Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 73% · 115
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 23
In the 14 independent tests that ran both tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 finished ahead 8 times and the Winter i cept evo3 5 times, with one level. The Blizzak LM005 stopped 5.6% shorter in the wet; the Winter i cept evo3 held 4.6% more grip in curved aquaplaning.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 for wet-biased climates, frequent rain, and quieter, efficient commuting; pick Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 for drivers prioritizing value, dry stopping, strong aquaplaning safety, and lively snow agility.
Where the Blizzak LM005 is stronger
- Class-leading wet performance (dominant in wet braking and handling)
- Low noise and strong comfort
- Lower rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency
Where the Winter i cept evo3 is stronger
- Excellent straight and curved aquaplaning resistance
- Short dry braking and stable dry behavior
- Strong value proposition with lower price and often better wear
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Blizzak LM005 vs Winter i cept evo3 at a glance
| Category | Blizzak LM005 | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won14 shared tests | 8 | 1 level | 5 |
| Dry24 measurements | 12 | The Blizzak LM005 averaged a 0.5% higher speed on the dry handling course (8 tests) | 10 |
| Wet55 measurements | 38 | The Blizzak LM005 stopped 5.6% shorter in the wet (14 tests) | 17 |
| Snow47 measurements | 23 | The Blizzak LM005 stopped 0.9% shorter on snow (14 tests) | 22 |
| Comfort13 measurements | 12 | The Blizzak LM005 was 2.2 dB quieter (10 tests) | 1 |
| Value14 measurements | 11 | The Blizzak LM005 lasted 15.1% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 3 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Winter i cept evo3 by 0.3 | 9.2/10 |
| Owner rating115 and 23 reviews | 73% | The Winter i cept evo3 by 13 points | 86% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 56% | The Winter i cept evo3 by 35 points | 91% |
| Pricein the 10 tests that listed prices | +18.3% | The Blizzak LM005 was dearer in 10 of 10 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 165 | 54 sizes made in both | 86 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 14 tests, 2020 to 2024
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Blizzak LM005 | Field | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test | P5 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| 2023/24 Tire Reviews UHP Winter Tire Test | P5 of 6 | P4 of 6 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test | P1 of 9 | P6 of 9 | |
| 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test | P5 of 11 | P4 of 11 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P10 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test | P1 of 54 | P8 of 54 | |
| 2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test | P1 of 11 | P4 of 11 | |
| 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tire Test | P1 of 9 | P1 of 9 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test | P4 of 10 | P5 of 10 | |
| 2022 Winter Tire Market Overview | P1 of 56 | P9 of 56 | |
| 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tire Test | P4 of 13 | P1 of 13 | |
| 2021 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test | P4 of 9 | P3 of 9 | |
| 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test | P2 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test | P1 of 51 | P5 of 51 |
Performance profile
22 measurements from the 14 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Blizzak LM005
Winter i cept evo3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Blizzak LM005
Winter i cept evo3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Blizzak LM005
Not ahead in any category
Winter i cept evo3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak LM005 scores 8.9 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
| Blizzak LM005 | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | Dry | 77 | ||
| 99 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 64 | Comfort | 11 | ||
| 43 | Value | 57 | ||
| 66 | Snow | 68 | ||
| 13 | Ice | 63 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Blizzak LM005 | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.8 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.4 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.5 | Road Feedback | 7.8 | ||
| 7.3 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 5.9 | Wear | 8.8 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 7.8 | ||
| 7.4 | Snow Grip | 9.4 | ||
| 6.3 | Ice Grip | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- 73%from 115 reviews
- 56%would buy again
- 1,170,613 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners most consistently praise the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 for strong wet-road performance, with around half highlighting secure wet grip and only a handful disagreeing. Dry grip is also commonly rated better than expected for a winter tire, while opinion on snow traction is far more mixed, splitting owners almost evenly depending on conditions and expectations. The biggest drawback is durability: around two in five owners report fast wear (often with performance dropping as the tire ages), and roughly three in ten mention noticeable road noise, with a smaller group also finding it weak on ice.
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in heavy rain
- Impressive dry grip for a winter tire
- Comfortable, compliant ride
- Secure and predictable wet handling
- Fast tread wear and short overall life
- Grip drops off noticeably as the tire wears
- Uneven/abnormal wear reported by some owners
Summarised by AI from 102 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 115 Blizzak LM005 reviewsOverall very good tires for snow. I have a heavy vehicle with big tires (20 inch on sedan). Very good snow and ice grip. However they are quite noisy in the cabin despite BMW insulation.
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
- 86%from 23 reviews
- 91%would buy again
- 164,670 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 20 reviews, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 is described as a highly confidence-inspiring winter tire with standout traction in snow and strong, predictable grip in wet conditions (often praised for stability and aquaplaning resistance). Many drivers also report good dry-road handling for a winter tire and consider it excellent value versus premium brands. A smaller minority mention increased road noise or a firmer/less comfortable ride compared with their summer tires, but this is not the dominant experience.
- Excellent snow traction and confidence in winter conditions
- Strong wet grip and high aquaplaning resistance
- Stable, predictable handling and good road feedback
- Good comfort and generally low noise for a winter tire
- Some users find it noisier than summer tires or typical winter tire buzzing
Summarised by AI from 20 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 23 Winter i cept evo3 reviewsI used these Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330 tires for 4 full winter seasons on a Jeep Compass 2.0 Multijet 4x4. They lasted for roughly 5,500 miles (around 8,900 km). The grip held up exceptionally well as they wore down, providing consistent traction and stability for an AWD SUV in various winter conditions. They offer great value and reliable performance, and I would absolutely buy them again.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 165 sizes of the Blizzak LM005 and 86 of the Winter i cept evo3, 54 of them made in both.
| Category | Blizzak LM005 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 165 sizes, 14 to 22 inch | 86 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 54 sizes 215/60 R17225/60 R17235/45 R17235/50 R17245/40 R17245/45 R17215/45 R18215/50 R18215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18and 42 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A88%B12% | B98%C1%D1% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C80%B19%D1% | C57%D42%B1% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B99%A1% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 360 of 360 | 124 of 124 |
| On the market since | 2019 | 2021 |
| Replaced | Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO (2017) | Hankook Winter i cept evo2 |
| Replaced by | Bridgestone Blizzak 6 | - |
| Awards | Commended: Best Winter SUV Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2023) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2021) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Blizzak LM005 was the dearer tire in 10 of the 10 tests that listed prices, by 18.3% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This comparison pitches two winter heavyweights with different briefs: Bridgestone's Blizzak LM005, a premium-touring winter tire famed for wet mastery, versus Hankook's Winter i*cept evo3, an ultra-high-performance winter option aimed at sporty drivers seeking balanced speed and security. Across 14 shared tests, both rack up strong results, but they excel in different weather windows and value profiles.
Patterns are clear: the LM005 dominates wet grip and remains quietly comfortable and efficient, while the Hankook consistently counters with superior aquaplaning margins, stronger dry braking, better value, and often better longevity. In snow, they trade blows-Bridgestone tends to stop shorter, Hankook often accelerates and handles slightly better-so the best choice hinges on your most frequent winter conditions and priorities.
Conclusion
If your winter is wet and variable, the Blizzak LM005 is the safer bet. It wins 13 of 14 shared wet braking bouts and 11 of 11 wet handling comparisons, typically by meaningful margins, while also running quieter and with lower rolling resistance. It's the more confidence-inspiring all-rounder on rain-soaked roads and feels precise and composed on snow, though not always class-leading there.
If you value sharper dry stopping, strong aquaplaning reserves, snow agility, and a friendlier purchase price, the Winter i*cept evo3 makes a compelling case. It frequently tops straight and curved aquaplaning tests, often brakes shorter in the dry, shows better wear and cost-per-1,000 km in UHP sizes, and offers excellent value. The trade-off is average-to-good (not best-in-class) wet lap pace and typically more noise and higher rolling resistance.
Bottom line: choose Bridgestone for wet-weather security and refinement; choose Hankook for value-driven performance with robust aquaplaning safety and sportier dry behavior.
Blizzak LM005 vs Winter i cept evo3: your questions
Is the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 or the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 the better tire?
In the 14 independent tests that ran both tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 finished ahead 8 times and the Winter i cept evo3 5 times, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak LM005 scores 8.9 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Blizzak LM005 or the Winter i cept evo3?
The Blizzak LM005 led 38 of the 55 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.6% shorter in the wet across 14 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Blizzak LM005 led 12 of the 24 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 0.5% higher speed on the dry handling course across 8 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Blizzak LM005 led 23 of the 47 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.9% shorter on snow across 14 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Blizzak LM005 lasted 15.1% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 7.3% lower rolling resistance (11 tests). Owners rate wear 5.9/10 for the Blizzak LM005 and 8.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Blizzak LM005 was 2.2 dB quieter (10 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the Blizzak LM005 and 7.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. 56% of Blizzak LM005 owners would buy it again, against 91% for the Winter i cept evo3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 10 tests that listed prices, the Blizzak LM005 was the dearer tire in 10 of them, by 18.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Blizzak LM005 is made in 165 sizes (14 to 22 inch) and the Winter i cept evo3 in 86 (17 to 22 inch). 54 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Blizzak LM005 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Winter i cept evo3 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Winter i cept evo3 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Blizzak LM005 in 2019. The Blizzak LM005 replaced the Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO. The Winter i cept evo3 replaced the Hankook Winter i cept evo2.
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Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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