Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Michelin Alpin 6
The data points to a clear trade-off: Michelin delivers shorter braking distances on dry and especially wet roads and industry-leading longevity, while Hankook counters with class-leading aquaplaning resistance, lively handling feel, lower price, and often stronger snow braking/handling. Your ideal choice depends on whether you prioritise all-weather braking confidence and tread life (Michelin) or wet-security in standing water, snow agility, and value (Hankook).
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 eight tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Hankook Winter I cept RS3 | two | |
| Michelin Alpin 6 | six |
While it might look like the Michelin Alpin 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
- Outstanding aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) across tests
- Strong snow braking/handling with predictable balance
- Lower purchase price and strong value proposition
- Sporty, direct handling feel with competitive noise levels
- Consistently shorter dry and wet braking distances
- Very high mileage and low wear (class-leading durability)
- Balanced, comfortable ride with good efficiency
- Strong overall test results and environmental credentials
Dry Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 stopped the vehicle in 2.16% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 1.03% faster around a lap than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.43% faster around a lap than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 scored 5.56% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 stopped the vehicle in 1.24% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 stopped the vehicle in 3.47% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 1.16% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 was 0.56% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 scored 5.56% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 was 0.4% faster around a wet circle than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during seven straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 floated at a 4.62% higher speed than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during five curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 slipped out at a 5.03% higher speed than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during six snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle in 1.76% less distance than the Michelin Alpin 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 Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 accelerated 3.92% faster than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Snow Traction: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during five snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 had 1.52% better snow traction than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 1.1% faster around a lap than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 1.4% faster around a lap than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 scored 10% more points than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 provided 0.65% more lateral grip than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Circle: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two snow slalom tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 3.1% faster through a slalom than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Snow Slalom: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle 0.15% shorter than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Ice Braking: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 scored 10% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during four noise tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 measured 0.43% quieter than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Noise: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one noise tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 measured 0.29% quieter than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Noise: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during five wear tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 is predicted to cover 15.68% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wear: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three 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 9.26% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Value: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during four price tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 cost 29.9% less than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Price: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 had a 0.12% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 used 0.72% less fuel than the Michelin Alpin 6.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 was better during two abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 6 emitted 19.3% less particle wear matter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Alpin 6
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 highly for strong grip and confidence in dry, wet, and especially snow, with stable handling and predictable feedback. Several high-scoring reviews highlight aquaplaning resistance and braking, and some note normal winter-tyre softness in steering. The main recurring drawback is elevated road noise, particularly at certain speeds; a minority mention higher rolling resistance or faster wear. Overall, sentiment skews positive for winter performance with noise being the key trade-off.
Based on 20 reviews with an average rating of 77%
Michelin Alpin 6 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Michelin Alpin 6 for excellent wet and dry cold grip, strong braking, high comfort, low noise, and outstanding longevity/wear. Snow performance is mixed: many report very good traction and control in snow, while a notable minority criticize snow/ice grip and especially snow braking as average or poor. Handling feel is generally stable, though a few note softness or vague steering at higher speeds. Overall sentiment is positive, with the Alpin 6 seen as a durable, refined winter tyre that excels in wet/dry but can be inconsistent on deep snow/ice.
Based on 34 reviews with an average rating of 85%
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
Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 offers compelling real-world strengths: best-in-class aquaplaning reserves (typically +5-9% straight-line, double-digit advantage in curved), competitive snow braking/handling, sporty precision, lower rolling resistance in several tests, and a much lower purchase price. For drivers facing heavy rain and slush, frequent standing water, or who value dynamic snow handling and value-for-money, Hankook is a smart pick. The memorable takeaway: Michelin stops shorter and lasts longer; Hankook swims better and costs less.
Key Differences
- Braking: Michelin generally stops shorter on dry and especially wet surfaces (often 3-7%).
- Aquaplaning: Hankook holds a clear edge in straight and curved aquaplaning (+5-12% typical).
- Snow performance: Hankook often leads snow braking/handling; Michelin edges snow traction in several tests.
- Longevity: Michelin's projected mileage is substantially higher (often 30%+).
- Price/Value: Hankook is significantly cheaper at purchase, improving cost-performance.
- Comfort/Refinement: Michelin tends to ride smoother; Hankook can feel firmer with slightly higher feedback.
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.