When it comes to choosing the perfect tires for your vehicle, the options can seem endless.
That’s why I’m here to help you make an informed decision by diving into the Hankook vs Uniroyal battle.
In this post, we’ll compare these two renowned tire brands in terms of history, dry and wet performances, snow capabilities, mileage warranties, lifespan, prices, and more.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Let’s get started!
Hankook vs Uniroyal – Comparison Table
Hankook | Uniroyal | |
Country of Origin | South Korea | United States |
Year Founded | 1941 | 1892 |
Made In | Clarksville, TN or Akron, OH, in addition to South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, and Japan | United States, with their main manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana |
Parent | Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (South Korea) | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) & Continental AG (Germany) |
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. Uniroyal
Uniroyal is an iconic tire brand with a rich history that spans over a century.
Founded in 1892 in the United States, it quickly established itself as a leading manufacturer of high-quality tires.
The Uniroyal brand has been under the ownership of Continental AG since 1979, a result of their acquisition of Uniroyal Europe, previously recognized as Englebert.
In 1990 Uniroyal became part of the Michelin Group for North America, Colombia and Peru production.
This acquisition provided Uniroyal with access to global markets and cutting-edge technology, further enhancing its reputation for reliability and innovation.
Over the years, Uniroyal has built a strong presence in the automotive industry, delivering tires known for their superior performance, durability, and safety.
As a subsidiary of Michelin and Continental AG, Uniroyal continues to benefit from the parent company’s extensive resources and expertise, ensuring the brand’s continued success in meeting the evolving needs of drivers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- CUVs (Crossover Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Pickup trucks
- Minivans
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 Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
In my evaluation, I rate the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2’s dry performance at 4.6 out of 5.
The tire excels in handling, cornering, and dry traction due to its high-grip silica tread compound and innovative technologies.
The aero-dynamic design also reduces noise.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2 receives a rating of 4.0.
While it provides good dry traction and a comfortable ride, it falls slightly short compared to the Hankook tire.
Therefore, the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 emerges as the better tire for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Hankook Kinergy GT vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
In my assessment as a tire expert, the Hankook Kinergy GT tire demonstrates superior wet performance with a rating of 4.4 out of 5.
It excels in wet conditions, offering excellent grip, traction, and shorter stopping distances.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tire scores 4.2 out of 5 for its wet performance.
While it provides decent traction due to its all-season compound and high sipe density, opinions on its wet performance vary.
Considering the slightly higher rating and consistent positive feedback, the Hankook Kinergy GT emerges 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 Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3.
As someone who has researched and tested both tires, I would rate the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 with a snow performance rating of 4.4 out of 5.
It is designed for high-performance cars and SUVs, offering reliable traction and grip in snowy and icy conditions.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 receives a rating of 4.3 out of 5, indicating good snow performance and enhanced traction.
While both tires excel in snow, the Hankook tire edges slightly ahead in terms of its specialized features.
Therefore, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 emerges as the winner in terms of snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
Hankook | Uniroyal | |
Treadwear Warranty | up to 100,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty |
Average Tread Life | Hankook tires have an average tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. | Uniroyal tires are expected to last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles on average. |
Based on my research, there is a notable difference between the mileage warranty and average lifespan of Hankook and Uniroyal tires.
Hankook tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 100,000 miles, while Uniroyal tires provide up to 75,000 miles.
However, on average, Hankook tires tend to last around 40,000 to 60,000 miles, whereas Uniroyal tires generally have a lifespan of 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
Thus, while Hankook offers a higher mileage warranty, Uniroyal tires have a slightly longer average lifespan.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Hankook vs Uniroyal.
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 | Uniroyal | |
Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $87 to $600 /ea | $78 to $307 /ea |
Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Kinergy ST H735 goes from $80 – $152 /ea | Tiger Paw Touring A/S DT goes from $78 – $176 /ea |
Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Dynapro MT2 RT05 goes from $191 – $600 /ea | Laredo A/T goes from $139 – $307 /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 |
Uniroyal
Pros | Cons |
✔ Good value for the money | ❌ They are mostly considered as a second-tier brand |
✔ Good traction | |
✔ Durable and long-lasting |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Hankook:
- Ventus S1 Noble2
- Kinergy PT
- Dynapro AT2
Some of Uniroyal’s best tires are shown below:
- Tiger Paw Touring A/S
- Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2
- Laredo Cross Country Tour
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After evaluating the key factors such as dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, and average lifespan, the winner between Hankook and Uniroyal emerges.
Considering the higher ratings in dry performance, wet performance, and snow performance, along with the generous mileage warranty, Hankook is the overall better pick.
While Uniroyal offers good value for the money and durability, Hankook’s superior performance and longer mileage warranty make it the winner in this comparison.