Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52
The data show a clear pattern: Hankook consistently excels in wet and snow performance and offers outstanding aquaplaning reserves, while Kumho trades some wet security for stronger dry-road manners, lower noise, and a keener price. If your winters mean frequent rain, slush and snow, the Hankook's safety margin stands out; if you mostly drive on cold, dry highways and value comfort and cost, the Kumho makes a compelling case.
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 six tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Hankook Winter i cept evo3 | five | |
| Kumho Winter Craft WP52 | one |
While it might look like the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 is better than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 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) and consistent wet handling
- Best-in-test snow braking/traction multiple times with strong snow handling
- Short, reliable braking across conditions with low rolling resistance for a UHP winter
- Strong value-for-performance despite not being the cheapest
- Lower road noise and generally more comfortable touring demeanor
- Competitive dry braking/handling in several tests
- Attractive purchase price versus peers and Hankook
- Solid snow capability for the class, with stable, predictable dry behavior
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 stopped the vehicle in 1.04% less distance than the Hankook Winter i cept evo3.
Best In Dry Braking: Kumho Winter Craft WP52
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was 0.32% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter i cept evo3.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Kumho Winter Craft WP52
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was 0.1% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter i cept evo3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Kumho Winter Craft WP52
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scored 3.06% more points than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during five wet braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 stopped the vehicle in 2.16% less distance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Wet Braking: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was 3.39% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was 1.52% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 and Kumho Winter Craft WP52 performed equally well in subj. wet handling tests.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was 3.14% faster around a wet circle than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Wet Circle: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 floated at a 4.81% higher speed than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 slipped out at a 19.62% higher speed than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during six snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 stopped the vehicle in 2.78% less distance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Braking: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 accelerated 5.52% faster than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Traction: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 had 2.28% better snow traction than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Traction: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was 1.79% faster around a lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was 0.51% faster around a lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scored 3.16% more points than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was 0.28% faster through a slalom than the Hankook Winter i cept evo3.
Best In Snow Slalom: Kumho Winter Craft WP52
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scored 5.26% more points than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during two noise tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 measured 2.02% quieter than the Hankook Winter i cept evo3.
Best In Noise: Kumho Winter Craft WP52
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during one price tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 cost 11.5% less than the Hankook Winter i cept evo3.
Best In Price: Kumho Winter Craft WP52
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 had a 0.93% lower rolling resistance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 Driver Reviews
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.
Based on 22 reviews with an average rating of 86%
Kumho Winter Craft WP52 Driver Reviews
Drivers find the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 to deliver strong dry grip and handling with generally good snow traction, making it a solid value purchase. Wet performance is adequate but not standout, with several users noting longer wet braking distances or a vague feel. Noise can be higher than average for some, though overall comfort is acceptable. Overall sentiment is moderately positive with a few recurring caveats in the wet.
Based on 8 reviews with an average rating of 69%
Conclusion
Kumho counters with quieter operation, slightly better dry braking/handling in several tests, and a lower purchase price (≈11.5% cheaper in the 2023 Tire Reviews test). For drivers spending most winter miles on dry, cold roads at steady speeds, those benefits matter. But for mixed or severe winter conditions, Hankook's broader capability and safety reserves make it the more complete winter choice. Practical takeaway: pick Hankook for confidence when it's wet, slushy or snowy; pick Kumho for quiet, budget-friendly commuting on predominantly dry winter days.
Key Differences
- Wet safety: Hankook repeatedly stops shorter in the wet and handles better; Kumho is weaker and has lower aquaplaning resistance.
- Snow performance: Hankook leads snow braking, traction and handling in most tests; Kumho trails slightly.
- Dry road focus: Kumho edges dry braking/handling more often; Hankook is close but not dominant in the dry.
- Aquaplaning reserves: Hankook shows markedly higher thresholds (often double-digit % gains); Kumho is average to limited.
- Noise/comfort: Kumho is quieter by ~1-2 dB; Hankook is among the loudest in some tests.
- Value: Kumho typically costs ~10-12% less; Hankook offers better all-weather performance per euro but at a higher price.
Overall Winner: Hankook Winter i cept evo3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 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 evo3 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Kumho Winter Craft WP52 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.