Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129 - Test Results

Test Statistics

4

Tests Completed

5^th

Average Position

2^nd

Best Result

7^th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129 - Official Image

Across four UUHP/UHP summer tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z K129 shows a clear split personality: it is consistently strong in aquaplaning resistance (often class-leading), but tends to place mid-to-lower in outright dry sporty performance and overall rankings in the more recent tests. Its best overall result was an excellent 2nd/10 in the 2022 Sport Auto test, but in 2024-2026 it more often lands in the lower half (5th/7, 6th/8, 7th/8), suggesting it can be competitive in specific line-ups/criteria yet struggles to match the very best performance tyres on balanced dry-wet dynamics.

Comfort/noise can be a positive (notably 2nd for noise in two separate tests), while efficiency is inconsistent: it achieved 1st for rolling resistance in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026, but dropped to 7th/8 in another 2026 test. Wet grip results are mixed-wet braking can be strong (2nd/7 and 3rd/8) but is not reliable (7th/10 and +23.6% from best in 2022), which likely contributes to variability in overall placements.

Performance Strengths

Aquaplaning Resistance (Straight/Curved) Strong Details
• 1st/8 straight aquaplaning (78.2 km/h) in 2026 'BEST Performance Summer Tyres' test
• 1st/10 curved aquaplaning (2.3 m/sec2) and 2nd/10 straight aquaplaning (69.2 km/h, +1.1% from best) in 2022 Sport Auto test
• 2nd/7 straight aquaplaning (99.5 km/h, +0.8% from best) in 2024 Autobild Sports Cars test
Noise / Refinement Moderate Details
• 2nd/8 noise (72 dB, +1.6% from best) in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars test
• 2nd/10 noise (68.1 dB, +0.3% from best) in 2022 Sport Auto test
Rolling Resistance / Efficiency (in some tests) Minor Details
• 1st/8 rolling resistance (8.29 kg/t) in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars test
• 4th/10 rolling resistance (9.5 kg/t, +13.1% from best) in 2022 Sport Auto test

Performance Weaknesses

Dry Performance & Sporty Handling (lap pace/steering feel) Strong Details
• 6th/8 dry handling (+3.5% from best) and 7th/8 subjective dry handling (+11.4% from best) in 2026 'BEST Performance Summer Tyres' test
• 6th/7 dry handling (+3.0% from best) in 2024 Autobild Sports Cars test
• 5th/8 dry handling (+1.4% from best) and 5th/8 overall in-group positioning described as 'tight group in the middle' in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars test
Wet Grip Consistency (braking/handling balance) Moderate Details
• Wet braking variance: 2nd/7 (+2% from best) in 2024 Autobild Sports Cars vs 7th/10 (+23.6% from best) in 2022 Sport Auto
• 7th/8 wet handling (+10.8% from best) in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars despite 3rd/8 wet braking (+8.5% from best) in the same test
Rolling Resistance Consistency Minor Details
• 7th/8 rolling resistance (9.9 kg/t, +12.5% from best) in 2026 'BEST Performance Summer Tyres' test
• 6th/7 rolling resistance (8.55 kg/t, +5.4% from best) in 2024 Autobild Sports Cars test despite 1st/8 in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars

Performance Over Time

Test History

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The BEST Performance Summer Tyres for 2026 Tested! Recommended

2026
Winner: Pirelli P Zero R

The Hankook was the best in the deeper water of aquaplaning and it was slightly ahead of the Falken in the wet tests, but honestly it's hard for me to explain how the tyres that came sixth and seve...

Strong:
Straight Aqua

Weak:
Subj. Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance

View Test

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2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tyre Test

2026
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

The Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z has the most balanced aquaplaning behaviour, with both axles floating at exactly 87.9 km/h. Dry braking is short and rolling resistance is among the lowest in the test. ...

Strong:
Noise, Rolling Resistance

Weak:
Wet Handling

View Test

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