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Hankook tires are an affordable alternative to other big-name brands. But does the lower cost mean lower quality?
In this review, we’ll discuss Hankook tires in depth, including industry reputation, popular models, costs, and more. We’ll also take a look at other top-rated tire manufacturers in case Hankook doesn’t offer the right tires for you.
After thoroughly researching the tire industry, we recently rated the best tires and brands on the market. Check out our review to find your next set of tires, or start comparing prices from a variety of brands, including Hankook, at DiscountTire. com.
Founded in 1941, Hankook is a relatively new tire brand in the industry. The company is based in Seoul, South Korea, but has a North American headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. According to the 2019 Tire Business Global Tire Company Rankings, Hankook is the sixth-largest tire manufacturer in the world.
The company mostly produces passenger car, SUV, crossover, and light truck tires, but it also manufactures car batteries and motorsports equipment. Currently, Hankook supplies original equipment (OE) tires to both commuter and luxury brands including Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, and Porsche. The company also has several replacement tire models available.
Hankook is known for its affordable pricing, technological advancements, and popular passenger tire models. Hankook tires are priced similarly to Cooper tires, averaging below the $100 mark for many models.
Hankook tires are more affordable than many big-name brands on the market, especially when you look at the company’s long-lasting tread life warranties.
When considering the cost of a tire, you should account for both the sticker price and the tire’s longevity.
According to cost data from Discount Tire, Hankook tires cost an average of $123 to $223 per tire. Many of the company’s passenger tires are less than $100, which is much cheaper than what you’d find with Michelin, Goodyear, or even Continental tires. According to CostHelper, standard all-season tires average between $50 and $200, and Hankook tires are well within that range.
Here are what a few popular Hankook tires cost on Discount Tire:
As mentioned, several Hankook tires come with long tread life warranties, which make them cheaper in the long run.
Industry experts laud Hankook’s rigorous testing standards – all tires are tested in multiple conditions in real time before being placed on the market. Like many top-rated brands, Hankook reports tire scores based on an evaluation system created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This system is called Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), and it grades tires – except specialized tires – based on their treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
Here’s an explanation of the UTQG grading system:
This grade estimates the longevity of your tires. To calculate treadwear, tires are measured against a control tire given a rating of 100. If a tire has a 500 treadwear rating, that means it lasted five times longer than the control. Most passenger tires have between a 300 and 500 treadwear rating, according to data from SaferCar.gov.
This grade measures how well your tires “grip” a wet road.
Traction grades are given on a scale of AA, A, B, or C. Good day-to-day passenger tires typically receive an A rating.
This grade evaluates a tire’s heat resistance on a scale of A, B, or C. Tires need to withstand different temperatures based on their specialization. High-performance tires, for example, usually move at much higher speeds than an all-season tire, and in turn, have higher temperature ratings.
It’s important to note that the NHTSA does not oversee UTQG tests. Manufacturers and independent companies hired by brands are responsible for tire testing and reporting.
Below, we detail a few highly rated Hankook tire models and their treadwear, traction, and temperature scores using data from SaferCar.gov.
| Hankook Tire Model | Tire Type | Treadwear Score | Traction Score | Temperature Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10 | Light truck/SUV All-terrain | 560 | A | B |
| Hankook Kinergy PT H737 | Passenger Standard touring All-season | 700 | A | A |
| Hankook Optimo H724 | Passenger Standard touring All-season | 500 | A | B |
| Hankook Dynapro HT Rh22 | Light truck/SUV Highway All-season | 380 to 700 | A to B | A to B |
If you want to know more about a Hankook tire you already own, you can check the tire’s sidewall for the UTQG grade.
Hankook produces several high-quality passenger tire models, many of which boast a 60,000-mile or greater tread life warranty. As mentioned above, Hankook tires are a popular OE tire choice among commuter and luxury car brands alike. The manufacturer, however, offers limited truck and SUV models and few winter tires.
Below, we’ve listed the most popular Hankook tires based on industry reputation, customer satisfaction ratings, and our expert opinion.
Each of these tires holds at least a 4.
0 out of 5.0-star rating, as well as a 90-percent or higher recommendation likelihood from customers on Discount Tire.
Hankook offers a six-year limited warranty for all its products. This protection covers any defective materials or workmanship from the original date of purchase. As for tread life warranties, most Hankook tires are within the 50,000-mile range, but some of its passenger models offer protection up to 90,000 miles.
Hankook tires are a generally affordable and often dependable option. However, not every tire is fit for every car, driver, location, or season. While a tire such as the Hankook Dynapro MT2 might be right for your neighbor, something like the Optimo H724 may be a better fit for you.
When shopping for new tires, you’ll want to understand the differences between tires and how to tell which tires are the right choice for you and your vehicle.
Tires have several qualities that make them better suited for certain cars and settings than others that you should be aware of, including:
The most popular tread patterns are diagonal, asymmetrical, symmetrical, and combinations of these patterns.
Hankook and other manufacturers use a standard method of listing tire sizes since there are several dimensions to consider. Using a common size of P 225/65R17, let’s break down what each element indicates:
Our example tire fits a 17-inch rim.In the 2020 J.D. Power Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction StudySM, Hankook ranked above average in the truck/utility segment and below average in the passenger tire segment. For truck and utility tires, Hankook scored 705 out of a possible 1,000 points, and for passenger tires, the company scored only 670 out of a possible 1,000 points.
The study considered the following criteria when ranking manufacturers:
Here’s what customers have to say about Hankook tires:
“[The Dynapro HT Rh22] handle [and] stick to the road nicely and are not very loud at highway speeds. The tread [wear] is surprisingly good… usually a tire that lasts this long is loud due to the harder rubber used in the tire, but not these.
They’re quiet and still last a lot of miles. I’ve been very happy with now two sets of them.”
– Barry L. via Discount Tire
“This is the second set [of Ventus S1 Noble2 h552 tires] I’ve purchased. The first set lasted me five years. I kept up with regular tire rotations and have never had a single issue with them. They ride smooth and quiet. The handling is perfect… The way they grip the road and handle it makes me feel safe.”
– Mike R. via Discount Tire
“[The Optimo h536] tires came with the purchase of my Hyundai Elantra four-door in 2013. Even though the tires are supposed to be [warranted] for 60,000 miles, the manufacturer would not back it up, saying Hyundai bought the tires without the warranty. [I] will never use Hankook tires again knowing how poorly [they] performed.”
– via Discount Tire
Hankook Tires: ConclusionWe rate Hankook tires 4.
0 out of 5.0 stars based on the company’s industry reputation, customer satisfaction ratings, and tire variety. In general, the company produces good-quality tires at an affordable price. We like Hankook’s long-lasting tread life warranties, technological innovation, and high customer satisfaction scores.
However, the relative lack of specialty options means that people looking to take their cars off road or use them in high-performance settings may want to look elsewhere.
If you’ve decided that Hankook tires are not the right fit for you, we recommend looking at some top-rated tire manufacturers. In our industry-wide best tires review, we named Michelin the Best Tires Overall and Cooper the Most Affordable. Both companies produce excellent tires and meet an array of consumer needs.
Michelin is one of the biggest tire companies in the world. Established in 1889, Michelin has been at the forefront of innovation and quality for over a century.
We like Michelin for its large product range. Rather than specializing in one tire model, the company produces high-quality tires across the board, including some of the best winter tires, summer tires, all-terrain tires, and more. The one downside to Michelin tires is their price point – high quality comes at a cost.
To find the right Michelin tire for you, visit DiscountTire.com.
If Hankook’s affordable price is a selling point, you may want to consider Cooper tires. The manufacturer often offers cheaper products than Hankook, but with more selection. Cooper produces high-quality passenger models as well as a few of the best all-terrain tires around. However, Cooper does not produce OE tires.
To find the right Cooper tire for your vehicle, visit DiscountTire.com.
Hankook makes good tires at affordable prices. While the company lacks some of the specialty options offered by other tire manufacturers, many of its tires are highly rated.
Hankook tires are not made by Michelin. The two companies are separate entities.
Some Hankook tires are made in China. The company also manufactures its tires in Korea and Hungary.
Our MethodologyOur research team is committed to providing the most accurate, thorough, and unbiased information possible to help people make informed decisions about the tires they purchase. We use a standardized set of criteria to ensure the consistency and comparability of our reviews.
If you are planning to buy new tires or replace old ones, it’s essential to know how long certain brands last, their quality, and their performance before committing your finances.
While there are several brands to choose from, the South Korean Hankook brand, in particular, offers affordable and durable tire models. But how long do Hankook tires last? Here is what I discovered!
Hankook tires typically last 20,000 miles (32,000 km), while some high-quality passenger tire models will last more than 60,000 miles (96,000 km), depending on the performance type.
Based on the average yearly mileage of 13,500, Hankook tires should last between one to four years; however, this depends on the road conditions, brand, and driving habits.
To get more information about how long each Hankook tire brand lasts, how many seasons, when, and how to change them, read on!
Hankook tires can last more than 60,000 miles without requiring a tire change; however, some models will only last about 20,000 miles.
From my research, I discovered that customers are getting an average of 15,000- 25,000 miles, which is pretty low compared to the warranty offered by Hankook.
Since the average person drives around 13,500 miles every year, these tires will get you around 1.4 – 4.4 years and an average of 2.9 years.
When looking at this range in mileage, you need to factor in the fact that it varies greatly depending on each individual; therefore, Hankook tires will have a shorter lifespan if they are exposed to bad roads, potholes, reckless driving habits, and poor maintenance.
Additionally, some Hankook customers share that the longevity and performance of these tires will depend on the model and whether the tire matches the size, weight class, and stiffness of your car’s specs.
As stated above, tires wear out differently, depending on individual car owners and how they drive, plus road conditions, car type, and tire model.
Therefore, if you expose your tires to rough and rugged conditions, the chances are that they will wear out faster compared to well-maintained tires.
With this said, some Hankook tires wear out fast even before the expiry of the treadwear warranty, which significantly depends on how the car owners use the tires.
Hankook recommends that tires be replaced at a maximum of ten years after the date of manufacture, regardless of the treadwear, whether they have been used before or properly maintained.
Replacing tires is critical for the driver’s safety; therefore, they should be replaced if they are severely worn out or when a repair is impossible because of a puncture.
If you want to check if the Hankook tires are worn out, start by checking the tread wear every month by looking at the depth of the groove. In addition, always check the tires before and after a long journey.
Once you notice that the groove is wearing out, it means your Hankook tires have reduced grip, which increases the chances of unexpected accidents.
You should also check for tire inflation pressure as directed on these steps when carrying out regular maintenance.
Based on the company’s recommendation, Hankook tires should be replaced after 10 years; therefore, you can use the manufacture date to determine whether the tire has reached its limit.
Like other tire brands, Hankook tires have markings on the tire sidewall with the details on the manufacturing date.
The tire will have a Department of Transportation (DOT) code embossed on the sidewall indicating the exact date.
The last four digits represent the year and week of the manufacture.
For instance, 1208 means that the tire was manufactured on the 12th week of 2008.
If you can’t spot the date on the tire, you should try and check under the vehicle by detaching the tire first.
According to customer reviews, Hankook Kinergy GT tires can last for up to 60,000 miles without ever rotating them and more miles with regular rotations.
Designed for comfort, this range of tires has a warranty of 70,000 miles for all tire sizes, making them ideal for light trucks, SUVs, and passenger vehicles.
Hankook has a variety of Optimo tire models that are ideal for grand touring with a 70,000-mile tread life warranty.
With proper rotation procedures and inflation, these tires will last through the maximum mileage; however, aggressive use of the tires will reduce this number.
Optimo models are designed for all-season touring and for car owners with sedans, minivans, and crossovers who need tires that can handle all types of weather conditions.
If you are looking for a summer tire, the Hankook Ventus brand is the right one for you, especially if you have a high-performance vehicle.
As ultra-high-performance tires, they have a 45,000-mile warranty.
Designed for sports cars, sporty coupes, and high-performance sedans, these tires are also fitted with new technology that gives the tire consistent performance in dry and wet conditions.
According to Hankook, the Dynapro HP2 tires last for about 50,000 miles (80,000 miles) which should cover you for longer distances as long as you take proper care of the tires.
Designed for comfort and longer tread life, these tires are suitable for SUVs, crossovers, and sporty pickups; and they also have all-year-round drivability around town or on the highway regardless of weather conditions.
Dynapro AT2 tires have a 60,000-mile tread life warranty for all sizes.
They are all-terrain tires that can handle smooth urban as well as off-road conditions.
While winter tires don’t have a life expectancy because they are seasonal, tire manufacturers estimate that you should get four seasons of wear from a set of winter tires.
When you compare the Hankook winter tires, the Winter I*cept iZ2 brand has a tread warranty of 40,000 miles, whereas the Winter I*cept evo2 and Winter I*cept evo2 for SUVs can last up to 30,000 miles.
Most of these winter tires also come with a replacement warranty that you can use if your tires get damaged early.
Compared to other tire brands, Hankook is among the youngest brand in the market, introduced in 1941.
Different models and tire sizes come at different prices; for instance, most passenger tires cost less than $100, while the rest can go up to more than $200, depending on the type of car, brand, and tire size.
While Hankook tires have an averagely optimal lifespan, they are affected by how car drivers use them.
Although the company recommends changing the tires before 10 years elapses since the manufacture date, it’s still advisable to regularly check your tires for any damages.
Some of the Hankook tires are designed to handle off-road while others are more suitable for smooth roads; therefore, you should ensure that you are using the right tire as a driver.
If you can avoid roads with too many potholes and speed bumps, but if it’s unavoidable, make sure you drive slowly to prevent punctures and damages to the Hankook tires.
Weather conditions also play a significant role in how long your tires will last. For instance, Hankook has winter tires that you can use when it’s snowing and wet and switch back to all-season when the roads are much drier.
Once you observe the above steps, your Hankook tires will not wear out faster.
To know more about tires, you can also read our posts on how long do Bridgestone tires last, how long do Michelin tires last, and how long do Pirelli tires last.
On average, Hankook tires can last from 20,000 to 60,000 miles depending on the brand type and individual use.
Furthermore, some tire brands have a longer lifespan with a tread life warranty of more than 80,000 if properly cared for.
However, some customers have shared that some of the tires from this brand tend to last less than the set warranty.
If the conditions are right, Hankook tires can last between one to four years before changing them based on this data.
Consumer disputes over the age of tires have not subsided for several seasons. Buyers are excited that the warranty period for tires is limited to 5-6 years according to GOST, and after the expiration of this period, the rubber becomes unusable.
Is this really the case, read this article.
Manufacturers of most brands on their products set Shelf life is 5 years and service life is also 5 years .
The shelf life of a tire is the period during which it retains its performance when properly stored.
The end of this period does not mean that the tires have become unusable . A shelf life of 5 years is given by manufacturers because, by law, they cannot set a shelf life higher than the service life. Tires over 5 years of storage cannot be called damaged or defective, their technical characteristics may be slightly reduced. American researchers argue that the period of storage of "shoes" must be at least 10 years. Experts from Germany are sure that it cannot exceed 6 years.
The tire life is called the warranty period during which the manufacturer is responsible for the quality and condition of the tire if it was used for its intended purpose without violating the operating rules.
According to Russian legislation (GOST 5513, GOST 4754-97) , the service life of tires is 5 years from the date of manufacture.
How can I find out the date of manufacture of tires?
You can find out the age of tires by a special DOT code. Tires manufactured after 2000 in the DOT code contain two pairs of numbers, where the first pair indicates the week number of the year, and the second pair indicates the year. Earlier tires before 2000 have 3 numbers in their composition, where the first two digits are the week number, and the last one is the year (see the transcript in the photo).
Determination of the average shelf life of a tire according to GOST and operating conditions.
- The symbol ZR denotes tires for high-speed cars. They are recommended to be used at speeds over 240 km/h. up to 6 years
- Tires with the H symbol are used at a maximum speed of 210 km/h. within 5 years.
- The sign S symbolizes the maximum permissible speed of 180 km/h. and operational period of 4-5 years.
Most tire manufacturers do not agree that tire life is limited to 5 years. Each company has its own opinion on this matter. We analyzed several of them and the information they posted on their official websites.
Michelin
The French tire manufacturer Michelin has become famous for its active fight against the perception of the rapid aging of tires as a perishable product. Her information campaign "Tires Are Not Bananas" created a lot of noise in the automotive environment. According to the representative office, several test trials were carried out in Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Germany. As a result of testing, no difference was found between new tires and tires stored for 3 years. They were tested for various characteristics such as rolling resistance, high speed durability, etc.
Tires with a year life were approximately equal in performance to 10-year unused tyres.
Michelin focuses the attention of car owners on the fact that tires are not a perishable product, their shelf life is not as important as the service life is important, starting from the date the tires are installed on the rims. It is from this moment that the tire is subjected to all tests: pressure, temperature changes, wear, contact with uneven and sharp coatings, etc.
Continental
On the Russian official website of Continental, we found the following information on the expiration dates of tires.
“When a tire is stored in the correct position and under the recommended conditions, it will not lose its original balanced performance for 5 years from the date of manufacture of the tire.
A properly maintained, unused tire less than 5 years old can be sold as a new tire and used normally.
Continental recommends replacing all tires (including spares) with a sidewall date greater than 10 years.
Nokian
The following information is posted on the Nokian official website:
“Tire life is not defined by law, but tires can only be considered “new” if they have been manufactured within the last five years. The recommended service life of tires is six years and the recommended maximum period is 10 years.
The opinion of our specialists, based on many years of experience, coincides with the opinion of manufacturers: the shelf life is 5 years + the service life is up to 10 years. Moreover, more "adult" tires, in our opinion, are of better quality.
To keep tires as long as possible, they are stored in compliance with all rules and recommendations. The main condition is a cool, ventilated, darkened room away from oils, paints, ozone, and heat sources.
Rubber products tend to lose their performance over the years. To prevent and slow down this process, manufacturers add polymers to the rubber compound. They prevent oxidative processes that occur due to the interaction of protectors with oxygen and ozone.
The following are the main conditions for the proper storage of tires in accordance with GOST 24779-81:
Maintaining a constant regime without sudden jumps, slight temperature fluctuations from -30°С to +35°С are allowed;
Provide a low humidity level of 50-80% in a dry, ventilated cool room;
Avoid direct sunlight, use darkened hangars, shield heat sources;
Keep away from sources of heat;
Tires should not come into contact with corrosive, copper materials.
Avoid kinking, loading or positioning on an uneven surface.
Avoid contact with oils, organic solvents, acids, alkalis, fuels and lubricants on the tire surface.
It is forbidden to lay tires on a wet and dirty surface.
In the warm season, when storing tires outside, they should be covered with light-tight material and raised above ground level to ensure ventilation and prevent the occurrence of the greenhouse effect.
Storage on reflective, light and heat absorbing surfaces is prohibited.
Keep away from chemicals, oils, paints, open flames, electric motors that produce ozone.
Used tires must be washed and dried.
Tires without rims should be stored upright.
The service life depends on many factors: the load on the car, the quality of the roads, the driving style, the mileage traveled, tire damage, etc. To increase their service life, follow these rules:
Check tire pressure every 2-3 weeks. With reduced pressure, tire wear increases by the equivalent of a % reduction.
For example, a 15% reduction in pressure can result in a 15% reduction in service life. Inflated tires are less scary.
The wear of the front tires is always significantly higher than the rear ones, so it is recommended to swap them after some time, carefully watching the direction of the tread pattern and the direction of rotation.
Proper alignment of tires in relation to rims. If the direction is not the same, then performance is significantly reduced.
To prevent damage to the sidewalls of tires, avoid close proximity to curbs and high ledges.
Wash off dirt from the surface of the rubber and from deep grooves with special cleaning agents.
Adhere to an even driving style without harsh brakes and quick starts.
Do not overload the car beyond the norm. 20% excess weight leads to a 30% loss of tire life.
Keep the wheels balanced and check the alignment angles annually.
The main condition for a long tire life is:
- high quality products,
- careful operation,
- proper storage of tires in the off-season,
- timely diagnosis.
The age of tires in standard storage is a minor non-determining factor that should not be taken into account when buying them.
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Car tires - elastic shell mounted on a disc rim. It is the tires that dampen the small vibrations that occur due to imperfect roads and compensate for the inconsistency in the trajectories of the wheels. The characteristics of tires affect: driving comfort, maneuverability and vehicle stability. However, even the highest quality rubber eventually deteriorates. Therefore, every driver should know how to correctly determine the degree of tire wear in order to replace them in time.
Car and truck tires have different periods of use, depending on both the initial characteristics of the products and the operating conditions.
Tires wear out not only due to operational stress. They are characterized by natural aging, since the rubber compound from which the tires are made gradually loses its elasticity and resilience. The use of such rubber leads to a deterioration in vehicle controllability and creates dangerous conditions due to the high probability of tire rupture on the way.
In accordance with GOSTs 4754-97 and 5513-97, the warranty period for car tires is 5 years. Foreign manufacturers claim that the working life of tires is 5-10 years. There are no legislative acts obliging drivers to change tires after this period, but in order to create safe driving conditions, the driver must take into account the recommendations of GOST. Manufacturers usually set their own warranty periods.
Michelin, Bridgestone, Nokian, Continental, Dunlop, Pirelli, Yokohama:
| Brand | Warranty period declared by the manufacturer |
| Bridgestone | Tire dependent - 3-6 years |
| Nokian
| 5 years |
| Continental | 10 years old |
| Dunlop | Tire dependent |
| Pirelli | Tire dependent |
| Yokohama | 5 years |
| Michelin | 10 years old |
During the warranty period, the responsibility for identified significant defects rests with the manufacturer.
The owner of the vehicle will be forced to eliminate defects on his own if there have been:
If the vehicle is used intensively, it may be necessary to replace the tires before the end of the warranty period.
Therefore, regulatory documents establish the mileage after which you should think about replacing tires.
The maximum standard mileage is:
The actual rate of tire wear may differ from the standard values due to a whole list of factors, such as:
Low-quality products under the influence of abrasive particles wear out very quickly. You can determine the need for tire replacement yourself by the following signs:
Table of minimum allowable tread depth for different modes of transport as amended on 01.01.2015
| Minimum allowable remaining tread depth | Type of transport |
| 0.8 mm | L - motorcycles, mopeds, quad bikes |
| 1. | N2, N3, O3, O4 - trucks with a maximum permissible mass of more than 3.5 tons and trailers with a maximum permissible mass of more than 3.5 tons |
| 1.6 mm | M1, N1, O1, O2 - cars, trucks and trailers with a maximum authorized mass of less than 3.5 tons |
| 2.0 mm | M2, M3 - buses |
| 4.0 mm | Winter tires marked M+S, M&S, M S, the amount of residual tread depth does not depend on whether tires are installed on cars or trucks |
If it does not exceed 50% of the original value, then the tires must be replaced. Important! If the outer edges of the tire wear faster, the inflation pressure is too low. Accelerated wear of the central part indicates excessive pressure. Wear on one side indicates a violation of the toe angle. Uneven surface wear is evidence of aggressive driving with rapid acceleration and hard braking.
You can extend the life of your tires by doing the following:
Normative document regulating the terms and conditions of tire storage - GOST 24779-81.
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