As a tire enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the performance and reliability of different brands.
Today, I want to delve into the world of Hankook vs Pirelli and explore the intriguing question: which tire brand reigns supreme? In this post, we’ll delve into their histories, evaluate their dry, wet, and snow performances, examine their mileage warranties and average lifespan, compare their prices, and weigh the pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll uncover the ultimate winner in this tire showdown.
Let’s dive in!
Hankook vs Pirelli – Comparison Table
| Hankook | Pirelli | |
| Country of Origin | South Korea | Italy |
| Year Founded | 1941 | 1872 |
| Made In | Clarksville, TN or Akron, OH, in addition to South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, and Japan | Rome, GA, Hanford, CA, Madison, TN, or internationally in Brazil, Mexico, Romania, or Venezuela |
| Parent | Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (South Korea) | Pirelli & C. S.p.A. (Italy) |
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. Pirelli
Pirelli, an iconic tire brand, was founded in Italy in 1872.
Originally named “G.B. Pirelli & C.”, the company started as a small rubber goods factory in Milan.
With a vision for innovation, Pirelli quickly expanded its operations and began producing bicycle tires.
In 1901, Pirelli introduced its first automobile tire, marking a significant milestone in its history.
Over the years, Pirelli continued to grow and diversify its product range, becoming a renowned global leader in the tire industry.
The brand’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and high-performance tires earned it a reputation for excellence.
Pirelli tires were even chosen as the official tires for the Formula One World Championship, showcasing their unparalleled performance on the racetrack.
Today, Pirelli is a subsidiary of Pirelli & C. S.p.A., headquartered in Italy.
The company remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of tire technology, constantly innovating to meet the evolving needs of drivers worldwide.
With a rich heritage spanning over 150 years, Pirelli continues to be synonymous with quality, performance, and Italian craftsmanship.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- 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 Pirelli P Zero.
In my evaluation, I give the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 a dry performance rating of 4.6 out of 5.
This tire has received highly positive ratings for its impressive handling, cornering abilities, and high grip silica tread compound.
The incorporation of technologies to enhance dry terrain handling and the aero-dynamic design with noise reduction features add to its appeal.
On the other hand, the Pirelli P Zero earns a dry performance rating of 4.3 out of 5.
It offers precise handling, excellent dry grip, and an asymmetric tread pattern that contributes to its sporty performance.
While it excels in dry conditions, it may not receive a perfect rating due to inherent tire limitations.
Considering the ratings, the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 emerges as the winner with a slightly higher dry performance rating.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Hankook Kinergy GT vs the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus.
Based on my research and expertise, I would rate the Hankook Kinergy GT tire’s wet performance at 4.4 out of 5.
It offers solid grip, traction, and effective stopping distance in wet conditions.
On the other hand, the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus tire receives a slightly higher rating of 4.5 out of 5.
It provides excellent all-season traction, including reliable performance on wet roads.
Considering these ratings, the Pirelli tire edges out slightly, making it 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 Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.
Based on my research and snow performance ratings, I would rate the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 tire at 4.4 out of 5 for snow performance.
It offers reliable traction and grip with its silica-enhanced tread compound, optimized pattern design, dual function tread, and 3D sipes.
In comparison, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 tire receives a snow performance rating of 4.6 out of 5.
It excels in providing excellent traction, handling, and grip in snowy conditions, making it a top-performing premium winter tire.
Considering the slightly higher rating, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 emerges as the winner in terms of snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Hankook | Pirelli | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 100,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 65,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Hankook tires have an average tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. | Pirelli offers a range of tire models, with most lasting between 45,000 to 65,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the Hankook tires come with a mileage warranty of up to 100,000 miles, while Pirelli tires offer a warranty of up to 65,000 miles.
However, in terms of average lifespan, Hankook tires tend to last between 40,000 and 60,000 miles, while Pirelli tires generally range from 45,000 to 65,000 miles.
Therefore, when it comes to longevity, both brands offer reliable options, with Hankook tires potentially lasting slightly longer on average.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Hankook vs Pirelli.
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 | Pirelli | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $87 to $600 /ea | $85 to $1,665 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Kinergy ST H735 goes from $80 – $152 /ea | Cinturato Winter goes from $85 – $145 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Dynapro MT2 RT05 goes from $191 – $600 /ea | P Zero Corsa PZC4 goes from $339 – $1,665 /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 |
Pirelli
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Pirelli is the exclusive tire supplier for Formula 1 | ❌ Some of their tires can get crazy expensive |
| ✔ Pirelli have an overall decent lifespan of their tires | |
| ✔ Innovative technology, such as the EverGrip technology |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Hankook:
- Ventus S1 Noble2
- Kinergy PT
- Dynapro AT2
Some of Pirelli’s best tires are shown below:
- P Zero
- Cinturato P7 All Season Plus
- Scorpion Verde All Season Plus
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the evaluation of dry performance, the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 emerges as the winner.
However, when it comes to wet performance, the Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus takes the lead.
In terms of snow performance, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 outperforms the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2.
Both brands offer reliable longevity, with Hankook potentially lasting slightly longer on average.
Considering all factors, it’s a close competition, but Pirelli comes out as the better pick overall due to its strengths in wet performance and snow performance.
