The Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 is an “ultra high performance” all season tire that’s supposed to deliver all weather capability, and respectable handling + cornering performance. In other words, it’s intended to be versatile enough for all roads, seasons, and conditions, and amenable to enthusiast drivers as well.
So does it deliver?
Dry Condition Performance
Let’s get a low point out of the way first:
The Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 is not an elite “ultra high performance” tire of the variety often associated with that classification. The “ultra high performance” tag is perhaps a bit of a misnomer here.
With a fraction of the feel, grip, and max performance of a tire like the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, it’s likely not the tire you’d choose to go carve up a mountain road. Straight line traction is adequate, but in the corners the more relaxed characteristics of the tire become evident. Push a bit and you’ll both feel and hear Ventus S1 noble2 objection.
However, excluding the dry weather performance context, in all other dry conditions the Ventus S1 noble2 is a fantastic tire. It’s quiet, compliant, and comfortable, and after about 7,000 miles of street and highway there’s plenty of treadlife left.
Wet Weather Traction/Performance
The Ventus S1 noble2 is a capable tire in wet road conditions.
We experienced standing water on recent highway trips, and it never skipped a beat. The Ventus S1 noble2 was composed the whole way, including through some significant puddling that would have had inferior wet weather performers hydroplaning. It’s strong under braking on wet roads as well.
As in dry conditions, the Ventus S1 noble2 lacks the connected feel and sharpness of an elite performance tire, but does the job when it rains nonetheless.
So no complaints in the wet weather department.
Winter/Snow Performance
…is ok. Not on par with Continental’s DWS, another all season performance option.
Our take is that the Ventus S1 noble2 works adequately with a rear wheel drive car, up to ~3″ of snow, and an abundance of caution. The Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 is not a snow tire and does not provide equivalent winter weather performance. In more challenging winter conditions — the wet snow pictured just below, for example — the Ventus S1 noble2 struggles.
At the same time, in dry, cold and even sub zero conditions, the Ventus S1 noble2 performs very respectably with sufficient grip and comfort. Long after the Pilot Super Sports of the world have turned to ineffective hockey pucks, the Ventus S1 noble2 remains in its element. In combination with adequate dry and wet weather performance characteristics, and the affordability factor (it’s one of the more affordable performance all season tires), the Ventus S1 noble2 becomes an appealing option.
Conclusion
The Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 delivers a fraction of the capability in each performance category as compared to the more focused options. It provides ~70% of a snow tire’s capability, ~80% of a summer performance tire’s maximum grip, you get the picture…
But given fair expectations we’d say the Ventus S1 noble2 delivers. You can’t track ’em, and you’re not going to match the winter tire capability of a Blizzak, but in exchange you gain convenience and solid year-round drivability at a reasonable price.
One year…
A recent tire changeover back to the Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 has us once again appreciating some of its excellent qualities.
For one thing, the Ventus S1 noble2 is a strikingly quiet tire. This latest tire changeover has permitted a direct comparison to both the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (summer performance tire) and Continental ControlContact Sport A/S (a competing performance all season). The Ventus S1 noble2 is quieter than both by a long shot. Where the Michelin and Continental “hummm” and “slap” over various surfaces the Ventus S1 noble2 is closer to silent.
Ventus S1 noble2 reintroduction has also brought its blend of compliance and ride quality into focus. Our BMW M3 is equipped with track-oriented suspension, and we feel everything, everything… So when a tire offers some semblance of compliance and comfort it’s immediately noticeable.
But at the same time, and while limited in terms of maximum performance, the Ventus S1 noble2 is not a lazy or “soft” tire. In fact, we’d say that it delivers sharp handling, and feels on its toes. As indicated above, it won’t respond like a summer performance tire when really pushed, but at 6/10 or 7/10 and around town it’s very good, and provides sufficient feedback.
In the high performance all season tire category the Ventus S1 noble2 may be a bit overlooked, but given its blend of performance, comfort, and price/value it’s certainly worth considering.
Just don’t plan to lean on it too heavily through winter, or expect elite performance summer tire responses to hard driving.
