Continental SecureContact AW vs Hankook Weatherflex GT tires

The German tire manufacturer, Continental, has a wide portfolio of tires with an excellent presence across the globe. Rolling out tires for CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, and passenger cars, Continental offers tires in all-season, all-weather, all-terrain, winter, rugged-terrain, and mud-terrain tires. Similarly, Hankook is also one of the world’s largest tire makers with a global presence. It, too, manufactures tires under different categories for various vehicle types.

If you are looking for a capable all-weather tire that offers exceptional grip, traction, and performance year-round, including moderate to severe winter, the SecureContact AW from Continental and the Weatherflex GT from Hankook are the two best bets. Unlike traditional all-season tires, both models carry the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, indicating they are designed to handle winter conditions without requiring a seasonal swap. This comparison review dives into the technical nuances that separate these two heavyweights, focusing on how they balance the conflicting demands of summer heat and winter ice.

The Continental SecureContact AW uses an advanced rubber compound designed to remain flexible in freezing temperatures while maintaining stability in warm weather. The Continental tire focuses on a plush, quiet ride and exceptional wet-braking performance. On the other side, the Hankook Weatherflex GT leans into a more aggressive, value-forward approach, featuring a high-silica compound and a distinct V-shaped tread pattern optimized for rapid slush and water evacuation.

Which one is a better choice? Let’s compare the Continental SecureContact AW vs Hankook Weatherflex GT tires based on their performance in SimpleScore, which is our proprietary scoring mechanism that rates each tire on the basis of traction, handling, and longevity on a scale of 0 to 10.

Continental SecureContact AW tires

Launched in January 2026, the Continental SecureContact AW is a standout tire in the all-weather category that eliminates the need for seasonal tire swaps. As a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified tire, it returns great year-round performance, including moderate to severe snow conditions, while maintaining the refined handling Continental is known for. Its advanced all-weather rubber compound remains flexible in freezing temperatures while staying stable in hot summers. The SecureContact AW’s performance-oriented tread design enhances wet grip and resists hydroplaning, while the comfort-focused construction minimizes road noise.

With an overall SimpleScore of 9.2, the Continental SecureContact AW is a great option for drivers seeking a balanced tire that handles unpredictable snow and rain with equal confidence.

Get Continental SecureContact AW tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Hankook Weatherflex GT tires

Introduced in January 2026, the Hankook Weatherflex GT is an excellent all-weather tire designed to offer superior performance for drivers facing unpredictable climates. Carrying the 3PMSF rating, the Hankook bridges the gap between traditional all-season tires and dedicated winter ones. With a directional V-shaped tread pattern, the Weatherflex GT slices through slush and evacuates water quickly to mitigate the risk of hydroplaning. Constructed with a high-silica compound, the Weatherflex GT maintains its grip in freezing temperatures while resisting premature wear.

With a 9.0 overall SimpleScore, the Hankook Weatherflex GT is a great option for budget-conscious drivers who want premium year-round practicality and dependable winter traction.

Get Hankook Weatherflex GT tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Continental SecureContact AW vs Hankook Weatherflex GT tires on traction

Traction largely defines the performance of all-weather tires. As they stay on your vehicle throughout the year, they need to handle dry pavement, rain, and even snow. In the traction battle, both tires are superb, but one is comfortably ahead of the other. Let’s have a look at their performance.

The Continental SecureContact AW bags an outstanding traction score of 9.3. The 3PMSF symbol on this all-weather tire demonstrates its capacity to perform confidently in freezing conditions. Thanks to its asymmetrical tread pattern and EcoPlus Technology, the SecureContact AW enjoys shorter stopping distances on wet roads. With its DWS wear indicators, drivers can check when dry, wet, or snow performance starts fading. The rides feel planted and well-controlled on rain-soaked highways and icy mornings.

On the other hand, the Hankook Weatherflex GT scores 8.6 in traction. Thanks to its zig-zag grooves and widened lateral channels, along with high sipe density, the tire gets plenty of biting edges. This helps drivers navigate with decent control on snow and wet pavement. This tire also comes with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating, which makes it suitable for use in severe winter conditions.

With a higher score, the Continental SecureContact AW wins the traction race, beating the Hankook tire by a big margin.

ADVANTAGE: Continental SecureContact AW

Continental SecureContact AW vs Hankook Weatherflex GT tires on handling

Handling determines how well it responds when you turn the steering wheel or change lanes. The Continental and Hankook tires are pretty good in handling, but here too one turns out to be a better option. Let’s check it out.

Securing a phenomenal handling score of 9.1, the Continental SecureContact AW assures composed rides thanks to its asymmetrical tread design that keeps the contact patch stable. On the other hand, the built-in alignment verification system reduces the chances of irregular wear that can affect steering over time. Whether cruising along the highway or travelling through the city traffic, you’ll experience predictable steering, even in colder months.

Contrarily, the Hankook Weatherflex GT comes with a great handling score of 8.6. Thanks to its 3D GripKontrol sipes and directional tread pattern, the tread block movement remains limited during cornering. During moderate turns, the Hankook tire feels stable, while drivers enjoy stability at high speeds. The road contact remains decent in wet conditions due to the presence of widened grooves that help evacuate water quickly.

The Continental SecureContact AW, with a stronger handling score and more refined steering feel, wins in terms of handling, too.

ADVANTAGE: Continental SecureContact AW

Continental SecureContact AW vs Hankook Weatherflex GT tires on longevity

Longevity continues to be a major quality parameter for all-weather tires. As these tires stay on your vehicle throughout the year, you would expect them to endure heat, rain, and snow without wearing out too quickly. And that’s exactly the case with these tires. However, now we have a surprise element!

The Continental SecureContact AW comes with an impressive longevity score of 9.2. Backed by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Continental tire features a UTQG rating of 700AA, which defines its long-wear design. The alignment verification system of the tire helps drivers detect suspension/alignment issues early to prevent uneven wear. Over time, it retains shape and delivers consistent performance.

The Hankook Weatherflex GT, on the other hand, stands out with an exceptional longevity score of 9.9. Backed by a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Hankook tire features a UTQG of 720AA and a reinforced tread design, which mark its ability to go the distance. The Weatherflex GT is suitable for drivers who travel long distances.

The Hankook Weatherflex GT emerges as the better option in longevity with its superior score of 9.9 and a longer 70,000 mile warranty.

ADVANTAGE: Hankook Weatherflex GT

When to use each

All-weather tires deliver a balanced mix of traction, handling, and longevity throughout the year. They are suitable for drivers who want consistent performance without changing tires every season.

The Continental SecureContact AW might be the right choice for your vehicle if you want stronger wet braking and overall sharper control, particularly in unpredictable weather. However, you may consider going with the Hankook Weatherflex GT if you prefer a long tread life and cover longer distances.

Which one should you choose?

To sum up, the ultimate decision depends on what matters to you the most. If you prefer better traction and handling, opt for the Continental SecureContact AW as it gains an edge in overall control and performance on wet roads. However, the Hankook Weatherflex GT should be your pick if you want an all-weather tire with a longer service life.

For the 225/60R17 99H tire size, the Continental SecureContact AW costs $190 per tire, and the cost of four such tires comes to $760. On the other hand, the Hankook Weatherflex GT costs around $184 per tire, which brings the cost of four such tires to $736 (a difference of $24).

Based on SimpleScore, you may choose the Continental SecureContact AW if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Kia Telluride, or the Subaru Crosstrek
• Want better traction (9.3 vs 8.6)
• Want better handling (9.1 vs 8.6)

You may choose the Hankook Weatherflex GT if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord
• Want better longevity (9.9 vs 9.2)
• Prefer a tire with a longer warranty (70,000 miles vs 60,000 miles)

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.