Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
Expect the Goodyear to lead on core safety metrics-especially wet and dry braking-while feeling composed and quiet. The Hankook counters with best-in-class straight and curved aquaplaning performance and sharp, sporty response, plus a clear price advantage and often lower running costs. Snow performance is closely matched overall: Hankook often stops shorter; Goodyear tends to offer higher lateral grip, traction, and more neutral, confidence-inspiring handling.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been seven tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 | seven |
While it might look like the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is better than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Consistently shorter wet and dry braking (2-4% advantage in most tests)
- Stable wet and snow handling with neutral, confidence-inspiring balance
- Quieter and more comfortable ride with strong rolling-efficiency results
- Top overall rankings across tests (1st-2nd) with minimal weaknesses
- Best-in-test aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) in multiple tests
- Often shortest snow braking distances by small margins
- Sporty, direct steering feel and good value pricing
- Strong environmental/value scores (Eco awards, competitive RR/wear in some tests)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during five dry braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped the vehicle in 3.1% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.54% faster around a lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was 0.68% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and Hankook Winter I cept RS3 performed equally well in subj. dry handling tests.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during five wet braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped the vehicle in 2.27% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during two wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped the vehicle in 5.39% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was 1.02% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was 1.01% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 20% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 had 1.36% higher lateral wet grip than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Wet Circle: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during five straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 floated at a 2.67% higher speed than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 slipped out at a 3.47% higher speed than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle in 1.21% less distance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Snow Braking: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 had 1.96% better snow traction than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Traction: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.15% faster around a lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during two snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was 1.71% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 30% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during two snow circle tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 provided 3.04% more lateral grip than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Circle: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 2.42% faster through a slalom than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Snow Slalom: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle 3.09% shorter than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Ice Braking: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 scored 30% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during four noise tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 measured 1.04% quieter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Noise: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during one wear tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is predicted to cover 1.14% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wear: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one value tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 proved to have a 22.68% better value based on price/1000km than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Value: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one price tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 cost 22% less than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Price: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 had a 3.71% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 used 1.92% less fuel than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 emitted 6.25% less particle wear matter than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 Driver Reviews
Drivers rate the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 very highly, praising its excellent grip and braking on dry and wet roads, strong traction in snow, and a quiet, comfortable, and predictable ride. Handling is often described as stable and confidence-inspiring, with several noting good highway manners. A minority mention weaker performance on pure ice and a softer, less sporty steering feel at the limit. Overall sentiment is strongly positive with only a few caveats.
Based on 13 reviews with an average rating of 87%
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 Driver Reviews
Overall, drivers rate the Hankook Winter I*cept RS3 as a strong-value winter tire with very confident traction in snow and slush, plus secure wet-road grip and good aquaplaning resistance. Many also report solid dry-road grip and predictable handling for a winter compound, often feeling stable and safe at higher speeds. The most consistent drawback is elevated road noise (often speed-dependent), and several users mention a softer/less direct steering feel typical of winter tires.
Based on 22 reviews with an average rating of 78%
First season/initial thoughts:
Dry roads - car was predictible, tires felt a little bit softer and less responsive, in comparision with summer tires (in my case it's 195/55 R15 2020's Michelin Energy Saver+), but it's a winter tire, so it's absolutly normal to have a slightly different feeling in steering response or... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
Hankook's case is compelling for value-focused buyers and frequent wet-motorway drivers: it repeatedly tops straight and curved aquaplaning, often leads snow braking by small margins, and undercuts Goodyear on price by roughly 20% in like-for-like sizes. Trade-offs are longer wet/dry braking, more nervous wet behavior at the limit, slightly higher noise, and mixed dry precision across tests. If your priority is balanced safety and refinement in varied winter weather, choose Goodyear. If budget, aquaplaning security, and solid snow stops matter most, Hankook is the smart buy.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Goodyear ranks 1st-2nd; Hankook 3rd-5th across shared tests
- Braking: Goodyear consistently shorter on wet/dry; Hankook occasionally shorter on snow
- Handling feel: Goodyear neutral and composed; Hankook can be nervous in wet and less precise on dry in some tests
- Aquaplaning: Hankook clearly superior in both straight and curved metrics
- Noise/comfort: Goodyear quieter and more comfortable; Hankook firmer ride
- Value/price: Hankook typically ~20% cheaper with strong value scores; Goodyear priced higher but more rounded
Overall Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.