Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Hankook iON evo SUV: In the arena of electric vehicle (EV) tires, the battle between the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Hankook iON evo SUV is heating up. The PremiumContact 7, hailed as a “EV Ready” tire and celebrated as a multiple press test winner, promises superior performance on a variety of terrains.
But how does it stack up against Hankook’s “EV Specific” iON evo SUV tire, engineered exclusively for electric SUVs? This showdown pits Continental’s versatile champion against Hankook’s specialized contender, offering consumers a thrilling comparison of cutting-edge tire technology. Who will come out on top in this clash of titans? The road ahead is as exciting as it is unpredictable.
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Results: Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Hankook iON evo SUV
Results below were taken from 2024 Auto Bild EV Summer tire test with a total of 9 tires tested, The graph below shows the comparison between Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Hankook iON evo SUV based on the relevant performance category. Continental PremiumContact 7 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for both wet & dry handling evaluation, the average lap speed was used instead of the standard lap time & subjective rating. The tire size of interest is 235/35 R19 which is a common tire size for Audi R8 & Volkswagen Golf R. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a KIA EV6 which is an compact electric powered crossover SUV.
Battery Range
Diving straight into the heart of what matters most to EV owners—the battery range and rolling resistance of their tires—let’s explore how the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Hankook iON evo SUV stack up against each other. Both aspects are crucial for maximizing the efficiency and performance of electric vehicles.
Starting with rolling resistance, which directly impacts the vehicle’s energy efficiency, the Continental PremiumContact 7 shows a slight edge with a resistance of 6.64 N/kN compared to the 6.88 N/kN offered by the Hankook iON evo SUV. This difference, though seemingly small, means that the PremiumContact 7 demands slightly less energy from the EV to maintain the same speed, leading to better overall energy management.
Moving to energy consumption, an equally vital factor for assessing tire performance in EVs, the numbers continue to lean in favor of the Continental. The PremiumContact 7 records an energy consumption of 18.46 kWh per 100 km, which is lower than the 18.83 kWh per 100 km used by the Hankook iON evo SUV. This implies that not only does the PremiumContact 7 offer lower rolling resistance, but it also translates this into a more efficient ride, consuming less battery power per kilometer.
We are surprised to see how well the EV Ready Continental PremiumContact 7 performs, especially considering it isn’t branded as an “EV Specific” tire like the Hankook iON evo SUV. Its performance in these key areas underlines the significant influence that even small differences in tire technology can have on the overall efficiency and range of electric vehicles.
iON evo SUV:
- –3% in rolling resistance
- –2% in energy consumption
Wet
With the Continental PremiumContact 7 showing such impressive rolling resistance figures, one might wonder if it compromises on wet performance. However, the performance data suggests that the PremiumContact 7 manages to maintain robust effectiveness even under wet conditions when compared to the Hankook iON evo SUV.
In terms of wet braking, from 100 km/h to a complete stop, the PremiumContact 7 takes 37.7 meters, which is 1.7 meters less than the Hankook iON evo SUV’s 39.4 meters. This indicates a better stopping capability in wet conditions for the Continental tire. For wet handling, which measures how well tires maintain grip and control at speed in wet conditions, the PremiumContact 7 again shows superior performance with an average speed of 57.6 km/h compared to the Hankook’s 57.1 km/h. This slight advantage highlights better stability and control.
In the wet circle test, measuring the time to complete a circle on a wet track, the PremiumContact 7 clocks in at 12.88 seconds, which is faster than the 13.11 seconds taken by the Hankook tire, reflecting quicker responsiveness under wet conditions. However, in the tests for straight aquaplaning, where higher speeds indicate better performance in resisting water buildup under the tire, the Hankook iON evo SUV slightly edges out with a slipping speed of 94.4 km/h compared to 93.4 km/h for the PremiumContact 7.
In curved aquaplaning, which measures the maximum lateral acceleration on a wet curved track, both tires perform similarly, but the Hankook iON evo SUV has a marginal advantage with 2.99 m/sec² over the 2.96 m/sec² of the PremiumContact 7.
Overall, despite its optimized rolling resistance, the Continental PremiumContact 7 does not seem to sacrifice wet performance significantly and holds up well against the “EV Specific” Hankook iON evo SUV in critical wet conditions.
iON evo SUV:
- -4% in wet braking
- -1% in wet handling (average speed)
- -2% in wet circle
- +1% in straight aquaplaning
- +1% in curved aquaplaning
Mileage
When it comes to comparing the mileage performances of the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Hankook iON evo SUV, the Continental tire demonstrates a notable advantage. The PremiumContact 7 offers a wear life of 36,885 kilometers, which surpasses the Hankook iON evo SUV’s wear life of 35,695 kilometers.
This difference means that the PremiumContact 7 can typically deliver around 1,190 kilometers more in terms of mileage before needing replacement. This extended mileage not only provides better long-term value but also implies less frequent tire changes, which can be particularly advantageous for regular drivers. The Continental’s superior durability reinforces its robust performance profile, making it a compelling choice in terms of both efficiency and longevity.
iON evo SUV:
- -3% in mileage
Dry
In dry conditions, the Hankook iON evo SUV slightly outperforms the Continental PremiumContact 7 in braking, stopping 0.2 meters shorter from 100 km/h. However, the PremiumContact 7 excels in handling, maintaining a higher average speed of 71.3 km/h compared to the Hankook’s 70.2 km/h, indicating better grip and responsiveness on dry roads. Overall, the Continental offers superior handling, despite a minimal difference in braking performance.
iON evo SUV:
- +1% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling (average speed)
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Hankook iON evo SUV demonstrates a quieter performance compared to the Continental PremiumContact 7, registering at 68.6 dB against the 70.3 dB produced by the Continental. This 1.7 dB difference means the Hankook tire generates less noise, which could be attributed to the use of foam technology within the tire structure, enhancing acoustic comfort. This makes the Hankook iON evo SUV a preferable option for drivers prioritizing a quieter ride.
iON evo SUV:
- +2% in exterior noise (-1.7 dB)
Price
The Hankook iON evo SUV is priced at €167, making it approximately 5% cheaper than the Continental PremiumContact 7, which costs €178 for the same tire size of 235/35 R19. This price difference highlights the iON evo SUV as a more budget-friendly option without a significant compromise on performance.
Tire size: 235/35 R19
Difference: -5% more cheaper for iON evo SUV.
Summary
As a tire expert, the showdown between the EV-ready Continental PremiumContact 7 and the EV-specific Hankook iON evo SUV brings us to an intriguing conclusion. I’m still amazed at how well the PremiumContact 7 performs, particularly in areas crucial to electric vehicles, such as battery range and efficiency. It’s impressive to see the PremiumContact 7, not specifically designed as an “EV-specific” tire, outperforming the Hankook iON evo SUV in battery range—its own game.
The Continental PremiumContact 7 not only offers lower rolling resistance and superior energy consumption figures but also maintains excellent performance in wet and dry conditions. The slight premium in price seems justified given its extended mileage and robust handling capabilities. It demonstrates that with the right technology and design, an EV-ready tire can indeed match and even surpass an EV-specific tire. This makes the PremiumContact 7 a winner in my book, providing a versatile, efficient, and reliable option for EV owners who seek the best of both worlds in tire technology.
Dr Edwin Pang