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Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3

Winter Passenger Car 13 shared tests
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
TR Score
9.5/10
Owners say
90% · 15
Head to head 12-0 wins in 13 shared tests, 1 level 2023-2026 · 6 publications
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
TR Score
9.2/10
Owners say
86% · 23

In the 13 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 12 times and the Winter i cept evo3 not once, with one level. The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests; the Winter i cept evo3 held 9.3% more grip in curved aquaplaning.

Data updated

Which should you buy?

Choose the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 if your winter is dominated by wet roads, variable temperatures, and you want the strongest all-round safety with lower noise and better projected wear. Choose the Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 if you want a cheaper UHP winter tire with very strong aquaplaning security and competitive snow/ice credentials-especially where standing water and price are the deciding factors.

Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger

  • Wet-weather safety advantage: frequent leader in wet braking and wet handling (category wins: wet braking 10-2; wet handling 8-1)
  • More refined day-to-day: consistently lower noise and better subjective comfort in several tests (noise wins 9-0; e.g., 71.8 dB vs 77.4 dB)
  • Stronger longevity/environmental performance in major tests (e.g., ADAC 76,500 km vs 72,400 km; Auto Bild 45,500 km vs 34,407 km)
Everything on the UltraGrip Performance 3

Where the Winter i cept evo3 is stronger

  • Aquaplaning-focused security: consistently stronger in straight and curved aquaplaning (wins: straight aqua 8-2; curved aquaplaning 7-1)
  • Competitive winter bite in key metrics: often edges snow braking (6-5) and can be very strong on ice in some tests (e.g., 9.57 m ice braking vs 11.08 m)
  • Better upfront value: repeatedly cheaper and scores better on value metrics (e.g., Auto Bild 2025 value 9.24 vs 10.94 price/1000; lower prices in multiple tests)
Everything on the Winter i cept evo3

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.

UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Winter i cept evo3 at a glance

Category UltraGrip Performance 3 Gap Winter i cept evo3
Shared tests won13 shared tests 12 1 level 0
Dry23 measurements 17 The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 1.4% shorter in the dry (11 tests) 5
Wet53 measurements 32 The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 4.2% shorter in the wet (13 tests) 20
Snow43 measurements 24 The UltraGrip Performance 3 averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the snow handling course (8 tests) 14
Ice3 measurements 1 2
Comfort14 measurements 12 The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 2.6 dB quieter (10 tests) 0
Value15 measurements 10 The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) 5
Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold 9.5/10 The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 0.3 9.2/10
Owner rating15 and 23 reviews 90% The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 4 points 86%
Would buy againshare of owners 100% The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 9 points 91%
Pricein the 12 tests that listed prices +22.2% The UltraGrip Performance 3 was dearer in 11 of 12 Cheaper
Sizes madeEU label registrations 175 57 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 13 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 UltraGrip Performance 3 Field Winter i cept evo3
2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 2026 · 225/45 R18 · BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé and BMW M240i P3 of 12 P8 of 12
2025 High Performance Winter Tire Test Sport Auto · 2025 · 275/35 R19 · BMW M3 P3 of 6 P4 of 6
2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 · BMW M135i P5 of 20 P6 of 20
2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P3 of 51 P14 of 51
2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test ADAC · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P1 of 31 P4 of 31
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test Auto Bild Allrad · 2024 · 245/45 R18 P2 of 12 P5 of 12
2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 2024 · 235/35 R19 P2 of 10 P6 of 10
The BEST Performance Winter Tires for 2024 / 2025 Tire Reviews · 2024 · 235/35 R19 Tire Reviews test P3 of 6 P4 of 6
2023 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test Sport Auto · 2023 · 225/40 R18 P2 of 9 P6 of 9
2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 2023 · 225/40 R18 P1 of 11 P4 of 11
2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test Auto Bild · 2023 · 225/45 R18 P2 of 20 P6 of 20
2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test Auto Bild · 2023 · 225/45 R18 P3 of 54 P8 of 54
2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test Tire Reviews · 2023 · 225/45 R18 Tire Reviews test P4 of 11 P4 of 11

Performance profile

24 measurements from the 13 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.

Dry BrakingDry Handling (s)Dry Handling (mph)Subj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingWet Handling (s)Wet Handling (mph)Subj. Wet HandlingWet Circle (mph)Wet Circle (s)Straight AquaCurved AquaplaningSnow BrakingSnow TractionSnow Traction (lbf)Snow HandlingSnow Handling (mph)Subj. Snow HandlingSnow SlalomIce BrakingSubj. ComfortNoiseWearRolling Resistance

Where each is furthest ahead

UltraGrip Performance 3

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 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.

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 UltraGrip Performance 3 Gap Winter i cept evo3 Wins
140 1.4% 142 8-2
79.93 0.2% 80.16 1-1
68.2 0.5% 67.9 6-2
scored 4% scored 2-0
128 4.2% 134 11-2
91 4.5% 95 1-0
120 2.4% 123 1-0
82.98 1.4% 84.49 2-0
50.3 2.1% 49.2 7-1
scored 8.8% scored 1-0
14 2.7% 13.6 3-0
13.5 2.5% 13.84 3-0
51.9 0.5% 52.2 2-9
8.4 9.3% 9.2 1-8
83 0.1% 83 5-6
5.55 1.6% 5.64 1-1
382 2% 378 8-1
82.54 0.5% 82.16 1-1
38.3 0.7% 38 5-3
scored = scored 0-0
9.6 2.5% 9.4 1-0
12.1 1.1% 11.9 3-2
46 4.8% 44 1-1
5.14 9.9% 4.63 0-1
scored 3% scored 2-0
70.91 2.6 dB 73.55 10-0
36,247 13.3% 32,880 3-0
8.56 1.7% 8.71 6-4
5.8 1.7% 5.7 0-1
50 10.7% 56 1-0

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 UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.

Tire Reviews Score by category
UltraGrip Performance 3 Category Winter i cept evo3
89Dry 77
95Wet 89
85Comfort 11
70Value 57
87Snow 68
22Ice 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

What owners rate
UltraGrip Performance 3 Category Winter i cept evo3
8.6Dry Grip 9
8.8Wet Grip 9
8.6Road Feedback 7.8
8.1Handling 8.4
9Wear 8.8
8.8Comfort 7.8
9.5Snow Grip 9.4
8.1Ice Grip 8.5

Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

  • 90%from 15 reviews
  • 100%would buy again
  • 62,800 milesdriven by reviewers

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.

  • strong dry grip and braking
  • excellent wet grip and braking
  • very good snow traction
  • quiet and comfortable ride
  • limited grip on pure ice compared to some rivals
  • softer steering feel and less sporty lateral grip at high speeds

Summarised by AI from 12 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.

This is exceptional tire in winter i swapped it now with Michelin PA 5 which is even better on snow but lucks a bit on wet. But you cant go wrong with niether of those. I cant wait Michelin s to worn out so i can try pirelli.

94% Cupra Leon 225/40 R18 15,000 miles October 22, 2026
All 15 UltraGrip Performance 3 reviews

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.

I 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.

98% Jeep compass 225/60 R17 5,500 miles October 13, 2026
All 23 Winter i cept evo3 reviews

Sizes, EU label and lineage

From the EU label registrations for each tire: 175 sizes of the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 86 of the Winter i cept evo3, 57 of them made in both.

Category UltraGrip Performance 3 Winter i cept evo3
Season Winter Winter
Sizes made 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch 86 sizes, 17 to 22 inch
Made in both 57 sizes 215/60 R17235/45 R17215/40 R18215/45 R18215/50 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18245/40 R18and 45 more
EU label wet grip B60%C39%D0%A0% B98%C1%D1%
EU label rolling resistance C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% C57%D42%B1%
EU label noise 69-74 dB B87%A13% 70-75 dB B100%
Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes 415 of 415 124 of 124
On the market since - 2021
Replaced - Hankook Winter i cept evo2
Awards Commended: Best Winter Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) -
Price in the shared tests The UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tire in 11 of the 12 tests that listed prices, by 22.2% 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 is a straight shootout between two ultra-high-performance winter tires that aim to do the same job-keep fast, powerful passenger cars confident in cold conditions-yet they go about it with noticeably different priorities. Across 12 shared professional tests (including ADAC, Auto Bild, Sport Auto and Tire Reviews), the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 repeatedly emerges as the more “asphalt-first” winter tire, while the Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 tends to lean into winter mobility and water-clearing security.

The pattern is consistent: Goodyear stacks up wins in the core safety metrics that dominate everyday winter driving in much of Europe-wet braking/handling, predictable grip and refinement-while Hankook's best arguments are value, strong straight and curved aquaplaning resistance, and competitive (often slightly better) snow braking and ice metrics in some formats. If your winter is mostly wet roads and fluctuating temperatures, this comparison tilts one way; if you see frequent standing water, want a cheaper set, and care most about deep-water stability and “winter bite,” it tilts the other.

Conclusion

Across the shared test set, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is the more consistently high-ranked tire overall (e.g., 1st/31 in ADAC 2025; 5th/22 in Auto Bild 2025; multiple podiums in performance-winter tests). The reason is simple: it repeatedly posts shorter wet braking and stronger wet handling-often by meaningful margins. In the 2025 52-set braking test it stops 3.0 m shorter in the wet (32.6 m vs 35.6 m), and in Auto Bild 2025 it's 4.7 m better (50.9 m vs 55.6 m). It also tends to be notably quieter (e.g., 71.8 dB vs 77.4 dB in the 2025 high-performance test) and shows stronger projected wear in the big consumer-oriented tests (ADAC: 76,500 km vs 72,400 km; Auto Bild 2023: 45,500 km vs 34,407 km).

The Hankook Winter i*cept evo3's case is narrower but still compelling: it is frequently stronger in aquaplaning security (wins in straight aquaplaning 8-2 and curved aquaplaning 7-1 across the summary) and it often edges snow braking (6-5) while also showing occasional standout ice performance (e.g., 9.57 m vs 11.08 m ice braking in one performance-winter test). Add in repeated price/value advantages (Auto Bild 2025 value: 9.24 vs 10.94 price/1000; multiple tests show lower purchase price), and it becomes a smart buy for drivers who prioritize winter traction per euro and high-speed water stability over ultimate wet-road stopping.

Practical takeaway: if you can only choose one tire for a typical mixed winter of wet roads, cold rain, and occasional snow, Goodyear's broader safety margin and refinement make it the safer all-rounder. Hankook is the better “value + water-clearing + winter bite” option-particularly if standing water/aquaplaning confidence and purchase price are your main constraints.

UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Winter i cept evo3: your questions

Is the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 or the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 the better tire?

In the 13 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 12 times and the Winter i cept evo3 not once, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.

Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip Performance 3 or the Winter i cept evo3?

The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 32 of the 53 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.2% shorter in the wet across 13 tests.

Which is better in the dry?

The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 17 of the 23 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.4% shorter in the dry across 11 tests.

Which is better in snow?

The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 24 of the 43 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the snow handling course across 8 tests.

Which lasts longer and costs less to run?

The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 1.7% lower rolling resistance (10 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 8.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.

Which is quieter and more comfortable?

The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 2.6 dB quieter (10 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 7.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.

What do owners say?

Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. 100% of UltraGrip Performance 3 owners would buy it again, against 91% for the Winter i cept evo3.

Which is more expensive?

In the 12 tests that listed prices, the UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tire in 11 of them, by 22.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.

Are they available in the same sizes?

The UltraGrip Performance 3 is made in 175 sizes (14 to 23 inch) and the Winter i cept evo3 in 86 (17 to 22 inch). 57 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the UltraGrip Performance 3 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Winter i cept evo3 B and C.

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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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