Hankook iON EVO SUV tires: Snow Performance Review

[mkhuffman]

I have 12,000+ miles on my Hankook iON evo SUV tires and this winter we got snow in Virginia! I love snow.

Based on the wet performance of the tires, I expected poor snow performance. To be clear: the wet performance of the tires are not bad, just not excellent. There is definitely less wet traction due to the low rolling resistance compound and design. So I expected they would be much worse in the snow. Nope.

Virginia is not Canada, or Minnesota. But we do get snow. Sometimes. I have driven in a lot of snow over my years of driving. In my opinion, these tires perform pretty much on par with the other All Season (AS) tires I have used. A good reference is the Continental DWS tires, which I really like for all around performance.

In the snow, the Hankooks have surprising grip, and I did not experience any unusual sliding. Of course this is not in comparison to a snow tire, this is in comparison with other AS tires. I never felt like I would get stuck because the tires could not get traction. I floored it a few times, expecting massive sliding, only to be surprised again with how well they dug into the snow.

To be clear, these tires are designed for efficiency and comfort. They excel in low noise and smooth travel. They are extremely efficient. Wet traction is less than a higher rolling resistance tire, such as the DWS. But if you value efficiency, these are great tires. They won’t get you stuck in the snow unless you are stupid and are trying to use your car as a snowplow. LOL.

I am a huge fan of the Hankook iON evo SUV tires. Huge.

And then just a picture of my car with snow in the background because it looks so awesome. This car is still one of best-looking vehicles on the road, 3.5 years later.

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[silverelan]

What kind of efficiency do you see on the freeway at normal temps?

How are they, comfort-wise vs the original Continental tires?

 

[mkhuffman]

What kind of efficiency do you see on the freeway at normal temps?

How are they, comfort-wise vs the original Continental tires?

I explained a lot of that in this thread:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...-45-20-hankook-ion-on-my-gt-updated-op.33940/

After I posted that thread, I have put a lot more miles on the car. The tires have maintained the high comfort and low noise properties, without any noticeable change. So far, they are excellent, and better than the OEM tires in those attributes.

The OEM Contis have slightly better traction, but the difference is not big.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Just imagine how you’d feel if you had proper snow tires like an x-ice. Magic.

 

[dan_meh]

You and I live close to each other! I see the Crystal City (sorry, National Landing ?) sign.

As an EV noob, I wasn’t sure what to expect from high torque and low rolling resistance tires. I was really surprised at how well the car did in the original tires. Maybe the weight helps?

I only have about 7k miles so I’m going to run the original tires until they need replacement. I very much appreciate your advice and the advice on these forums.

 

[mkhuffman]

You and I live close to each other! I see the Crystal City (sorry, National Landing ?) sign.

As an EV noob, I wasn’t sure what to expect from high torque and low rolling resistance tires. I was really surprised at how well the car did in the original tires. Maybe the weight helps?

I only have about 7k miles so I’m going to run the original tires until they need replacement. I very much appreciate your advice and the advice on these forums.

I will always call it Crystal City.

The weight is great when accelerating in snow but braking in slippery conditions is not when you want a heavy vehicle.

Be very careful with 1PD because the wheels will lock up if you lift your foot off the accelerator, which is what you are supposed to do in an ICEV. In a BEV with 1PD turned on, you want to keep your foot on the accelerator and modulate it carefully as you are slowing down.

To be safe you can turn off 1PD. I don't do that. Safety second. Fun first.

 

[dan_meh]

I will always call it Crystal City.

Amen.

 

[tuminatr]

You and I live close to each other! I see the Crystal City (sorry, National Landing ?) sign.

As an EV noob, I wasn’t sure what to expect from high torque and low rolling resistance tires. I was really surprised at how well the car did in the original tires. Maybe the weight helps?

I only have about 7k miles so I’m going to run the original tires until they need replacement. I very much appreciate your advice and the advice on these forums.

it's the traction control. I recently had my MME serviced and they reset one of the modules (not sure what one / ones) it was an odd experience to drive the car home without the stability system, traction control, one-petal drive, regenerative brakes, ETC. Some of the systems came back on on the drive but some didn't until my 40-minute drive was almost over.

What I am getting at is that with everything turned off, the car is not very pleasant to drive, especially in a Minnesota winter.

 

[snowdoggie]

I have 12,000+ miles on my Hankook iON evo SUV tires and this winter we got snow in Virginia! I love snow.

I am a huge fan of the Hankook iON evo SUV tires. Huge.

Price? and price compared to Michelins/OEM in your area?

 

[rreddy3]

I will always call it Crystal City.

The weight is great when accelerating in snow but braking in slippery conditions is not when you want a heavy vehicle.

Be very careful with 1PD because the wheels will lock up if you lift your foot off the accelerator, which is what you are supposed to do in an ICEV. In a BEV with 1PD turned on, you want to keep your foot on the accelerator and modulate it carefully as you are slowing down.

To be safe you can turn off 1PD. I don't do that. Safety second. Fun first.

National Landing? Never heard of it. Then again, I live out in the western fringes of the county that remains of Lord Fairfax’ once vast estate. News travels slowly out to the hinterland ?. I agree, it’s Crystal City.

I go back and forth in one v two pedal. My preference in the snow and slushy gunk is two pedal. I can better finesse modulating the braking using the brake pedal than by feathering the throttle one way or the other in one pedal. I agree there’s no right or wrong, it’s preference/comfort level. Also agree it goes like a beast in the snow, especially with snowtires.

I’m going to re-read your thoughts on the Hankook’s rain/wet performance Mike. I’ve been leaning toward Pirelli but they probably aren’t as range efficient as the Hankook.

 

[rreddy3]

Amen.

Daniel, enjoy your new car. I think the Mach E is a hoot. It never fails to make me smile when I drive it.

 

[mkhuffman]

Price? and price compared to Michelins/OEM in your area?

Actually my purchase decision didn't factor in price. I think of you compare on Tire Rack you can get a good idea regarding that. Sorry.

 

[mkhuffman]

It snowed again here and I had a chance to drive on some slippery roads again. And the tires performed just as well as before. They really are pretty decent in snowy conditions. About as good as you can expect from an all-weather Tire.

 

[tuminatr]

It snowed again here and I had a chance to drive on some slippery roads again. And the tires performed just as well as before. They really are pretty decent in snowy conditions. About as good as you can expect from an all-weather Tire.

I will give you that these are fine for winter at least as good as the factory tires but if they could pass the three peak mountain snowflake test that is required for all weather they would.

I would bet if we scientifically tested them against an all weather you would see all weather is significantly better in wet, dry and snow. All weather like the Quatrac Pro+ I run are not much of a difference in efficiency either maybe 2% less efficient than the hankook.

 

[mkhuffman]

I will give you that these are fine for winter at least as good as the factory tires but if they could pass the three peak mountain snowflake test that is required for all weather they would.

I would bet if we scientifically tested them against an all weather you would see all weather is significantly better in wet, dry and snow. All weather like the Quatrac Pro+ I run are not much of a difference in efficiency either maybe 2% less efficient than the hankook.

I should have said "all season" instead of "all weather". For sure they are not equivalent to three peak mountain snowflake tires in the snow. IMO, anyway. So I agree with you about that.

But I can say these are not slick in the snow like I expected them to be. They feel similar to other all season tires I have used in the past, like the the ExtremeContact DWS 06. (To be clear, the DWS has better dry and wet traction - I am only referring to my experience in the snow with both tires.)

You have way more tire experience than I do, but I am skeptical the iONs are only 2% more efficient than the Quatrac Pro. I measured a 7% improvement over the OEM tires on my MME.

If you have not tested them yet, maybe give them a shot? I would love to read your impressions.

They are my favorite tires of all I have used in the past. Mainly because they are so efficient and yet still perform well in all areas. Not great, but well. (Smoothness and comfort are great, though.)

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