Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Kleber Krisalp HP3
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 28
- TR Score
- 8.1/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 36
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 finished ahead 6 times and the Krisalp HP3 not once. The Winter I cept RS3 stopped 5.8% shorter in the wet; the Krisalp HP3 stopped 2.5% shorter on snow.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 for mixed winter climates with frequent wet roads, higher-speed commuting, and drivers who value braking margins and stable handling. Choose Kleber Krisalp HP3 if you regularly face snow-packed roads, prefer a quieter ride, and are optimizing for value/efficiency in select sizes.
Where the Winter I cept RS3 is stronger
- Class-leading wet performance: consistently shorter wet braking and faster wet handling
- Strong aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) across multiple tests
- Sporty, precise handling feel with high overall test placements
Where the Krisalp HP3 is stronger
- Very good snow capability: competitive braking/traction and secure snow handling
- Often quieter with good comfort levels
- Occasionally lower rolling resistance and wear in select sizes/tests
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.
Winter I cept RS3 vs Krisalp HP3 at a glance
| Category | Winter I cept RS3 | Gap | Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 6 | 0 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 7 | The Winter I cept RS3 averaged a 1.5% higher speed on the dry handling course (3 tests) | 3 |
| Wet26 measurements | 19 | The Winter I cept RS3 stopped 5.8% shorter in the wet (6 tests) | 2 |
| Snow20 measurements | 7 | The Krisalp HP3 stopped 2.5% shorter on snow (6 tests) | 11 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort7 measurements | 2 | 3 | |
| Value9 measurements | 3 | 4 | |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.8/10 | The Winter I cept RS3 by 0.7 | 8.1/10 |
| Owner rating28 and 36 reviews | 77% | The Krisalp HP3 by 7 points | 84% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The Winter I cept RS3 by 3 points | 71% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Krisalp HP3 was dearer in 1 of 4 | +2% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 46 | 37 sizes made in both | 75 |
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 6 tests, 2022 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 | Winter I cept RS3 | Field | Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test | P6 of 9 | P8 of 9 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P6 of 20 | P8 of 20 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test | P14 of 55 | P16 of 55 | |
| 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test | P5 of 16 | P10 of 16 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P7 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test | P3 of 9 | P8 of 9 |
Performance profile
18 measurements from the 6 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winter I cept RS3
Krisalp HP3
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. 9 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Winter I cept RS3
Krisalp HP3
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
Winter I cept RS3
Krisalp HP3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Winter I cept RS3 77% from 28 reviews and the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36. 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 | Winter I cept RS3 | Gap | Krisalp HP3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 144 | 0.4% | 143 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 80.3 | 0.5% | 80.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 72.8 | 1.5% | 71.7 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 12.8% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 137 | 5.8% | 144 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 127 | 4.4% | 133 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 98.8 | 3.9% | 102.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 45.9 | 1.7% | 45.2 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 8.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17.5 | 2.2% | 17.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12.57 | 1% | 12.7 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 51.7 | 0.1% | 51.7 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13.4 | 3.8% | 12.9 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | 2.5% | 80 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.9 | 4.1% | 4.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 296 | 4.5% | 297 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 113.6 | 0.3% | 113.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41.7 | 0.1% | 41.7 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 4.5% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11.9 | 0.7% | 11.9 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 65 | 9.6% | 72 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 14.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70.9 | 0.4 dB | 70.52 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24,821 | 0.3% | 24,429 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.45 | 2.2% | 8.64 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.7 | = | 5.7 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70 | 20% | 56 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Winter I cept RS3 scores 8.8 and the Krisalp HP3 8.1 out of 10.
| Winter I cept RS3 | Category | Krisalp HP3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | Dry | 34 | ||
| 93 | Wet | 72 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 55 | ||
| 52 | Value | 51 | ||
| 75 | Snow | 90 | ||
| 33 | Ice | 20 | ||
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
| Winter I cept RS3 | Category | Krisalp HP3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | Dry Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 7.6 | Road Feedback | 8.2 | ||
| 8 | Handling | 8.1 | ||
| 7.6 | Wear | 8.4 | ||
| 6.7 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 9 | Snow Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 7.7 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the Winter I cept RS3 77% from 28 reviews and the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
- 77%from 28 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 156,320 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 as a capable winter tire with strong real-world grip, particularly in snow and wet conditions, backed up by solid dry grip and handling for a winter pattern. Around two in five owners specifically praise snow traction and wet grip, and a smaller but meaningful group also mention confident aquaplaning resistance and wet handling. The standout drawback is road noise: nearly two thirds of owners mention it and most of those are unhappy, often describing it as noticeably loud at speed. A smaller group also report softer, less responsive steering feel, with mixed feedback on tread life.
- Strong snow traction and confidence in winter conditions
- Reassuring wet grip
- Very good dry grip for a winter tire
- Secure wet handling
- Noticeably loud road noise, especially at speed
- Steering feels soft / less responsive
- Mixed or disappointing tread life
Summarised by AI from 25 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 28 Winter I cept RS3 reviewsI drove some 13000 km with them, once they got 3 years old dry rot cracks were already visible in the tread area around the tread blocks, my winter tires before them were Continental TS850 replaced at 10 years old, gave them away to my father, they were made in 2012, still no dry rot cracks in them at 14 years old, but they aren't as grippy as my new Hankooks. However, Continental is a premium class, Hankooks are middle and now I can see why.
What I misjudged about Hankooks is noise above some 95 km/h, it's more the engine getting more noisy similar noise to the tires humming excessively, once I distinguished that, I can say these Hankooks aren't noisy at all. However, dry rot at just 3 years old is not what I like, I almost wish I paid 80 euros per tire for premium class instead 60 for these Hankooks, they surely aren't going to last me 10 years due to dry rot. But for now, they do their job well, if you wear out tires within a few years, they are good tires
Kleber Krisalp HP3
- 84%from 36 reviews
- 71%would buy again
- 459,168 milesdriven by reviewers
Most drivers rate the Kleber Krisalp HP3 highly, praising its strong snow and wet performance, low noise/comfort for a winter tire, and decent wear/value. Dry grip and handling precision are adequate for normal driving but can feel soft with noticeable understeer if pushed; several users report a 'jelly/boat-like' feel. A minority mention noise at certain speeds, vibration/manufacturing issues in specific batches, and weaker performance on ice or slush at higher speeds. Overall sentiment is positive with safety and winter capability as standout strengths.
- snow traction and braking
- wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
- low noise/comfort for a winter tire
- good wear and value
- soft sidewalls/boat-like feel; weak handling precision when pushed
- dry grip/cornering weaker vs summer tires
- ice/slush performance can be limited at higher speeds
Summarised by AI from 26 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 36 Krisalp HP3 reviewsGreat snow and ice grip, much better than any winter tire i had before.
Good durability as well. Dry grip is fine, wet grip not as much and must be kept in mind. Not very noisy for a winter tire either. Would buy again if they are on discount.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 46 sizes of the Winter I cept RS3 and 75 of the Krisalp HP3, 37 of them made in both.
| Category | Winter I cept RS3 | Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 46 sizes, 14 to 17 inch | 75 sizes, 14 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 37 sizes 165/65 R14165/70 R14175/65 R14175/70 R14185/60 R14185/65 R14185/70 R14165/60 R15165/65 R15175/65 R15185/55 R15185/60 R15and 25 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | B90%C10% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C58%D42% | D50%C48%B2% |
| EU label noise | 70-72 dB B100% | 68-71 dB A81%B19% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 189 of 189 | 112 of 112 |
| On the market since | - | 2016 |
| Replaced | Hankook Winter i cept RS2 (2021) | Kleber Krisalp HP2 (2013) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Krisalp HP3 was the dearer tire in 1 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 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 head-to-head pitches the Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 against the Kleber Krisalp HP3 across five independent winter tire tests in core sizes from 16 to 17 inches. Both target mainstream passenger cars, but the Hankook positions itself as a premium-touring option with a sportier edge, while the Kleber plays the value-focused touring all-rounder with a clear snow bias.
Across the dataset, the Hankook consistently runs higher up the order (best results: 3/9, 5/16, 6/23) and sweeps the wet disciplines, aquaplaning resistance, and subjective handling. The Kleber answers back with competitive pricing in some tests, quieter running, lower rolling resistance in select sizes, and notably strong snow braking/traction in two of the four snow categories. Expect this comparison to highlight a clear wet-road safety advantage for the Hankook versus the Kleber's snow-first character and comfort/value appeal.
Conclusion
The pattern is consistent: Hankook dominates in the wet (notably up to 19% shorter wet braking in one test) and provides more precise, confidence-inspiring handling with stronger aquaplaning margins, while still being competitive on snow. It also lands excellent efficiency and ownership credentials in key tests, taking the Eco-Master award and delivering class-leading mileage and value in Auto Bild 2024.
Kleber counters with reliable snow performance, quieter operation, and in some sizes/tests lower rolling resistance, wear, and purchase cost. However, its wet braking is repeatedly longer, which is a meaningful safety trade-off in real-world winter rain and slush. If your winter miles include frequent wet motorway use and mixed conditions, the Hankook is the safer, more rounded choice. If you prioritize snow-day confidence, cabin quiet, and potentially lower running costs in specific sizes, the Kleber remains a smart budget-conscious pick.
Winter I cept RS3 vs Krisalp HP3: your questions
Is the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 or the Kleber Krisalp HP3 the better tire?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 finished ahead 6 times and the Krisalp HP3 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter I cept RS3 scores 8.8 and the Krisalp HP3 8.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter I cept RS3 or the Krisalp HP3?
The Winter I cept RS3 led 19 of the 26 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.8% shorter in the wet across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Winter I cept RS3 led 7 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 1.5% higher speed on the dry handling course across 3 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Krisalp HP3 led 11 of the 20 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.5% shorter on snow across 6 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter I cept RS3 had 2.2% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 7.6/10 for the Winter I cept RS3 and 8.4/10 for the Krisalp HP3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 6.7/10 for the Winter I cept RS3 and 8.8/10 for the Krisalp HP3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter I cept RS3 77% from 28 reviews and the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36. 74% of Winter I cept RS3 owners would buy it again, against 71% for the Krisalp HP3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Krisalp HP3 was the dearer tire in 1 of them, by 2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winter I cept RS3 is made in 46 sizes (14 to 17 inch) and the Krisalp HP3 in 75 (14 to 20 inch). 37 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winter I cept RS3 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Krisalp HP3 B and D.
More comparisons with these tires
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
6-2 in 8 shared tests
vs
Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
10-0 in 10 shared tests
vs
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
11-2 in 13 shared tests
vs
Barum Polaris 6 vs Kleber Krisalp HP3
2-1 in 4 shared tests
vs
Firestone Winterhawk 4 vs Kleber Krisalp HP3
5-10 in 15 shared tests
vs 
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Vredestein Wintrac
6-0 in 6 shared tests
vs 
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52
4-1 in 5 shared tests
vs
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
0-7 in 7 shared tests
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.
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.
Discussion