The Hankook Optimo H426B is the run-flat version of the Optimo H426 tire and is designed for use on coupes, sedans, and CUVs. This all-season tire is engineered to offer improved driving comforts, strong year-round traction, and confident driving performance. While designing this tire, the key factors that affect the ownership and driving performance like fuel efficiency, noise reduction, style, and wet braking have also been minutely focused by the manufacturer.

To give the buyers a thorough analysis, we have covered the features and benefits, pros and cons, vehicle compatibility, and other important details in this Hankook Optimo H426B review. Read on to find out if this tire can fulfill your driving needs.

Features and Benefits

The Optimo H426B is an all-season tire that provides traction and grip in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions. This means you are not required to swap these tires with the change in season as they can be used year-round. Hankook has incorporated its tried and tested technologies and features in the Optimo H426B, which return some outstanding results discussed below:

• Exceptional year-round performance – This tire features an all-season tread design that has rib-type micro sipes on the shoulder blocks for exceptional year-round performance. The micro sipes on the center of tread blocks improve water drainage and provide confident drives on dry pavement. The all-season tread compound of the tire provides adequate flexibility in various temperatures, thus enhancing traction in dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions. Additionally, the contact patch design of the Optimo H426B is optimized with computational analysis for excellent grip and braking performance.
• Better fuel efficiency – The tire is built using state-of-the-art silica compound that reduces rolling resistance and allows the tire to reduce fuel consumption. The rib-type micro groove design of the tread edge block also contributes to the fuel efficiency factor.
• Improved wet braking and performance – Hankook has mainly focused on improving the wet weather performance of this tire. The longitudinal grooves of the tire are designed to easily channel water from the contact patch area for reduced risk of hydroplaning and improved wet traction. The diamond block design and center sipes also improve water drainage and improve driving performance. The advanced silica tread compound helps achieve better wet grip and improves wet braking performance.
• Reduced noise levels – The tire features edges on the main grooves to reduce noise. The rounded edges at the corners of the blocks minimize the tread noise generated while driving.
• Longer and even wear – The optimized contact patch design helps in even wear and the rib-type microgroove design of the tread edge block also prevents irregular wear, thus ensuring longer service life. Additionally, Hankook’s advanced double tread radius design distributes the tread pressure across the contact patch area to prevent uneven wear.
• Run-flat performance – The Optimo H426B is a run-flat version of the Optimo H426, which means the driver can drive the vehicle for up to 50 miles at a speed of less than 50 mph during a puncture or pressure loss.

The Optimo H426B is available in 16- and 17-inch rim sizes and its commonly offered tire sizes are:

• 195/55R16
• 205/45R17

Pros and Cons

Let’s now take a look at the pros and cons of the Optimo H428B, starting with its advantages first:

PROS:

• More comfortable and quieter rides than its peers.
• Better stability and cornering than other tires in the segment.
• Impressive wet traction and braking performance.
• More fuel efficient than some of its counterparts.
• Features run-flat technology for uninterrupted drives during punctures or air pressure loss.
• More affordable than the competitors.
• No tire is perfect and likewise is the case with the Hankook Optimo H426B as it has some negatives that may divide opinions.

CONS:

• Very limited sizes are offered.
• No limited manufacturer tread life warranty is offered.
• Not designed for use in regions where temperatures are less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Longevity isn’t the best in the category.

SimpleTire’s view on Hankook Optimo H426B tires

If you need tires for your luxury performance sedan, coupe, or CUV that can perform year-round and offer enhanced comfort levels by absorbing road vibrations very remarkably, then the Hankook Optimo H426B can be one of the most value-for-money choices. Its tread pattern is optimized to control the tread noise levels and provide better stability and cornering than many other competing tires in the category.

The traction and braking performance of this tire in wet conditions is impressive, but in winter weather conditions it fails to impress. The tire is also engineered to boost fuel efficiency and its run-flat technology is an added advantage, especially in case of punctures or loss of air pressure. The service life of the tire isn’t the best in the category and it isn’t offered with any limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which might not concern some buyers. Additionally, the tire also has compatibility issues as it is offered in very limited tire sizes.

This tire competes against the likes of Bridgestone DriveGuard, Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season, Continental ContiProContact - SSR, and Yokohama Avid ENVigor ZPS.

Vehicles the Hankook Optimo H426B is an OEM tire for

Designed for coupes, sedans, and SUVs, the Hankook Optimo H426 is an Original Equipment tire for the 2013 Mini Cooper Hardtop and 2014 Mini Cooper S Hardtop.

Vehicles the Hankook Optimo H426B is a good replacement tire for

The Hankook Optimo H426 can also be used as a replacement tire on Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Honda CR-Z, Hyundai Accent, Alfa Romeo 4C, Volvo 850, and Mazda MX-5 Miata.