Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Pirelli Cinturato C3
Across three shared professional tests in three different sizes (205/55 R17, 225/50 R17, 225/55 R18), the Pirelli Cinturato C3 consistently finishes at the sharp end (1st, 2nd and 2nd), while the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 lands near the back (6th, 6th and 11th). The pattern isn't about a single metric: Pirelli repeatedly combines shorter braking distances with stronger aquaplaning resistance and more confidence-inspiring handling, whereas the Hankook's main counterpunch is slightly better fuel economy / abrasion in ADAC's environmental sub-metrics.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been three tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Pirelli Cinturato C3 | three |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is better than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Slight efficiency edge in ADAC fuel consumption (5.4 vs 5.7 l/100 km)
- Lower abrasion in ADAC (75 vs 79 mg/km/t), supporting lower particulate wear output
- Competitive dry braking within the touring class in some tests (e.g., only 0.22 m behind in Die ReifenTester)
- Decent predicted mileage (44,700 km in ADAC), making it a workable everyday commuting tyre
- Consistently superior wet braking across all shared tests (e.g., ADAC 31.8 m vs 34.5 m; Die ReifenTester 24.17 m vs 26.59 m)
- Much stronger aquaplaning resistance (ADAC straight aquaplaning 79.7 vs 72.9 km/h; also wins in the other tests)
- More confident, predictable handling balance (notably higher subjective wet handling score: 82 vs 71 in Die ReifenTester)
- High overall balance including longevity (ADAC wear prediction 48,600 km vs 44,700 km) while still ranking at/near the top overall
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 3.77% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 2.56% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 5.95% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 11.4% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 3.24% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 13.41% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 floated at a 5.78% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 slipped out at a 3.9% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 4.94% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 7.32% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Noise: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 measured 1.51% quieter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wear tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is predicted to cover 8.02% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wear: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 had a 3.9% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 used 5.26% less fuel than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 emitted 5.06% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 Driver Reviews
Across 71 reviews, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 is generally seen as a strong value-focused touring tyre, most often praised for being quiet, smooth and confidence-inspiring with strong dry handling and good wet grip when new. Many drivers also highlight stable braking/handling and an overall “premium feel” for the price compared with more expensive rivals. The most repeated drawback is faster-than-expected wear, with several owners reporting that wet grip (and sometimes noise) deteriorates noticeably as tread depth drops; a smaller but recurring group also finds the ride a bit stiff/harsh on some cars.
Based on 76 reviews with an average rating of 82%
Pirelli Cinturato C3 Driver Reviews
Across 12 reviews, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is described as an extremely confidence-inspiring tyre with standout wet and dry grip, strong braking and very secure, responsive handling that makes the car feel easy to place and control. Most drivers also find it quiet and comfortable for a touring-focused tyre, with several calling it excellent or “perfect” in mixed conditions. A smaller subset note notable road noise on certain surfaces and one user reports a significant fuel economy drop after fitting, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Based on 13 reviews with an average rating of 93%
Conclusion
The Hankook Ventus Prime 4 isn't a “bad” tyre, but it reads like a tyre that's acceptable in routine dry use and commuting, yet gives away too much margin in the wet compared with today's best touring tyres. Its most defensible advantage is efficiency/environmental detail in ADAC (lower fuel consumption 5.4 vs 5.7 l/100 km and lower abrasion 75 vs 79 mg/km/t), but those gains are relatively small next to the C3's repeated wet-safety benefits and better overall rankings. The practical takeaway: if you want one premium-touring summer tyre that feels modern, secure and predictable in mixed conditions, choose the C3; only consider the Prime 4 if price is substantially lower and your driving is predominantly gentle and dry-biased.
Key Differences
- Overall performance is decisively different: Pirelli wins all 3 shared tests (1st/7, 2nd/7, 2nd/16) while Hankook trails (6th/7, 6th/7, 11th/16).
- Wet braking margin is meaningful and repeatable: Pirelli is ~7.8% better in ADAC (31.8 m vs 34.5 m) and ~9.1% better in Die ReifenTester (24.17 m vs 26.59 m).
- Aquaplaning resistance strongly favours Pirelli: ADAC straight aquaplaning +9.33% (79.7 vs 72.9 km/h), plus repeated wins in curved/straight aquaplaning in other tests.
- Dry braking also favours Pirelli in every shared test, sometimes by a clear amount (e.g., Al Volante 36.9 m vs 38.7 m).
- Longevity/wear: both are high-mileage touring tyres, but ADAC still gives Pirelli the advantage (48,600 km vs 44,700 km).
- Efficiency/environmental sub-metrics split: Hankook is slightly better on ADAC fuel consumption and abrasion, but Pirelli remains competitive and adds large safety gains.
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.
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