Hankook Winter I cept RS3 - Test Results

Test Statistics

11

Tests Completed

6th

Average Position

3rd

Best Result

14th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Hankook Winter I cept RS3 - Official Image

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 shows a clear pattern of excellence in aquaplaning resistance and strong, often class-leading performance on snow, with generally competitive wet braking/handling. Across 11 tests it frequently tops straight aquaplaning and often ranks top-3 in snow braking/traction/handling, delivering a balanced and confidence-inspiring winter package. Value and wear/abrasion are also recurrent positives in ADAC and Auto Bild data.
However, dry braking is consistently a weak point, with multiple bottom-third finishes, and rolling resistance is often above average. Wet braking can vary by size/test, and some ADAC wear results were only mid-pack. Overall results average 6.4th, with several top-5 finishes indicating strong but not dominant all-round performance.

Performance Strengths
  • Aquaplaning Resistance Strong
    • 1st straight aquaplaning and 1st curved aquaplaning in 2024 Auto Bild (205/55 R16)
    • 1st straight and 1st curved aquaplaning in 2024 ADAC 17" (215/55 R17)
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2024 ADAC 16" (205/55 R16), 2nd curved (+2.7% from best)
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2022 Auto Bild (215/55 R17)
  • Snow Performance Strong
    • 1st snow braking and 1st snow slalom in 2024 Auto Bild (205/55 R16); snow handling 7/22 (+2.1%)
    • 2nd snow braking (+0.9%) and 3rd snow handling (+0.9%) in 2024 AZ (215/55 R17)
    • 1st snow braking in 2023 ADAC 16" (205/60 R16)
    • 2nd snow braking (+1.1%) and strong snow traction (5/15) in 2023 ADAC 17" (225/45 R17)
  • Wet Performance Moderate
    • 1st wet braking in 2023 ADAC 17" (34.2 m)
    • 3rd wet braking and 3rd wet handling in 2022/23 Tire Reviews (225/45 R17)
    • Top-10 wet handling/curve in 2024 Auto Bild (205/55 R16): wet handling 9/23 (+4%), wet circle 16/23 (+8.8%)
  • Value, Wear and Abrasion Moderate
    • 2nd wear (+0.5% from best), 2nd value, 3rd rolling resistance (field of 20) in 2024 Auto Bild (205/55 R16)
    • 2nd wear and best fuel consumption, best (lowest) abrasion in 2024 ADAC 16"
    • Abrasion 3rd/16 in 2024 ADAC 17"
Performance Weaknesses
  • Dry Braking Strong
    • 17/23 (+17.1%) in 2024 Auto Bild (205/55 R16)
    • 9/10 (+17.2%) in 2024 AZ (215/55 R17)
    • 10/16 (+5.7%) in 2024 ADAC 17"; 9/12 (+5.5%) in 2024 ADAC 16"
    • 15/22 (+15.3%) in 2022 Auto Bild (215/55 R17)
  • Rolling Resistance / Efficiency Moderate
    • 9/10 (+26.3% from best) in 2024 AZ (215/55 R17)
    • 15/22 (+32.8%) in 2022 Auto Bild (215/55 R17)
    • Mid-pack in 2022/23 Tire Reviews (5/9, +31.3%)
  • Wet Braking Variability Moderate
    • 10/10 (+9.8%) wet braking in 2024 AZ (215/55 R17)
    • 20/23 (+11.7%) wet braking in 2024 Auto Bild (205/55 R16)
    • Contrasted by 1st wet braking in 2023 ADAC 17" (225/45 R17)
  • Wear Consistency Minor
    • 11/15 wear (+28.6%) in 2023 ADAC 17"
    • 13/16 wear (+31.3%) in 2023 ADAC 16"
Performance Over Time

Test History

3
of 7
2024 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

2024
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

The Hankook earned third place with strong snow performance and solid wet results. It was fastest around the snow circuit, showing good initial grip and strong traction. Snow handling revealed effe...
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6
of 23
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

2024
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 offers a compelling mix of performance and value. It provides sporty, direct handling in all weather conditions and particularly excels in aquaplaning resistance. With...
Strong:
Snow Braking, Snow Slalom, Value, Wear, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
View Test
5
of 10
2024 All Season and Winter Tire Test

2024
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

The Hankook Winter icept RS3 W462 has a firm ride on uneven roads in dry conditions. Its rolling resistance and braking performance are acceptable but are not the best in this test. While offering ...
Strong:
Snow Braking, Price, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Dry Braking, Snow Circle, Snow Traction, Rolling Resistance, Wet Braking, Wet Circle, Wet Handling
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5
of 16
2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test

2024
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 receives a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but falling short on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on...
Strong:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
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4
of 12
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test

2024
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

The Hankook Winter icept RS3 tire shows mixed performance across different driving conditions. On dry roads, it offers good steering feedback, precise handling, and good safety reserves during sudd...
Strong:
Abrasion, Fuel Consumption, Wear, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
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14
of 55
2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test

2024
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Strong:
Snow Braking
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5
of 16
2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test

2023
Winner: Dunlop Winter Sport 5

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 shows minor deficiencies in steering precision and feedback on dry roads but earns a good overall rating due to its safety reserves in sudden evasive maneuvers and bra...
Strong:
Snow Braking
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7
of 15
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test

2023
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 tire exhibits minor weaknesses on dry roads, particularly in steering precision and driving safety, with a tendency to oversteer during sudden maneuvers. However, its ...
Strong:
Snow Braking, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking
View Test
11
of 12
2023 Tire Reviews All Season Tire Test

2023
Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2

Strong:
Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Traction, Subj. Snow Handling, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Handling
Weak:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance
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7
of 22
2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

2022
Winner: Michelin Alpin 6

Good.
Strong:
Straight Aqua
View Test
3
of 9
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test

2022
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

The new Hankook Winter I*Cept RS3 continues Hankooks impressive results, and other than an outlier in snow braking, it is a winter tire with no major weakness. IT was impressive in the dry, very im...
Strong:
Subj. Snow Handling
Weak:
Snow Braking
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