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Last updated 11/21/2024 - Originally published 11/21/2024
Written by SimpleTire
Hankook Tires and Kumho Tires are two popular tire manufacturers known for their range of premium and performance-oriented tires. Hankook is a popular tire manufacturer based out of South Korea, founded in the 1940s, and offers a range of tires for passenger and commercial vehicles.
On the other hand, Kumho was founded in 1960, is a wholly-owned brand of Chinese tire company Doublestar, and offers a range of next-gen tires for passengers and commercial vehicles. Both brands offer a range of tires in different categories such as all-season, all-terrain, ultra-high-performance, winter, summer, all-weather, and many more.
All-season tires are known for their versatility and longevity. These tires are designed to offer consistent traction, responsive handling, and longer tread life in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions, making them a popular choice among daily drivers. Today, we will look at two all-season tires from the brands - Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) vs Kumho Solus TA51a. We will discuss a few similarities and differences between these two great all-season tires designed for passenger vehicles in this Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tire comparison.
Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) tires
The Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) is an all-season tire designed for use on sedans, coupes, SUVs, and CUVs, and offers drivers great wet traction, reliable handling, and improved durability. The tire is built with wide lateral grooves and a step-wing shoulder design for enhanced wet traction and is also backed by a limited manufacturer tread life warranty of 70,000 miles.
Thanks to these features, the Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) received an average SimpleScore of 8.6 out of 10.
Kumho Solus TA51a tires
The Kumho Solus TA51a is an all-season tire designed for use on passenger vehicles and offers drivers year-round traction, reliable handling with a long tread life. The tire is built with noise-cancelling tread for a comfortable and quiet ride and is also backed by 75,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty on T-speed rated sizes and a 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty on sizes with an H-speed rating and above.
The Kumho Solus TA51a is also backed by Kumho’s Road Hazard Warrant and a full refund or exchange within 30 days from the purchase date (restrictions and limitations apply). Thanks to these features, the Kumho Solus TA51a received an average SimpleScore of 8.8 out of 10.
Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tires on traction
Traction is crucial across all tire categories, determining how well a tire performs on both wet and dry surfaces. It plays a key role in maintaining vehicle control, particularly at high speeds or in slick conditions like water, slush, mud, snow, and ice. A tire's traction is shaped by its advanced rubber compound, tread design, and internal structure.
In traction, the Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) received a great score of 8.3 thanks to the wide lateral grooves within the tread profile that offer hydroplaning resistance paired with a step-wing shoulder design that maximizes water evacuation for improved safety of wet surfaces.
The Kumho Solus TA51a scored a great score of 8.6 in traction thanks to the four wide linear grooves that improve hydroplaning resistance by improving water drainage.
In traction, the Kumho Solus TA51a takes the lead with a better SimpleScore making it the winner here.
ADVANTAGE: Kumho Solus TA51a
Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tires on handling
When buying a tire, it's vital to consider its handling, as this directly affects your control over the vehicle, especially at higher speeds. Quality handling ensures smooth maneuvering, effortless turning, and easy lane changes, greatly improving your driving experience. The tread design, rubber composition, and advanced technological features of the tire are key factors that influence its handling performance.
The Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) received a great score of 8.6 in handling thanks to the wide surface contact area that offers a confident steering response and stability, even in harsh driving conditions.
In handling, the Kumho Solus TA51a received a great score of 8.6 as well thanks to the high silica chamfer block edge that bites into the road, which in turn improves handling.
Both tires scored 8.6 in handling and will deliver reliable and confident grip in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions.
ADVANTAGE: Tie
Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tires on longevity
When choosing tires, longevity is a key consideration for many drivers, as it dictates how long you can drive before requiring a replacement. As the tread wears over time, selecting tires with extended durability is essential for maintaining consistent handling and traction. Longevity is influenced by factors like tread pattern, rubber compound formulation, and the overall tire design.
In longevity, the Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) received an excellent score of 9.1 thanks to the wide surface contact area that resists uneven tread wear for a longer tread life. Additionally, the stiff tread blocks of the tire further improve strength and durability, resulting in a longer tread life. The Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) is backed by a 70,000 miles limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
The Kumho Solus TA51a received an excellent score of 9.3 in longevity thanks to a unique tread design that resists uneven tread wear, which is also aided by high silica chamfer block edges. Additionally, the tire has a low rolling resistance design that reduces fuel consumption without compromising on performance. The Kumho Solus TA51a is also backed by an up to 75,000 miles limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
In longevity, the Kumho Solus TA51a scores better in SimpleScore and also delivers a better mileage warranty for selected sizes, making it the clear winner here.
ADVANTAGE: Kumho Solus TA51a
When to use each
Both Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) and Kumho Solus TA51a are top-of-the-line all-season tires designed for use throughout the year in dry, wet, or light winter weather conditions. These tires are designed to deliver great traction on wet and dry road surfaces and are most suited on paved roads. Additionally, as these tires are not Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, they should not be used in moderate to severe winter weather conditions, where winter tires are more suited.
Which one should you choose?
So which all-season tire might be the right fit for you? Well, the answer solely depends on your personal preference as both tires have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the Hankook tire scores better in all avenues and is a tire from one of the leading tire manufacturers in the world. This tire is sure to compliment your vehicle and ensure excellent all-round performance. The Kumho Solus TA51a while lagging in SimpleScores as compared to the Hankook tire, still delivers solid performance. Another important factor to consider before purchasing a tire is its price, where the Kumho tire justifies its performance.
The Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) costs around $112.96 per tire or $451.84 for a set. Conversely, the Kumho Solus TA51a costs around $93 per tire or $372 for a set of the same size. (Note - Prices may vary depending on the tire size.)
Based on SimpleScore, you should purchase the Hankook Kinergy GT (H436) if you:
- Drive a vehicle like the Ford Fusion or a something like the Nissan Rogue
- Are willing to pay more for a great set of tires
On the other hand, you should choose the Kumho Solus TA51a if you:
- Drive something like the Dodge Caravan, or a car like the Mazda 3
- Want a tire with better traction (8.6 v 8.3) and longevity (9.3 v 9.1)
- Want a tire with a better mileage warranty (75,000 v 70,000 miles)
- Want a tire with a brand warranty - Kumho’s Road Hazard Warranty, and a full refund or exchange within 30 days from the purchase date. (restrictions and limitations apply)
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.