77
/ 100
Objective (60%)
58/100
5 professional tests
User signal (40%)
83/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 vs Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 — 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
87
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
82/100
18 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 — better dry, comfort and wet. Pick the Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 if snow and treadwear matter most to you.
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 Snow Control Series 3 leads by 61
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*pike RS2 | Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 1 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 82 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter Snow Control Series 3 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*pike RS2 | Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 86 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter i*pike RS2 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*pike RS2 | Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 67 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Snow Control Series 3 leads by 20
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*pike RS2 | Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 56 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 71 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter Snow Control Series 3 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*pike RS2 | Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter i*pike RS2 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*pike RS2 | Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 74 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter i*pike RS2 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter i*pike RS2 | Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 | Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 87 |
| Dry | 29 | 90 |
| Wet | 82 | 91 |
| Snow | 88 | 82 |
| Comfort | 64 | 84 |
| Noise | 89 | 98 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 85 |
| Handling | 80 | 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
77
/ 100
Tire A
87
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 is widely regarded as a high-value, performance-oriented winter tire that excels in severe ice and snow conditions. Users consistently praise its robust stud retention and predictable handling, positioning it as a competitive alternative to premium European brands.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and braking performance on ice and packed snow
- High-quality stud retention and long-term durability
- Predictable side grip and cornering stability
- Excellent value-to-performance ratio
Cons
- Vague steering feedback on dry tarmac
- Noticeable understeer when driving on dry road surfaces
- Performance on dry pavement does not match the precision of premium summer-oriented winter tires
Observations
- Long-term users report that the rubber compound remains malleable and effective even after multiple seasons of harsh Nordic winters.
- The tire maintains consistent performance characteristics across various vehicle types, including those with higher horsepower outputs.
The Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in dry and wet handling while maintaining strong traction in snow. While most users praise its sporty feedback and stability, some report concerns regarding sidewall durability and noise levels at highway speeds.
Pros
- Excellent handling and feedback on dry and wet pavement
- Strong traction and braking performance in snow
- High-speed stability and hydroplaning resistance
- Sporty driving characteristics suitable for performance vehicles
Cons
- Vulnerable sidewalls prone to damage from curb impacts
- Noticeable road noise at higher speeds
- Mixed reports regarding tread longevity
- Some users find them less effective in deep ice compared to dedicated studless tires
Observations
- Performance-oriented vehicles, such as the Mustang GT and modified Volvo S60, benefit from the tire's ability to maintain summer-like handling in cold conditions.
- Users operating smaller vehicles like the Mini in rural, ungritted environments report high levels of stability and security.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 | B · Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Premium Touring Winter tire | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
77
/ 100
Hankook
87
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 — better dry, comfort and wet. Pick the Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 if snow and treadwear matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 scores 90 vs 29 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 scores 84 vs 64 on comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 scores 91 vs 82 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 scores 98 vs 89 on noise.
Tire A · Hankook Winter i*pike RS2
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
More comparisons
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Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 also compared with
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 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.