As a car enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the world of tires and their impact on driving performance.
Today, I want to delve into a captivating topic that has piqued my curiosity for quite some time: Hankook vs Kumho.
In this post, we’ll embark on an in-depth comparison between these two tire brands, exploring their intriguing histories, scrutinizing their dry, wet, and snow performances, examining their mileage warranties and average lifespan, delving into their price ranges, uncovering their pros and cons, and ultimately determining which brand reigns supreme.
So, fasten your seatbelts and join me on this tire adventure!
Hankook vs Kumho – Comparison Table
| Hankook | Kumho | |
| Country of Origin | South Korea | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1941 | 1960 |
| Made In | Clarksville, TN or Akron, OH, in addition to South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, and Japan | South Korea, or in China or Vietmnam |
| Parent | Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (South Korea) | Doublestar (China) |
About the Brands
1. 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
2. Kumho
Kumho Tire is a renowned tire brand founded in 1960 in South Korea. It is a subsidiary of the Chinese tire conglomerate Doublestar.
The company has a rich history of innovation and excellence in the tire industry.
Over the years, Kumho has established itself as a global leader, providing high-quality tires for various vehicles.
Since its inception, Kumho has focused on research and development to create cutting-edge tire technologies.
They have continuously invested in improving performance, safety, and environmental sustainability.
The brand’s commitment to quality has earned them recognition and numerous awards.
Kumho’s tire range covers a wide spectrum of applications, including passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and racing vehicles.
They offer a diverse selection of tires known for their durability, traction, and excellent handling capabilities.
With a strong global presence, Kumho has built a reputation for delivering reliable and innovative tires that meet the needs of drivers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- High-performance cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Crossovers
- Light trucks
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 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 vs the Kumho Ecsta PS91.
I have personally evaluated the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 and the Kumho Ecsta PS91 for their dry performance, rating both tires a solid 4.6 out of 5.
The Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 impressed me with its exceptional handling, cornering abilities, and high-grip silica tread compound.
Additionally, its aero-dynamic design with noise reduction features adds to its appeal.
Similarly, the Kumho Ecsta PS91 showcased enhanced grip, quick handling, and track-inspired performance.
Both tires offer excellent traction and agility, making it difficult to declare a clear winner.
Therefore, I would consider it a tie between these two tires in terms of dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Hankook Kinergy GT vs the Kumho Solus TA71.
Based on my wet performance ratings, I would rate the Hankook Kinergy GT tire with a score of 4.4 out of 5, indicating solid wet performance with good grip, traction, and effective stopping distance.
On the other hand, the Kumho Solus TA71 tire receives a rating of 4.1 out of 5, suggesting somewhat reliable wet traction with mixed user reviews.
While the Solus TA71 has an asymmetric tread design and wide grooves for improved wet performance, concerns about sudden breakaway in wet conditions impact its overall rating.
Thus, I would declare the Hankook Kinergy GT tire as the better choice for 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 – Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71.
Based on my research and personal evaluation, I would rate the snow performance of both the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 and the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 as 4.4 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Both tires are designed to provide reliable traction and grip in snowy and icy conditions.
The Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 offers a silica-enhanced tread compound, optimized pattern design, dual function tread design, and 3D sipes, while the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 features a uniform block design, premium touring winter tire classification, directional tread pattern, and good handling and stability.
Therefore, it is a tie, as both tires offer similar levels of snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Hankook | Kumho | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 100,000 miles tread life warranty | Replacement for unserviceable tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining |
| Average Tread Life | Hankook tires have an average tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. | Kumho tires are known for their long-lasting performance, with most of their tires lasting from 60,000 to 80,000 miles. |
Based on my research, Hankook tires come with a mileage warranty of up to 100,000 miles, which indicates their potential longevity.
However, on average, these tires tend to last around 40,000 to 60,000 miles before needing replacement.
On the other hand, Kumho tires do not offer a specific mileage warranty but provide replacement for tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining.
Kumho tires are known to have a longer lifespan, typically lasting from 60,000 to 80,000 miles.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Hankook vs Kumho.
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:
| Hankook | Kumho | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $87 to $600 /ea | $54 to $550 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Kinergy ST H735 goes from $80 – $152 /ea | Solus TA11 goes from $54 – $158 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Dynapro MT2 RT05 goes from $191 – $600 /ea | Road Venture MT71 goes from $222 – $550 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
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 |
Kumho
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ They can last a long time aka their tread life is amazing | ❌ Limited market presence |
| ✔ Good value for money | |
| ✔ They offer good performance |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Hankook:
- Ventus S1 Noble2
- Kinergy PT
- Dynapro AT2
Some of Kumho’s best tires are shown below:
- Ecsta PS31
- Solus TA71
- Road Venture AT51
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After considering the various factors, it is evident that both Hankook and Kumho offer excellent performance in different areas.
In terms of dry performance, both brands receive the same rating.
However, when it comes to wet performance, the Hankook Kinergy GT tire takes the lead.
In terms of snow performance, both brands are equally reliable.
When considering mileage warranty and average lifespan, Kumho tires have the advantage.
Taking all these factors into account, I declare Kumho as the better pick overall due to its longer lifespan and good performance.