Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
The data shows a clear split: Hankook consistently dominates aquaplaning resistance and often pulls ahead on snow braking and traction, while Pirelli typically stops shorter on dry and wet asphalt and earns higher subjective scores for balance and feedback. Value, wear and price also separate them, with Hankook frequently emerging as the better long-term buy.
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 ten tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Hankook Winter I cept RS3 | seven | |
| Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 | three |
While it might look like the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 is better than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 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
- Class-leading aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) across most tests
- Strong snow performance, especially braking and traction
- Excellent value: lower purchase price and often better mileage/abrasion
- Balanced wet grip with secure handling when not at the absolute braking limit
- Consistently shorter dry and wet braking distances
- Engaging, balanced handling with high subjective scores
- Good snow capability in several tests with clear feedback
- Often favorable efficiency metrics and low cabin noise
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during eight dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 stopped the vehicle in 1.18% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.97% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
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 three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.56% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 scored 13.76% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 stopped the vehicle in 2.07% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during two wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 stopped the vehicle in 8.14% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was 0.8% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was 0.33% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 scored 14.68% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
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 5.76% higher lateral wet grip than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wet Circle: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during eight straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 floated at a 4.04% higher speed than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during seven curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 slipped out at a 8.93% higher speed than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during six snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle in 2.42% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Braking: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 accelerated 3.92% faster than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Traction: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 had 1.66% better snow traction than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Traction: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from two 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 0.66% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
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 three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.9% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 performed equally well in subj. snow handling tests.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 provided 0.24% more lateral grip than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Circle: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 performed equally well in snow slalom tests.
Best In Snow Slalom: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during three ice braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 stopped the vehicle 5.17% shorter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Ice Braking: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 scored 9.35% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during four noise tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 measured 0.36% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Noise: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 measured 1.58% quieter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during three wear tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 is predicted to cover 7.46% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wear: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two value tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 proved to have a 7.72% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Value: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during four price tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 cost 18.78% less than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Price: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 had a 2.22% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two abrasion tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 emitted 20.72% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
In total the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 has been reviewed 22 times and drivers have given the tire 78% overall.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tire 78% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
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
If your winters are milder and mostly damp/cold with limited snowfall, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2's shorter dry and wet braking, stronger subjective balance, and good efficiency make it compelling. It can, however, be less secure at the aquaplaning limit and shows more variability on snow. Bottom line: Hankook for water management, snow assurance and value; Pirelli for crisp road manners and shorter asphalt stops.
Key Differences
- Aquaplaning: Hankook decisively ahead (straight wins 8-0; curved 7-0).
- Snow braking/traction: Hankook frequently shorter and stronger; Pirelli more variable.
- Dry/wet braking: Pirelli usually stops shorter (e.g., ADAC and Auto Bild datasets).
- Subjective balance/feedback: Pirelli often rated higher, especially on dry/wet circuits.
- Value and cost: Hankook typically cheaper to buy and often wears slower (e.g., +30-55% mileage in some 2024 tests).
- Noise/comfort: Pirelli often quieter; Hankook can feel firmer/harsh over joints.
Overall Winner: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 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:
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 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.