78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
79/100
12 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra vs Hankook Icebear W440 — Compared (May 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
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
83/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Icebear W440 — better treadwear, comfort and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra if dry 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)
Alenza AS Ultra leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Alenza AS Ultra | Icebear W440 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 91 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 82 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Icebear W440 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Alenza AS Ultra | Icebear W440 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 86 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Alenza AS Ultra | Icebear W440 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 78 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | – |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Icebear W440 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Alenza AS Ultra | Icebear W440 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 88 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Icebear W440 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | Alenza AS Ultra | Icebear W440 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 78 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 55 | 82 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Icebear W440 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Alenza AS Ultra | Icebear W440 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra | Hankook Icebear W440 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 78 | 83 |
| Dry | 88 | 82 |
| Wet | 83 | 86 |
| Snow | 81 | – |
| Comfort | 83 | 88 |
| Noise | 80 | – |
| Treadwear | 66 | 82 |
| Handling | 74 | 78 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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
78
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra presents a polarized user experience, characterized by a significant divide between those praising its wet and dry handling performance and those disappointed by its longevity and noise levels. While some users report exceptional tread life and reliable all-season traction, others cite premature wear and intrusive road noise, suggesting that performance may vary significantly based on vehicle application and driving conditions.
Pros
- Strong traction on both wet and dry road surfaces
- Improved ride comfort and handling compared to some factory-installed alternatives
- Capable performance in varied weather conditions for some users
- High durability reported by long-term users
Cons
- Reports of premature tread wear and short service life
- Noticeable road noise compared to other premium tires
- Inconsistent performance in severe winter conditions, particularly on ice and deep snow
- Potential for reduced fuel economy
Observations
- Users on heavy SUVs and trucks report mixed results, with some achieving high mileage while others experience rapid tread degradation.
- Drivers transitioning from OEM tires, such as the Bridgestone Ecopia, have noted a distinct increase in cabin noise levels.
- Regular maintenance, specifically rotations every 5,000 miles, is highlighted as critical for maximizing the lifespan of this tire.
The Hankook Icebear W440 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that offers impressive performance in snow and ice at a competitive price point. While some users note a necessary break-in period where the tires feel initially slippery, the consensus highlights a significant improvement in traction for rear-wheel-drive vehicles in challenging winter conditions.
Pros
- Excellent traction and confidence on snow and ice
- High value-for-money proposition compared to premium brands
- Noticeable performance improvement for rear-wheel-drive vehicles
- Reliable grip on ungritted and steep winter roads
Cons
- Noticeable 'slippery' sensation during the initial 100-mile break-in period
- Performance is strictly categorized as a budget-friendly option rather than a top-tier premium performer
- Mixed feedback on overall refinement compared to more expensive alternatives
Observations
- Users driving rear-wheel-drive platforms, such as the BMW 5 Series and Mazda Eunos, reported a transformative improvement in winter handling.
- The tire is noted for providing sufficient dry and wet grip once the initial break-in phase is complete.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra | B · Hankook Icebear W440 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season Premium Touring tires | Winter Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | — | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 46 | — |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 22″ | — |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 800 A A | — |
| Treadwear warranty | 80,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
78
/ 100
Bridgestone
83
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Icebear W440 — better treadwear, comfort and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra if dry matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Icebear W440 scores 82 vs 66 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra scores 88 vs 82 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Hankook Icebear W440 scores 88 vs 83 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Hankook Icebear W440 scores 78 vs 74 on handling.
Tire A · Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra
Tire B · Hankook Icebear W440
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra also compared with
Hankook Icebear W440 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.