Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tires

Established in 1947, Hankook is a South Korean tire manufacturer that offers a wide range of exciting tire lines for passenger cars, coupes, sedans, jeeps, SUVs, CUVs, pickup trucks, sports cars, and commercial vehicles. Challenging the Hankook is another Korean Hwarang, Kumho, with its excellent lineup of capable tires under different categories like all-season, all-terrain, mud-terrain, rugged-terrain, winter, summer, highway, ultra-high-performance (UHP), UHP all-season, and all-weather.

The high-mileage touring segment is a battleground of endurance, and the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) and Kumho Solus TA51a are two of the most formidable competitors. Both South Korean powerhouses have mastered the art of the marathon tire - engineered for drivers who prioritize a massive tread life warranty without sacrificing the quiet, comfortable ride required for long-distance cruising.

The Hankook Kinergy PT is a synonym of longevity, frequently cited for its class-leading mileage warranty. It utilizes a high-abrasion resistance carbon black compound that makes it one of the most durable ‘premium-touring’ tires ever produced. Meanwhile, the Kumho Solus TA51a positions itself as the more ‘tech-forward’ tire, incorporating 3D interlocking sipes and multi-functional polymers to sharpen its performance in wet and wintry conditions.

So, which one makes more sense? Let’s do the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tires comparison, where we stack them against each other and evaluate their performances in SimpleScore in traction, handling, and longevity traits. SimpleScore is our in-house mechanism that rates each attribute on a scale of 0 to 10. Let’s delve into further details.

Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) tires

Launched in September 2018, the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) is an excellent touring, all-season tire that offers great value on your investment. Designed for coupes, sedans, CUVs, and SUVs, the Hankook tire boasts exceptional longevity, great year-round grip, traction, and handling, and superior durability in dry, wet, and light snowy conditions.

Boasting an innovative tread design, the Kinergy PT offers increased hydroplaning resistance and improved wet performance on smooth surfaces. The optimized tread design cancels sound waves to deliver a quiet and comfortable ride quality. Backed by an excellent 75,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Hankook tire assures longer service life.

Securing an 8.3 overall SimpleScore, the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) assures great traction, grip, and handling along with incredible tread life.

Get Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Kumho Solus TA51a tires

Engineered for CUVs, passenger cars, minivans, and SUVs, the Kumho Solus TA51a was introduced in 2023. Replacing three Solus product lines, the Kumho tire features a special rubber compound that offers incredible light snow grip thanks to the high dispersion silica and multi-functional polymers.

While the chamfered block edges and interlocking sipes of the Solus TA51a improve tread block rigidity for improved handling and cornering, the four wide circumferential grooves allow quick water evacuation to resist hydroplaning and boost wet traction. Covered by road hazard assistance and a 30-day satisfaction trial, the Kumho tire is backed by an up to 75,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for T-speed-rated sizes and 65,000 miles for H and above-rated tires.

Achieving an 8.7 overall SimpleScore, the Kumho Solus TA51a returns solid handling, great traction, and impeccable tread life.

Get Kumho Solus TA51a tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tires on traction

When you buy an all-season tire, you need decent traction, as it plays a significant role in deciding how confident and safe you feel behind the wheel. As you go for daily commutes or drive on dry or wet roads, good traction provides consistent grip throughout the year. The Hankook and Kumho tires are very much there to qualify as a good all-season tire. Here are their traction reports.

Earning a traction score of 8.4, the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) offers a balanced ride in different conditions. It features circumferential grooves and aqua slant sipes that evacuate water efficiently, thereby improving wet grip and mitigating the risk of hydroplaning. With its asymmetric tread design, the tire offers better dry traction, which makes your rides stable and predictable when you apply brakes or accelerate. The rides feel composed and dependable in daily conditions.

At 8.6, the traction score of the Kumho Solus TA51a looks better, and drivers experience superior wet performance. It features a compound rich in silica and chamfered tread blocks, which improve bite on wet surfaces. Its four wide grooves, on the other hand, improve the drainage of water. In rainy conditions, it offers stronger braking performance, while it provides better consistency in grip across different temperatures.

With a better score, the Kumho Solus TA51a wins the traction race and beats the Hankook by a thin margin.

ADVANTAGE: Kumho Solus TA51a

Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tires on handling

The handling of an all-season tire determines how well your car responds to your steering. It defines the overall control, manoeuvrability, and comfort as you drive. The Kinergy PT and Solus TA51a yet again put up a great fight, and one of them wins the tussle by a small margin.

The Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) returns a great handling score of 8.6, and you’ll feel stable and well-balanced with these tires. It features a rigid center rib and stiff sidewalls, which significantly boost steering response. At higher speeds, you’ll feel the car more planted. With its asymmetric tread pattern, the Kinergy PT (H737) helps maintain control during cornering, making it a dependable option for driving on highways or long commutes.

On the other hand, the Kumho Solus TA51a scores an 8.4 in handling - slightly lower than the Hankook tire. Offering better comfort and control, it features 3D interlocking sipes and stable tread blocks, which make your steering smooth and predictable. The handling isn’t as sharp as Hankook’s, but you’ll experience a softer and more relaxed driving experience on city roads.

The Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) is the winner in terms of handling, as it achieves a better score.

ADVANTAGE: Hankook Kinergy PT (H737)

Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) vs Kumho Solus TA51a tires on longevity

Longevity is one of the most significant deciding factors for most drivers looking for a dependable all-season tire. Both the all-season tires are incredible and last longer and wear evenly, delivering better value over time. Their mind-boggling mileage warranties are something that’s enough to tempt prospective buyers.

Boasting an excellent 9.3 in longevity, the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) is backed by a long 90,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. Thanks to its ProMileage Technology, the Hankook tire can distribute forces evenly across its surface, which reduces irregular wear and extends its tread life. If you drive a lot, this tire can help you go the distance.

The Kumho Solus TA51a earns an outstanding score of 9.1 in longevity, and it comes with a 75,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. Its durable rubber compound and reinforced block structure help to maintain even wear over time. The tire is long-lasting, but it doesn’t match the mileage potential of the Hankook.

With an exceptional longevity score and mileage warranty, the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) is the winner of this section. The winning margin is the same, 0.2.

ADVANTAGE: Hankook Kinergy PT (H737)

When to use each

All-season tires provide a balance of traction, handling, and longevity, and they are suitable for both dry and wet conditions year-round. These tires offer comfort and are ideal for sedans, crossovers, and family vehicles that are used for regular commutes.

If you want better traction, go for the Kumho Solus TA51a tire. On the other hand, if you are looking for sharper handling and superior longevity, the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) would be the better choice.

Which one should you choose?

When you choose one of these all-season tires, look out for what matters to you. If you’re looking for a tire offering better stability and comfort, go for the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) as it offers better handling. Those looking for a better lifespan and mileage warranty should also choose the Hankook tire. However, if you mostly travel in cities or frequently drive in wet conditions, the Kumho Solus TA51a would be a better choice as it offers superior traction (8.6 vs. 8.4).

For the 185/65R15 tire size, the cost of each Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) tire is around $114, which brings the cost of four such tires to about $456. On the other hand, each of the Kumho Solus TA51a tires costs around $100, and the price of four such tires comes to approximately $400 (a difference of $56).

Based on SimpleScore, you can choose the Hankook Kinergy PT (H737) if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Subaru Crosstrek, Jeep Patriot, Honda Accord, or the Toyota RAV4
• Want an all-season tire with superior handling (8.6 vs. 8.4)
• Are looking for better longevity (9.3 vs. 9.1)
• Prefer an all-season tire with a better tread life warranty (90,000 vs 75,000 miles)

On the other hand, you may go for the Kumho Solus TA51a if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse, Dodge Caravan, Chevrolet Cruze, or the Ford Fusion
• Want better traction (8.6 vs. 8.4)
• Prefer a relaxed driving experience

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.