Hankook Kinergy 4S2

In order to be equipped for all weathers and temperatures, the new Kinergy 4S² offers specially balanced and constant performance features across all seasons. This is made possible by a directional tread being used for Hankook all-weather tyres for the first time, combined with a particularly innovative polymer silica tread mixture.

The Kinergy RS 2 is the 2022 Auto Express all season tyre of the year.

Tyre review data from 38 tyre reviews averaging 75% over 356,012 miles driven, and 28 tests with an average result of 5th.

Dry Grip 79%
Wet Grip 80%
Road Feedback 71%
Handling 72%
Wear 78%
Comfort 78%
Buy again 76%
Snow Grip 74%
Ice Grip 66%

First On MarketMay 2021
Wheel Size14 - 20"
Width135 - 275mm
Profile35 - 80
Rolling ResistanceC - D
Wet GripB - C
Noise (dB)70 - 73
Winter Rating3PMSF Rated

The Kinergy 4S2 is ranked 30th of 59 All Season Premium Touring tyres.

This tyre replaced the Hankook Kinergy 4S.

In Depth Tyre Comparisons

Tests Included

28

Best Result

1st

Worst Result

13th

Average Result

5th

Latest Tyre Test Results

2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test
3rd of 16 tyres
  • The Hankook Kinergy 4S² tyre receives a satisfactory overall safety rating, primarily due to its performance on wet and winter roads. On dry surfaces, it offers good steering feedback, precision, and reserves at the limit, with quick stabilization after evasive maneuvers and good braking performance.

    On wet roads, the tyre misses a good rating. While its aquaplaning behavior is good, braking is only satisfactory, and handling is rated as merely adequate. The test vehicle tends to under- or oversteer early, offering little precision and only sufficient safety reserves on the handling course.

    In winter conditions, the Hankook achieves only a satisfactory result. It secures a good rating in braking tests but falls short in traction and handling. The tyre lacks precision in steering and has a narrow performance limit, with early tendency to under- or oversteer. Ice braking performance is below average.

    Environmentally, the Korean-made Hankook Kinergy 4S² scores well. It excels in projected mileage and low wear, with good marks for weight and fuel consumption. However, it's criticized for production residues on new tyres, which unnecessarily impact the environment during initial use.

    .
View Full Test >>
2024 Minivan / SUV All Season Tyre Test
8th of 14 tyres
  • Convincingly safe handling qualities in all weather conditions, impeccable winter properties, dynamic wet and dry handling, short wet and dry braking distances, quiet rolling noise, low price.
  • Limited reserves for aquaplaning, satisfactory rolling comfort, increased rolling resistance.
View Full Test >>
2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test
2nd of 12 tyres
  • Convincing all-rounder with top handling scores in all weather conditions. Excellent aquaplaning resistance and good rolling comfort.
  • Slightly increased rolling resistance.
  • Exemplary.
View Full Test >>

2024 Tyre Tests

2023 Tyre Tests

2022 Tyre Tests

2021 Tyre Tests

2020 Tyre Tests

2019 Tyre Tests

2018 Tyre Tests

SizeFuelWetNoise
14 inch
175/65R14 86 H XLCB71
165/70R14 85 T XLCC71
185/60R14 82 HDB71
165/70R14 85 T XLCC71
175/65R14 82 TCB71
175/65R14 86 H XLCB71
185/60R14 82 HDB71
175/65R14 82 TCB71
185/70R14 88 TCB71
15 inch
195/65R15 91 VCB72
195/65R15 95 H XLCB72
195/55R15 85 VDB72
185/65R15 92 T XLCB71
195/65R15 91 VCB72
195/65R15 91 HCB72
185/65R15 88 HCB71
185/65R15 88 HCB71
195/65R15 95 H XLCB72
195/65R15 91 HCB72
185/65R15 92 T XLCB71
195/55R15 85 V XLDB72
16 inch
205/55R16 94 H XLCB72
215/70R16 100 HCB72
205/60R16 96 H XLCB72
215/60R16 99 V XLCB72
205/60R16 96 H XLCB72
205/60R16 96 V XLCB72
205/55R16 94 V XLCB72
205/55R16 94 H XLCB72
205/60R16 96 V XLCB72
215/60R16 99 V XLCB72
205/55R16 94 V XLCB72
17 inch
225/50R17 98 W XLCB72
225/50R17 98 V XLCB72
215/45R17 91 Y XLCB72
205/50R17 93 W XLCB72
205/50R17 93 W XLCB72
225/45R17 94 W XLCB72
225/45R17 94 W XLCB72
205/50R17 93 W XLCB72
215/45R17 91 Y XLCB72
225/50R17 98 W XLCB72
225/50R17 98 V XLCB72
18 inch
225/40R18 92 Y XLCB72
245/40R18 97 V XLCB72
225/40R18 92 Y XLCB72
245/45R18 100 Y XLCB72
245/45R18 100 Y XLDB72
245/40R18 97 V XLCB72
245/45R18 100 Y XLCB72
245/40R18 97 V XLCB72
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 >>

Questions and Answers for the Hankook Kinergy 4S2

2018-12-06 - Hi. Do the 4S2 tyres have rim protectors?

Not in the sizes I've seen, but rim protection can vary from size to size so it would be worth contacting Hankook to find out whether the Kinergy 4S2 has rim protection.


2022-09-16 - I’m looking for all weather for my ID.3 the handbook look good but all guides say I need the 4S 2X I take it the difference is in the weight limit but are they the same tyre apart from this?

As long as you can get the correct load rating the non X you'll be fine, but yes in theory the 4S2X will be modified towards carrying higher loads.


2022-09-27 - Hi everybody, Hankook 4s2 question. In 225/50 17 does the tyre 4s2 come in run flat form?

Yes, it seems there is a HRS (Hankook Runflat System) version of the tyre available in 225/50 R17.


2023-03-23 - Would you recommend these tyres in size245/40 r18 for a RWD car (around 280bhp)? I compared braking tests with mid summer tyre and results are surprisingly even especially when it comes to summertime weather condition results.

I actually have these in my all season test this year on a RWD BMW. Only tested in the snow so far so can't comment for sure but based on last years test they should be great in the dry and wet. Still, a fair bit off a summer tyre in the dry.


2023-05-19 - Hi, is this a good allseason tyre(18inch) for my Tesla Model 3 rwd+ from 2021. How is the noise and wear?

Hey! If you can find the correct load rating there's no reason it wouldn't be one of the better all season tyres, however any all season tyre will struggle with the weight and torque of a model 3 so make sure you're aware of the drawbacks.


2023-10-27 - I live in Belgium, so it only snows once or twice a year in winter. But temperatures are almost always around or below 0°C. I have seen both the 2023 winter tyre and all-season tyre tests and am a bit torn between choosing which tyre would suit me best. Since the performance of the Alpin 5 is almost the same or better than the Kinergy 4S2. But as said in the all season test, a all season tire could be a better fit than a winter tire in my region. Is it possible to give advice on which is the best option for me? (I also plan to use summer tyres regardless of whether I buy winter or all-season tyres). Thanks!

I personally believe that an all season tyre as a winter tyre is often a better fit than a winter tyre for regions that don't see a huge amount of snow and ice, but the performances between the two categories is so close either option will be a good result.


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Size Price Range  
185/55 R15 £107.96 - £112.58 (2 Prices) Compare Prices >>
195/65 R15 £65.99 - £87.07 (8 Prices) Compare Prices >>
205/55 R16 £82.99 - £115.84 (8 Prices) Compare Prices >>
225/45 R17 £96.74 - £120.32 (6 Prices) Compare Prices >>
225/55 R16 £133.22 - £150.82 (2 Prices) Compare Prices >>
235/45 R18 £142.76 - £169.99 (4 Prices) Compare Prices >>
Available in 63 tyre sizes - View all.

YouTube Review

Top 3 Hankook Kinergy 4S2 Reviews

Given 81% while driving a SEAT 1.4 TSI (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 3,000 average miles
Very good all round tire
Helpful 217 - tyre reviewed on August 20, 2020
Given 71% while driving a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,600 average miles
Does not give confidence after 150-170 km / h
Helpful 140 - tyre reviewed on December 4, 2020
Given 76% while driving a Audi A4 2.0 TDi 170 S Line (255/35 R19) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Very solid tire, value for money is hard to beat at the moment.
Tire performs very well, especially amazingly on wet roads, despite the 255 width there is no slipping, aquaplaning or spinning tires. I switched straight from Fulda Sport summer tires to this model. Comfort and actually driving behavior are better than its predecessor. I couldn't believe it myself.
At first the tires were extremely loud, so I even considered complaining. I like that the tires simply tend to sawtooth.
Luckily the noise disappeared completely after about 2000km.
In winter the tire behaves like an average winter tire. Not special but not bad either.
Helpful 47 - tyre reviewed on November 24, 2023
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Latest Hankook Kinergy 4S2 Reviews

Given 77% while driving a Renault Thalia 1.416V (195/50 R15) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
I was surprised that such a well-priced all-season tyre could be so good in the wet. Much better in the wet (traction, braking and handling) than my summer Toyo TR1 tyre and nearly as good in the dry. We don't get much snow here (Hungary), ice and rain are more common, especially the latter. Hence I opted for all-season for winter driving BUT they work well enough in snow, which also surprised me. I was tempted to use them all year around but for the extreme summer heat. Coming from down-under, I was unprepared for the continental climate extremes. I obviously need better summer tyres but I will be getting new Hankook 4S2s when the time comes to replace them. I've done about 15,000km so far. I am about to bolt the winter rims back on this weekend (late October) and I still have 5-6mm of tread left. I'm looking forward to improved grip in the wet, especially.
Helpful 0 - tyre reviewed on October 23, 2024
Given 80% while driving a Fiat 500 (185/55 R15) on mostly town for 3,000 spirited miles
Substituting the Michelin Crossclimate2 previously mounted, the benefits are very clear: less noise, more grip, super balanced, less rolling resistance.
The question marks are now the behavior in snow and ice, and the duration.
Helpful 1 - tyre reviewed on September 29, 2024
What to know the BEST All Season Tyres for 2024? Click to find out!
Given 78% while driving a Honda Jazz (185/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 38,000 average miles
Extremely well performing tire in all conditions, if you don't push it too hard (especially when the temperatures are in the 30s). They're a very good fit for my Hybrid Jazz, that I drive in Swiss weather all year long; lots of wet and cold don't make the tires feel unsafe in any circumstance; even snow performance is acceptable. The noise levels are also quite good, and the wear is surprisingly low without much of an ageing effect of the rubber. I am now at 38000 miles and there is still quite a lot of tread available. Considering the price of this tire is at least 30% lower than the premium brands (Bridgestone, Michelin...) and that for my car Pirelli and Continental are not available, I am finding it very hard to buy another tire for my car! Exceptional tire for the price.
Helpful 0 - tyre reviewed on September 29, 2024
Given 73% while driving a Subaru Forester (225/60 R17) on mostly motorways for 8,500 average miles
Good tyres in wet, dry, good in a light snow, cornering. Poor fuel economy, when I used in summer F rated winter tyre, they used 0.8-1l less when Hankook C rated tyres. I was checking it carefully driving same roads, same conditions, same speed, traffic and etc. Not so sure for the wear yet. One of the best tyres in autumn, or rainy spring.
Helpful 1 - tyre reviewed on September 5, 2024
Given 86% while driving a BMW 528i SE manual saloon (225/55 R16) on mostly motorways for 9,000 average miles
Incredibly surprised for being a four-season tyre, which I was always kind of against, but since they were on the car when I got it and were still pretty good (4y/o but plenty of tread, the car wasn't driven much in that period) I decided to keep them and test them. I recently started working in the testing dept. of a big tyre brand in Italy so that was a good chance to acknowledge me more to my job.
I 10 months of ownership I drove 15.000 km in my '99 BMW E39 528i on the Hankook's and the general feedback of the tire-car package is very positive. I already knew the E39, having had another one right before this one, so I knew the level of comfort this car can bring when driven in its favourite habitat: the highway. Well, the Kinergy 4S2 just enhanced this, it's like the cherry on top. I normally drive at 2.3 bar (33 psi - the highest pressure allowed) and my usage is 90% highway, 10% flowy, medium-fast road, so the perfect environment for the car. On the highway, the sound coming from the tire, if not completely absent, can be considered almost nonexistent when mixed with some wind noise and the good deadening equipment of the car (radio turned off). Rolling resistance is also pretty low, allowing me a 12km/l (yes, not crazy low but it's a 1500 kg car with a pretty big engine). Despite riding on the highest pressure allowed, the tire seems to absorb any imperfection of the road in a very gentle way, thanks to it's high, soft sidewall. At 33 psi you can still see a pronounced curvature on the wall. Cornering on mildly fast roads is happily taken by the tyre, giving a very good balanced behaviour, not oversteery, not understeery, just steady. Very fun.
In June I took the car to the Nurburgring and drove 4 laps, let's say as spirited as I could with traction controll off.
I lowered the pressure to 1.6 bar (23 psi). It was maybe a little too low for the weight of the car. Here is where you could really see and feel the softness of the sidewall: it bended lots on the tighter corners, the car was rolling.. but it stayed. Again, no oversteer if not asked, and no understeer at all. You felt the body rolling, but as soon as it reached the maximum, after that fraction of a second, it stayed there and let the tyres do the job, clean and precise in turning the car. Always keep in mind we're talking 4-season tyres, obviously.
I still never got to drive them on snow or ice, and very little in the rain, where I always stay cautious. Only once, it was raining and I was in a tunnel. Towards the end of a pretty long tunnel, to be precise, to both the asphalt and the tyres were pretty dry already. On a medium right hander, one you can easily take in 5th gear with slight braking, the car just lost the back. I wasn't racing, but it was night and I was driving back home in the empty road. that's when you go a little over the speed limit, but not "fast", to give you an idea. Really, I was just going with the flow, enjoying some good driving but nothing crazy. If I did't have the controls on, I would've crashed. that was the only time these tires really let me down for a second.
Overall, the feedback is very positive for an all-around tire, I'm happy with it. It's something I wouldn't have personally chosen and I will later switch to 18's and more performance-oriented tyres, but I will keep a good memory of the Hankook's. Will probably buy another set of them in 16" as a winter tire as we don't get any more snow here. Hope this was helpful for someone!
Helpful 3 - tyre reviewed on September 4, 2024
Given 81% while driving a Ford Focus MK2 1.6TDCI 2008 2011 (205/55 R16) on mostly country roads for 24,200 average miles
Fitted tyres based off reviews form this site. They exceeded my expectations, so much so I have also fitted them to my partner car also. Excellent ware (39,000km and still 1mm to ware bar), good dependable wet and dry handling, very good in colder temperature, Great in the snow (the little we get in Ireland)
Would recommend to anybody
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on April 19, 2024
Given 75% while driving a BMW 116d M Sport (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 6,300 average miles
Got these for the winter season as I live in a country with mild winters. I was reluctant to get all seasons initially, but after some woeful experiences with the BMW-homologated Pirelli Snowcontrol 3 that came with the car, I figured it probably can't get any worse anyway.
These tyres are some of the most decent, uncompromising I've ever had - they do exactly what you expect them to, regardless of conditions. I've driven them up to 210 km/h on the Autobahn and felt just as safe as with summer tyres, drove them in snow and felt like I had more grip than the previous Pirelli winters and their performance in the wet is more than fine. They're a bit soft and squealy on the limit, but that's something to be expected of tyres that bridge the gap between winter and summer tyres. You can still have fun with them if you want to, but I haven't felt unsafe driving with them at any point.
The only other downside would be a certain humming at around 70-90 km/h, akin to what winter tyres would do at around the same speed. They're quieter than winters overall, though. Would most likely buy them again, especially considering how good they are in terms of value for money.
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on March 16, 2024
Given 87% while driving a Ford Focus 1.5tdci (2016) (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 500 spirited miles
For an idea of the climate they're operating in, I live in Dublin, Ireland so plenty of rain and mild temperatures for most of the year with some low temperatures and snow/ice around January/February.

I previously had 205/55R16 4S2s fitted to a mk2 1.4 Focus, and absolutely loved them in all weathers including ice and snow. When it came time to replace the front tyres on my Mk3.5 1.5TDCi Focus, I decided to upsize from the 16s that also came on the car to 17x7J wheels all round, as I didn't like the sidewall flex on the 16s.
I went with 225/45R17s rather than Ford's recommended 215/50R17s, as the 215s were much harder to come by and were more expensive. They have absolutely transformed the car compared to the 16" Davanti DX390s that came with it. Even with the slightly wider than recommended fitment, the turn in is almost instant, with very little hesitation. When they begin to let go they do so gradually, without any judder, and they're exceptionally easy to reel back in, wet or dry. They inspire a lot of confidence that when things go wrong, it won't be catastrophic and will guide you back onto line once a bit of speed has bled off.
Compared to the Davantis they're replacing, road noise is much reduced, and even despite the much smaller sidewall, comfort hasn't been affected too negatively. I've noticed much less road noise at all speeds, and the car settles down much more quickly over bumps. There's certainly more road feel through the seat and wheel, but I wouldn't class it as less comfortable since it doesn't tend to wallow the way it did before.
I've also noticed that, due to the stiffer sidewall, it doesn't scrape the deflectors in front of the front wheels over speed ramps anywhere near as easily as it did previously, but this might be more to do with the size change than the tyre change.
If things carry on as they are, I fully intend to keep these tyres and based off previous experience, I would recommend them to anyone who wants their run-of-the-mill car to perform well in all weathers!
Helpful 13 - tyre reviewed on February 5, 2024
Given 66% while driving a Suzuki (205/40 R17) on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
I bought them because I need one set of track tyres and one set for normal driving on roads. I didn't want third set of wheels as a winter set of tyres.
I am sad. I should buy Bridgestone All Season 6 instead of this tyres. I bought it because of the very good price but I am not satisfied with grip in various conditions. Wear is very good. They look like not used. Next time I will definitely go for more premium brands.
Helpful 19 - tyre reviewed on January 17, 2024
Given 45% while driving a Tesla (235/45 R18) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
I do mostly short city trips, and a few longer 30+ km trips a month, with some 300+ km trips a few times a year.

Best: They are decently responsive, and wear seems very good.

They do "sing" a bit at 100+ km/h, but its nothing major.

They are lacking in snow and slush performance, but my only direct here comparrision are dual motors (AWD) with winter tyres vs my SR+ (RWD).

Very sharp slip. Then they let go, they go. It always surprises you, and the TC saved me several times. It does not inspire confidence.

Worst of all: I've never had worse tyres in regards to balancing. They get flatspots SO easily, even though they are XL (extra load) rated. I've had them balanced 4 times, where they are perfect on the way back from the shop, but the next day, they will be vibrating again.
Helpful 15 - tyre reviewed on January 8, 2024
Given 77% while driving a MINI (205/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Very good tire giving excellent handling on dry roads and confidence on snow.
As new can be a bit noisy on highway speed but this goes after 500km. For the moment vary happy with 4S2.
Helpful 19 - tyre reviewed on December 19, 2023
Given 100% while driving a Ford Ecosport (205/60 R16) on for 20,000 miles
The best tyres for all conditions.
Helpful 28 - tyre reviewed on November 20, 2023