P5 of 11
Beat 60% of the field
Hankook Winter i cept evo2 Test Results
Tested 2015 to 2019
6 publications
Tested 8 times by independent publications, the Hankook Winter i cept evo2 averages a finish of 7th. Its strongest discipline is Dry Handling, beating 77% of the field across 5 tests; its weakest is Dry Braking, at 10% across 5 tests.
- 8Independent tests
- 0Test wins
- 0Podium finishes
- 7thAverage finish
- 41%Field beaten on average
- 6Publications
8 tests, 2015 to 2019
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 41%
The latest test
Record by discipline
Where the Hankook Winter i cept evo2 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 Weak | 5 | P11.2 of 12.8 | 10% | - |
| Dry Handling Strong | 5 | P3.6 of 12.8 | 77% | 1 |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 5 | P9.6 of 12.8 | 27% | - |
| Wet Handling | 5 | P9.4 of 12.8 | 34% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 4 | P8.3 of 13.5 | 41% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 5 | P6.4 of 12.8 | 60% | 1 |
| Snow Handling | 5 | P8.2 of 12.4 | 43% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Noise | 4 | P10.3 of 13.5 | 26% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 1 | P13 of 20 | 37% | - |
| Value | 1 | P11 of 20 | 47% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 4 | P10 of 13.5 | 29% | - |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Hankook Winter i cept evo2. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
7 shared: 1 ahead, 6 behind
|
7 | 1 | 6 | - | 14% |
 Michelin Pilot Alpin 4
5 shared: 1 ahead, 4 behind
|
5 | 1 | 4 | - | 20% |
 Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1
5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind
|
5 | 0 | 5 | - | 0% |
 Dunlop Winter Sport 5
5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind
|
5 | 0 | 5 | - | 0% |
 Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind
|
5 | 0 | 5 | - | 0% |
 Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S
4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind
|
4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Kumho WinterCraft WP71
4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind
|
4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75% |
 Yokohama W drive V905
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
 Nokian WR A4
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
 Nokian WR D4
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
 Uniroyal MS+ 77
3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind
|
3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33% |
Against its own line
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hankook Winter i cept evo2 This tire | 8 | 0 | 7th | 41% |
| Hankook Winter i cept evo3 Successor | 21 | 2 | 5th | 65% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 8 tests. Updated September 15, 2025.
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 delivers balanced winter capability with standout handling on dry and snow tracks, plus competitive snow braking. Across eight tests it averages mid-pack overall (7.4), with several top-three subtest finishes in handling disciplines. However, it shows recurring weaknesses in dry braking, wet braking/handling, and efficiency (rolling resistance, noise), and one notably poor full-test result in 2017.
Overall, it suits drivers prioritizing dynamic feel and snow control over shortest braking distances and refinement. Performance varies by size/test, but patterns indicate reliable snow traction and agile handling offset by below-average stopping power and comfort/efficiency metrics.
Performance Strengths
-
Dry Handling
Strong
in 5 of 8 tests
Details
- 1st place dry handling in 2017 Sport Auto (225/40 R18)
- 3rd place dry handling in 2017 AMS (225/40 R18, +0.3% from best)
- 3rd place dry handling in 2017 Auto Bild SUV (114 km/h, +0.6% from best)
A well balanced winter tire with safe wet and dry handling
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tire Test (2019)good dry handling
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2017)Good dry handling
- 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017)stable behavior and precise reactions to steering movements on dry surfaces
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test (2017)balanced safe driving characteristics on dry roads
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2015)
-
Snow Performance
Moderate
Details
- 1st place snow braking in 2017 Sport Auto (29.7 m)
- Top-5 snow braking/handling in 2019 (5/12 braking, +3.6%; 5/11 handling, +1.4%)
- Top-3 snow braking in 2017 Auto Bild SUV (22.4 m, +1.8%)
-
Wet Handling/Control
Minor
Details
- 4th place wet handling in 2019 (+2.2% from best)
- Mid-field wet handling in 2017 AMS (8/10, +6.3%) and 2017 SUV (7/11, +4.3%)
-
Value/Pricing (select tests)
Minor
Details
- Price 5/11 in 2019 (+33% from best)
- Price 4/10 in 2017 SUV (+84.6% from best; still upper third ranking)
-
Snow traction
Strong
in 4 of 8 tests
Details
Strong in the snow
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2017)strong in the snow
- 2016 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2016)Strong in the snow and on dry roads
- 2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tire Test (2016)Stable cornering and high traction on snow
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2015)
-
Rolling resistance
Moderate
in 2 of 8 tests
Details
low rolling resistance
- 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017)low rolling resistance
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2015)
-
Snow handling
Moderate
in 2 of 8 tests
Details
Short braking distance and general well balanced snow performance
- 2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2017)Stable cornering and high traction on snow
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2015)
-
Snow braking
Moderate
in 2 of 8 tests
Details
Short braking distance and general well balanced snow performance
- 2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2017)Acceptable braking on snow
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test (2017)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Dry Braking
Strong
in 4 of 8 tests
Details
- 12/12 in 2019 (+19.6% from best)
- 11/11 in 2017 Auto Bild SUV (+23% from best)
- 10/10 in 2017 Sport Auto (+7.5% from best)
- 15/21 in 2017 Auto Bild (+20.3% from best)
Slightly long dry braking
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tire Test (2019)long braking distances in the dry and wet
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2017)Long braking distances in the dry and wet
- 2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2017)long dry braking distances
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2015)
-
Wet Braking
Strong
in 4 of 8 tests
Details
- 10/10 in 2017 AMS (+12.1% from best)
- 9/11 in 2017 SUV (+9.6% from best)
- 17/21 in 2017 Auto Bild (+15.8% from best)
- 4/12 in 2019 (+4.2% from best; isolated better result)
Long braking distances in the dry and wet
- 2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2017)long braking distances in the dry and wet
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2017)long braking distance on wet roads
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test (2017)Understeer and long braking in the wet
- 2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tire Test (2016)
-
Rolling Resistance/Efficiency
Moderate
Details
- 12/12 in 2019 (+28.4% from best)
- 15/21 in 2017 Auto Bild (+15.6%)
- 8/11 in 2017 SUV (+12.7%)
-
Noise/Comfort
Moderate
Details
- 12/12 in 2019 noise (+7.1% from best)
- 8/10 in 2017 AMS (+1.2%)
- 15/21 in 2017 Auto Bild (+3.7%)
-
Wet Handling/Aquaplaning Consistency
Moderate
Details
- 21/21 wet handling in 2017 Auto Bild (+8.9%)
- 7/10 wet handling in 2017 Sport Auto (+4.1%)
- 8/10 wet handling in 2017 AMS (+6.3%)
- Straight aqua 9/12 in 2019 (+7.1%) and 8/11 in 2017 SUV (+8.5%)
-
Snow handling
Moderate
in 2 of 8 tests
Details
Poor handling in the snow
- 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017)Low lateral stability and poor handling on the snow
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test (2017)
-
Behavior at the limit
Moderate
in 2 of 8 tests
Details
Understeer and long braking in the wet
- 2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tire Test (2016)Understeering driving behavior and slow steering response in the wet
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2015)
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Hankook Winter i cept evo2 (8 tests) and 25 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Snow traction strength in 4 of 8 tests 11 praise, 1 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Dry handling strength in 5 of 8 tests 3 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
Where they disagree
- Wet grip weakness in 1 of 8 tests 8 praise, 2 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire
- Ride comfort no test mentions it 10 praise, 1 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Road noise no test mentions it 6 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Value for money no test mentions it 4 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Sidewall stiffness no test mentions it 0 praise, 3 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 8
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2019 1 test
2017 4 tests
P4 of 10
Beat 67% of the field
2017 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test
Conditionally recommended
P6 of 10
Beat 44% of the field
2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test
Satisfactory
P20 of 20
Beat 0% of the field
2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
Average.
P8 of 10
Beat 22% of the field
2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test
Recommended with restrictions
2016 2 tests
P6 of 8
Beat 29% of the field
P5 of 13
Beat 67% of the field
2015 1 test
P5 of 8
Beat 43% of the field
Back to the Hankook Winter i cept evo2 overview
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Hankook tires