80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
81/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P 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.
VerdictToo close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P and Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is stronger on handling. Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 is stronger on snow and treadwear.
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 2
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 93% | 98% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 850 P leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 84 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 100% | 98% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 81 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 96% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 96% | 99% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 86% | 92% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 850 P leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 75 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 61 | 63 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 85 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 850 P leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 79 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 850 P | Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 81 |
| Dry | 85 | 87 |
| Wet | 87 | 85 |
| Snow | 75 | 84 |
| Comfort | 78 | 77 |
| Noise | 61 | 63 |
| Treadwear | 82 | 85 |
| Handling | 84 | 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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
80
/ 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 | 93% #13/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 98% #8/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #7/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -0.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 89% #10/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 76% #19/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +12.5 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #9/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 95% #2/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +4.1 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #10/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 79% #11/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +20.8 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 91% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 41% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +49.9 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 91% #4/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 72% #14/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +18.1 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 25% #4/51 · 2018 51 Winter Tyre Shootout | +25 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% #17/30 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | 97% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -1 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% #9/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -3.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 86% #5/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 92% #8/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -5.9 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 96% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -4.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 90% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 80% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 60% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +30 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 90% #5/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 50% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +40 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0% #19/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #5/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +1.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -1.9 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet and dry conditions, offering a comfortable and quiet ride. While most users praise its predictability and grip on snow and ice, a minority of drivers report inconsistent performance in extreme cold or icy conditions and concerns regarding tread longevity.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and handling in wet and dry conditions
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise output
- Predictable and confidence-inspiring performance on snow
- Strong braking performance on mixed surfaces
Cons
- Reports of rapid tread wear for some users
- Inconsistent lateral grip on ice and deep snow for some drivers
- High price point compared to competitors
- Stiff sidewall construction noted by some as harsh
Observations
- Performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., BMW, Golf GTI) report excellent dry/wet handling, though some note a loss of steering feedback compared to summer tires.
- Heavy vehicles like the Mercedes E350 and Volvo XC70 report stable, comfortable, and balanced performance, particularly with larger wheel setups.
- Users with front-wheel-drive vehicles noted the tire provides surprising capability in challenging winter conditions, often keeping pace with 4x4 vehicles.
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 · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P | B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Premium Touring Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Continental
81
/ 100
Hankook
Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P and Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is stronger on handling. Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 is stronger on snow and treadwear.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 84 vs 75 on snow.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P scores 84 vs 79 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 85 vs 82 on treadwear.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P 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.