Both Kumho and Hankook have South Korean Origins and are similar in a lot of other ways. It is these similarities that spark a debate about Kumho vs Hankook.
Some key differences between these tires are-
Kumho | Hankook | |
---|---|---|
Number of Families | 6 | 7 |
Traction, handling, stability | – | √ |
Warranty | – | √ |
Affordability | √ | – |
There are some striking similarities between Kumho and Hankook. Apart from both being originated from South Korea, they are both extremely durable tires. But being durable doesn’t mean they are overly expensive. These tires are very affordable, which gives them an edge over other tires in the same category.
These are not the only similarities between these two tires. Both these tires are famous for manufacturing tires for motorsports events, so the tires are very high performance. So, it’s quite difficult to pick any one of the two tires. Here is my recommendation regarding this-
A comparative analysis between Kumho and Hankook tires
Now that all of the similarities are out of the way, you can focus on learning the differences between Kumho and Hankook tires. Despite having a lot of similarities, some main differences make these two tires stand apart. Take a look down below to find out:
1. Kumho Tires
The younger of the two companies, Kumho’s original name was Samyang Tire. It was founded in 1960 and became Kumho tire six years after its foundation. These tires are excellent in winter conditions. The Kumho tires offer exceptional traction on snowy surfaces, where gaining traction is very difficult.
The advantages of having Kumho tires on wet surfaces don’t end here. There are some models such as Kumho Wintercraft SUV WS31, which are stud able. This property ensures the traction gained on icy surfaces is even greater. Even on thick ice, they can move smoothly without making loud noises.
But the expertise of Kumho isn’t confined to handling wet surfaces only. These tires have tread patterns that interlock. As a result, even on dry surfaces, the tire ensures maximum stability. This is a very important trait of the tires as pickups and SUVs need this stability to work better.
Another superb aspect of the Kumho tires is their versatility. Although these tires were meant originally for SUVs, it doesn’t mean they can’t be fitted on other types of vehicles. Models such as the I’Zen KW31 and the Wintercraft WP71 can be fitted on vehicles of a wide variety, including sedans.
The last aspect that makes Kumho a must-have brand, is its affordability. Most Kumho tires are quite cheap, especially when compared to Hankook tires. The tires below the 17-inch range are all below 100 dollars in price, which is exceptionally affordable.
They also have more tires in their ranks for drivers to choose from.
Special Features:
- Suits Winter conditions perfectly due to superb traction.
- Interlocking treads ensure enhanced stability on dry surfaces.
- A long list of tires as well as tires for various vehicles indicates versatility.
- Extremely affordable.
2. Hankook Tires
Hankook is an older brand than Kumho, being founded in 1941 as Chosun Tire Company. It was named Hankook in 1953 and hasn’t looked back since. Hankook, like its counterpart, also offers exceptional tires suited to cooler weather. The variety is also greater than Kumho when it comes to how many types of vehicles these tires can be fitted on.
This versatility and variety ensure no matter what kind of vehicle you own, you can fit a Hankook tire on it. Some models can support a sports car as well as SUVs and pickups. The tires that support pickup trucks are suited for harsh winter conditions and the heavy load of work.
So, you can expect those tires to be exceptionally durable as well as damage resistant.
When working on icy surfaces, the biggest concern of drivers is whether they will be able to gain enough traction. The Hankook tires ensure that achieving maximum traction will be the last of their concerns due to some top-notch technologies. One such technology is the Husky grooves.
These grooves not only ensure greater traction but also make sure the handling is exceptional and the braking distances are kept short.
Nowadays, things that are manufactured keeping the future of planet earth in mind have an advantage in the market. In this aspect, Hankook has most of its competitors beat, as these are very eco-friendly tires and decrease the emission levels. Also, people want their tires to last longer and have a warranty for their long lives. The Hankook tires come with warranties of various lengths, depending on the models.
Special Features:
- Offers services of a wider variety of vehicles.
- Different tires offer different advantages to the vehicles they are mounted on.
- Excellent performances in harsh, cold weather
- Enhanced traction and handling are ensured by Husky Grooves.
- Eco-friendly.
- Comes with a warranty.
Kumho Vs Hankook: Which One Is Better?
Both Kumho and Hankook have some top-quality tires with some exceptional characteristics to back up their claim as the better tire. But if you look at the comparison between Kumho and Hankook, you can getthree criteria of the better tire-
- Performance
- Versatility and
- Affordability
Firstly, when it comes to performance, Hankook is ahead of Kumho. Hankook has options for every kind of vehicle out there and their tires are suited to the needs of each of them. The tires produced by Hankook have better stability at breakneck speeds, better cornering, and better steering response than those of Kumho.
Secondly, in the next criterion versatility- Hankook takes the crown again. Kumho tires are mainly made for SUVs, with only a few models that can be fitted onto other cars. Even then the options Kumho provides aren’t very great. Also, Kumho tires are only meant for cars that run on fossil fuel.
Hankook, on the other hand, provides tires for every kind of car out there. So, they have more versatility. Also, the entire Hankook iON family is meant to be mounted on electric cars, making them more eco-friendly than Kumho.
Lastly,in the criterion of affordability, Kumho beats Hankook, but only just. Kumho tires are in general cheaper than Hankook ones. But what Hankook loses in prices, they more than make up for it by providing warranties, which is a big plus.
people also ask (FAQs)
1. Is Kumho A Good Brand?
When it comes to all-season and high-performance tires, Kumho is one of the bests out there. Their tire designs are fuel-efficient and high-tech. But this doesn’t mean that these tires are out of the affordable price range. But when it comes to all-terrain tires, Kumho is not the best choice.
2. Are Hankook Tire Any Good?
When it comes to affordable tires that are also very versatile, Hankook is among the best brands in the market. They also provide a warranty, which makes them very attractive to people who want tires on a budget. Also, Hankook provides tires for every kind of car out there.
Final Words
If there is one thing that can be learned from the comparative analysis of Kumho vs Hankook, is both are good in their ways. While Hankook is better in terms of performance and versatility, Kumho has the upper hand when it comes to affordability.