Continental AllSeasonContact 2 vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2: In the competitive world of all-season tires, 2023 marked a significant milestone with the launch of Continental’s AllSeasonContact 2, adding a new level of excitement to the market. This launch intensified the ongoing rivalry between leading tire manufacturers, particularly pitting the innovative AllSeasonContact 2 against the highly acclaimed Hankook Kinergy 4S2. The AllSeasonContact 2, with its advanced technology and design, promises enhanced performance across diverse driving conditions, aiming to set new standards in safety, efficiency, and durability.
On the other hand, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2, known for its exceptional grip and stability in both wet and dry conditions, has already established itself as a top contender in the all-season category. This duel between the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 and Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is not just a comparison of two leading tires; it’s a thrilling battle for supremacy in the all-season market, offering consumers a compelling choice between two of the most innovative and high-performance tires available today.
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Results: Continental AllSeasonContact 2 vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Results below were taken from the 2023 Auto Bild All Season Test. A whopping 35 tires were tested this time around with only 16 tires making it into the final round. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental AllSeasonContact 2 vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2 based on the relevant performance category. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Auto Bild did the full range of test including snow & the expensive wear test. The tire size of interest is a 225/45 R17 which is a common tire size for Volvo S60 & BMW 3 Series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a BMW 3 series.
Wet Showdown
When comparing the wet performance of the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 and the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 tires, several key differences emerge. In wet braking, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 stops 4.1 meters shorter than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2, with a braking distance of 45.4 meters compared to 49.5 meters from 100 km/h to a complete stop. This indicates a significant advantage for the Continental tire in terms of stopping power on wet surfaces.
In wet handling, which measures how well the tires can maintain control and speed on a wet track, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 again outperforms the Hankook Kinergy 4S2. The average speed for the Continental tire is 74.6 km/h, whereas the Hankook manages 72.1 km/h, showing that the Continental tire can navigate wet conditions more efficiently by maintaining higher speeds safely.
The wet circle test, which assesses the tire’s ability to grip in a continuous wet circle, shows a minimal difference between the two. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 completes the circle in 11.96 seconds, just slightly slower than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2, which completes it in 11.94 seconds. This negligible difference suggests that both tires offer comparable lateral wet grip.
However, in the straight aquaplaning test, which evaluates the tire’s ability to maintain contact with the road surface at higher speeds without losing grip due to water, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 performs better. It maintains control up to 78.6 km/h, whereas the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 starts slipping at 76.1 km/h. This indicates that the Hankook tire has a slight edge in resisting aquaplaning on wet roads.
In summary, while the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 shows superior performance in wet braking and handling, indicating better overall wet grip and control, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 has an advantage in resisting straight-line aquaplaning. The wet circle test results are nearly identical, highlighting the close competition between these two all-season tires in wet conditions.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- -8% in wet braking
- -3% in wet handling
- 0% in wet circle
- +3% in aquaplaning
Snow
In the realm of snow performance, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 and Hankook Kinergy 4S2 tires display closely matched capabilities, with slight differences that highlight their individual strengths.
Starting with snow braking, the distance required to come to a complete stop on snow from a certain speed shows nearly identical performance. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 stops in 23.2 meters, while the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 stops just a fraction sooner at 23.1 meters, a difference of only 0.1 meters, indicating that both tires are almost equally effective in snow braking.
When looking at snow traction, which measures the force a tire can generate to start moving or accelerate on snow, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 produces a higher traction force of 2744 Newtons compared to the Hankook Kinergy 4S2’s 2639 Newtons. This difference suggests that the Continental tire has slightly better ability to grip and move on snow-covered roads.
Snow handling tests, which assess a tire’s capability to maintain control and speed on a snow-covered track, reveal an almost negligible difference between the two tires. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 has a slight edge with an average speed of 57.4 km/h, compared to the Hankook Kinergy 4S2’s 57.3 km/h. This suggests both tires offer comparable handling performance in snowy conditions.
Finally, in the snow slalom test, which evaluates a tire’s agility and ability to change direction quickly on snow, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 demonstrates superior performance with a lateral acceleration of 4.23 meters per second squared, compared to the Hankook Kinergy 4S2’s 4.02 meters per second squared. This indicates that the Continental tire can navigate through obstacles on snow with slightly more agility and speed.
Overall, while both tires show excellent snow performance, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 slightly outperforms the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 in traction and slalom agility, indicating it might offer a bit more confidence in snowy conditions. However, the differences are quite subtle, emphasizing that both tires are strong contenders for winter driving.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- 0% in snow braking
- -4% in snow traction
- 0% in snow handling
- -5% in snow slalom
Wear
When comparing the wear performance of the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 and the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 tires, it’s clear that both are designed for longevity, but the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 slightly edges out its competitor in this aspect. The wear test measures how long each tire can last before needing replacement, indicating the tire’s durability over time.
The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 shows a wear life of 58,923 kilometers, which is quite impressive, demonstrating that it’s built to last for many miles of driving across various conditions. However, the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 surpasses this, with a wear life of 60,289 kilometers. This difference of 1,366 kilometers means that the Hankook tire can, on average, provide drivers with an additional 1,366 kilometers of use before wearing down to the point of replacement.
This slightly longer wear life of the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 suggests that it may offer better value over time, with the potential for longer intervals between tire replacements. However, both tires exhibit strong durability, making them reliable choices for drivers who value longevity in their tire selection.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- +2% in mileage
Dry
In dry conditions, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 outperforms the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 in braking, stopping 0.9 meters shorter from 100 km/h, with a distance of 40.4 meters compared to Hankook’s 41.3 meters. This indicates the Continental tire offers slightly better stopping power on dry roads. However, both tires show identical performance in dry handling, with an average speed of 87.8 km/h, suggesting equal capability in maintaining control and speed during dry conditions.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- -2% in dry braking
- 0% in dry handling
Noise
The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is quieter than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2, with exterior noise levels measured at 72.3 dB compared to 73.1 dB for the Hankook tire. This means the Continental tire generates 0.8 dB less noise, making it the quieter option of the two. This difference, while relatively small, can contribute to a slightly more comfortable and quieter driving experience with the Continental tire.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- -1% in exterior noise (+0.8 dB)
Rolling Resistance & Fuel Consumption Showdown:
The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 shows better efficiency than the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 in both rolling resistance and fuel consumption. With a rolling resistance of 7.68 N/kN, the Continental tire is more efficient, requiring less energy to roll than the Hankook tire, which has a rolling resistance of 8.24 N/kN. This difference means the Continental tire is easier to move, which contributes to lower fuel consumption.
Indeed, in terms of fuel consumption, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is more economical, consuming 5.56 liters per 100 kilometers, whereas the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 consumes 5.74 liters per 100 kilometers. This makes the Continental tire slightly better for fuel efficiency, saving 0.18 liters per 100 kilometers. Over time and distance, this efficiency can lead to noticeable savings and a smaller environmental impact.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- -7% in rolling resistance
- -3% in fuel consumption
Price
The price difference between the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 and the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 tires for the size 205/55 R16 is minimal, with the Continental priced at €80 and the Hankook at €79. This nearly identical pricing suggests that cost will not be a significant factor when choosing between these two tires, as they are more or less the same in this aspect.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
Difference: ~ More of less the same.
Expert’s Perspective
As a tire expert, I’ve analyzed both the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 and the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 across various parameters. The Continental tire outshines in wet and dry braking, showing superior stopping power and slightly better efficiency in terms of rolling resistance and fuel consumption. It also offers a quieter ride.
While the Hankook tire has its strengths, such as slightly better wear life and aquaplaning resistance, the comprehensive performance of the Continental AllSeasonContact 2, especially in critical safety areas like braking, along with its environmental benefits, positions it as the winner in this duel.
Dr Edwin Pang