Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    2026 test data · 27 independent tests

    → See full Hankook vs Maxxis brand comparison

    Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 and Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 appear in 27 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. 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 Hankook Kinergy 4S2 performs. It takes the win in ice, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 89/100, based on 25 tests.

    How the Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 88/100, based on 2 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 Kinergy 4S2 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in ice and Tire Lab Score. The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    • You prioritise ice
    • You prioritise mileage
    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow

    Test profile

    MetricHankook Kinergy 4S2Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    SegmentTouringTouring
    TypeAll SeasonAll Season
    Tests used252
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank6.14.4
    Latest test20252020
    Tire Lab Score88.888.1

    Tire Lab Score

    88.8
    Very Good · All Season
    88.1
    Very Good · All Season

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryHankook Kinergy 4S2Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 5.7
    6106
    Avg rank 4.8
    Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 5.2
    364
    Avg rank 4.8
    1
    Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 5.5
    53
    Avg rank 5.4
    Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 13.0
    No data
    Hankook Kinergy 4S2
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 5.9
    48
    Avg rank 4.0
    2
    Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 8.4
    3
    No data
    Hankook Kinergy 4S2
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 4.6
    143
    Avg rank 2.0
    2
    Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    💧 Wet: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 wins this category with an average rank of 4.8, compared to 5.7 for the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.

    ☀️ Dry: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 wins this category with an average rank of 4.8, compared to 5.2 for the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.

    ❄️ Snow: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 wins this category with an average rank of 5.4, compared to 5.5 for the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.

    🧊 Ice: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 wins this category with an average rank of 13.0, compared to no data for the Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 wins this category with an average rank of 4.0, compared to 5.9 for the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.

    📏 Mileage: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 wins this category with an average rank of 8.4, compared to no data for the Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2.

    🔋 Efficiency: Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2

    The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 wins this category with an average rank of 2.0, compared to 4.6 for the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Hankook Kinergy 4S2 or Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 ranks higher on average than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 ranks better than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 shows better mileage performance than the Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Hankook Kinergy 4S2 appears in 25 independent tests, Maxxis VanSmart AS AL2 in 2.

    Also compare

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