Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S vs Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) tires

Want a sporty ride with superb cornering and accurate steering response throughout the year? Go for the ultra-high-performance all-season tires that offer sporty, responsive handling alongside dependable year-round capability. If you’re not willing to spend dearly on top-tier brands, there are some formidable options in the UHP all-season category, like the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S and the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) that do not cost an arm and a leg and offer great performance. Both tires are designed for high-performance sedans, coupes, and CUVs, aiming to deliver exhilarating grip in dry and wet conditions while also managing light snow.

Backed by potentially leveraging advanced engineering and compound technology, the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S features a performance-focused silica compound and asymmetric tread design to enhance steering precision and braking stability. Prinx, as a newer brand, seeks to disrupt the segment by offering premium features and balanced wear resistance at an affordable price.

Conversely, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) has established itself as a reliable, value-driven contender in this category. Kenda focuses on combining affordability with genuine UHP performance, using features like wide shoulder blocks and high-density siping to ensure strong year-round traction and predictable handling.

Let’s examine the specific design differences, including rubber compound formulation and pattern technology, to determine which tire provides the superior balance of performance and practicality for the enthusiastic driver.

Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S tires

Designed for sporty passenger cars, coupes, and SUVs, the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S is an ultra-high-performance all-season tire that offers solid handling and performance, lasting throughout its service life. The Prinx tire features Nano Blend Compound technology, which ensures consistent high-speed stability and durability without performance loss. While the asymmetrical tread pattern and wide grooves provide maximum stability and efficient water evacuation, enhancing wet braking and hydroplaning resistance, the HiRACE HZ2 A/S also returns a quiet and comfortable ride thanks to Pattern Noise Simulation (PNS) technology. It is backed by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

With an 8.1 overall SimpleScore, the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S promises adequate grip, cornering, control, and handling year-round.

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Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) tires

A preferred option for sports cars, sedans, and coupes, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) is a value-priced, ultra-high-performance all-season tire that skillfully blends year-round traction with the sharp, responsive handling expected from a UHP tire. Crafted at the Kenda American Technical Center, the KR400 utilizes an advanced silica-based rubber compound for increased wet grip and enhanced wearability. The Kenda tire features an asymmetric tread design with 3D siping to boost traction in light snow and four large circumferential grooves that effectively resist hydroplaning. Backed by a solid 50,000 mile limited manufacturer treadwear warranty, the Vezda UHP A/S offers reliability, responsive steering, and strong performance without the premium price tag.

Scoring an 8.3 in its overall SimpleScore, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) assures great performance year-round in dry, wet, and light snow.

Get Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S vs Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) tires on traction

Traction is defined as the ability of a tire to hold the ground without skidding. Being ultra-high-performance tires, the Prinx and Kenda tires provide adequate grip and traction; however, one is slightly better than the other. Let’s delve into more details.

Scoring an 8.0 in traction, the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S features an innovative tread pattern designed to provide optimum grip, traction, and braking in dry and wet conditions. Wide grooves of the Prinx tire allow quick flushing of water for consistent traction and to avoid the risk of hydroplaning. Thanks to the Nano Blend Compound technology, the HiRACE HZ2 A/S delivers adequate grip in different driving conditions, including light snow.

Achieving an 8.1 traction score, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) comes with silica-based rubber compound and dense 3D siping that work together to maximize biting edges, ensuring superb grip and confident braking in both dry and wet conditions. The tire’s four wide circumferential grooves are highly effective at dispersing water, substantially reducing the risk of hydroplaning and boosting performance in light snow.

With a slightly better score, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) wins the traction race.

ADVANTAGE: Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400)

Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S vs Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) tires on handling

Ultra-high-performance tires are all about control and precise steering response. Both tires offer confidence-inspiring cornering and straight-line driving; however, here too, one beats the other by a bigger margin than the traction one.

Boasting a decent 8.0 in handling, the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S is designed to provide adequate control, demonstrated by its solid handling characteristics. Utilizing Nano Blend Compound technology, the Prinx tire features an asymmetrical tread pattern that maximizes tread stiffness and ensures stability at high speeds. Its large outer shoulder blocks provide exceptional rigidity, which translates directly into responsive steering and confident cornering. This makes the tire feel connected to the road during aggressive maneuvers.

Contrarily, the Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) scores a superb 8.4 in handling, which means it offers decent control and responsiveness. The Kenda tire’s asymmetric tread design features robust shoulder blocks that enhance tread rigidity, resulting in sharp steering response and improved stability during aggressive cornering. This allows the tire to maintain a solid contact patch under varying driving pressure, ensuring reliable control on challenging roads.

With a better score, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) beats the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S in the handling department too.

ADVANTAGE: Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400)

Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S vs Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) tires on longevity

UHP all-season tires are preferred for their longer tread life. Despite offering spirited performance, these tires last long and are used year-round. Finally, we see a change in regime in the service life race.

Securing an 8.4 in longevity, the HiRACE HZ2 A/S is designed for a longer service life, unlike other fast-wearing UHP tires. This durability is achieved through the integration of the Nano Blend Compound technology, which resists premature wear and enhances heat resistance during prolonged use. Furthermore, the tire’s construction is optimized to maintain tread shape and promote uniform wear across the footprint, supported by the 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

Continuing its fantastic run, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) scores an 8.3 and offers solid tread life, considering it’s a budget UHP all-season tire. Backed by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer treadwear warranty, the Kenda tire utilizes an optimized, durable rubber compound and its tread geometry to promote uniform wear across the footprint, ensuring the tire maintains its performance characteristics and maximizes its service life.

Finally, the Prinx breaks the ‘Jinx’ in longevity and outwits the Kenda in this space.

ADVANTAGE: Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S

When to use each

Ultra-high-performance all-season tires combine the responsive handling and high-speed stability of summer tires with the practical year-round versatility of all-season tires. They use advanced silica compounds for excellent wet and dry grip, maintaining capability in light snow, offering a dynamic and convenient solution for performance vehicle drivers.

The Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) should be used if you rate handling, grip, and traction as more significant factors for your UHP all-season tires, while the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S should be picked for those wanting decent handling and traction traits with great tread life.

Which one should you choose?

To sum up, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) has an upper hand as it wins the traction and handling traits, while the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S bags the priced longevity section. However, before picking anyone, do check out their individual traits, which may appeal to a different set of buyers. There’s one more aspect which is yet to be compared – a crucial one, especially when we are talking about the value of UHP all-season tires – the price!

Comparing the prices for the 225/40ZR18 tire size, the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S costs around $79 per tire, while four such tires cost $316. Similarly, the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) costs about $152 per tire, with four costing $608 (a difference of $292).

Based on SimpleScore, you can choose the Prinx HiRACE HZ2 A/S if you:

• Drive vehicles like the BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Sonic, and Honda Accord
• Prefer a more long-lasting tire (8.4 vs 8.3)
• Want a capable UHP all-season tire that’s highly affordable (a difference of $292 on a set of four!)

You can go for the Kenda Vezda UHP A/S (KR400) if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Toyota Corolla, BMW 528i, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class
• Want improved traction (8.1 vs. 8.0)
• Prefer great handling (8.4 vs 8.0)

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.