Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
In Auto Bild's broad 2024 programme, the Blizzak 6 finished 4th of 23 with standout wet braking and balanced handling; Hankook placed 6th with superior aquaplaning resistance, mileage, and price. AMS 2025 flipped some narratives in the tested 215/55 R17 size: Hankook ranked 4th overall with sharp, precise dynamics and top-tier aquaplaning, while Bridgestone (6th) looked strongest on snow balance and dry control but short on wet grip versus the best. The dedicated 55-tyre braking test underscored Bridgestone's raw wet-stopping edge, placing 1st overall versus Hankook's 14th.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been three tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone Blizzak 6 | two | |
| Hankook Winter I cept RS3 | one |
While it might look like the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 is better than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Best-in-test wet braking in two tests (up to ~8-9% shorter vs RS3)
- Consistently strong dry braking and secure, predictable dry handling
- Balanced and confidence-inspiring snow performance (wins in snow circle and subjective snow handling)
- Comfortable ride with competitive rolling resistance for a premium winter tyre
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) and stable wet cornering
- Sporty, precise steering feel (higher subjective scores in AMS wet/dry)
- Outstanding mileage and lower rolling resistance (Eco-Master; strong wear result)
- Superior value proposition with notably lower cost per 1000 km
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 stopped the vehicle in 1.87% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Braking: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was 0.41% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 scored 11.11% more points than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 stopped the vehicle in 5.88% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was 0.23% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 scored 12.5% more points than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 had 10.85% higher lateral wet grip than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Wet Circle: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 floated at a 4.98% higher speed than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 slipped out at a 7.17% higher speed than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during three snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle in 2.4% less distance than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Snow Braking: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 had 0.12% better snow traction than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Traction: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was 0.64% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 scored 22.22% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 provided 3.86% more lateral grip than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Circle: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 1.21% faster through a slalom than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Snow Slalom: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 scored 12.5% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Bridgestone Blizzak 6
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two noise tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 measured 1.03% quieter than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Noise: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one wear tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 is predicted to cover 11.84% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Wear: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one value tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 proved to have a 36.58% better value based on price/1000km than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Value: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 had a 3.4% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 and Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
In total the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 has been reviewed 5 times and drivers have given the tyre 92% overall.
The Hankook Winter I cept RS3 has been reviewed 20 times and drivers have given the tyre 77% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.
First season/initial thoughts:
Dry roads - car was predictible, tyres felt a little bit softer and less responsive, in comparision with summer tyres (in my case it's 195/55 R15 2020's Michelin Energy Saver+), but it's a winter tyre, so it's absolutly normal to have a slightly different feeling in steering response or... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
For drivers spending winters in milder, wet climates with frequent standing water, the Hankook's aquaplaning security and economy are compelling. For mixed or unpredictable conditions where emergency-stopping confidence on wet and dry is the top priority, Bridgestone holds the clearer safety margin. Value tilts to Hankook; pure braking prowess and all-round wet control (excluding aquaplaning) tilt to Bridgestone. The practical takeaway: choose Hankook for confidence at speed in heavy rain and lower running costs; choose Bridgestone for the shortest stops when it counts.
Key Differences
- Wet braking: Bridgestone stops significantly shorter (Auto Bild 54.0 m vs 59.1 m; Braking Test 34.6 m vs 37.8 m)
- Aquaplaning: Hankook resists hydroplaning better (straight and curved wins in both comparative tests)
- Subjective handling: Hankook often feels sportier and more precise (AMS wet/dry subjective wins)
- Snow balance: Bridgestone edges subjective snow handling and snow circle; Hankook slightly shorter snow braking
- Efficiency and wear: Hankook delivers lower rolling resistance and longer tread life (Auto Bild +13% wear)
- Value: Hankook markedly cheaper per 1000 km; Bridgestone commands a higher price for its braking performance
Overall Winner: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
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Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.