Hankook iON FlexClimate vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3: This is a fascinating all-season showdown between two very different philosophies. On one side, the Hankook iON FlexClimate arrives as an EV-focused, 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake-certified all-season tire, built to balance range, comfort, and year-round security. On the other, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 comes in as the proven champion, already backed by multiple test wins and strong all-round credentials. So the big question is simple: can Hankook’s EV-optimized newcomer challenge one of the strongest all-season benchmarks on the market?
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Results: Hankook iON FlexClimate vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
Results below were taken from the 2026 Auto Bild EV All Season Tire Test with a total of 8 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Hankook iON FlexClimate vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 based on the relevant performance category. The Hankook iON FlexClimatetire was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
It’s important to note that for subjective tests, the evaluation was based on average lap speed which is commonly used in magazine tests. The tire size of interest is a 215/55R18 which is a common tire size for BYD Atto 3. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Kia EV3 for summer while Cupra Born for winter.
Wet
Updated using your percentage reference:
In wet braking, the Hankook iON FlexClimate stops in 40.7 m, while the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 needs 41.7 m, giving Hankook a 1.0 m shorter braking distance, or around 2% better performance. Hankook also leads in wet handling, averaging 75.3 km/h compared to 73.3 km/h for the Pirelli, making it 2.0 km/h faster, or around 3% better through the wet handling course. The Pirelli fights back slightly in straight aquaplaning, reaching 74.2 km/h versus 73.7 km/h for Hankook, giving it a small 0.5 km/h advantage, or around 1% better resistance.
Overall, Hankook clearly has the stronger wet package, especially in braking and handling, while Pirelli only holds a tiny edge in aquaplaning.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- -2% in wet braking
- -3% in wet handling
- +1% in aquaplaning
Snow
In snow braking, the Hankook iON FlexClimate stops in 17.0 m, while the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 needs 17.1 m, giving Hankook a tiny 0.1 m shorter braking distance, or around 1% better performance. But in snow traction, Pirelli pulls ahead with 3,750 N compared to 3,544 N for Hankook, giving it a 206 N stronger pulling force, or around 6% better traction. Pirelli also leads in snow handling, averaging 58.6 km/h versus 56.3 km/h for Hankook, making it 2.3 km/h faster, or around 4% better through the snow handling course.
Overall, Hankook is just slightly better in snow braking, but Pirelli clearly has the stronger snow package once traction and handling are included.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- -1% in snow braking
- +6% in snow traction
- +4% in snow handling
Mileage
In mileage, the Hankook iON FlexClimate lasts 54,560 km, while the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 reaches 42,960 km, giving Hankook a huge 11,600 km longer projected life, or around 21% better mileage performance. Overall, this is a clear win for Hankook, making it the much stronger choice for drivers who prioritise long-term wear and lower running cost.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- -21% in mileage
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 records 6.81 N/kN, while the Hankook iON FlexClimate is higher at 7.41 N/kN, giving Pirelli a 0.60 N/kN lower rolling resistance, or around 9% better efficiency. Overall, this is a clear advantage for Pirelli, especially for drivers who prioritise lower energy consumption and better fuel or EV range efficiency.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- +9% in rolling resistance
Dry
In dry braking, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stops in 39.5 m, while the Hankook iON FlexClimate needs 39.8 m, giving Pirelli a small 0.3 m shorter braking distance, or around 1% better performance. But in dry handling, Hankook fights back strongly, averaging 92.6 km/h compared to 90.3 km/h for the Pirelli, making it 2.3 km/h faster, or around 2% better through the dry handling course. Overall, Pirelli has a slight edge in dry braking, but Hankook delivers the stronger dry handling performance.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- +1% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling
Noise
In drive-by noise, the Hankook iON FlexClimate records 71.3 dB, while the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is slightly louder at 71.5 dB. That gives Hankook a tiny 0.2 dB lower noise level, but in percentage terms both tires are effectively equal at 0% difference. Overall, there is no meaningful noise difference here, with both tires performing at almost the same level.
Cinturato All Season SF3 :
- 0% in exterior noise (+0.2 dB)
Price
In price, the Hankook iON FlexClimate costs €136, while the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is cheaper at €123. That makes the Pirelli €13 cheaper, or around 11% lower in price. Overall, the Pirelli has the clear price advantage, offering a lower entry cost in this 215/55R18 size.
Tire size: 215/55R18
- iON FlexClimate : € 136
- Cinturato All Season SF3 : € 123
Difference: -11% more cheaper for Cinturato All Season SF3
Conclusion
From my tire expert point of view, the Hankook iON FlexClimate looks really strong, especially for an EV-focused all-season tire. It has the clear advantage in wet braking, wet handling, mileage, dry handling, and slightly lower noise, making it the better choice for drivers who want strong safety performance and longer wear. The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, however, still shows why it is a multiple-test-winning tire, with better snow traction, snow handling, rolling resistance, dry braking, aquaplaning resistance, and a cheaper price. Overall, Hankook feels like the stronger all-round performer, while Pirelli remains the smarter value choice with better snow grip and efficiency.
Dr Edwin Pang