Ceat WinterDrive vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- -
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 23
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead 3 times and the WinterDrive not once. The WinterDrive stopped 2.8% shorter in the dry; the Winter i cept evo3 stopped 3.9% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Buy the Hankook Winter i cept evo3. It finished ahead in all three shared tests, brakes shorter in every wet measurement and resists aquaplaning far better. The Ceat WinterDrive earns a look only on budget, where it is 20.8 percent cheaper per 1000km and stops shorter on ice, but note its weak aquaplaning result.
Where the WinterDrive is stronger
- 20.8 percent cheaper per 1000km at Auto Bild, 7.32 against 9.24
- Shorter ice braking at ADAC, 15.5m against 17.4m
- Quieter in both noise measurements and shorter dry braking in both tests
Where the Winter i cept evo3 is stronger
- Finished ahead in all three shared tests, 4th of 31 against 10th at ADAC
- Shorter wet braking in all three measurements and both wet circle runs
- 32 percent better curved aquaplaning, 2.72 against 2.06 m/sec2
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.
WinterDrive vs Winter i cept evo3 at a glance
| Category | WinterDrive | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 0 | 3 | |
| Dry3 measurements | 2 | The WinterDrive stopped 2.8% shorter in the dry (2 tests) | 1 |
| Wet10 measurements | 0 | The Winter i cept evo3 stopped 3.9% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 10 |
| Snow7 measurements | 1 | 5 | |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort3 measurements | 2 | The WinterDrive was 2.3 dB quieter (2 tests) | 0 |
| Value5 measurements | 0 | The Winter i cept evo3 lasted 6% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 4 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The WinterDrive by 0.2 | 9.2/10 |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Winter i cept evo3 was dearer in 3 of 3 | +14.8% |
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 3 tests in 2025
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 | WinterDrive | Field | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P15 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P19 of 51 | P14 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test | P10 of 31 | P4 of 31 |
Performance profile
7 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
WinterDrive
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. 13 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
WinterDrive
Winter i cept evo3
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.
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 | WinterDrive | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140 | 2.8% | 144 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 71.3 | 0.2% | 71.4 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 141 | 3.9% | 136 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 130 | 5.5% | 123 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 49.6 | 2.3% | 50.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 16% | 6.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 12.69 | 0.5% | 12.63 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 44.6 | 4.9% | 46.8 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 6.8 | 32% | 8.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 72 | 0.2% | 72 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 314 | 1.2% | 315 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 36 | 2.1% | 36.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 9.3 | 2.8% | 9.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 51 | 10.9% | 57 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 68.55 | 2.3 dB | 70.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 36,207 | 6% | 38,631 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 9.07 | 1.9% | 8.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 5.8 | 1.7% | 5.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 64 | 12.5% | 56 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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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 WinterDrive scores 9.4 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
| WinterDrive | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93 | Dry | 77 | ||
| 54 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 71 | Comfort | 11 | ||
| 84 | Value | 57 | ||
| 76 | Snow | 68 | ||
| 90 | Ice | 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
| WinterDrive | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| - | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| - | Road Feedback | 7.8 | ||
| - | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| - | Wear | 8.8 | ||
| - | Comfort | 7.8 | ||
| - | Snow Grip | 9.4 | ||
| - | Ice Grip | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23 reviews; the WinterDrive has no owner reviews yet. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Ceat WinterDrive
No owner reviews yet. Be the first to review it →
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.
All 23 Winter i cept evo3 reviewsI 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.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | WinterDrive | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| On the market since | - | 2021 |
| Replaced | - | Hankook Winter i cept evo2 |
| Price in the shared tests | The Winter i cept evo3 was the dearer tire in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 14.8% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
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.
Three shared tests, all from 2025, and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead in all three: 6th of 22 against the Ceat WinterDrive's 15th at Auto Bild, 4th of 31 against 10th at ADAC and 14th of 52 against 19th in Auto Bild's braking test.
Wet weather is the gap. The Hankook stopped shorter in the wet in all three measurements, resisted straight aquaplaning better in both, 76.5 against 71.9 km/h, and it was 32 percent better through the curve, 2.72 against 2.06 m/sec2. It also won both wet circle runs and the only wet handling comparison, and it lasted longer at ADAC, 72,400km against 64,600km.
The Ceat's answer is price, quiet and one surprise. It worked out 20.8 percent cheaper per 1000km at Auto Bild, 7.32 against 9.24, was quieter in both noise measurements, braked shorter in the dry in both tests that measured it, and it stopped 10.9 percent shorter on ice at ADAC, 15.5m against 17.4m.
Conclusion
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 is the better winter tire, and all three shared tests say so: 6th of 22 against the Ceat WinterDrive's 15th at Auto Bild in 2025, 4th of 31 against 10th at ADAC and 14th of 52 against 19th in Auto Bild's braking test. Its advantage is concentrated in the wet. It stopped shorter in all three wet braking measurements, 55.6m against 57.7m at Auto Bild, and shorter on wet concrete, it won both wet circle runs, by 16 percent at ADAC, 2.9 against 2.5 m/s, and the only wet handling comparison. Aquaplaning is the widest gap of all, 32 percent better through the curve, 2.72 against 2.06 m/sec2, and 6.4 percent better on the straight. It also took both snow braking comparisons, snow handling and the snow slalom, lasted longer at ADAC, 72,400km against 64,600km, and abraded less, 56 against 64mg/km/t.
The Ceat WinterDrive is the value pick, and it is not a token one. Auto Bild worked it out at 7.32 per 1000km against the Hankook's 9.24, 20.8 percent cheaper, and it was quieter in both noise measurements and braked shorter in the dry in both tests that measured it. Its most interesting result is ice: 15.5m against 17.4m at ADAC, 10.9 percent shorter, the one measured category where it clearly beat the premium tire.
Two caveats worth stating. The Ceat has no owner reviews on the site yet, so there is no long-term feedback behind these test numbers. And its aquaplaning result is the weakest figure in this comparison by some way, which matters most on a wet motorway. Unless budget is the deciding factor, the Hankook is the tire.
WinterDrive vs Winter i cept evo3: your questions
Is the Ceat WinterDrive or the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead 3 times and the WinterDrive not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterDrive scores 9.4 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterDrive or the Winter i cept evo3?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 10 of the 10 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.9% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The WinterDrive led 2 of the 3 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.8% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 5 of the 7 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter i cept evo3 lasted 6% longer in the wear tests (2 tests).
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The WinterDrive was 2.3 dB quieter (2 tests).
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23 reviews; the WinterDrive has no owner reviews yet.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the Winter i cept evo3 was the dearer tire in 3 of them, by 14.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
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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.
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