Menu

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 Test Results

Tested 2020 to 2024 4 publications

Tested 4 times by independent publications, the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 averages a finish of 5th.

  • 4Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 1Podium finishes
  • 5thAverage finish
  • 51%Field beaten on average
  • 4Publications
Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616

4 tests, 2020 to 2024

0%50%100%202020212024Average 51%2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test (2020): P6 of 12 (Nordic Friction Winter Tires), Beat 55% of the field2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tire Test (2020): P3 of 17, Beat 88% of the field2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test (2021): P5 of 6 (Nordic Friction Winter Tires), Beat 20% of the field2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test (2024): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 51%
The latest test

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test P5 of 8

The Hankook Winter i*cept IZ2 W616, launched in 2016, showed its age with a fifth-place finish. While offering good straight-line stability on tarmac and low noise levels, it struggled to balance winter and tarmac performance. Ice grip was notably behind premium competitors in both braking and cornering, and while dry road steering feel was good, overall grip levels couldn't match the best performers.

Strong: Noise Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3

Record by discipline

Where the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 3 P4.3 of 8.7 61% 1
Subj. Dry Handling 2 P2.5 of 10 81% -
Wet
Wet Braking 3 P5.3 of 8.7 39% -
Wet Handling 3 P3.7 of 8.7 63% -
Subj. Wet Handling 1 P3 of 12 82% -
Straight Aqua 1 P5 of 8 43% -
Snow
Snow Braking 3 P5.3 of 8.7 39% -
Snow Traction 3 P4.3 of 8.7 55% -
Snow Handling 3 P5 of 8.7 42% -
Subj. Snow Handling 1 P4 of 12 73% -
Ice
Ice Braking 3 P6 of 8.7 28% -
Ice Traction 3 P6 of 8.7 29% -
Ice Handling 3 P6.7 of 8.7 25% -
Subj. Ice Handling 1 P8 of 12 36% -
Comfort
Subj. Noise 2 P4.5 of 9 63% -
Noise 1 P2 of 8 86% -
Value
Fuel Consumption 1 P4 of 8 57% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%
Michelin X Ice Snow 3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind Compare with X Ice Snow 3 0 3 - 0%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 4 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.

Low rolling resistance and generally low noise are the more consistent strengths of the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616. Efficiency was praised by Test World in 2020, Consumer Reports in 2020 and Teknikens Varld in 2021. Noise was second of eight in Vi Bilagare's 2024 comparison and second of six within the Nordic friction class in 2021. Overall it was fifth of eight in 2024, fifth of six Nordic friction tires in 2021 and sixth of 12 in that class at Test World in 2020. Snow behavior drew praise, although measured snow braking and handling were usually nearer the middle or rear of those fields.

Ice performance is less reassuring: ice braking and handling were sixth of eight in 2024, while braking and traction were last in the six-tire Nordic friction class in 2021. Consumer Reports' third place of 17 and Excellent snow and ice ratings in 2020 were unusually favorable compared with this European ice record. Dry behavior also varies: 2021 dry braking was best in class despite criticism of dry grip and handling, while 2024 dry braking was sixth of eight. Wet handling was second in class in 2021 and third at Test World in 2020, despite the latter's stability criticism, but sixth of eight in 2024. It therefore has useful economy and snow qualities, with ice grip and asphalt behavior less consistent.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Ice grip Moderate in 2 of 4 tests
    Details
    • Sixth of eight in ice braking and handling at Vi Bilagare in 2024.
    • Last of six in class for ice braking and traction at Teknikens Varld in 2021.
    • Unusually favorable Excellent ice ratings from Consumer Reports in 2020 contrast with the European tests.
  • Wet braking Moderate
    Details
    • Fifth of six in the Nordic friction class at Teknikens Varld in 2021.
    • Fifth of eight at Vi Bilagare in 2024 and sixth of 12 in class at Test World in 2020.
  • Dry grip Minor in 2 of 4 tests
    Details
    • Dry grip criticised at Teknikens Varld in 2021 despite an unusually strong best-in-class dry braking result.
    • Vi Bilagare found overall grip below the best in 2024, with sixth of eight for dry braking.

Every test, newest first 4

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2024 1 test
P5 of 8 Beat 43% of the field

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test

Vi Bilagare 225/45 R17

The Hankook Winter i*cept IZ2 W616, launched in 2016, showed its age with a fifth-place finish. While offering good straight-line stability on tarmac and low noise levels, it struggled to balance winter and tarmac performance. Ice grip was notably behind premium competitors in both braking and cornering, and while dry road steering feel was good, overall grip levels couldn't match the best performers.

StrongNoise WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip Ice 3

2021 1 test
P5 of 6 Nordic Friction Winter Tires Beat 20% of the field

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test

Teknikens Varld 205/55 R16

StrongDry BrakingWet HandlingSubj. Noise WeakWet BrakingSnow BrakingSnow HandlingIce BrakingIce TractionIce Handling WinnerContinental VikingContact 7

2020 2 tests
P3 of 17 Beat 88% of the field

2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tire Test

Consumer Reports 215/60 R16

This is that rare winter/snow car tire that earns Excellent ratings for snow and ice handling and braking but also earns Excellent ratings for low rolling resistance, which can aid fuel economy. In addition, it’s also near the top of the index for ride comfort and is relatively quiet for a winter/snow tire.

WinnerBridgestone Blizzak WS90

Back to the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 overview

Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Hankook tires

Overview

Rate your tires

My tires

Saved in this browser on this site. No account needed. Clearing browser data removes your choices.

Vehicle and size

Check the size, load and speed ratings on your vehicle. Saving a size does not confirm fitment.

Saved tires

Save tires from a tire page, test or comparison to keep them here.

Select 2–8 saved tires. Ranked comparisons require at least two shared tests.