Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 90% · 15
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 23
In the 13 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 12 times and the Winter i cept evo3 not once, with one level. The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests; the Winter i cept evo3 held 9.3% more grip in curved aquaplaning.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 if your winter is dominated by wet roads, variable temperatures, and you want the strongest all-round safety with lower noise and better projected wear. Choose the Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 if you want a cheaper UHP winter tyre with very strong aquaplaning security and competitive snow/ice credentials-especially where standing water and price are the deciding factors.
Where the UltraGrip Performance 3 is stronger
- Wet-weather safety advantage: frequent leader in wet braking and wet handling (category wins: wet braking 10-2; wet handling 8-1)
- More refined day-to-day: consistently lower noise and better subjective comfort in several tests (noise wins 9-0; e.g., 71.8 dB vs 77.4 dB)
- Stronger longevity/environmental performance in major tests (e.g., ADAC 76,500 km vs 72,400 km; Auto Bild 45,500 km vs 34,407 km)
Where the Winter i cept evo3 is stronger
- Aquaplaning-focused security: consistently stronger in straight and curved aquaplaning (wins: straight aqua 8-2; curved aquaplaning 7-1)
- Competitive winter bite in key metrics: often edges snow braking (6-5) and can be very strong on ice in some tests (e.g., 9.57 m ice braking vs 11.08 m)
- Better upfront value: repeatedly cheaper and scores better on value metrics (e.g., Auto Bild 2025 value 9.24 vs 10.94 price/1000; lower prices in multiple tests)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Winter i cept evo3 at a glance
| Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won13 shared tests | 12 | 1 level | 0 |
| Dry23 measurements | 17 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 1.4% shorter in the dry (11 tests) | 5 |
| Wet53 measurements | 32 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 stopped 4.2% shorter in the wet (13 tests) | 20 |
| Snow43 measurements | 24 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the snow handling course (8 tests) | 14 |
| Ice3 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Comfort14 measurements | 12 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 2.6 dB quieter (10 tests) | 0 |
| Value15 measurements | 10 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 5 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 0.3 | 9.2/10 |
| Owner rating15 and 23 reviews | 90% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 4 points | 86% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 100% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 by 9 points | 91% |
| Pricein the 12 tests that listed prices | +22.2% | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was dearer in 11 of 12 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 175 | 57 sizes made in both | 86 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 13 tests, 2023 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Field | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 12 | P8 of 12 | |
| 2025 High Performance Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 6 | P4 of 6 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P3 of 51 | P14 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 31 | P4 of 31 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 12 | P5 of 12 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | P3 of 6 | P4 of 6 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 9 | P6 of 9 | |
| 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 11 | P4 of 11 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P3 of 54 | P8 of 54 | |
| 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | P4 of 11 | P4 of 11 |
Performance profile
24 measurements from the 13 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
UltraGrip Performance 3
Winter i cept evo3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
UltraGrip Performance 3
Winter i cept evo3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
UltraGrip Performance 3
Winter i cept evo3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.72 | 1.4% | 43.32 | 8-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 79.93 | 0.2% | 80.16 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 109.8 | 0.5% | 109.3 | 6-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 38.94 | 4.2% | 40.92 | 11-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27.6 | 4.5% | 28.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 36.6 | 2.4% | 37.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.98 | 1.4% | 84.49 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.94 | 2.1% | 79.24 | 7-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.8% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.24 | 2.7% | 6.09 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.5 | 2.5% | 13.84 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 83.52 | 0.5% | 84 | 2-9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.57 | 9.3% | 2.81 | 1-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 25.3 | 0.1% | 25.31 | 5-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.55 | 1.6% | 5.64 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,701 | 2% | 1,681 | 8-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.54 | 0.5% | 82.16 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 61.65 | 0.7% | 61.21 | 5-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.92 | 2.5% | 2.85 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.68 | 1.1% | 3.64 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.89 | 4.8% | 13.49 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.14 | 9.9% | 4.63 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 3% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.91 | 2.6 dB | 73.55 | 10-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 58,333 | 13.3% | 52,916 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.56 | 1.7% | 8.71 | 6-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.8 | 1.7% | 5.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50 | 10.7% | 56 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
| UltraGrip Performance 3 | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | Dry | 77 | ||
| 95 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 85 | Comfort | 11 | ||
| 70 | Value | 57 | ||
| 87 | Snow | 68 | ||
| 22 | Ice | 63 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| UltraGrip Performance 3 | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.8 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.6 | Road Feedback | 7.8 | ||
| 8.1 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 8.8 | ||
| 8.8 | Comfort | 7.8 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 9.4 | ||
| 8.1 | Ice Grip | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
- 90%from 15 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 62,800 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 very highly, praising its excellent grip and braking on dry and wet roads, strong traction in snow, and a quiet, comfortable, and predictable ride. Handling is often described as stable and confidence-inspiring, with several noting good highway manners. A minority mention weaker performance on pure ice and a softer, less sporty steering feel at the limit. Overall sentiment is strongly positive with only a few caveats.
- strong dry grip and braking
- excellent wet grip and braking
- very good snow traction
- quiet and comfortable ride
- limited grip on pure ice compared to some rivals
- softer steering feel and less sporty lateral grip at high speeds
Summarised by AI from 12 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 15 UltraGrip Performance 3 reviewsThis is exceptional tyre in winter i swapped it now with Michelin PA 5 which is even better on snow but lucks a bit on wet. But you cant go wrong with niether of those. I cant wait Michelin s to worn out so i can try pirelli.
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
- 86%from 23 reviews
- 91%would buy again
- 164,670 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 20 reviews, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 is described as a highly confidence-inspiring winter tyre with standout traction in snow and strong, predictable grip in wet conditions (often praised for stability and aquaplaning resistance). Many drivers also report good dry-road handling for a winter tyre and consider it excellent value versus premium brands. A smaller minority mention increased road noise or a firmer/less comfortable ride compared with their summer tyres, but this is not the dominant experience.
- Excellent snow traction and confidence in winter conditions
- Strong wet grip and high aquaplaning resistance
- Stable, predictable handling and good road feedback
- Good comfort and generally low noise for a winter tyre
- Some users find it noisier than summer tyres or typical winter tyre buzzing
Summarised by AI from 20 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 23 Winter i cept evo3 reviewsI used these Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330 tires for 4 full winter seasons on a Jeep Compass 2.0 Multijet 4x4. They lasted for roughly 5,500 miles (around 8,900 km). The grip held up exceptionally well as they wore down, providing consistent traction and stability for an AWD SUV in various winter conditions. They offer great value and reliable performance, and I would absolutely buy them again.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 175 sizes of the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 86 of the Winter i cept evo3, 57 of them made in both.
| Category | UltraGrip Performance 3 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 175 sizes, 14 to 23 inch | 86 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 57 sizes 215/60 R17235/45 R17215/40 R18215/45 R18215/50 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18245/40 R18and 45 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B60%C39%D0%A0% | B98%C1%D1% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B16%D9%A1%E0% | C57%D42%B1% |
| EU label noise | 69-74 dB B87%A13% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 415 of 415 | 124 of 124 |
| On the market since | - | 2021 |
| Replaced | - | Hankook Winter i cept evo2 |
| Awards | Commended: Best Winter Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tyre in 11 of the 12 tests that listed prices, by 22.2% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This is a straight shootout between two ultra-high-performance winter tyres that aim to do the same job-keep fast, powerful passenger cars confident in cold conditions-yet they go about it with noticeably different priorities. Across 12 shared professional tests (including ADAC, Auto Bild, Sport Auto and Tyre Reviews), the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 repeatedly emerges as the more “asphalt-first” winter tyre, while the Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 tends to lean into winter mobility and water-clearing security.
The pattern is consistent: Goodyear stacks up wins in the core safety metrics that dominate everyday winter driving in much of Europe-wet braking/handling, predictable grip and refinement-while Hankook's best arguments are value, strong straight and curved aquaplaning resistance, and competitive (often slightly better) snow braking and ice metrics in some formats. If your winter is mostly wet roads and fluctuating temperatures, this comparison tilts one way; if you see frequent standing water, want a cheaper set, and care most about deep-water stability and “winter bite,” it tilts the other.
Conclusion
Across the shared test set, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is the more consistently high-ranked tyre overall (e.g., 1st/31 in ADAC 2025; 5th/22 in Auto Bild 2025; multiple podiums in performance-winter tests). The reason is simple: it repeatedly posts shorter wet braking and stronger wet handling-often by meaningful margins. In the 2025 52-set braking test it stops 3.0 m shorter in the wet (32.6 m vs 35.6 m), and in Auto Bild 2025 it's 4.7 m better (50.9 m vs 55.6 m). It also tends to be notably quieter (e.g., 71.8 dB vs 77.4 dB in the 2025 high-performance test) and shows stronger projected wear in the big consumer-oriented tests (ADAC: 76,500 km vs 72,400 km; Auto Bild 2023: 45,500 km vs 34,407 km).
The Hankook Winter i*cept evo3's case is narrower but still compelling: it is frequently stronger in aquaplaning security (wins in straight aquaplaning 8-2 and curved aquaplaning 7-1 across the summary) and it often edges snow braking (6-5) while also showing occasional standout ice performance (e.g., 9.57 m vs 11.08 m ice braking in one performance-winter test). Add in repeated price/value advantages (Auto Bild 2025 value: 9.24 vs 10.94 price/1000; multiple tests show lower purchase price), and it becomes a smart buy for drivers who prioritize winter traction per euro and high-speed water stability over ultimate wet-road stopping.
Practical takeaway: if you can only choose one tyre for a typical mixed winter of wet roads, cold rain, and occasional snow, Goodyear's broader safety margin and refinement make it the safer all-rounder. Hankook is the better “value + water-clearing + winter bite” option-particularly if standing water/aquaplaning confidence and purchase price are your main constraints.
UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Winter i cept evo3: your questions
Is the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 or the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 the better tyre?
In the 13 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 finished ahead 12 times and the Winter i cept evo3 not once, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Performance 3 scores 9.5 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip Performance 3 or the Winter i cept evo3?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 32 of the 53 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.2% shorter in the wet across 13 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 17 of the 23 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.4% shorter in the dry across 11 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 led 24 of the 43 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the snow handling course across 8 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 1.7% lower rolling resistance (10 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 8.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 was 2.6 dB quieter (10 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the UltraGrip Performance 3 and 7.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the UltraGrip Performance 3 90% from 15 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. 100% of UltraGrip Performance 3 owners would buy it again, against 91% for the Winter i cept evo3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 12 tests that listed prices, the UltraGrip Performance 3 was the dearer tyre in 11 of them, by 22.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The UltraGrip Performance 3 is made in 175 sizes (14 to 23 inch) and the Winter i cept evo3 in 86 (17 to 22 inch). 57 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the UltraGrip Performance 3 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Winter i cept evo3 B and C.
More comparisons with these tyres
Every Goodyear vs Hankook test → All comparisons → Compare three or more tyres →
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Review the UltraGrip Performance 3 Review the Winter i cept evo3
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.


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