Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 47
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 23
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead 6 times and the Winter Sport 5 twice, with one level. The Winter Sport 5 had 4.3% lower rolling resistance; the Winter i cept evo3 stopped 3.3% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Hankook i*cept evo3 for predominantly wet, mixed winter commuting and motorway use where stopping distance and aquaplaning safety are priorities. Choose Dunlop Winter Sport 5 for regions with regular snow/ice and drivers valuing quietness and fuel efficiency. If pricing is similar and conditions are mixed, Hankook for rain-biased climates; Dunlop for snow/ice-biased climates.
Where the Winter Sport 5 is stronger
- Stronger on snow/ice: repeated wins in snow traction/handling and better ice braking (ADAC 2025)
- Lower rolling resistance in most tests, aiding fuel efficiency
- Quieter in multiple programs (lower dB vs Hankook in 2024, 2025 samples)
Where the Winter i cept evo3 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet and dry braking across most years (notably 2020-2023, ADAC 2025 wet)
- Very good aquaplaning safety margins, especially curved aquaplaning in several tests
- Strong environmental showing in ADAC 2025: high predicted mileage and low abrasion
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.
Winter Sport 5 vs Winter i cept evo3 at a glance
| Category | Winter Sport 5 | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 2 | 1 level | 6 |
| Dry11 measurements | 3 | The Winter i cept evo3 stopped 1.7% shorter in the dry (6 tests) | 8 |
| Wet28 measurements | 7 | The Winter i cept evo3 stopped 3.3% shorter in the wet (9 tests) | 19 |
| Snow24 measurements | 11 | Level between the two. | 11 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort7 measurements | 4 | 3 | |
| Value10 measurements | 6 | The Winter Sport 5 had 4.3% lower rolling resistance (5 tests) | 3 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Winter i cept evo3 by 0.3 | 9.2/10 |
| Owner rating47 and 23 reviews | 83% | The Winter i cept evo3 by 3 points | 86% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 83% | The Winter i cept evo3 by 8 points | 91% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | +13.5% | The Winter Sport 5 was dearer in 5 of 5 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 49 | 25 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 9 tests, 2020 to 2025
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 | Winter Sport 5 | Field | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | P4 of 31 | P4 of 31 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | P4 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P7 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P15 of 54 | P8 of 54 | |
| 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | P8 of 56 | P9 of 56 | |
| 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 13 | P1 of 13 | |
| 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | P6 of 9 | P3 of 9 | |
| 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | P8 of 20 | P6 of 20 | |
| 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | P13 of 51 | P5 of 51 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winter Sport 5
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. 12 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Winter Sport 5
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
Winter Sport 5
Winter i cept evo3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 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 | Winter Sport 5 | Gap | Winter i cept evo3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.78 | 1.7% | 43.04 | 2-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 46.01 | 0.4% | 45.81 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 105.1 | 0.6% | 105.7 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 42.66 | 3.3% | 41.26 | 1-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 38.9 | 3.6% | 37.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50.72 | 2% | 49.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 77.05 | 0.7% | 77.48 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3 | 3.4% | 2.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.72 | 0.3% | 12.76 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 85.47 | 1.4% | 86.72 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 23.31 | 4.7% | 23.66 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 25.19 | = | 25.15 | 3-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.39 | 0.2% | 5.38 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2,180 | 1.8% | 2,146 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 89.18 | 1.4% | 87.95 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56.13 | 1.2% | 55.4 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35.92 | 3.4% | 34.69 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.88 | 1.1% | 2.85 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.43 | 1.9% | 3.49 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 16.8 | 3.4% | 17.4 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.67 | 0.4 dB | 74.07 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 47,763 | 1.2% | 48,859 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.53 | 4.3% | 8.92 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.7 | = | 5.7 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 67 | 16.4% | 56 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Winter Sport 5 scores 8.9 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
| Winter Sport 5 | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Dry | 77 | ||
| 85 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 18 | Comfort | 11 | ||
| 66 | Value | 57 | ||
| 83 | Snow | 68 | ||
| 48 | 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
| Winter Sport 5 | Category | Winter i cept evo3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.9 | Road Feedback | 7.8 | ||
| 7.9 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 8.8 | ||
| 8.4 | Comfort | 7.8 | ||
| 9.1 | Snow Grip | 9.4 | ||
| 8.2 | Ice Grip | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- 83%from 47 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 485,102 milesdriven by reviewers
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.
- snow and ice grip
- wet grip in cold
- predictable handling
- ride comfort
- weaker dry grip/softer feel in warmer temps
- increased noise with age
- occasional balance/quality issues
Summarised by AI from 39 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 47 Winter Sport 5 reviewsYou must know, in 225/50/17 it is the best what you can buy in eurowinter tyres
+ perfect rim protector
+ dry and wet grip at different temperatures including +17 Celsius
+ snow grip? Easy
+ treadwear 12000 km/per 1 mm (on my new set 8 mm, now 7,0-6,8 after 2 seasons and 14400 km)
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: 49 sizes of the Winter Sport 5 and 86 of the Winter i cept evo3, 25 of them made in both.
| Category | Winter Sport 5 | Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 49 sizes, 15 to 21 inch | 86 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 25 sizes 235/45 R17245/45 R17215/45 R18215/50 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/45 R18and 13 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B52%C48% | B98%C1%D1% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C75%D24%B1% | C57%D42%B1% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B100% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 79 of 79 | 124 of 124 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2021 |
| Replaced | Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D (2021) | Hankook Winter i cept evo2 |
| Price in the shared tests | The Winter Sport 5 was the dearer tyre in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 13.5% 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 head-to-head pits two ultra-high-performance winter staples against each other: the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and the Hankook Winter i*cept evo3. Across nine shared tests from 2020-2025 in 18-19 inch fitments, both target sporty road cars needing dependable winter capability without sacrificing dry and wet road confidence. The latest ADAC 2025 test even scores them identically overall (4th/31), underscoring how closely matched they are.
Patterns emerge, though. Hankook typically stops shorter on dry and especially wet roads, while Dunlop edges ahead on ice and often holds small but consistent advantages in snow traction/handling, interior noise, and rolling resistance. Longevity swings by test: ADAC 2025 projects notably higher mileage and lower abrasion for Hankook, whereas several Auto Bild tests credit Dunlop with higher mileage and better value.
Conclusion
If your winter driving is mostly cold, wet, and fast motorway work with frequent heavy rain, the Hankook i*cept evo3 is the safer, sharper choice. It leads convincingly in wet braking and handling across most tests, often pairs that with strong aquaplaning resistance, and in ADAC 2025 shows excellent predicted mileage and low abrasion. It also tends to be priced competitively.
If you routinely face packed snow, icy mornings, and value calm manners and efficiency, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 fits better. It repeatedly shows marginal gains in snow traction/handling and ice braking, runs quieter in several tests, and commonly posts lower rolling resistance, which benefits fuel economy. Where prices are close, Dunlop's efficiency and winter-surface assurance make it compelling; where rain dominates, Hankook's wet stopping advantage is hard to ignore.
Winter Sport 5 vs Winter i cept evo3: your questions
Is the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 or the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 the better tyre?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead 6 times and the Winter Sport 5 twice, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter Sport 5 scores 8.9 and the Winter i cept evo3 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter Sport 5 or the Winter i cept evo3?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 19 of the 28 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.3% shorter in the wet across 9 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 8 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.7% shorter in the dry across 6 tests.
Which is better in snow?
Across the shared tests the snow measurements are split 11-11 between the Winter Sport 5 and the Winter i cept evo3.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter Sport 5 lasted 1.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 4.3% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the Winter Sport 5 and 8.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.4/10 for the Winter Sport 5 and 7.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23. 83% of Winter Sport 5 owners would buy it again, against 91% for the Winter i cept evo3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Winter Sport 5 was the dearer tyre in 5 of them, by 13.5% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winter Sport 5 is made in 49 sizes (15 to 21 inch) and the Winter i cept evo3 in 86 (17 to 22 inch). 25 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winter Sport 5 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Winter i cept evo3 B and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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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