75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
70/100
7 professional tests
User signal (40%)
78/100
30 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental VikingContact 7 vs Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 — 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
84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
71/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
79/100
28 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 — better dry, noise and treadwear. Pick the Continental VikingContact 7 if comfort and snow matter most to you.
Read full
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
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 evo2 leads by 21
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 48 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 84 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | – |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 91% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept evo2 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 88 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | 89 | – |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 86% | 96% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 95% | 98% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
VikingContact 7 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 89 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 73 |
| SimpleTire owners | 87 | – |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 96% | 99% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
VikingContact 7 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 89 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | 94 | – |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept evo2 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 100 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept evo2 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 83 |
| SimpleTire owners | 90 | – |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept evo2 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 81 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental VikingContact 7 | Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 84 |
| Dry | 59 | 80 |
| Wet | 76 | 84 |
| Snow | 86 | 82 |
| Comfort | 88 | 82 |
| Noise | 84 | 100 |
| Treadwear | 68 | 83 |
| Handling | 71 | 81 |
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
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
Tire A
84
/ 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 | 96% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 91% #11/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +4.3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #2/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 97% #4/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 78% #11/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +19.5 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #1/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 100% #11/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -2.4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #8/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 71% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +28.6 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 100% #1/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 20% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +80 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% #1/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +3.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% #6/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -2.8 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 96% #4/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | 93% #9/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +3.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% #6/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 96% #3/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -10.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% #2/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -3.2 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental VikingContact 7 is widely regarded as a premium, well-rounded studless winter tire that excels in comfort, noise suppression, and slush performance. While it receives high praise for its predictable handling and stability on cold, dry, or wet pavement, user consensus suggests it may slightly trail dedicated ice-focused competitors like the Bridgestone Blizzak in extreme stopping grip on pure ice.
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Strong performance in slush and deep snow
- Stable and predictable handling at highway speeds
- Excellent dry and wet road manners for a winter tire
Cons
- Mixed reports regarding tread life and longevity
- Noticeable decline in ice-braking performance compared to top-tier ice specialists
- Compound may harden or performance may degrade after multiple seasons
- Potential for reduced traction if driven in warmer, non-winter conditions
Observations
- Users noted that the tire maintains excellent fuel economy and low noise levels even on electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Mazda MX-30.
- Drivers of rear-wheel-drive sports cars (e.g., Mazda Miata) reported that the tire's soft compound can feel overwhelmed during aggressive acceleration on dry pavement.
- Downsizing to a smaller wheel diameter (e.g., -2 from OE) was successfully used to improve the tire's profile and winter performance on hybrid SUVs.
The Hankook Winter i cept evo2 is widely regarded as a high-value, comfort-oriented winter tire that performs reliably in mild to moderate winter conditions. While it excels in noise reduction and ride quality, user consensus is mixed regarding its performance in deep snow and its longevity, with some users noting a significant drop-off in grip as the tread wears down over several seasons.
Pros
- Excellent ride comfort and low noise levels
- Strong value-for-money proposition compared to premium competitors
- Predictable and progressive handling in wet and dry conditions
- Good traction in light to moderate snow and slush
Cons
- Noticeable decline in performance and grip as the tire ages/tread wears
- Struggles in deep snow or extreme winter conditions
- Soft sidewalls can lead to vague steering feedback during spirited driving
- Increased fuel consumption reported by some users
Observations
- BMW owners frequently use these as a comfortable alternative to factory run-flat tires, noting improved ride quality.
- Performance on RWD vehicles in deep snow is reported as inconsistent, with some users experiencing significant traction loss.
- Users with high-torque vehicles noted that the tire can struggle to put power down effectively on dry pavement.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental VikingContact 7 | B · Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Ultra High Performance Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 18 | — |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 22″ | — |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Continental
84
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 — better dry, noise and treadwear. Pick the Continental VikingContact 7 if comfort and snow matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 scores 80 vs 59 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 scores 100 vs 84 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 scores 83 vs 68 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 scores 81 vs 71 on handling.
Tire A · Continental VikingContact 7
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept evo2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental VikingContact 7 also compared with
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 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.