Hankook Tyres Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
Hankook is one of those tyres brands you’ve almost certainly seen without thinking twice about it – fitted as standard on new BMWs, Mercedes, Tesla’s and plenty of family cars on UK driveways. But is it a premium brand or a budget one? Where are the tyres actually made? And who runs the company?
At Tyre Runner we’re independent- we don’t sell for any one manufacturer- so here’s a straight, no-spin guide to Hankook, answering the questions drivers ask us most.
When did Hankook start?
Hankook was founded on 10 May 1941 in Seoul as the Chosun Tire Company- the first tyre manufacturer in Korea, set up to make tyres locally at a time when the market was dominated by imports.
The business survived the Korean War (which destroyed much of its early production capacity), rebuilt through the 1950s, and was renamed Hankook Tire Manufacturing in 1968. The name Hankook simply means “Korea” in Korean.
Since, the company has grown into one of the world’s largest tyre makers, producing roughly 100 million tyres a year and supplying more than 160 countries. Over eight decades, it’s gone from a single domestic factory to a global operation.
Where are Hankook tyres made?
Hankook runs eight major production plants spread across five countries:
- South Korea- Daejeon and Geumsan (the home plants, alongside the company’s main R&D centre, the Technodome, in Daejeon)
- Hungary- Rácalmás (Hankook’s European plant, opened in 2007)
- China- plants serving the huge Asian market and export
- USA- Clarksville, Tennessee, a highly automated “smart factory” that opened in 2017
- Indonesia- serving Southeast Asia
What does this mean for UK drivers?
Most Hankook tyres sold in the UK and Europe come from Rácalmás plant in Hungary, which is built specifically to meet strict EU standards and focuses on high-performance and eco-friendly tyres. It’s a modern heavily invested site- Hankook has put well over €800 million into it- so a “made in Hungary” Hankook is a good thing, not a compromise.
A handy tip: You can check exactly where any tyre was made by reading the DOT code on the sidewall. The plant code and the week/year of manufacture are stamped there, so you always know what you’re fitting.
Who owns Hankook?
Hankook Tire & Technology is a publicly listed South Koran company (traded on the Korea Exchange), and it sits within a larger group called Hankook & Company. The group is still led by the founding Cho family- with Cho Hyun-bum as CEO- so despite being a global public company, it’s kept its family-business roots.
Hankook & Company has also expanded well beyond tyres in recent years, moving into car batteries and automotive thermal-management systems.
Are Hankook tyres premium or mid-range?
It's a question we get asked a lot, and the answer has shifted in recent years: Hankook us now best described as a genuine premium tyre manufacturer. For a long time the "premium" label belonged exclusively to the big six- Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli- but Hankook has earned its place alongside them.
Here's why we think this:
- Carmakers trust it as original equipment. Hankook is a factory-fit supplier across a huge range of vehicles, including prestige performance cars like Audi RS and Porsche. It currently supplies 46 brands and 336 vehicle models- and manufacturers don't put a tyre on a new car unless it meets their own demanding standards, so thus is a strong signal of quality.
- It wins on test performance. Since 2016, Hankook's halo tyre patterns have either won independent test outright or placed in the top three, ahead of other premium manufacturers- particularly for wet and dry grip, handling and cabin noise.
- It has the scale to match. Turnover was historically the one thing separating Hankook from the established premium names, but that changed when it overtook Pirelli in global tyre sales in 2018. That gives Hankook all three of the traditional hallmarks of a premium manufacturer.
Which tyre types do Hankook make?
Hankook has a full range of different tyre types, so whatever you drive and wherever you drive it, there’s likely a fit.
Hankook has their own dedicated EV ranged called iON, engineered specifically for EV vehicles. Read more about EV tyres from Hankook here.
Winter i*cept is Hankook’s range of winter tyres, designed for drivers that require a greater grip during cold seasons.
Track tyres are part of the Venus range by Hankook, built for sharp handling and stable high-speed driving. Hankook supplies tyres for major motorsport racing series such as Formula E and DTM.
Additionally, Hankook have a wide range of all-season tyres designed for everyday drivers, all year round. All-season tyres are some of the most common tyres in the UK due to Britain's unpredictable weather conditions.
So, are Hankook tyres worth buying?
For most driver, yes. You’re getting a globally respected brand that premium carmakers fit as standard, modern safety and grip performance, and a genuinely broad range- EV, winter, all-season and performance- usually at a friendlier price than the other premium names. It’s one of the strongest value picks out there.
However, buying the right tyre for your car and your driving will always be the best option for your car, not just the cheapest option in your size. A decimated winter or EV tyre will always outperform a compromise fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hankook a good tyre brand? Yes. It’s a well-established, independently owned Korean manufacturer that supplies original-equipment tyres to premium carmakers, and it performs well in independent testing.
Where are Hankook tyres made for the UK? Most Hankook tyres sold in the UK are made at the company’s European plant in Rácalmás, Hungary, which is built to meet EU standards.
Is Hankook a budget or premium tyre? Premium. Hankook has earned its place alongside the established premium names — matching them on technology, safety and test performance, often at a slightly keener price.
Does Hankook make EV tyres? Yes- the iON range is designed specifically for electric vehicles, with reinforced construction, low rolling resistance for better range, and reduced road noise.
Who owns Hankook tyres? Hankook is a publicly listen company controlled by the Korean Group Hankook & Company and still lead by the founding Cho family. It is not owned by any other tyre manufacturer.