TopTire Review

    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

    2026 test data · 51 independent tests · 9 head-to-head

    → See full Dunlop vs Hankook brand comparison

    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 appear in 51 tests, 9 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.

    How the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 performs. It takes the win in mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 86/100, based on 30 tests.

    How the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, noise / comfort. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 88/100, based on 21 tests.

    What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.

    Verdict

    The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 still wins on mileage, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    Choose Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 if

    • You prioritise mileage
    • You prioritise efficiency

    Choose Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 if

    Overall winner
    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise noise / comfort

    Test profile

    MetricDunlop SportMaxx RT 2Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    SegmentUHPUHP
    TypeSummerSummer
    Tests used3021
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank8.06.6
    Latest test20262025
    Tire Lab Score86.188.2

    Tire Lab Score

    86.1
    Very Good · Summer
    88.2
    Very Good · Summer

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryDunlop SportMaxx RT 2Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 7.7
    692
    Avg rank 5.4
    845
    Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 8.0
    27
    Avg rank 5.4
    157
    Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 7.9
    33
    Avg rank 6.6
    444
    Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 7.4
    11
    Avg rank 8.7
    1
    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 7.1
    3
    Avg rank 7.5
    3
    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

    Tests used in this comparison

    Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 9 independent tests:

    💧 Wet: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

    The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.4, compared to 7.7 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    ☀️ Dry: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

    The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.4, compared to 8.0 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

    The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 wins this category with an average rank of 6.6, compared to 7.9 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    📏 Mileage: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

    The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.4, compared to 8.7 for the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

    🔋 Efficiency: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

    The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.1, compared to 7.5 for the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 or Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 ranks higher on average than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 ranks better than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 shows better mileage performance than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 appears in 30 independent tests, Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 in 21, with 9 head-to-head tests where both were measured.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →