Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 23
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 3
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead 3 times and the Wintrac Pro+ not once. The Winter i cept evo3 had 9.3% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 if you want the better all-round winter tyre, especially for snow, braking safety, efficiency and value. Consider the Vredestein Wintrac Pro plus mainly if your winters are wet and mild and you prioritise wet cornering feel over braking performance and long-term value.
Where the Winter i cept evo3 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet, dry and snow braking distances across the shared tests
- Stronger overall snow performance, especially handling and slalom control
- Better efficiency, with lower rolling resistance in both measured comparisons
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 i cept evo3 vs Wintrac Pro+ at a glance
| Category | Winter i cept evo3 | Gap | Wintrac Pro+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 3 | 0 | |
| Dry4 measurements | 4 | The Winter i cept evo3 stopped 3% shorter in the dry (2 tests) | 0 |
| Wet11 measurements | 6 | The Winter i cept evo3 stopped 2.2% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 5 |
| Snow9 measurements | 8 | The Winter i cept evo3 stopped 1.6% shorter on snow (3 tests) | 1 |
| Comfort3 measurements | 2 | 1 | |
| Value3 measurements | 3 | The Winter i cept evo3 had 9.3% lower rolling resistance (2 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | The Winter i cept evo3 by 0.8 | 8.4/10 |
| Owner rating23 and 3 reviews | 86% | Too close to call | 87% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +5.8% | The Winter i cept evo3 was dearer in 1 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 86 | 53 sizes made in both | 124 |
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 3 tests in 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 i cept evo3 | Field | Wintrac Pro+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 High Performance Winter Tyre Test | P4 of 6 | P6 of 6 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P6 of 20 | P13 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P14 of 51 | P17 of 51 |
Performance profile
12 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winter i cept evo3
Wintrac Pro+
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. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Winter i cept evo3
Wintrac Pro+
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 i cept evo3
Wintrac Pro+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23 reviews and the Wintrac Pro+ 87% from 3. 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 i cept evo3 | Gap | Wintrac Pro+ | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.85 | 3% | 45.25 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 117.9 | 0.7% | 117.1 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 41.13 | 2.2% | 41.97 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 78.75 | = | 78.75 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.12 | 1.8% | 8.27 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 12.63 | 2.6% | 12.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 83.9 | 1.9% | 82.8 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 2.25 | 13.4% | 1.96 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 27.53 | 1.6% | 28 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 1,284 | 0.7% | 1,247 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 67.45 | 2.5% | 65.85 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 3.44 | 5.1% | 3.27 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 9% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 71.85 | 0.7 dB | 71.2 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 51,940 | 38% | 37,630 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.65 | 9.3% | 9.56 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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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 Winter i cept evo3 scores 9.2 and the Wintrac Pro+ 8.4 out of 10.
| Winter i cept evo3 | Category | Wintrac Pro+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Dry | 52 | ||
| 89 | Wet | 87 | ||
| 11 | Comfort | 45 | ||
| 57 | Value | 13 | ||
| 68 | Snow | 56 | ||
| 63 | Ice | 44 | ||
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 i cept evo3 | Category | Wintrac Pro+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.8 | Road Feedback | 8.7 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 8.8 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 7.8 | Comfort | 8.7 | ||
| 9.4 | Snow Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 8.5 | Ice Grip | 10 | ||
Owners rate the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23 reviews and the Wintrac Pro+ 87% from 3. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
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.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
- 87%from 3 reviews
- 37,500 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Wintrac Pro+ reviewsTyres has been perfect on my electric car which is very very (2,5 tonnes). quiet, stabile and long lasting.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 86 sizes of the Winter i cept evo3 and 124 of the Wintrac Pro+, 53 of them made in both.
| Category | Winter i cept evo3 | Wintrac Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 86 sizes, 17 to 22 inch | 124 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 53 sizes 215/60 R17225/60 R17235/45 R17245/45 R17205/40 R18215/40 R18215/45 R18215/50 R18215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18and 41 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B98%C1%D1% | B68%C32% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C57%D42%B1% | C55%D40%B3%E2% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B100% | 70-74 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 124 of 124 | 137 of 137 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2024 |
| Replaced | Hankook Winter i cept evo2 | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Winter i cept evo3 was the dearer tyre in 1 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 5.8% 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.
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 and Vredestein Wintrac Pro plus are both ultra-high-performance winter tyres aimed at drivers who want cold-weather security without giving up too much dry-road precision. They occupy a similar performance category, but the test data shows two quite different personalities: the Hankook leans toward balanced winter capability and efficiency, while the Vredestein shows flashes of strong wet grip but struggles to match the Hankook's consistency.
This comparison is especially useful because both tyres appear together in three 2025 professional tests, including a high-performance 275/35 R19 evaluation and two 225/40 R18 winter tests. Across those results, the Hankook wins all three overall rankings and is particularly strong in braking and snow dynamics. The Vredestein counters with good wet cornering behaviour and some aquaplaning strengths, but its weaker dry braking, higher rolling resistance and poorer wear numbers affect its overall case.
Conclusion
Across the three shared 2025 tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 is the clearer all-round performer. It finished ahead of the Vredestein in every overall ranking - 4th vs 6th in the high-performance test, 6th vs 13th in AutoBild, and 14th vs 17th in the large braking test - and its advantage is not limited to one surface. It consistently delivered shorter braking distances in the dry, wet and snow, plus stronger snow handling and slalom results, which are highly relevant for real winter safety.
The Vredestein Wintrac Pro plus is not without merit. It shows a real strength in wet lateral grip, winning both wet circle comparisons, and in the 275/35 R19 test it also performed well in aquaplaning resistance and snow traction. However, those positives are offset by weaker braking, poorer snow handling consistency, higher rolling resistance, and a notably worse wear/value result in the AutoBild data, where Hankook was projected at 51,940 km versus 37,630 km for the Vredestein.
For most buyers, the Hankook is the more convincing choice because it combines stronger objective safety performance with better efficiency, comfort, wear and value. The Vredestein may still suit drivers in wet, milder winter regions who value cornering grip and aquaplaning stability, but the Hankook's broader competence makes it the safer and smarter default pick.
Winter i cept evo3 vs Wintrac Pro+: your questions
Is the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 or the Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ the better tyre?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 finished ahead 3 times and the Wintrac Pro+ not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter i cept evo3 scores 9.2 and the Wintrac Pro+ 8.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter i cept evo3 or the Wintrac Pro+?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 6 of the 11 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.2% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 4 of the 4 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Winter i cept evo3 led 8 of the 9 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.6% shorter on snow across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter i cept evo3 had 9.3% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3 and 8/10 for the Wintrac Pro+.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.8/10 for the Winter i cept evo3 and 8.7/10 for the Wintrac Pro+.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter i cept evo3 86% from 23 reviews and the Wintrac Pro+ 87% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the Winter i cept evo3 was the dearer tyre in 1 of them, by 5.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winter i cept evo3 is made in 86 sizes (17 to 22 inch) and the Wintrac Pro+ in 124 (17 to 22 inch). 53 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winter i cept evo3 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Wintrac Pro+ B and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Wintrac Pro+ is the newer design: it reached the market in 2024, the Winter i cept evo3 in 2021. The Winter i cept evo3 replaced the Hankook Winter i cept evo2.
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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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