Bridgestone Turanza 6 vs Hankook Ventus Prime 4: In the highly competitive summer touring tire segment, the debut of the Bridgestone Turanza 6 in 2023 has sparked an exciting rivalry with the established Hankook Ventus Prime 4. Bridgestone’s latest innovation brings advanced technology and design, promising enhanced performance, durability, and comfort. The Hankook Ventus Prime 4, known for its exceptional balance of efficiency, wet and dry handling, and longevity, now faces a formidable challenger.
This duel between Bridgestone’s cutting-edge Turanza 6 and Hankook’s proven Ventus Prime 4 marks a pivotal moment, setting the stage for a fierce battle that will captivate enthusiasts and consumers alike. As both tires vie for supremacy in the summer touring segment, the comparison not only highlights their unique features and capabilities but also underscores the relentless pursuit of excellence in tire technology.
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Results: Bridgestone Turanza 6 vs Hankook Ventus Prime 4
Results below were taken from the 2023 Auto Bild SUV Test with a total of 12 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Bridgestone Turanza 6 vs Hankook Ventus Prime 4 based on the relevant performance category. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
For handling performances, the evaluation was done on the average speed rather than the preferred lap times or subjective rating. The tire size of interest is a 225/65 R17 which is a common tire size for Mazda Cx-5 & Nissan X-Trail. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Toyota RAV 4 which has the same designated OE tire size as the tested tire size.
Wet
When comparing the wet performance of the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and the Hankook Ventus Prime 4, it’s evident that both tires exhibit strong capabilities, with the Turanza 6 generally edging out the Ventus Prime 4 across several key metrics. In wet braking, the difference is minimal, with the Turanza 6 stopping in 53 meters, just 0.4 meters longer than the Ventus Prime 4, which stops at 52.6 meters from 100 km/h to 0. This slight difference underlines the Turanza 6’s effective stopping power, albeit marginally less efficient than the Ventus Prime 4 in this aspect.
In terms of wet handling, which measures the average speed a tire can maintain around a wet track, the Turanza 6 maintains an average speed of 86.4 km/h, outperforming the Ventus Prime 4 by 1 km/h, which has an average speed of 85.4 km/h. This indicates the Turanza 6’s superior grip and control in wet conditions.
The wet circle test, assessing the time taken to complete a circle on a wet surface, further highlights the Turanza 6’s adeptness with a time of 14.58 seconds, compared to the Ventus Prime 4’s 14.72 seconds, making the Turanza 6 quicker by 0.14 seconds.
For straight aquaplaning resistance, measured by the maximum speed a tire can maintain before losing traction on a wet surface, the Turanza 6 achieves 89 km/h, significantly outpacing the Ventus Prime 4, which slips at 86.2 km/h. This demonstrates the Turanza 6’s enhanced safety margin in preventing aquaplaning.
Lastly, in curved aquaplaning, which gauges the tire’s lateral acceleration in wet conditions before losing grip, the Turanza 6 records a maximum lateral acceleration of 2.76 m/sec², surpassing the Ventus Prime 4’s 2.57 m/sec². This difference illustrates the Turanza 6’s better ability to maintain control when cornering on wet roads.
Overall, while both tires perform commendably in wet conditions, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 consistently outperforms the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 across various wet performance tests, offering slightly better braking, handling, and resistance to aquaplaning.
Ventus Prime 4 :
- +1% in wet braking
- -1% in wet handling (average speed)
- -1% in wet circle
- -3% in straight aquaplaning
- -7% in curved aquaplaning
Dry
In dry conditions, the performance comparison between the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 reveals each tire’s strengths in braking and handling. When it comes to dry braking, from a speed of 100 km/h to a complete stop, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 demonstrates superior braking capability, requiring only 35.5 meters to halt. This is 1.1 meters less than the Bridgestone Turanza 6, which stops at 36.6 meters. This difference underscores the Ventus Prime 4’s slightly more efficient stopping power in dry conditions.
For dry handling, which measures the average speed a tire can maintain around a dry track, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 outperforms the Hankook Ventus Prime 4. The Turanza 6 achieves an average speed of 102.4 km/h, indicating better grip and control, compared to the Ventus Prime 4’s average speed of 100.5 km/h. This 1.9 km/h difference in favor of the Turanza 6 suggests it offers enhanced performance during cornering and maneuvering on dry surfaces.
Overall, while the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 has a slight edge in dry braking efficiency, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 excels in dry handling capabilities, providing a slightly higher level of performance in maintaining speed and control on dry tracks.
Ventus Prime 4 :
- +3% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling (average speed)
Noise
When comparing the exterior noise performance of the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and the Hankook Ventus Prime 4, the Turanza 6 emerges as the quieter tire, generating a noise level of 69.4 decibels. This is slightly lower than the Ventus Prime 4, which produces 70.2 decibels of noise. The difference of 0.8 decibels between the two tires highlights the Turanza 6’s ability to offer a more serene driving experience, reducing the amount of road noise that enters the cabin. This reduction in noise can contribute to a more comfortable and less distracting environment for drivers and passengers alike, making the Turanza 6 the preferable choice for those prioritizing a quieter ride.
Ventus Prime 4 :
- -1% in exterior noise (+ 0.5 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In terms of rolling resistance, a crucial factor for fuel efficiency and energy conservation, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 show noticeable differences. The Turanza 6 exhibits a rolling resistance of 7.42 N/kN, which is slightly lower than the Ventus Prime 4’s rolling resistance of 7.63 N/kN.
This difference of 0.21 N/kN indicates that the Turanza 6 is more efficient in converting energy into motion, requiring less energy to maintain speed and potentially contributing to better fuel economy. Lower rolling resistance, as seen with the Turanza 6, means the tire is easier to roll and, therefore, can help in reducing the overall fuel consumption of the vehicle. This makes the Bridgestone Turanza 6 a marginally better option for those looking to optimize their vehicle’s efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
Ventus Prime 4 :
- -3% in rolling resistance
Price
When comparing the prices of the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 for the tire size 225/65 R17, there’s a significant difference. The Turanza 6 is priced at €142, whereas the Ventus Prime 4 is more affordable at €108. This price disparity means the Ventus Prime 4 is approximately 31% cheaper than the Turanza 6. This substantial cost difference makes the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 a more budget-friendly option for consumers seeking value without compromising on quality.
Tire size: 225/65 R17
Turanza 6 : € 142
Ventus Prime 4 : € 108
Difference: -31% more cheaper for Ventus Prime 4.
Summary
As a tire expert, I’ve analyzed both the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 across various conditions. There’s no clear winner between them, as each excels in different areas. The Ventus Prime 4 offers slightly better dry braking, while the Turanza 6 leads in wet handling. Both tires demonstrate excellent performance in their respective strengths, be it braking or handling, under wet and dry conditions.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific driving needs and priorities. Whether it’s the slight edge in wet handling of the Turanza 6 or the affordability and dry braking performance of the Ventus Prime 4, both tires represent the pinnacle of current tire technology, catering to diverse preferences without a definitive leader.
Dr Edwin Pang