Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
Across sizes (205/55 R16 to 225/45 R17), patterns are clear: Dunlop is the snow specialist with class-leading mileage, while Hankook is the wet-weather aquaplaning benchmark with a calm, quiet road manner. Small gaps decide braking on dry/wet in either direction, but the meaningful divides are snow traction/mileage for Dunlop and aquaplaning/noise/value for 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 seven tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | five | |
| Hankook Winter I cept RS3 | two |
While it might look like the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 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 snow performance (repeated wins in snow braking and traction)
- Excellent longevity and low wear (often top of test for mileage)
- Good efficiency/low rolling resistance and fuel consumption
- Consistently strong ice braking versus peers
- Best-in-class aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) across all tests
- Sporty, precise feel with stable wet/dry handling
- Lower external noise and good comfort
- Attractive pricing and strong overall value
Dry Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle in 0.07% less distance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Dry Braking: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Dry Braking 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 0.86% faster around a lap than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle in 0.93% less distance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Wet Braking: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during two wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 2.85% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.31% faster around a wet lap than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was 1.27% faster around a wet circle than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Circle: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during six straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 floated at a 7.03% higher speed than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
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 three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 slipped out at a 1.19% higher speed than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 0.06% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Braking: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during five snow traction tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 had 2.88% better snow traction than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Traction: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.18% faster around a lap than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and Hankook Winter I cept RS3 performed equally well in snow slalom tests.
Best In Snow Slalom: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during three ice braking tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 stopped the vehicle 1.18% shorter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Ice Braking: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during five noise tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 measured 1.67% quieter than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during four wear tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is predicted to cover 10.11% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wear: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two value tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 proved to have a 1.71% better value based on price/1000km than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Value: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two price tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 cost 16.36% less than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Price: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 had a 2.41% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 used 1.81% less fuel than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two abrasion tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 emitted 4.3% less particle wear matter than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 for outstanding snow and ice traction, strong wet grip in cold conditions, predictable handling, good comfort/low noise (for a winter tyre), and excellent tread life. A minority report softer sidewalls and reduced dry performance or understeer as temperatures rise, with a few notes on noise increase over time and isolated quality/balance issues. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most buyers willing to repurchase.
Based on 43 reviews with an average rating of 84%
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%
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's RS3 shines where winter often means cold rain and standing water: it dominates straight and curved aquaplaning in every test, runs quieter, and often costs less. Wet braking results are mixed by size, but on balance the RS3 trades a touch of snow bite and longevity for calmer wet-security margins and comfort. Choose it for milder, wetter winters and budget-conscious daily use.
Key Differences
- Snow capability: Dunlop leads in both braking and traction; Hankook is close but generally behind on packed snow.
- Aquaplaning: Hankook consistently superior in straight and curved tests; Dunlop lags in deep-water safety margins.
- Wear/mileage: Dunlop delivers longer life in most tests; Hankook shows lower abrasion in some sizes but shorter projected mileage overall.
- Noise/comfort: Hankook is quieter; Dunlop is typically the noisiest in-group.
- Efficiency: Dunlop tends to post better fuel/rolling resistance scores; Hankook is still competitive but not class-leading.
- Value/price: Hankook commonly cheaper up-front and scores higher on value; Dunlop repays over time via longevity.
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.