Hankook Ventus V12 evo Tire Review

[Dookie]

Bought new tires last week and after putting them through the test this past weekend, here is my review.

Hankook Ventus V12 evo k110







vs. my previous tires General Exclaim UMP



Tire size: 215/45/17

First thing I notice was how soft they feel, don't know if it's because my previous tires were run down and felt hard since it had less tread, but going over bumps/potholes they absorb more shock. The sidewalls are a little softer going around corner, but it's not much to complain about since the turn-in is good without any hesitation.

Cornering - These tire grip!! I've notice about a 4-5 mph increase going around sweeping on ramp turns. Under hard corning they are predictable when they start to let go, and it takes a lot before they let go.

Noise - What noise? These things are quiet, even under heavy cornering they don't even squeel/squeech.

Price - "Bang for the buck" I picked these up from a local dealer for $92 bucks each + install.

Pros:
Grip
Quiet
Turn-in
Price
Softness (subjective, some will find this as a con, but I don't)

Cons:
Sidewalls (can be fixed by adding 5-10 more psi to each tire)

All-in-all these Hankook's are much better than my previous Exclaims UMP's for high performance summer tires being price under $100 bucks.

[TurboLegman]

I would be int in the mileage you get! I looked at these but felt thet Nexen was going to give better overall results! I am very happy as of now and the nexens seem to be wearing well! 4 nexens installed OTD $ 320.00!

[TSi+WRX]

Thanks for the review, Dookie!!!

Question - you say that they don't make a noise, even under heavy cornering...

Do they give reasonable audible feedback (squeel/squeech) *as they're letting go*, or are they quiet up until the point that the car's rear end is already pointing forward (like the previous-generation Kumho XS)?

Let me framework this a little:

I'm *very* interested in the V12s, as a replacement for my outgoing RS-2s, based on all the reviews out there, including yours.

Back when I chose my summer tires, last time, one of the reasons I went with the RS-2s is because their prime competitor, the Kumho XSs, were know to be quiet until way beyond the point of no return. While this may not be a problem on the AutoX course, it certainly makes for one less warning marker if I'm being dumb on the streets. The RS-2s, on the other hand, are known to be very audible tires.

Don't get me wrong. I'd love for a street-tire to be as quiet as it can be, while being tortured. I don't like to raise the eyes of the enforcers or even just bystanders. But at the same time, I don't want to be approaching true traction limits of the tires, on public streets, without some form of extra "hey, you, quit being stupid!" kind of warning from said tires, as that limit is being breached.

[Dookie]

TSI - The squeeching sound is very low (low in pitch), not no high pitch sound like you would get outta cheap hard tires. More like a scrubbing sound of soft rubber. Let me put it this way, if you are driving with your windows up, you will have a hard time hearing them. They are predictable when forced, and they do connect back very well once off the throttle.

TurboLegman - I'm not to concerned about the mileage I get outta them. If I get at least 25k - 30K I'll be happy.

[TSi+WRX]

^ Sounds like the right stuff for me, then.

[brilliant sleeper]

I'll give my 2 cents, as my current tire is the evo v12. 225/35/18 to be exact. I have approx 8k of experience with this tire. I have tested the capability's out more and more. The LGT is my first awd car. After putting Tein H-tec springs on, and the next day the ventus tires, the improvement is incredible.

As for the testing of the tire, it was surprising how much more the car wanted around turns. I agree with all of Dookie's 'Pro's.' When I thought I was pushing the tire to it's limit's, they just wanted more, wet or dry. Great feeling.

Long trip/cruising, they are a comfortable cruiser. My longest trip was 740 mi from RI to Sunday River ME, to NEFR in Errol, NH back to RI in 24 hrs. The mountain roads were so much fun. The Ventus' were put to work in that trip. Highway noise is quiet; cornering they have a low-pitched squeal at the limit.

The only other low pro's I have owned are Pirelli p-zero and Toyo T1R. Those two were on a supercharged FWD Cobalt, though. The only way to compare would be by noise and maybe cornering. Though FWD and AWD is day and night. If I could compare all three, then I would say Pirelli would be last choice, and Hankook first.

I don't have any complaint's with the Ventus. Incredible all-around tire. When purchasing any tire you have to look at what you are using the tire for. Whether it be daily/spirited, auto-x, or snow. Hankook Ventus Evo12 is a great choice for daily/spirited driving. I would even reccommend them for the occasional auto-x.

[TSi+WRX]

^ The fact that the V12s are of lower NVH is also appealing to me.

The RS-2s are not friendly to the wifey.

[Dookie]

Loving these tires more each day, in regards to grip and comfort.

Another con, which is not a big deal to me, is the tires like to follow grooves in the road on heavily grooved highways. Don't notice anything in city driving, mostly on certain grooved highways.

[havanisda]