Firestone Winterhawk 4 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
- TR Score
- 8.1/10
- Owners say
- 72% · 6
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 28
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 finished ahead 4 times and the Winterhawk 4 once. The Winterhawk 4 stopped 3.7% shorter in the wet; the Winter I cept RS3 lasted 10.8% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 for mixed winter use, higher speeds, and longevity. Choose Firestone Winterhawk 4 if you prioritize wet stopping, low noise, and upfront value for urban/commuter driving.
Where the Winterhawk 4 is stronger
- Consistently strong wet braking (wins 4 of 5 shared wet-braking metrics)
- Low external noise levels across tests
- Competitive price/value in certain sizes (lower price and rolling resistance in 2022 Auto Bild)
Where the Winter I cept RS3 is stronger
- Higher overall test rankings and all-round balance (4 overall wins)
- Better dry braking/handling and steering precision
- Stronger aquaplaning resistance (both straight and curved) in most 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.
Winterhawk 4 vs Winter I cept RS3 at a glance
| Category | Winterhawk 4 | Gap | Winter I cept RS3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 1 | 4 | |
| Dry6 measurements | 0 | The Winter I cept RS3 stopped 2.1% shorter in the dry (4 tests) | 6 |
| Wet19 measurements | 9 | The Winter I cept RS3 held 5.4% more grip in curved aquaplaning (4 tests) | 10 |
| Snow13 measurements | 4 | The Winter I cept RS3 stopped 3.6% shorter on snow (5 tests) | 9 |
| Ice2 measurements | 1 | Level between the two. | 1 |
| Comfort3 measurements | 3 | The Winterhawk 4 was 0.8 dB quieter (3 tests) | 0 |
| Value9 measurements | 2 | The Winter I cept RS3 lasted 10.8% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 6 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.1/10 | The Winter I cept RS3 by 0.7 | 8.8/10 |
| Owner rating6 and 28 reviews | 72% | The Winter I cept RS3 by 5 points | 77% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 67% | The Winter I cept RS3 by 7 points | 74% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Winter I cept RS3 was dearer in 2 of 2 | +9.2% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 83 | 35 sizes made in both | 46 |
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 5 tests, 2022 to 2024
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 | Winterhawk 4 | Field | Winter I cept RS3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P18 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test | P10 of 16 | P5 of 16 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test | P10 of 55 | P14 of 55 | |
| 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test | P7 of 16 | P5 of 16 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P16 of 20 | P7 of 20 |
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winterhawk 4
Winter I cept RS3
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 94%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 1 measurement recorded in only one shared test is left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Winterhawk 4
Winter I cept RS3
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
Winterhawk 4
Winter I cept RS3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Winterhawk 4 72% from 6 reviews and the Winter I cept RS3 77% from 28. 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 | Winterhawk 4 | Gap | Winter I cept RS3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151 | 2.1% | 147 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.3 | 1.4% | 72.3 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 143 | 3.7% | 148 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 127 | 2.9% | 131 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.9 | 1.2% | 45.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.54 | 0.2% | 12.57 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 51.6 | 0.1% | 51.5 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.6 | 5.4% | 11 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71 | 3.6% | 68 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 308 | 1.4% | 309 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35.3 | 0.4% | 35.4 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.4 | 2.8% | 11.6 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 62 | 0.3% | 62 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.87 | 0.8 dB | 71.63 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 23,464 | 10.8% | 26,274 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.17 | 1.2% | 8.3 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.7 | = | 5.7 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 86 | 26.3% | 63.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Winterhawk 4 scores 8.1 and the Winter I cept RS3 8.8 out of 10.
| Winterhawk 4 | Category | Winter I cept RS3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Dry | 60 | ||
| 86 | Wet | 93 | ||
| 66 | Comfort | 36 | ||
| 49 | Value | 52 | ||
| 69 | Snow | 75 | ||
| 54 | Ice | 33 | ||
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
| Winterhawk 4 | Category | Winter I cept RS3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.3 | Dry Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 7.3 | Wet Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 6.2 | Road Feedback | 7.6 | ||
| 5.5 | Handling | 8 | ||
| 7.6 | Wear | 7.6 | ||
| 7.7 | Comfort | 6.7 | ||
| 7.5 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 6.8 | Ice Grip | 7.7 | ||
Owners rate the Winterhawk 4 72% from 6 reviews and the Winter I cept RS3 77% from 28. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Firestone Winterhawk 4
- 72%from 6 reviews
- 67%would buy again
- 25,300 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally rate the Firestone Winterhawk 4 highly for everyday winter use, with strong confidence in snow and rain, short braking distances, and reassuring all-round performance. Many highlight its good value versus premium brands, along with a quiet, comfortable ride and responsive feel. Overall satisfaction is high across the majority of reviews.
- strong snow performance
- good wet grip and braking
- quiet and comfortable ride
- good value for money
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 6 Winterhawk 4 reviewsGood quality for mid-range brand, cover winter needs. In general there is no high potential of performance for winter tires independently of brand!
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
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 83 sizes of the Winterhawk 4 and 46 of the Winter I cept RS3, 35 of them made in both.
| Category | Winterhawk 4 | Winter I cept RS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 83 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 46 sizes, 14 to 17 inch |
| Made in both | 35 sizes 165/65 R14165/70 R14175/65 R14175/70 R14185/60 R14185/65 R14165/60 R15165/65 R15175/65 R15185/55 R15185/60 R15185/65 R15and 23 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | B100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D50%C50% | C58%D42% |
| EU label noise | 71 dB B100% | 70-72 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 101 of 101 | 189 of 189 |
| On the market since | 2020 | - |
| Replaced | Firestone Winterhawk 3 (2013) | Hankook Winter i cept RS2 (2021) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Winter I cept RS3 was the dearer tire in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 9.2% 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 pits Firestone's value-focused Winterhawk 4 against Hankook's premium-touring Winter i*cept RS3 across five major European winter tests. While both target safe, all-round winter road use, their strengths diverge: Hankook consistently places higher overall (4 test wins vs. Firestone's 1), driven by sharper handling and superior aquaplaning resistance. Firestone counters with notably strong wet braking in several tests, low noise, and, in some sizes, compelling value.
Conclusion
Across tests, the Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 is the more complete winter tire: better dry braking and handling, stronger aquaplaning reserves, excellent mileage and abrasion, and very competitive efficiency-translating to higher overall rankings. Firestone's Winterhawk 4 shines with shorter wet braking in most shared results, quieter operation, and attractive pricing in some markets, but it lags in dry precision and often trails in snow stopping/traction. For mixed European winters with frequent rain and slush and for drivers prioritizing balanced dynamics and longevity, choose the Hankook. If you drive mostly urban/suburban routes where decisive wet stops, comfort, and price matter more than ultimate handling, the Firestone is a sensible, budget-friendly pick.
Winterhawk 4 vs Winter I cept RS3: your questions
Is the Firestone Winterhawk 4 or the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 the better tire?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 finished ahead 4 times and the Winterhawk 4 once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winterhawk 4 scores 8.1 and the Winter I cept RS3 8.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winterhawk 4 or the Winter I cept RS3?
The Winter I cept RS3 led 10 of the 19 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 5.4% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Winter I cept RS3 led 6 of the 6 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.1% shorter in the dry across 4 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Winter I cept RS3 led 9 of the 13 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.6% shorter on snow across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter I cept RS3 lasted 10.8% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) and shed 26.3% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.6/10 for the Winterhawk 4 and 7.6/10 for the Winter I cept RS3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Winterhawk 4 was 0.8 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.7/10 for the Winterhawk 4 and 6.7/10 for the Winter I cept RS3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winterhawk 4 72% from 6 reviews and the Winter I cept RS3 77% from 28. 67% of Winterhawk 4 owners would buy it again, against 74% for the Winter I cept RS3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Winter I cept RS3 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 9.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winterhawk 4 is made in 83 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the Winter I cept RS3 in 46 (14 to 17 inch). 35 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winterhawk 4 is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Winter I cept RS3 B and C.
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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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