Laufenn Tyres: Hankook's Budget Line — Any Good?

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Laufenn Tyres is a budget brand that exists as a subsidiary of Hankook Tyres – a leading premium brand that’s known for its South Korean tyre technology and performance. Laufenn was launched in 2015 to combine Hankook’s prestige and high performance reputation with value for money, catering to a range of vehicle types and driving conditions.

Laufenn represents a move made by many premium brands, which is to establish a value-centric brand which balances quality with affordability. These cheaper, value-based tyres are designed by Hankook and use Hankook technology but are produced at cheaper facilities and do not benefit from the reputation of the Hankook name. This allows the brand to remain separate and to merit its cheaper price tag.

But what’s the cost of this drop in premium quality from a driving perspective? Let’s take a closer look at Laufenn Tyres with an in-depth review from the team.

Why Did Hankook Launch the Laufenn Brand?

Laufenn Tyres uses Hankook design and tyre technology to create everyday tyres which are safe to drive on, but do not come at the same premium expense as Hankook’s own brand. These are tyres for drivers who want quality and affordability, and who are happy to bypass the premium manufacturing and top-level performance of the more expensive brand names on the market.

In short, Laufenn is a way to make Hankook more accessible to a wider audience, utilising its design technology in a different section of the market.

Laufenn Tyres Pros

With Laufenn so closely connected to Hankook, we probably don’t need to tell you that these tyres are inspired by, and built on, the quality and prestige of a brand that’s known for performance quality and precision.

But what exactly are the positive attributes of Laufenn’s own range – and which specific models stand out as being ranked among the best?

The number one benefit of Laufenn Tyres is undoubtedly the high performance features that drivers get at a low price. Not only are Laufenn tyres safe and reliable, but the variety that drivers get ensures that there’s a tyre for different terrains and driving conditions – with drivers needing to match their vehicle and climate to the correct tyre to optimise durability and performance.

Alongside the performance of tyres, drivers also note Laufenn’s precision when it comes to responsiveness and comfort. These tyres are designed using leading Hankook engineering, and so they benefit from reduced noise and better handling.

Drivers need only look at Laufenn Tyres’ status as an original equipment supplier for different vehicle manufacturers, to recognise the balance of quality and reliability.

But as with any budget tyre brand, there are limitations that drivers need to be aware of – even when dealing with a brand that’s owned by a reputable industry giant like Hankook.

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Limitations of Laufenn Tyres

Typically, the most common limitations refer to driving performance in specific conditions and on certain road surfaces. Laufenn Tyres offers responsive handling and reliable traction, with its full range encompassing all-season, summer and winter tyres – however, it does not perform with quite the same vigour on dry roads as premium brands.

Similarly, the extreme winter grip and snow traction of Laufenn Tyres are not as prolific, meaning that Laufenn is not the best brand for particularly hazardous winter driving.

Other potential limitations include the durability which does not quite match that of premium brands, and the fact that tread blocks can become excessively worn more quickly. However, all of these limitations are minor in contrast with Laufenn’s reputation and the value for money that drivers get.

Who Are Laufenn Tyres Suitable For?

Laufenn Tyres is an ideal brand for drivers who want the quality and performance of leading Hankook tyres, at a reduced price. Far from operating Laufenn as an entirely separate entity, Hankook shares its design attributes and tyre technology with Laufenn, with these tyres then being manufactured in a cheaper facility to keep costs low.

What this means is that Laufenn Tyres combines premium design with affordable manufacturing, elevating the value for money proposition and ensuring that these tyres do rank highly alongside other notable brands.

Among the top Laufenn models, those particularly worth looking out for include:

  • Laufenn S FIT EQ+ performance tyres
  • Laufenn X FIT HT all-terrain tyres with off-road traction
  • Laufenn G FIT AS all-season touring tyres
  • Laufenn S FIT AS, combining the performance attributes of the S FIT range with all-season versatility

Suffice to say, Laufenn covers a broad section of the market – with tyres that are both durable and reliable, thanks to continued investment and development.

If you’re looking for premium tyres at a more affordable price, Laufenn takes all the prestige and quality of Hankook, and delivers it in a more affordable, everyday driver package. Browse the full set of Laufenn tyres on our site today.

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