Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 Tire Review and Rating

A common misconception is that only premium tires come with many features, which is why they perform so well. Lucky for us, the mid-range ones aren’t terrible in this regard, which is why Hankook’s option comes packed with plenty of features that enable it to compete with the big players in the category.

The Ventus S1 Evo3 is designed with Highly Enriched Synthetic Silica Compound or HSSC for short. This is Hankook’s latest compound which utilizes pure and high-quality silica, which is vulcanized at lower temperatures. By going for this approach, the company aims to make the tire more durable and also improve its responsiveness and traction.

Hankook took a page from Michelin’s book and designed the Ventus S1 Evo3 with a dual-zone pattern. The inside of the tire is responsible for wet performance by combining the circumferential grooves with an increased number of blocks, resulting in more sipes. As a result, we should see some very good aquaplaning resistance.

Another area of the Ventus S1 Evo3 that should help with aquaplaning resistance is the interlocking grooves. Not only are they designed for that, but they also should help improve the traction on damp roads without any sacrifices to performance in dry conditions.

Speaking of dry performance, the area of the Ventus S1 Evo3 that’s responsible for that, especially in the handling department, is the outer portion of the tire. Since that is the area of the tire that carries the load in a corner, Hankook made the shoulder blocks wider, which should help with handling. This is also backed by the Aramid Hybrid Reinforcement Belt designed to reduce flex.

Finally, in the refinement department, we have the high-strength steel belt wire. This part of the tire is designed to help it with durability and absorb bumps and make it more livable daily.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

The Ventus S1 Evo3 is a mid-range tire, and as such, the performance isn’t always on the same level as the premium competitors. With that said, some aspects of the tire deserve to be praised, as it managed to deliver premium-like properties.

As far as grip and traction are concerned, the Ventus S1 Evo3 is a decent option for regular driving around town or on the highway. The performance is good, and the tire won’t struggle too much even if you get a bit carried away. It drives well and is relatively easy in this regard, so there’s not much to talk about here.

Once you start to push it a bit, you’ll notice it begins to struggle. On a twisty road, the Ventus S1 Evo3 begins to disappoint when compared with its premium rivals but still holds pretty good. The initial thing you’ll notice is that it’s prone to understeer, so you’ll need to keep that in mind. Also, the levels of grip in the corners are good but on the same level as the Premium Contact 6.

One area where it does pretty good is the braking. The Ventus S1 Evo3 delivers very short braking distances, putting it above the premium rivals like the Pilot Sport 5.

Going on a track with the Ventus S1 Evo3 won’t result in the best time, but I wouldn’t say that it’s the worst. You could get a few laps of decent performance, but once the temperature increases, the performance drops. This can be noticed especially in the corners where understeer will constantly be with you, something you’ll need to correct all the time.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

In wet conditions, the Ventus S1 Evo3 delivers some mixed results. There is a very good side to this tire, but there’s also one that people may not like. Again, it’s a mid-range option, so you shouldn’t expect it to be the best in all conditions.

The Ventus S1 Evo3 delivered similar results on damp surfaces as it did on dry but with a slight twist. Grip and traction levels aren’t the highest but are good enough to be called a performance tire. I would call it a safe tire, as it is easy to control, and thanks to its predictable character, it won’t catch you by surprise. With that said, a rear-wheel-drive car may have a bit more fun on a course sliding around. Due to the lower temperature of the road, it can remain consistent for longer, even if you’re trashing it on a track.

One area that the Ventus S1 Evo3 manages to perform excellently is braking distances. Unlike dry roads, the tire delivers the shortest distances of the bunch on wet ones, outperforming its premium rivals.

With that said, the aquaplaning resistance isn’t as good as some might like it. It is stable at higher speeds, and while it manages to outperform the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6, it’s still behind the Continental and Michelin tires.

Is it comfortable and refined?

In the refinement segment, the Ventus S1 Evo3 is a decent tire, but it doesn’t deliver anything that would make it stand out from the crowd.

The noise levels are the slightly better part, as the Ventus S1 Evo3 isn’t the loudest performance tire on the market. Sure, there is some roar coming from it, but it’s not that bad for driving around town. There is a slight increase when you’re driving on the highway, but it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for more people. After all, you’re not going after it as a touring tire.

In the comfort department, the Ventus S1 Evo3 isn’t the softest tire, which is a bit surprising. The performance and handling, which I’ll get to in a minute, aren’t on the same levels as something like the Asymmetric 6, but the comfort levels aren’t all that great. It’s not a particularly harsh ride, and you’d probably be okay with it, but keep in mind that it’s not the most comfortable either.

Is the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 ideal for sporty driving?

I would like to say it is, but this is an area where the Ventus S1 Evo3 disappoints a bit. Some aspects of it make it suitable for a fun afternoon on a twisty road, but there are others that make it a poor choice.

The performance in terms of grip and traction is there, and while they are enough for this application, the handling is the area that is a bit of a letdown. My first issue with the Ventus S1 Evo3 is the understeer, which kills the fun. Push it a bit harder, and the car will continue going straight, and you’ll need to correct that. A glimpse of good news is that it’s easy to control, so you won’t be struggling too much.

Next up are the responsiveness and feedback. The Ventus S1 Evo3 isn’t the quickest to respond to your inputs, and when you combine that with the numb-ish feedback, you’ll feel like you’re driving a touring tire, even if you go for a smaller sidewall.

Speaking of the sidewall, the internal construction may be good for durability, but it doesn’t do an excellent job at keeping the tire firm. The reason why the Ventus S1 Evo3 is acceptably comfortable is the same one there is flex in the sidewall.

Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 Warranty

You know what’s coming here. Performance-oriented tires don’t get a treadwear warranty in most cases, and the same can be said about the Ventus S1 Evo3. Unlike some of its Michelin competitors, the Hankook tire has no warranty. I wouldn’t consider this a massive drawback, as other premium manufacturers have no warranty for their performance tires.

Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 Pricing: Is it worth the money?

Looking at the Ventus S1 Evo3 strictly from a price perspective, then I’d say that it isn’t the most expensive tire on the market. A 17-inch model comes at a little under the $100 mark, which isn’t too bad. With that said, considering the performance it offers, you may want to consider paying a bit more for a tire that can satisfy the enthusiast in you, even if we’re talking about an older model.

Should I buy the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3?