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Hankook Tire named Auto Bild's No.1 Summer Tire Manufacturer for technological excellence

In the tire industry, technological excellence alone does not automatically earn trust. It is only through third-party verification that it truly earns trust. In this regard, the German automotive magazine ‘Auto Bild’ serves as a benchmark rather than merely a media outlet.

Since its launch in 1986, Auto Bild has established itself as Europe’s leading automotive publication. Its influence stems not only from its reputation as a specialist publication but also from its rigorous testing methodology. For tire evaluations, Auto Bild bypasses manufacturer-provided samples, instead purchasing products directly from the retail market. The process involves driving thousands of kilometers on public roads in conjunction with rigorous track testing. Through this process, Auto Bild provides objective assessments that have become a globally recognized benchmark for validating tire performance and technological capability.

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The first-place test performance of the Ventus evo led to Hankook Tire being named a “Top Manufacturer.” © Auto Bild

What makes a tire ‘proven,’ not just ‘good’

It comprehensively evaluates various factors, including wet and dry braking, high-speed handling, aquaplaning resistance, wear, noise, and rolling resistance. This process goes beyond merely ranking specific performance attributes. It also reveals how conflicting performance factors are balanced. Consequently, the significance of this testing is clear. Auto Bild’s evaluations are viewed not as simple reviews, but as benchmarks that objectively validate a tire’s technological prowess. In other words, it is the process of shifting technology from the realm of ‘explanation’ to that of ‘verification.’

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Seen from this perspective, Hankook Tire’s 2026 achievements carry significance far beyond simply winning awards. This year's results demonstrate that product evaluations have converged into a single, unified outcome. The progression from Ventus evo’s two wins and the strong performance of Ventus S1 evo Z to Hankook Tire being named ‘Summer Tire Manufacturer of the Year’ clearly demonstrates that the company’s entire summer performance lineup has been validated through third-party verification.

Brand competitiveness validated by consistent test results

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At the center of it all is Ventus evo.

This product was named a ‘Test Winner’ after taking first place in both the Auto Bild and Auto Bild Allrad tests. This result was achieved by taking first place in the final round among the top 20 products after advancing through preliminary testing that included 50 tire models. Viewing this achievement merely as a ‘first-place’ finish does not capture its full significance. What Ventus evo demonstrated was not superiority in a single category, but consistent performance across diverse conditions. These performance areas include wet and dry braking, high-speed handling, aquaplaning resistance, and mileage. Given the trade-offs inherent in tire performance, the key achievement is that Ventus evo maintained a balance across all these parameters.

Improving one aspect of performance often comes at the expense of another. For instance, enhancing braking can accelerate wear, while reducing rolling resistance may weaken grip. Ventus evo is the result of overcoming these trade-offs beyond conventional limits. This outcome should be interpreted not merely as a set of performance figures, but as a testament to Hankook Tire’s high-performance tire engineering capabilities and accumulated technological expertise.

The next product to highlight is the Ventus S1 evo Z.

This product was recognized for its competitiveness as an ultra-high-performance tire, earning a 'Good' rating in the Auto Bild Sportscars test. This recognition is significant because the evaluation comprehensively assesses braking performance, driving stability, and efficiency under demanding conditions involving high speeds, heavy loads, and precise handling. These results demonstrate that the Ventus S1 evo Z delivers the performance and stability required for high-performance driving environments.

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These two results ultimately converge into a single conclusion. Hankook Tire was ranked No. 1 as the ‘Summer Tire Manufacturer of the Year’ by Auto Bild in 2026. Unlike an award based on a single test result, this recognition is derived from the aggregation of test data collected over the past year, validating the technological capability and performance consistency of Hankook Tire’s entire summer tire lineup rather than a specific product.

There is one more point worth noting. Hankook Tire also ranked third overall in Auto Bild’s ‘All-Season Tire Manufacturer’ category this year. This recognition demonstrates competitiveness not only in the ultra-high-performance (UHP) segment, but also across all-season lineups such as the comfort-oriented Kinergy brand. It further shows that Hankook Tire’s technological capabilities are not confined to a specific segment. Likewise, iON FlexClimate demonstrated its competitiveness in both the all-season and EV segments by earning the Auto Bild Test Winner title.

Technoring: The Testbed for Hankook Tire's Full Lineup

Technology Trusted by Consumers and Partners

Ultimately, Hankook Tire’s achievements in Auto Bild’s 2026 evaluations represent more than a series of test results. They validate not only the performance of individual products, but also the strength of Hankook Tire’s integrated R&D and testing capabilities, reinforcing trust in the brand’s technology among consumers, partners, and the global market.

<Hankook Tire's Auto Bild Test Award Results>

Tire Magazine Issue Number Publication Date Tire Size Result Position Test Car
HK All Summer Tires Auto Bild 13/2026 26 March 2026 - Top Manufacturer of the Year – Summer Tire 1 of 50 -
iON FlexClimate Auto Bild 21/2026 21 May 2026 215/55 R18 Test Winner 1 of 9 Kia EV3, Cupra Born
Ventus
S1 evo Z		 Auto Bild Sportscars 4/2026 23 March 2026 255/35 R19
275/35 R19		 Good (shared)
5 of 7		 BMW Z4
Ventus evo Auto Bild 10/2026 5 March 2026 245/45 R19 Test Winner (sole)
1 of 50		 BMW 5
Auto Bild Allrad 12/2026 19 March 2026 255/45 R19 Test Winner (sole)
1 of 9		 Audi Q3
Kinergy 4S 2 Auto Bild 39/2025 25 September 2025 225/40 R18 Exemplary 5 of 30 VW GTI
Auto Bild Allrad 42/2024 17 October 2024 245/45 R18 Test Winner (shared)
1 of 10		 Cupra Formentor


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