Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV Review — The Best-Value EV SUV Tyre in NZ

Overall Rating: 9.2 / 10

Category: EV All-Season SUV

Price in NZ: From $676 per tyre

Best for: Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, BMW iX3 — electric SUVs

Available sizes: 18″ – 21″ rims

Quick Verdict

The Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV is the most technically accomplished EV-specific tyre available in New Zealand at a price below the Michelin Pilot Sport EV. It combines all-season 3PMSF winter certification with EV-optimised construction — reinforced for battery weight, low rolling resistance for extended range, and acoustic foam for noise reduction. For South Island EV owners who face genuine winter driving conditions, the Ion Evo AS SUV’s 3PMSF certification gives it an advantage the Pilot Sport EV cannot match: genuine winter capability year-round without seasonal tyre changes.

Key Specifications

EV-Specific Engineering

Weight Management:

EV SUVs are significantly heavier than petrol equivalents. The Tesla Model Y weighs 2,100 kg vs approximately 1,650 kg for a comparable petrol RAV4 — a 27% weight penalty. The Ion Evo AS SUV uses a reinforced carcass construction specifically rated for EV loads, maintaining safe handling dynamics under the emergency manoeuvres these heavy vehicles demand.

Range Optimisation:

Low rolling resistance compound reduces the energy the motor must expend to maintain speed — directly extending electric range. Hankook’s testing indicates approximately 5% range improvement vs a standard all-season tyre. For a Tesla Model Y Long Range (estimated range 535 km), this represents approximately 27 additional km per charge.

Acoustic Foam:

A polyurethane foam layer bonded to the inner liner absorbs road resonance before it transmits into the cabin. EV powertrains are silent — without engine noise masking road noise, tyre-generated sound becomes the dominant cabin noise source. The Ion Evo AS SUV’s foam liner reduces this by approximately 4 dB — a meaningful improvement in a silent EV cabin.

3PMSF All-Season Compound:

Unlike the Michelin Pilot Sport EV (summer only), the Ion Evo AS SUV uses an all-season compound certified for light snow traction. This makes it the only EV-specific tyre in NZ that works year-round in South Island alpine conditions without requiring a seasonal tyre change.

Performance Data

Wet Performance

• EU Label A wet grip across all available sizes
• 3PMSF compound maintains wet performance from 0°C to 40°C
• Wide circumferential grooves handle the higher water displacement of heavy EVs in rain

Winter Performance

• 3PMSF certification — passes independent snow acceleration test
• Cold-temperature compound remains flexible below 7°C — critical differentiator vs Pilot Sport EV
• Recommended for South Island EV owners who experience winter driving

Range and Efficiency

• EU Label B rolling resistance — approximately 5% range improvement vs standard all-season
• Acceptable trade-off given the added capability of all-season winter certification

NZ Road Conditions Assessment

Auckland and North Island

Verdict: Excellent — year-round EV solution

For Auckland Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Kia EV6 owners, the Ion Evo AS SUV provides all-year wet grip (EU Label A), noise reduction, and EV-specific engineering at $676 — significantly below the Michelin Pilot Sport EV ($721). The acoustic foam and reinforced construction deliver the EV experience premium drivers expect.

Wellington

Verdict: Excellent

Wellington EV owners benefit from the Ion Evo AS SUV’s wet grip and all-season stability in the city’s variable conditions. The tyre’s cold-weather compound handles Wellington’s winter temperatures.

South Island — Key Differentiator

Verdict: Outstanding — the right EV tyre for South Island

For Queenstown, Wanaka, and Central Otago EV owners, the Ion Evo AS SUV’s 3PMSF certification is the decisive advantage over the Michelin Pilot Sport EV. Queenstown experiences regular sub-zero temperatures from June through August — conditions where the Pilot Sport EV’s summer compound loses significant performance. The Ion Evo AS SUV handles these conditions safely without a seasonal tyre change.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 3PMSF all-season certification — works year-round in South Island alpine conditions (advantage over Michelin Pilot Sport EV)
• EU Label A wet grip — top safety rating
• EV-reinforced for battery weight — safer handling under EV loads
• Acoustic foam — quieter cabin noise
• Range improvement (~5%) vs standard all-season
• Lower price ($676) than Michelin Pilot Sport EV ($721)

Cons

• EU Label B fuel efficiency — slightly less efficient than Michelin Pilot Sport EV (Label A)
• Firmer ride than the Pilot Sport EV in some conditions
• Limited to larger rim sizes (18″–21″) matching current EV market

Ion Evo AS SUV vs Michelin Pilot Sport EV

The verdict: If you’re in Queenstown or regularly drive South Island alpine roads in an EV — the Ion Evo AS SUV is the correct choice. If you’re in Auckland or Christchurch with mild winters and prioritise maximum range — the Pilot Sport EV’s EU Label A fuel efficiency and self-sealing technology edge it ahead.

Sources

1. Hankook Ion Evo AS SUV specifications — hankooktire.com — accessed 2026-06-01
2. Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/hankook/ — accessed 2026-06-01
3. EV tyre comparison — thetirelab.com — accessed 2026-06-01

Related Pages

• Michelin Pilot Sport EV — key competitor
• Best EV Tyres NZ — full EV tyre buying guide
• Hankook Tyres NZ — brand overview