United States, has a rich history as a tire manufacturer.
Originally established as the “The General Tire & Rubber Company,” it quickly gained prominence in the automotive industry.
Over the years, the brand’s commitment to innovation and quality led to its expansion and solid reputation.
General Tire became recognized for producing high-performance tires for all types of vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs.
In 1987, the German company Continental AG acquired General Tire, further enhancing its global reach and technological advancements.
Today, General Tire continues to offer a wide range of reliable and durable tires, combining cutting-edge technology with a legacy of excellence.
With Continental AG as its parent company, General Tire remains a trusted and respected brand, providing drivers with safety, performance, and comfort on the road.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Trucks
- Crossover vehicles
- Light trucks
- Commercial vans
- Off-road vehicles
- All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
- Performance 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 General G-MAX RS vs the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2.
Based on my thorough research and personal dry performance rating, I would choose the General G-MAX RS as the better tire for dry performance.
With a rating of 4.8 out of 5, it excels in various aspects like crisp handling, strong braking, sure-footed grip with Smart Grip Technology, and its ultra-high-performance design.
The Hankook Ventus V12 evo2, although rated 4.6, also offers impressive handling and cornering, high grip silica tread compound, and noise reduction features.
However, the General G-MAX RS seems to have a slight edge in terms of its precise control, effective braking, and enhanced traction.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the General AltiMAX RT43 vs the Hankook Kinergy GT.
Based on my research and personal rating, I would say that both the General AltiMAX RT43 and Hankook Kinergy GT tires exhibit impressive wet performance, scoring a 4.4 out of 5.
These ratings indicate that both tires offer good traction, maintain consistent performance, and demonstrate solid grip and stopping distance on wet roads.
Therefore, it is difficult to declare a clear winner in terms of wet performance between these two tire models.
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 – General AltiMAX Arctic vs Hankook Winter i*cept evo2.
Based on my research and snow performance ratings from 1 to 5, I would rate the General AltiMAX Arctic tire as 4.6 and the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 tire as 4.4.
Both tires offer reliable snow performance, with innovative technologies to enhance traction and grip on snow and ice.
However, the General AltiMAX Arctic tire receives a slightly higher rating due to its incorporation of new rubber chemistry and flatter contour for improved handling.
Therefore, the General AltiMAX Arctic tire can be considered the better option for snow performance, although the difference is minimal, making it a close tie.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| General | Hankook | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 65,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 100,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | General tires have an average lifespan of around 30,000 to 75,000 miles. | Hankook tires have an average tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the mileage warranty and average lifespan of General and Hankook tires differ.
General tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 65,000 miles, while Hankook tires provide a warranty of up to 100,000 miles.
On average, General tires last between 30,000 and 75,000 miles, whereas Hankook tires have a tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
Therefore, Hankook tires generally have a longer warranty and a slightly shorter average lifespan compared to General tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – General 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:
| General | Hankook | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $71 to $595 /ea | $87 to $600 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Altimax RT43 goes from $71 – $187 /ea | Kinergy ST H735 goes from $80 – $152 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Grabber X3 goes from $238 – $595 /ea | Dynapro MT2 RT05 goes from $191 – $600 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
General
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Excellent price performance ratio, providing good value for their price | ❌ General tires are generally considered to be in the mid-range segment |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles | |
| ✔ Availability |
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 General:
- Grabber A/T X
- Altimax RT43
- Grabber HTS60
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 research and ratings, it is clear that both General and Hankook offer excellent tire options.
However, based on the information provided, I would choose General as the better pick overall.
The General G-MAX RS performs exceptionally well in dry conditions with precise control and effective braking.
It also offers good wet performance.
While Hankook has its strengths, General’s dry performance superiority and competitive pricing make it the winner in this comparison.
