Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
Expect a contest of outright safety margins versus efficiency and price. The TS 870 dominates wet and ice braking and is exceptionally rounded across dry, wet, and snow. The RS3 counters with best-in-class aquaplaning resistance, excellent mileage, and noticeably lower purchase cost-appealing to drivers prioritizing long-term running costs without giving up much winter confidence.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 | six |
While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 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
- Best-in-class consistency: multiple test wins (6/6 overall) and top-three in nearly all sub-tests
- Outstanding wet and ice braking (up to ~8-9% shorter in key tests)
- Balanced winter capability with strong snow braking/traction and secure handling
- Good efficiency package for a premium tire (often low RR, solid predicted mileage)
- Exceptional aquaplaning resistance (often test-leading straight and curved)
- High mileage and low abrasion; strong value pricing
- Balanced, predictable handling with strong snow traction and stable dry manners
- Competitive rolling resistance and fuel use in multiple tests
Dry Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 1.27% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.12% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.72% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 5.56% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 0.51% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 8.55% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.11% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.12% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 5.56% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 2.92% faster around a wet circle than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 floated at a 0.72% higher speed than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 slipped out at a 6.34% higher speed than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two snow braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 1.59% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
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 Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Traction: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had 0.26% better snow traction than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Traction: Continental WinterContact TS 870
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 2.49% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
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 one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.67% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 scored 15% more points than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Subj. Snow Handling 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 0.91% faster through a slalom than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
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 Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle 5.97% shorter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Ice Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 and Hankook Winter I cept RS3 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 0.42% quieter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 0.14% quieter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two wear tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 is predicted to cover 0.73% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Wear: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two 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 20.51% better value based on price/1000km than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Value: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two price tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 cost 25.04% less than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Price: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had a 1.69% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 used 0.92% less fuel than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Continental WinterContact TS 870
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 1.77% less particle wear matter than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental WinterContact TS 870 Driver Reviews
Drivers of the Continental WinterContact TS 870 overwhelmingly praise its exceptional wet grip and braking, superb aquaplaning resistance, and confident dry-road handling for a winter tire. Comfort and low noise are frequently highlighted, and many report strong traction in fresh or soft snow. A minority note that traction can be weaker on hard-packed snow or ice-particularly on steep hills or heavier vehicles-compared to expectations. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most users feeling safe and confident in varied winter conditions.
Based on 22 reviews with an average rating of 84%
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
The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 earns its keep with class-leading aquaplaning resistance, very high mileage, lower rolling resistance in some tests, and a significantly lower price-often 20-28% cheaper. Its weakest area is wet braking versus the very best, though gaps are usually small. For buyers prioritizing value and eco-metrics with broadly secure winter performance, the RS3 is excellent; for maximum safety margin and all-round consistency in mixed winter weather, the TS 870 is the benchmark.
Key Differences
- Overall results: TS 870 wins every shared test; RS3 places well but not on top
- Wet braking: TS 870 consistently shorter stops (typically 2-5% advantage; one test shows RS3 leading in a size)
- Ice braking: TS 870 clear lead (4-8% shorter)
- Aquaplaning: RS3 often best in straight and curved tests; TS 870 still strong but usually second
- Dry performance: TS 870 slightly better in braking/handling consistency; RS3 occasionally quicker to stop but more variability
- Value and wear: RS3 cheaper (≈20-28% lower price) with higher mileage; TS 870 higher purchase cost but still good longevity
Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 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:
Continental WinterContact TS 870 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.