72
/ 100
Objective (60%)
73/100
2 professional tests
User signal (40%)
64/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO vs Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
81
/ 100
Objective (60%)
83/100
7 professional tests
User signal (40%)
80/100
50 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — better treadwear, snow and noise. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO if handling matters most to you.
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 98% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 84 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 83% | 96% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 73 | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 81 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 91% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 95% | 99% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 75 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 64 | 63 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 20
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 85 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM001 EVO leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM001 EVO | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 79 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO | Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 81 |
| Dry | 83 | 87 |
| Wet | 80 | 85 |
| Snow | 66 | 84 |
| Comfort | 71 | 77 |
| Noise | 54 | 63 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 85 |
| Handling | 83 | 79 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Neutral
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
Tire A
81
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #15/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #8/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -3.2 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #18/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #15/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -0.5 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 84% #5/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 76% #19/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +7.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 95% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 95% #2/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 68% #7/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 79% #11/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -11.2 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 54% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 80% #13/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -26.3 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 60% #9/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 83% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -22.4 | Same test |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 7% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 8% #12/45 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | -1.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 91% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #7/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -6.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 95% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -3.8 | Same test |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 93% #5/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 92% #9/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +1.3 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #19/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 83% #3/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 96% #2/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -13.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #3/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -1.2 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO is a polarizing winter tire that excels in wet and cold conditions but faces significant criticism regarding tread longevity and deep snow performance. While some users praise its handling and braking capabilities, others report rapid wear and diminished effectiveness as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance in wet and cold conditions
- Sharp steering response and handling characteristics
- Low noise levels when new
- Reliable traction in slushy environments
Cons
- Rapid tread wear and short service life
- Below-average performance in deep snow compared to dedicated winter tires
- Increased road noise as the tire ages
- Diminished aquaplaning resistance over time
Observations
- Users reported premature wear issues on specific vehicles like the Subaru Forester, with some dealers advising against the fitment.
- The tire's soft compound, while beneficial for grip, leads to accelerated degradation when used in milder, dry winter conditions.
The Hankook Winter i cept RS2 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that excels in wet and slushy conditions, offering performance that often rivals premium brands at a significantly lower price point. While most users praise its traction in snow and rain, opinions are polarized regarding cabin noise and ride comfort, with several users noting a firm, sometimes noisy experience at highway speeds.
Pros
- Excellent value for money and competitive pricing
- Strong wet weather performance and aquaplaning resistance
- Impressive tread longevity and durability
- Reliable traction in snow and slush for daily commuting
Cons
- High noise levels, particularly at highway speeds
- Firm, stiff ride quality that transmits road imperfections
- Inconsistent performance on pure black ice
- Occasional reports of sluggish handling or lack of steering feedback
Observations
- Users with smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., Ford Fiesta, Dacia Logan) report high satisfaction with general winter traction.
- Some drivers noted that performance and comfort characteristics may vary significantly depending on the specific tire size, with smaller 14-inch sizes receiving fewer noise complaints than larger fitments.
- Drivers of heavier or more powerful vehicles occasionally reported higher fuel consumption and a more noticeable impact on ride harshness.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO | B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Premium Touring Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Bridgestone
81
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — better treadwear, snow and noise. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO if handling matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 85 vs 65 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 84 vs 66 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 63 vs 54 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 77 vs 71 on comfort.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
More comparisons
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Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO also compared with
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.