Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 Review: Ultra-High Performance Tires

“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”

Dry

95%

Wet

90%

Snow

80%

Comfort

95%

Noise

90%

Treadwear

85%

Overall

89%

Pros

  • Superb handling and cornering
  • Relentless traction and grip on wet roads
  • Comfortable ride
  • Sporty tread design

Cons

  • Tire roar at higher speeds

The Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 is one of my favorite tires. It costs less than comparable ultra-high performance tires but it performs like a true sporty tire. Of course, there are limits to what this tire can do on the road. This is not the tire to buy for racing or track days. It is more at home in the street and can give your sporty sedan a boost in handling and comfort. 

The Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 is a hybrid tire. Hankook merged the qualities of a high-performance and touring tire. The result is higher levels of grip than a humble set of all-season tires. It also manages to remain comfortable even during highly-spirited driving

But nothing is perfect. In this review, we’ll look deeper into the qualities and features of the Ventus S1 Noble2 to determine if this is the right tire for your vehicle. 

New Year Sale @Priority Tire
Valid through January 13, 2023
Available at PriorityTire.com

What are the features of the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2?

Hankook utilized a proprietary hybrid compound technology enhanced with silica. The goal is to improve wet and snow traction, reduce noise, and increase tread life. This gives the tire true all-season capabilities with the added benefit of a sportier driving feel.

The Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 benefits from an advanced aqua hydro block design using 3D hydroplaning simulation. This feature not only improves traction and braking in the wet, but it also enhances the handling and steering feel of your vehicle. The tire also comes with a straight rib block applied to the outside of the tire to enhance cornering grip while reducing road noise. 

The inside treads of the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 are equipped with 3D-designed kerfs. This feature improves the stability of the treads as it rolls over the pavement. The result is faster acceleration, stronger braking, and tighter handling. Block stiffness is guaranteed courtesy of tie bars on the edges of the treads. You can feel this tire gripping the road as you approach a fast corner. It makes no qualms about being a proper sporty tire!

The semi-rib asymmetric tread design also benefits from an optimal pitch arrangement to reduce road noise. The tire is manufactured using wider steel belts and a high-hardness filler so you can go drive hard without losing traction and grip. 

Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 Review

Is this really that good for sporty driving?

It depends on the type of vehicle and what you’re looking for in a tire. As I said, the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 is a true ultra-high performance tire. But for racing or tuned applications, this tire will leave you wanting for more. 

However, for stock sports carssports coupes, or fast sedans, this tire can do no wrong in terms of handling, braking, and cornering. But if you bring it to the track, don’t expect the tire to manage intense and precise cornering maneuvers. It takes a lot to unsettle the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2, which is not a problem if you do most of your driving in the street.

Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 Review

How does it perform in wet and snowy roads?

All the tech and features built into the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 enables it to handle light snow and cold weather driving with ease. But then again, I’m only talking about light snow. If you live in places with long and cold winters, you are better off with a proper set of snow tires. 

On wet roads, this tire is more than adequate. Braking felt strong and the handling remained composed even during sudden maneuvers in the wet. However, it is not impossible to breach the limits of grip that this tire can offer. Drive it appropriately and you’ll be rewarded with a genuine sporty feel even in the wettest roads.

Is it comfortable?

Performance tires are not usually known for comfort and refinement. But the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 is different. The comfort levels are more than decent. The tires can muffle the humps and bumps of potholes and craters on the road. It remains smooth and comfy at higher speeds as well. Overall, the comfortable nature of this tire is impressive given the sporting attributes. Mind you, not all ultra-high performance tires can deliver the premium comfort levels of the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2, most especially at this price point.

You can see more Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 Review here: By Car Rant

How about road noise?

This is the only known weakness of the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2. But the road noise will depend on a lot of factors as well. This includes the type of vehicle and the road surface. But generally speaking, this tire is relatively quiet at slow to medium speeds. Tire roar will start creeping in once you reach highway speeds. This tire could garner a higher score if not for the road noise. But then again, it’s not too bad to be considered a primary concern.

How about tire wear?

The Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 gets an average score in terms of tire wear. Hankook is offering a 6-years/50,000-mile tread life warranty for added peace of mind. You can’t expect performance tires to have the wear characteristics of a touring tire, but this tire comes close. Make sure to have the alignment checked to make the most out of your new set of Hankook tires.

Should I buy the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2?

If your vehicle demands a sporty tire that delivers dollops of comfort, you should definitely check out the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2. It’s not as affordable as cheap Chinese-made knock offs, but expect to spend around $450 to $550 for a set of new Ventus S1 tires.

Leave a Comment