Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs. Pirelli Cinturato C3 — It’s the clash of generations in the summer touring segment. On one side, the well-established Hankook Prime 4, known for its solid all-round performance. On the other, the newly launched Pirelli Cinturato C3, bringing fresh tech and renewed ambition to shake up the category. Can the Prime 4 hold its ground, or is it time for a new benchmark? Let the battle begin.
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Results: Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Pirelli Cinturato C3
The results presented here are from the Al Volante 2025 Summer Tire Test, where 7 of the best summer tire models were selected. The accompanying graph provides a side-by-side comparison of the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Pirelli Cinturato C3 across various performance categories, with the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 serving as the benchmark at 100%.
The tire size of interest is the 225/55R18 tire size, a popular choice for vehicles like the Kia Sportage & Subaru Forester. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table.
Wet
In wet braking, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped 0.3 meters shorter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4, a small 1% improvement. In wet handling, the C3 completed the course in 109.55 seconds, making it 3.67 seconds faster than the Prime 4’s 113.22 seconds — a 3% advantage in agility and control. For straight-line aquaplaning, the C3 also edged ahead, holding grip up to 81.6 km/h compared to 81 km/h for the Hankook, a 1% gain in resistance.
Overall, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 clearly outperforms the Hankook Prime 4 in all wet conditions, with particularly strong gains in handling — a confident showing for Pirelli’s new generation summer touring tire.
Cinturato C3 :
- +1% in wet braking
- +3% in wet handling
- +1% in aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped in just 36.9 meters, 1.8 meters shorter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4’s 38.7 meters. That’s a 5% improvement in stopping distance. With this, the Cinturato C3 not only dominates in the wet but also proves its edge in dry safety, reinforcing its position as the more advanced and capable summer touring tire.
Cinturato C3 :
- +5% in dry braking
Wear
While mileage wasn’t directly tested in this comparison, we’re referencing data from prior tests. The Pirelli Cinturato C3 marks a clear step forward from its predecessor, the P7 C2, with an estimated mileage of 29,880 km — a 20% improvement. Compared directly to the Hankook Ventus Prime 4, which clocks in at 26,250 km, the C3 lasts 3,630 km longer, offering 14% better tread life.
While neither tire leads the segment in durability, the Cinturato C3 still manages to edge ahead of the Prime 4, showing that Pirelli’s new compound not only grips better — it lasts longer too.
Cinturato C3 :
- +14% in mileage (estimated)
Noise
In terms of noise, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 registered 71.8 dB, making it 1.1 dB quieter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4’s 72.9 dB. That translates to a 2% reduction in rolling noise.
Cinturato C3 :
- +2% in exterior noise (-1.1 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 recorded 7.4 N/kN, slightly lower than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4’s 7.7 N/kN. This 0.3 N/kN difference gives the C3 a 4% advantage in energy efficiency.
Cinturato C3 :
- +4% in rolling resistance
Price
For 225/55R18, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is priced at €155, while the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 costs €121. That makes the C3 28% more expensive than the Prime 4 — a notable premium for its performance upgrades.
Tire size: 225/55R18
- Ventus Prime 4 : € 121
- Cinturato C3 : € 155
Difference: +28% more expensive for Cinturato C3
Summary
From a tire expert’s perspective, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is the clear winner. It stops shorter in both wet and dry, handles faster in the wet, runs quieter, rolls more efficiently, and even outlasts the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 by 14%. Yes, it costs more, but the performance gains across nearly every category make that premium well worth it.
Dr Edwin Pang