Drivers generally rate the Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 highly, highlighting strong wet-road grip and excellent aquaplaning resistance, with many also reporting confident performance in snow and slush for everyday winter use. Value for money is a consistent theme, and several long-term users note good wear and durability. A recurring downside is elevated road noise (often more noticeable at highway speeds), and a smaller subset report a firmer ride or less sporty/precise dry handling, with occasional concerns about traction on black ice.
What owners mention most counted across 44 reviews
Absolutely fantastic tires, just wouldn't be without them during the winter months. This is my 2nd year/season of them and they're still in great shape with ample tread left and the rubber is still soft and flexible as winter tires should be compared to some other makes out there. I find them to be excellent in wet and dry conditions and outstanding in snow. Honestly I can't fault these tires in any way, shape or form. I will be certainly buying the same tires again if they are still available when the time comes to replace them. I've used Michelin, Nokian and Goodyear winter tires in the past but I can assure you these are these are just as good if not better in my opinion.
I absolutely swear by these tires, used them on my ford focus for several years now and wouldn't be without them during the winter. Superb grip during the wet/sleety roads during our lovely Scottish winter weather.
Far superior to some of the cheaper Chinese tires I've used in the past. Do yourself a favor during winter time and buy yourself a set of these, you won't be disappointed. I cant recommend them enough.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
Excellent winter tyer in wet and dry condition, good in snow, doesen't try them in snow, but i don't drive in snow conditon, because my car is very low and the ice and snow under the car might be a problem, but in dry and wet they are excelent, verry good :), i'm very happy with them.
Very comfortable tire. The grip is average so to say. Wet braking fair, dry braking moderate.
After 5 years, significant cracks noticed on the bottom of the grooves and on the sidewalls as well. Noticed on two cars (!) fitted with tires from 2016.
Had it on a ford mondeo mk3 estate for 5 winter seasons. All in all I was satisfied with these set of w452. Wet and dry grip is excellent, fair handling in snow as well. Lasts long, after ~42000km the thread is still above 5mm on a mondeo tournier.
The biggest drawback is the terribly firm ride and the noticeably high noise level. I picked something more comfy instead next time.
Totally terrible tire. Bought because of encouraging tire tests results but regret it every single mile. Maybe in larger sizes they perform better, but at 195/55 its a tire to avoid, especially on wet surfaces. At least wear is fantastic, but I’d rather see those tires finally wear out 🙈
I bought 2 of these last winter because I got stuck in snow the year previous. As luck would have it, I didn't experience any snow last winter. There was a lot of rain instead at, or below, 7 C. At this temperature winter tires are supposed to grip better. My experience at this temperature, in the wet, is that these tires are superb. They just make you much more relaxed and confident in these conditions. The guy that fitted them for me said (several times) that he really liked the tread pattern. So my driving is Monday to Friday urban - motorway - urban. Weekends, it's A roads and urban. I've just bought another 2 for this winter (2019/20). In the dry, I honestly didn't notice any difference from the all weather tires I've used in the past. But I don't have a fast car and I don't go to the limits either.
Very good winter tire for combined conditions, with generally wet roads.
For the price, it won't disappoint. Unless you want a sporty edge, with progressive manners near the limit, in which case I suggest trying another brand. (Goodyear Gen1, for example.)
Reliable tires with normal roadfeeling and a good balance between comfort and stability. They have handled very well in rain, dry, snow and slush. They are remarkably resistant to aquaplaning. Was on the passing lane on highway going 110 km/h or maybe more shortly after some heavy rain and there was a section where the entire left lane was flooded. 2-3 inches of standing water for at least 50 meters and these just ploughed right through, not letting go at all. Given the tires are fairly new, but still, I've tried aquaplaning on less water on other tires with plenty of tread. I can hardly tell any sign of wear after 1 winter and around 12000 km. I've noticed around 10-15% increase in fuel consumption, compared to the eco summer tires, (Bridgestone Ecopia EP150, 165/65R14 79S), but the Hankooks have a much better roadfeeling and are way more stable at highway speeds.
Would deffo buy again!
Winter arrived tonight and i got to see how these worked in the snow. i was stuck in a traffic queue with all the cars around be obviously struggling for grip. Being a narrow bendy lane i could not go around. When i finally neared the front of the queue (two hours to travel about a mile and a half), i saw the reason was a hill that cars were struggling to get up. Locals were out trying to push the cars up the hill. I had room to go around now, so i drove up the hill and just drove home. I even had the confidence to stop on the hill to let a tractor out (which was pulling a car). Stunning snow performance. At no point did i feel loss of grip. I even left a new range rover in my wake.
These tires do feel spongier than my previous all seasons. but if you aren't a racer, what does it matter. Excellent in the rain. Aquaplaning seems to be non existent with these (but then my tires are skinny also). Would i buy these again ? hands down yes !
Final thought - Winter tires should be a legal requirement at this time of year. If they were i would have been home 2 hours earlier.
