Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3: The world of tire technology has experienced significant strides in innovation, with two main contenders capturing the industry’s attention – the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3. Their ground-breaking features and superior functionality have won over both drivers and automotive critics.
Launched in 2021, the Continental PremiumContact 7 has revolutionized the touring tire market. Excelling in numerous press tests, this tire has marked its authority in the tire sector. It provides an optimal combination of safety, comfort, and longevity, which makes it a tour de force in the industry. Its cutting-edge tread pattern and rubber formulation ensure exceptional grip in wet and dry conditions. Meanwhile, its superior comfort attributes and improved tire life further cement its status as a top-tier touring tire.
Contrastingly, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, launched in 2019, is another significant player in this market. Ranked as the 6th global tire manufacturer, Hankook is pursuing a premium market positioning, and the Ventus S1 evo 3 is a testament to this aspiration. This tire showcases an elegant fusion of luxury and sporty traits. Its advanced tread layout and high-end rubber ingredients contribute to remarkable stability and handling, even at high velocities.
Yet, despite Hankook’s impressive efforts, the Continental PremiumContact 7 continues to be the favorite among critics and customers. The challenge remains whether the Ventus S1 evo 3 can put up a fight against this market leader. As we look towards the future, only time and rigorous testing will determine if Hankook can unsettle Continental’s hold over the touring segment. Nevertheless, both these tires signify the pinnacle of tire technology and performance, offering a wide array of advantages to drivers.
Table of Contents
New Feature Highlights:
Continental PremiumContact 7: RedChili
Continental’s PremiumContact 7 tire features a new RedChili compound that allows for optimal performance across a wide temperature range. This innovative compound enables the tire to achieve high grip even at low temperatures, without requiring a warm-up phase, making it ideal for use in transitional seasons like spring and fall. The compound is a mix of natural rubber and synthetic components, each of which requires a specific temperature to achieve optimum performance. By selecting and composing the materials in a targeted manner, Continental has been able to develop a tire that performs optimally across a broad temperature range.
Continental PremiumContact 7: Adaptive tread design
The PremiumContact 7 tire’s adaptive tread design enhances stability and ride comfort on both wet and dry roads. Wide lateral openings in the outer areas of the tread pattern allow for optimal drainage when driving straight ahead, while the ground contact surface shifts outward and the lateral openings close again during cornering, providing more rubber and better grip on the road. This design resolves the tradeoff between optimal water removal and perfect dry handling, resulting in excellent driving stability during braking, cornering, and accelerating on wet surfaces.
Results
Results below were taken from the 2023 Tyre Reviews Performance Tyre Test which includes 6 top tires in the market. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 based on the relevant performance category. The Continental PremiumContact 7 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%.
The tire size of interest for the test is a 225/40 R18 which is a common tire size for Audi A3 Sedan & Mercedes-Benz Slc 200. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information.
Dry
When analyzing the dry performance of the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, we can leverage the provided results which measure Dry Braking, Dry Handling, and Subjective Dry Handling.
In terms of Dry Braking, the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 are neck-to-neck. The Continental PremiumContact 7 & Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 takes the same braking distance of 33.4 meters to stop to a halt. In the category of Dry Handling, the Continental PremiumContact 7 completes the task in 74.12 seconds, while the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 takes a marginally longer time of 74.98 seconds. While the difference may seem minimal, in high-performance driving scenarios, such as racing or emergency manoeuvres, even fractions of a second can be crucial. This demonstrates the Continental tire’s superior dry handling performance. Finally, considering Subjective Dry Handling, the Continental PremiumContact 7 earns 9.5 points out of 10, while the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 is just a bit behind with 9.2 points. This suggests that, while both tires provide a highly satisfactory driving experience in dry conditions, drivers rated the Continental tire slightly higher.
In conclusion, the Continental PremiumContact 7 exhibits superior performance in dry handling performance categories while being matched in drying braking when compared to the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3. Even though the differences are quite minimal, they can become significant under certain driving conditions. Therefore, if dry performance is a key factor in your decision-making process, the Continental PremiumContact 7 seems to be the better choice.
Ventus S1 evo 3:
- 0% in dry braking
- -1.1% in dry handling (lap times)
- -1.5% in dry handling (subjective)
Wet
Taking into account the wet performance of the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, we can look at the following metrics: Wet Braking, Wet Braking – Cool, Wet Handling, Subjective Wet Handling, Straight Aquaplaning, and Curved Aquaplaning. Tyre Reviews testing methodology included three distinct wet braking tests, two at the new state, and one at the worn state. The new state tests were conducted at two different temperatures, aiming for a colder temperature around 5-7°C. However, due to logistical delays, the cold temperature test was performed with an average air temperature of 8°C and water at 12°C. The warm temperature test was conducted with an average of 18°C air and 19°C water.
Regarding Wet Braking, the Continental PremiumContact 7 outperforms the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 with a stopping distance of 27.1 meters, as opposed to Hankook’s 28.9 meters. This clearly indicates a superior braking efficiency of the Continental tire in wet conditions. For Wet Braking – Cool, the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 are closer, with the Continental stopping at 27.9 meters, and the Hankook stopping at 29.5 meters. Even though the gap is smaller, the Continental tire still exhibits a better performance in cool wet conditions.
Moving to Wet Handling, the Continental PremiumContact 7 completes the task in 92.06 seconds, while the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 takes slightly longer at 93.25 seconds. Thus, the Continental tire provides better handling under wet conditions. Subjective Wet Handling is another important factor, where the Continental PremiumContact 7 secures an impressive 9.8 points out of 10. The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, on the other hand, gets 9.5 points. While both provide a satisfactory experience, drivers subjectively feel more confident with the Continental tire.
In terms of Straight Aquaplaning, the Continental PremiumContact 7 achieves a higher speed of 80.9 Km/H, compared to the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3’s 76.8 Km/H. The Continental tire thus performs better in resisting aquaplaning in straight-line driving. Finally, considering Curved Aquaplaning, the Continental PremiumContact 7 shows better resistance with 6.31 m/sec², while the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 lags behind with 5.21 m/sec².
Wet Summary
In conclusion, in all the considered wet performance categories, the Continental PremiumContact 7 demonstrates a more robust performance than the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3. Therefore, if wet performance is a primary concern for your driving conditions, the Continental PremiumContact 7 seems to be the superior choice.
Ventus S1 evo 3:
- -6.2% in wet braking
- -5.4% in wet braking (cool)
- -1.3% in wet handling (lap speed)
- -1.5% in wet handling (subjective)
- -5.1% in straight aquaplaning
- -17.4% in curved aquaplaning
Noise & Comfort
Let’s delve into the noise and comfort performance of the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, which are key considerations for anyone seeking a smooth and comfortable ride. The noise level produced by a tire can significantly affect the overall driving experience. In this regard, the Continental PremiumContact 7 takes the top spot with a noise level of 71.9dB, offering a quieter ride compared to the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, which records a slightly higher noise level at 72dB. While both tires perform admirably in limiting noise, the Continental tire just nudges ahead, providing a more peaceful driving experience.
In terms of comfort, the Continental PremiumContact 7 again shines, garnering the maximum score of 10 points in subjective comfort. This high score indicates that this tire provides an extremely comfortable ride, absorbing road imperfections effectively. On the other hand, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 also offers a commendable ride comfort with 9.8 points, placing it very close to the Continental tire. Despite the tight competition, the Continental tire offers a marginally more comfortable experience.
In conclusion, the Continental PremiumContact 7 emerges as the winner in terms of noise and comfort performance. It delivers a quieter and smoother ride, which could contribute significantly to enhancing the overall driving experience. However, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, being a close second, also ensures a high-quality, comfortable ride with minimal noise. Thus, both tires provide a great driving experience, but the Continental PremiumContact 7 clinches the top spot.
Ventus S1 evo 3:
- -0.1% in exterior noise (+0.1 dB)
- -1% in comfort (subjective)
Rolling Resistance
When comparing the rolling resistance of the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 tires, it’s a very close affair indeed. The Continental PremiumContact 7 exhibits a rolling resistance of 8.4 N/kN, while the Hankook tire shows a slightly higher figure of 8.6 N/kN.
Rolling resistance is a key performance parameter for tires, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs) and in terms of reducing carbon emissions. Lower rolling resistance improves the overall efficiency of a vehicle, thus maximizing battery life in EVs and reducing fuel consumption in conventional vehicles. This, in turn, leads to lower carbon emissions, making it a significant factor in the fight against climate change.
Despite the close figures, the Continental tire edges out the Hankook tire in this area, albeit by a small margin. Even a small difference in rolling resistance can make a noticeable impact over the lifetime of a tire, especially when used on vehicles with a high annual mileage or on fleet vehicles. Thus, when it comes to rolling resistance, the Continental PremiumContact 7 has a slight advantage over the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3.
Ventus S1 evo 3:
- -2.3% in rolling resistance
Wear
When comparing the wear and abrasion of the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, we need to take a look at the specific figures.
Ventus S1 evo 3:
- -10% in mileage
- -21.8% in abrasion
The Continental PremiumContact 7 has an expected mileage of 25,802 KM and an abrasion figure of 75.9mg/km/t. The wear rating is a measure of the longevity of the tire tread under standard conditions, and the Continental tire seems to perform exceptionally well despite having a slightly smaller tread depth (6.5mm compared to Hankook’s 6.7mm). It has successfully outperformed the Hankook tire in terms of mileage, which demonstrates the quality of Continental’s design and materials. The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, on the other hand, has a expected mileage of 23,231KM and an abrasion figure of 97mg/km/t. Despite having a slightly larger tread depth, the Hankook tire did not manage to outperform the Continental tire in terms of mileage, indicating that its wear resistance may be lower.
The abrasion figures for both tires are significant in the context of the upcoming Euro 7 tire regulations, which are expected to put a greater focus on the environmental impact of tire use. Higher abrasion figures equate to more particulates being released into the environment during the tire’s use, which is becoming an increasingly important factor. The Continental tire’s lower abrasion figure suggests it may fare better under these new regulations compared to the Hankook tire.
Wear Summary
In summary, while both tires have their merits, the Continental PremiumContact 7 outperforms the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 in both wear and abrasion. This implies that the Continental tire may offer better longevity and is potentially more environmentally friendly, which will become even more important with the introduction of the new European tire regulations.
Price
When comparing the prices of the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 and the Continental PremiumContact 7 tires of size 225/40 R18, there is a slight difference. The Hankook tire is priced at €90, making it a more budget-friendly option. On the other hand, the Continental tire is slightly more expensive, costing €96.
However, it’s important to consider that the price of a tire is only one aspect of its overall cost-effectiveness. Other factors such as performance, comfort, noise, rolling resistance, wear, and abrasion also play a critical role in determining the true value of a tire. You might find that a slightly more expensive tire provides better long-term value due to lower wear or better fuel efficiency. Therefore, while the Hankook tire is cheaper upfront, the Continental tire might provide better value over its lifetime depending on its performance and your specific driving conditions and requirements.
Tire size: 225/40 R18
Ventus S1 evo 3: €90
PremiumContact 7: €96
Difference: -7% more cheaper for Ventus S1 evo 3.
Summary
In the in-depth comparison between the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3, the PremiumContact 7 emerged as the top performer in all examined categories, albeit the competition was close. Both in dry and wet conditions, the Continental PremiumContact 7 demonstrated robust and reliable performance. Its dry handling were impressive, securing a significant margin over the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3. The tire maintained its superior performance even in wet conditions, ensuring reliable braking and handling, critical for driver safety and vehicle performance.
When considering comfort and noise levels, the PremiumContact 7 led the pack once again, achieving the highest ranking for noise reduction. Additionally, the PremiumContact 7 exhibited superior rolling resistance, a crucial aspect for electric vehicle tires and reducing carbon emissions. Despite a slightly thinner tread depth (6.5mm compared to Hankook’s 6.7mm), the PremiumContact 7 outperformed its rival in wear performance, showcasing its durability and extended lifespan. Moreover, it stood out with a lower abrasion factor, which is set to become an increasingly significant aspect under the new EURO 7 tire wear regulations.
Although the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 comes at a slightly lower price, the modest difference of €6 does not compensate for the superior overall performance delivered by the PremiumContact 7 in all tested categories. In conclusion, while the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 delivered admirable performance, the Continental PremiumContact 7 displayed excellence across all major parameters. It outshone its competitor in dry and wet performance, comfort, noise, and sustainability measures. Therefore, we are thrilled to announce the Continental PremiumContact 7 as the undisputed champion of this tire comparison. Its outstanding overall performance, superior comfort, and commitment to sustainability make it the clear winner in this duel.