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.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3 — 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
85
/ 100
Objective (60%)
90/100
20 professional tests
User signal (40%)
86/100
22 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 and Hankook Winter i cept evo3 are within 2 points overall. Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 is stronger on noise. Hankook Winter i cept evo3 is stronger on dry, treadwear and wet.
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 evo3 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*cept evo2 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 89 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 91% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter i cept evo3 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*cept evo2 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 90 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 96% | 87% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter i cept evo3 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*cept evo2 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 93 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 97% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 99% | 94% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept evo2 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*cept evo2 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 77 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept evo2 leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*cept evo2 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 100 | 81 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter i cept evo3 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*cept evo2 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 88 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter i cept evo3 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*cept evo2 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 83 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 84 | 85 |
| Dry | 80 | 89 |
| Wet | 84 | 87 |
| Snow | 82 | 84 |
| Comfort | 82 | 80 |
| Noise | 100 | 81 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 88 |
| Handling | 81 | 83 |
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
84
/ 100
Tire A
85
/ 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 | 91% #11/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 95% #5/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -4.1 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 99% #6/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -1.4 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 78% #11/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 96% #6/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | -18.5 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #11/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #30/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 71% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 74% #2/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -2.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 25% #4/11 · 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test | -5 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 97% #11/30 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | -0.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 94% #4/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +4.6 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 93% #9/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -4.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 96% #3/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 87% #5/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | +8.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #3/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/6 · 2025 High Performance Winter Tyre Test | -2.2 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
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.
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that offers exceptional value, frequently outperforming more expensive premium brands in wet and snowy conditions. While most users praise its balanced handling and impressive aquaplaning resistance, a small minority of drivers report concerns regarding ride comfort and noise levels.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and aquaplaning resistance
- Strong traction and confidence-inspiring grip in deep snow and ice
- Excellent value-for-money proposition compared to premium competitors
- Stable and predictable handling on dry and cold pavement
Cons
- Reports of increased road noise compared to summer tires
- Mixed feedback regarding ride comfort, with some users finding them stiff
- Occasional reports of suboptimal launch traction in wet conditions
Observations
- Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., Ford Puma ST) noted that the tire maintains sporty characteristics without significant compromise.
- Users with AWD vehicles (e.g., Audi A4 Allroad) highlighted superior stability in deep water and snow, though some RWD users noted the importance of fitting all four tires to prevent rear-end instability.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 | B · Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ultra High Performance Winter tire | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
84
/ 100
Hankook
85
/ 100
Hankook
Too close to call: Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 and Hankook Winter i cept evo3 are within 2 points overall. Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 is stronger on noise. Hankook Winter i cept evo3 is stronger on dry, treadwear and wet.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 scores 100 vs 81 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 89 vs 80 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 88 vs 83 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 87 vs 84 on wet.
Tire A · Hankook Winter i*cept evo2
Tire B · Hankook Winter i cept evo3
More comparisons
Also compared with
Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 also compared with
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 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.