Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Hankook Ventus Evo: a clash of titans in the ultra-high performance (UUHP) segment! The Bridgestone Potenza Sport, launched in 2020, has been a benchmark in dry handling and precision. Now, the freshly launched 2025 Hankook Ventus Evo is here, aiming to challenge its dominance with a promise of cutting-edge grip and responsiveness. Can the new contender dethrone the established champ? Let’s find out!
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Results: Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Hankook Ventus Evo
The results presented here are from the 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test, where 20 of the best tire models were selected from an initial pool of 50. Given the high cost and extensive nature of wear testing, we were delighted to have it included. The accompanying graph provides a side-by-side comparison of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Hankook Ventus Evo across various performance categories, with the Bridgestone Potenza Sport serving as the benchmark at 100%.
The tire size of interest is the 225/40R18 tire size, a popular choice for vehicles like the BMW 3 series Audi A4. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table. The tests were conducted using a standard BMW 1 series as the test vehicle.
Wet
In wet braking, the Hankook Ventus Evo stops 0.4 meters earlier than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, with a difference of approximately 1% in favor of the Hankook. In wet handling, both tires perform equally with a speed of 73.5 km/h, showing no difference. In straight-line aquaplaning, the Hankook Ventus Evo holds a slight advantage, maintaining stability at 1.6 km/h higher speed than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, which translates to a 2% difference.
Ventus Evo:
- +1% in wet braking
- ~0% in wet handling
- +2% in aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stops 1.4 meters shorter than the Hankook Ventus Evo, which is a difference of approximately 4%. In dry handling, the Hankook Ventus Evo is marginally faster, completing the test at 0.3 km/h higher speed than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, resulting in a difference of about close to 0%.
Ventus Evo:
- -4% in dry braking
- 0% in dry handling
Wear
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport lasts 4,440 km longer than the Hankook Ventus Evo, translating to an approximate difference of 11%. This indicates that the Potenza Sport has superior wear performance compared to the Ventus Evo.
Ventus Evo:
- -10% in mileage
Comfort & Noise
The Hankook Ventus Evo scores higher in subjective comfort, receiving 5 points compared to the Bridgestone Potenza Sport’s 4.3 points, showing a 4% improvement. In terms of noise, the Ventus Evo is quieter at 73.1 dB, while the Potenza Sport registers 74.6 dB, resulting in a difference of 1.5 dB or approximately 2%. This indicates that the Ventus Evo offers a more comfortable and quieter ride.
Ventus Evo:
- +4% in subjective comfort
- +2% in exterior noise (+1.5 dB)
Rolling Resistance
The Hankook Ventus Evo has a lower rolling resistance of 8.68 N/kN compared to the Bridgestone Potenza Sport’s 9.24 N/kN, resulting in a difference of 0.56 N/kN, or approximately 6%. This indicates that the Ventus Evo is more fuel-efficient than the Potenza Sport.
Ventus Evo:
- +6% in rolling resistance
Price
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport, priced at €108, is 3% more expensive than the Hankook Ventus Evo, which costs €105. Despite the slight price difference, both tires fall within a similar budget range for the 225/40 R18 size.
Tire size: 225/40 R18
- Potenza Sport : € 108
- Ventus Evo : € 105
Difference: +3% more expensive for Ventus Evo .
Summary
From a tire expert’s perspective, both the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and the newly launched Hankook Ventus Evo bring impressive attributes to the table. The Potenza Sport excels in dry braking and wear longevity, making it a solid choice for those who value long-term durability and sharp dry performance.
On the other hand, the Ventus Evo shines in wet braking, straight-line aquaplaning, and rolling resistance, offering better wet grip and fuel efficiency. While the Potenza Sport holds a slight edge in dry conditions and longevity, the Ventus Evo provides more confidence in the wet at a marginally lower price. The choice ultimately depends on your driving priorities: dry performance and durability versus wet grip and efficiency.
Dr Edwin Pang