Falken EUROWINTER HS02 PRO vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
- TR Score
- 8.0/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 4
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 23
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tires, the Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead 9 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO not once. The EUROWINTER HS02 PRO was 1.5 dB quieter; the Winter i cept evo3 lasted 34.8% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 if snow grip and aquaplaning resistance matter most. The Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro better suits a driver prioritising lower measured noise and comfort, while accepting its weaker snow results.
Where the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO is stronger
- Lower measured pass-by noise in all six shared noise tests.
- Generally close dry performance, with a small handling edge in Auto Bild's 2025 winter test.
- Higher comfort scores in Auto Bild's 2025 winter test and Tyre Reviews' 2023 test.
Where the Winter i cept evo3 is stronger
- Shorter snow braking in all nine shared tests.
- Better curved-aquaplaning resistance in every shared measurement.
- Higher predicted wear in Auto Bild's 2023 and 2025 winter tests.
Conclusion
Hankook's overall lead is consistent: it placed above Falken in every shared test, from Auto Bild Allrad's 2024 SUV test to Auto Bild Sportscars' 2026 test. Snow is the most dependable reason. Hankook stopped shorter in all nine snow-braking comparisons and handled better in every test that measured snow handling. The gap was especially clear in Tyre Reviews' 2023 test, where its snow braking distance was about 14% shorter. Sport Auto's 2023 snow slalom favored Falken, but its snow handling still favored Hankook, and the tester described the Falken as sluggish with little grip reserve.
Hankook also resisted aquaplaning better in every shared curved-aquaplaning test, with a roughly one-third advantage in Auto Bild's 2025 winter test. It led most straight-line aquaplaning results too, although the tires were effectively level in Tyre Reviews' 2023 test. Wet braking needs more care: Hankook was shorter in seven of nine tests, but several gaps were small, and Falken stopped shorter in Sport Auto's 2023 test. That result is unusual against the broader pattern. Neither tire was convincing against the field for wet braking in Auto Bild Sportscars' 2026 test: both received safety penalties, despite Hankook stopping about 7% shorter than Falken.
Falken makes more sense for a driver who puts greater weight on lower pass-by noise, comfort and dry-road feel than on snow performance. Auto Bild's 2025 winter test gave it the higher comfort score, while both tires scored equally for comfort in the 2026 Sportscars test. Its dry results are mostly close to Hankook's rather than a decisive advantage. Hankook suits regular snow and standing-water exposure better, though it was noisier in all six measured comparisons. It also had longer predicted wear in Auto Bild's 2023 and 2025 winter tests. Rolling resistance varied by test, so it is not a reliable reason on its own to choose either tire.
Where to buy
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 PRO Hankook Winter i cept evo3Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy. It never changes our results.
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.
EUROWINTER HS02 PRO vs Winter i cept evo3 at a glance
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 PRO | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 0 | 9 | |
| Dry15 measurements | 8 | The EUROWINTER HS02 PRO lapped the dry handling course 0.6% faster (1 test) | 6 |
| Wet34 measurements | 8 | The Winter i cept evo3 held 34.6% more grip in curved aquaplaning (6 tests) | 24 |
| Snow29 measurements | 2 | The Winter i cept evo3 stopped 5% shorter on snow (9 tests) | 27 |
| Comfort9 measurements | 8 | The EUROWINTER HS02 PRO was 1.5 dB quieter (6 tests) | 0 |
| Value9 measurements | 2 | The Winter i cept evo3 lasted 34.8% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 7 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.0/10 | The Winter i cept evo3 by 1.2 | 9.2/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 23 reviews | 91% | The EUROWINTER HS02 PRO by 5 points | 86% |
| Pricein the 8 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Winter i cept evo3 was dearer in 5 of 8 | +1.2% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 110 | 42 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 9 tests, 2023 to 2026
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 | EUROWINTER HS02 PRO | Field | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test | P11 of 12 | P8 of 12 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P20 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P20 of 51 | P14 of 51 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test | P10 of 12 | P5 of 12 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test | P9 of 9 | P6 of 9 | |
| 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test | P9 of 11 | P4 of 11 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P17 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test | P20 of 54 | P8 of 54 | |
| 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tire Test | P10 of 11 | P4 of 11 |
Performance profile
23 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
EUROWINTER HS02 PRO
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 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
EUROWINTER HS02 PRO
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
EUROWINTER HS02 PRO
Winter i cept evo3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO 91% from 4 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.
| Measurement | EUROWINTER HS02 PRO | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 143 | 0.4% | 143 | 4-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.25 | 0.6% | 71.68 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 67.8 | 0.2% | 67.7 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.2% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 144 | 2.1% | 140 | 2-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.97 | 0.3% | 58.15 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.5 | = | 49.5 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 24.2 | 1.8% | 23.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.69 | 1.3% | 13.84 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.8 | 7.6% | 53.3 | 1-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.4 | 34.6% | 10 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 93 | 5% | 89 | 0-9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.15 | 8.1% | 5.65 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 456 | 4.6% | 481 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 90.66 | 6% | 85.24 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35.4 | 3.8% | 36.8 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.1 | 7% | 11.7 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.17 | 1.5 dB | 72.68 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 19,714 | 34.8% | 26,827 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.99 | 2.4% | 8.77 | 2-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO scores 8 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
| EUROWINTER HS02 PRO | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 77 | ||
| 67 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 58 | Comfort | 14 | ||
| 19 | Value | 55 | ||
| 17 | Environment | 84 | ||
| 23 | Snow | 67 | ||
| 59 | Ice | 62 | ||
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
| EUROWINTER HS02 PRO | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 9.5 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 6.5 | Road Feedback | 7.8 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 8 | Wear | 8.8 | ||
| 9 | Comfort | 7.8 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 9.4 | ||
| 9 | Ice Grip | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO 91% from 4 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 PRO
- 91%from 4 reviews
- 18,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 EUROWINTER HS02 PRO reviewsReally solid tires, I didn't expect them to be good through snow however they performed very well. But they're even better on dry and wet roads.
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: 110 sizes of the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO and 86 of the Winter i cept evo3, 42 of them made in both.
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 PRO | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 110 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 86 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 42 sizes 225/60 R17235/45 R17235/50 R17245/45 R17245/55 R17225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18245/40 R18and 30 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%C4% | B98%C1%D1% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D51%C44%B5% | C57%D42%B1% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B97%A3% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 134 of 134 | 124 of 124 |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2021 |
| Replaced | - | Hankook Winter i cept evo2 (2015) |
| Replaced by | - | Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4 |
| Awards | Rated by other publications Recommended 1 |
Tyre Reviews awards
Recommended The BEST Performance Winter Tires for 2024 / 2025
Recommended 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tire Test
Highly Recommended 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tire Test
Rated by other publications
Highly Recommended 1
Recommended 1
|
| Price in the shared tests | The Winter i cept evo3 was the dearer tire in 5 of the 8 tests that listed prices, by 1.2% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Prices by size
Lowest price per tire at our partner shops, including delivery, in the sizes both are made in.
| Size | EUROWINTER HS02 PRO | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| 225/60 R17 | ||
| 235/45 R17 | ||
| 235/50 R17 | ||
| 245/45 R17 | ||
| 245/55 R17 | ||
| 225/40 R18 | ||
| 225/45 R18 | ||
| 225/50 R18 | ||
| 225/55 R18 | ||
| 235/40 R18 | ||
| 235/45 R18 | ||
| 245/40 R18 |
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy. It never changes our results.
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.
Nine independent tests put the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and Hankook Winter i cept evo3 side by side: Auto Bild Sportscars in 2023 and 2026, Auto Bild's winter and braking tests in 2023 and 2025, Auto Bild Allrad's 2024 SUV test, Sport Auto in 2023 and Tyre Reviews in 2023. Hankook finished higher overall in all nine. The clearest differences are on snow and in aquaplaning, where it repeatedly has more grip or greater reserves.
The Falken has its own advantages. It recorded less pass-by noise in all six tests that measured it, and its dry handling was generally close to, or slightly better than, the Hankook's. Wet braking is less clear-cut than the overall results: Hankook usually stopped sooner, but Falken did better in Sport Auto's 2023 test. Both tires received a wet-braking safety penalty in Auto Bild Sportscars' 2026 test, so Hankook's lead over Falken there should not be mistaken for a strong result against the whole field.
EUROWINTER HS02 PRO vs Winter i cept evo3: your questions
Is the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 PRO or the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 the better tire?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead 9 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO scores 8 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO or the Winter i cept evo3?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 24 of the 34 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 34.6% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The EUROWINTER HS02 PRO led 8 of the 15 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. It lapped the dry handling course 0.6% faster in the one shared test that measured it.
Which is better in snow?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 27 of the 29 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5% shorter on snow across 9 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter i cept evo3 lasted 34.8% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 2.4% lower rolling resistance (7 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO and 8.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The EUROWINTER HS02 PRO was 1.5 dB quieter (6 tests). Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO and 7.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO 91% from 4 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23.
Which is more expensive?
In the 8 tests that listed prices, the Winter i cept evo3 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 1.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The EUROWINTER HS02 PRO is made in 110 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Winter i cept evo3 in 86 (17 to 22 inch). 42 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Winter i cept evo3 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The EUROWINTER HS02 PRO is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the Winter i cept evo3 in 2021. The Winter i cept evo3 replaced the Hankook Winter i cept evo2.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Review the EUROWINTER HS02 PRO Review the Winter i cept evo3
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 Tyre 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 Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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