75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
96/100
35 professional tests
User signal (40%)
71/100
110 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 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 handling. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if wet and comfort matter most to you.
Read full
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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 3
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 89 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 92% | 96% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 86 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 84 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 86% | 92% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 87 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 81 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 97% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 92% | 100% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 94% | 92% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 75 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 63 | 63 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 26
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 64 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 59 | 85 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 79 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 81 |
| Dry | 84 | 87 |
| Wet | 88 | 85 |
| Snow | 77 | 84 |
| Comfort | 80 | 77 |
| Noise | 63 | 63 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 85 |
| Handling | 73 | 79 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 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 | 92% #10/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #12/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -3.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #6/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #8/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +0.5 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 82% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 95% #8/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -12.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 96% #5/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 97% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -1.1 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 82% #7/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 77% #10/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +5.7 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 100% #6/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | 41% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +59.1 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 82% #5/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 82% #6/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +0.8 | Same test |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 100% #1/56 · 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | 25% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +75 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% #5/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 97% #7/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -0.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 92% #9/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -7.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 94% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 92% #8/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +1.6 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 96% #12/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -3.6 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 98% #2/9 · 2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test | 90% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 97% #2/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +16.7 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 100% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 60% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +40 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 100% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 50% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +50 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #9/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% #1/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 92% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -6.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #1/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +0.8 | 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 LM005 is widely regarded as a class-leading winter tire for wet and slushy conditions, offering exceptional grip and braking performance that rivals summer tires. While it performs reliably in fresh snow, user consensus indicates a significant decline in performance and tread life after the first two seasons, with many owners reporting premature wear and increased noise levels as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance.
- Predictable and stable handling on dry roads.
- Strong performance in slush and fresh snow when new.
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise levels during the initial phase of ownership.
Cons
- Rapid and premature tread wear, often failing to last beyond 15,000–20,000 km.
- Significant performance degradation in snow and ice after the first or second season.
- Development of loud humming or buzzing noises as the tire ages.
- Reports of tread deformation, wobbly blocks, or uneven wear patterns.
Observations
- Heavy vehicles, including EVs and large SUVs, appear to accelerate the rapid tread wear observed by many users.
- Users with RWD vehicles noted that while the tire is predictable, it can struggle with traction on steep inclines once the tread depth drops below 5mm.
- Drivers of performance-oriented or heavier cars reported noticeable understeer during spirited driving in dry 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 LM005 | B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Premium Touring Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 11 | — |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 21″ | — |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Bridgestone
81
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — better treadwear, snow and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if wet and comfort matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 85 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 84 vs 77 on snow.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 79 vs 73 on handling.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 88 vs 85 on wet.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 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.