78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
68/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 vs Kumho Solus TA31 — 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
64
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
59/100
9 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 — better snow, comfort and handling. Pick the Kumho Solus TA31 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)
Solus TA31 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 74 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 64 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 63 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 leads by 44
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 57 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 43 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 73 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 61 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 64 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Kumho Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 78 | 64 |
| Dry | 71 | 75 |
| Wet | 68 | 64 |
| Snow | 88 | 44 |
| Comfort | 92 | 74 |
| Noise | 77 | – |
| Treadwear | 78 | 63 |
| Handling | 82 | 64 |
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
64
/ 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 Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that excels in deep snow and provides a comfortable, communicative driving experience. While it offers impressive traction in wintry conditions, users note that its performance is less refined on ice and that the compound is prone to accelerated wear when used in dry, warmer conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and plowing capability in deep snow
- High level of ride comfort and stability during long-distance driving
- Excellent steering feedback and surface communication
- Strong value proposition relative to price
Cons
- Rapid tread wear when driven on dry pavement
- Limited grip and confidence on icy surfaces
- Reduced performance and stability during aggressive driving maneuvers
- Not optimized for regions with infrequent snowfall
Observations
- Users report the tire is well-suited for city driving and daily commuting rather than high-performance or aggressive driving styles.
- The tire's soft compound provides a comfortable ride but necessitates careful driving in dry, non-winter conditions to preserve tread life.
The Kumho Solus TA31 receives a polarized reception, with users divided between those who value its quiet ride and affordability and those who find its handling and longevity lacking. While some drivers report excellent value and high mileage, others express significant concerns regarding stability during emergency maneuvers and premature tread wear.
Pros
- Low noise levels and high ride comfort
- Strong value for money
- Attractive aesthetic design
- Reliable performance for conservative, daily driving
Cons
- Unpredictable handling during emergency maneuvers
- Concerns regarding premature or uneven tread wear
- Poor stability control compared to premium competitors
- Reports of inconsistent tire pressure retention
Observations
- Users noted that low-profile versions of this tire appear more susceptible to accelerated wear.
- Front-wheel-drive vehicle owners reported higher-than-average wear rates on the front axle.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | B · Kumho Solus TA31 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Premium Touring Winter tire | All Season Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 19 |
| Rim diameters | — | 15″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | — | 9.5/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 500 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 60,000 mi |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 44 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
78
/ 100
Hankook
64
/ 100
Kumho
Winner: Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 — better snow, comfort and handling. Pick the Kumho Solus TA31 if dry matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 scores 88 vs 44 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 scores 92 vs 74 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 scores 82 vs 64 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 scores 78 vs 63 on treadwear.
Tire A · Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616
Tire B · Kumho Solus TA31
More comparisons
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Kumho Solus TA31 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.