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Hankook Winter I cept RS3 - Test Results

Test Statistics

11

Tests Completed

6th

Average Position

3rd

Best Result

14th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Hankook Winter I cept RS3 - Official Image

Hankook Winter I cept RS3 delivers a consistent mid-to-upper tier winter performance with standout safety in aquaplaning and strong capability on snow. Across 12 tests it repeatedly tops straight and curved aquaplaning and often ranks near the front in snow braking/handling, yielding several top-5 overall finishes and value mentions. However, it frequently trails leaders in dry and wet braking, and rolling resistance is commonly below average. Wear results are mixed to good in ADAC, reinforcing suitability for wet/snow-heavy climates with an efficiency trade-off.
Overall, the tyre's pattern is clear: excellent hydroplaning resistance and competitive snow performance underpin solid placements in difficult, broad fields (ADAC, Auto Bild). Its main weaknesses are mediocre dry/wet stopping distances and higher rolling resistance, which cap overall rankings despite safety-oriented strengths.

Performance Strengths
  • Aquaplaning / Wet Safety Reserve Strong
    • 1st straight and 2nd curved aquaplaning in 2025 AMS (Straight Aqua 80 Km/H 1/10; Curved 7.5 m/s² 2/10)
    • 1st straight and 1st curved aquaplaning in 2024 Auto Bild (84.5 Km/H 1/23; Curved 3.93 m/s² 1/23)
    • 1st straight and 1st curved aquaplaning in 2024 ADAC 17" (80.5 Km/H 1/16; Curved 3.4 m/s² 1/16)
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2024 ADAC 16" (84.4 Km/H 1/12; Curved 2/12)
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2022 Auto Bild (81.3 Km/H 1/22)
  • Snow Performance Strong
    • 1st snow braking in 2025 AMS (27.2 m 1/10)
    • 1st snow braking and 1st snow slalom in 2024 Auto Bild (29.1 m 1/23; Slalom 1/23)
    • Top-3 snow metrics in 2024 ADAC 16" (Snow braking 3/12; traction 4/12)
    • 2nd snow braking in 2023 ADAC 17" (9.5 m 2/15)
    • Multiple snow wins in 2023 TR All Season reference (snow braking/traction/handling 1/12)
  • Value and Wear (select tests) Moderate
    • Wear 2/12 and best abrasion 1/12 in 2024 ADAC 16"
    • Wear 2/20 and Value 2/20 in 2024 Auto Bild full test
    • Price 1/10 in 2024 AZ mixed test; Value recommendation in 2025 AMS
  • Wet Handling Pace (excluding braking) Moderate
    • Wet handling 4/10 and wet circle 1/10 in 2025 AMS (plus Subj. Wet Handling competitive)
    • Wet handling 3/9 in 2022/23 TR winter; straight aqua 3/9
    • Wet handling 9/23 but close gap +4% in 2024 Auto Bild, indicating competitive pace despite weak braking
Performance Weaknesses
  • Wet Braking Strong
    • 20/23 (+11.7%) in 2024 Auto Bild wet braking
    • 10/10 (+9.8%) in 2024 AZ mixed test wet braking
    • 9/16 (+6.7%) and 12/16 concrete (+10.1%) in 2024 ADAC 17"
    • 9/12 (+5.7%) in 2024 ADAC 16"
    • Mid-pack in 2025 AMS (5/10, +4.5%)
  • Dry Braking Strong
    • 17/23 (+17.1%) in 2024 Auto Bild dry braking
    • 9/10 (+17.2%) in 2024 AZ mixed test
    • 10/16 (+5.7%) in 2024 ADAC 17"
    • 9/12 (+5.5%) in 2024 ADAC 16"
    • 7/10 (+4.6%) in 2025 AMS
  • Rolling Resistance / Efficiency Moderate
    • 9/10 (+26.3%) in 2024 AZ mixed test
    • 15/22 (+32.8%) in 2022 Auto Bild
    • 11/12 (+12.3%) in 2023 TR All Season reference
    • Mid-pack 5/9 (+31.3%) in 2022/23 TR winter
  • Ice Braking (select sizes) Moderate
    • 11/16 (+10.6%) in 2024 ADAC 17"
    • 6/12 (+8.2%) in 2024 ADAC 16"
    • 9/15 (+4.6%) in 2023 ADAC 17"
Performance Over Time

Test History

4
of 10
2025 AMS Winter Tyre Test

2025
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

The Hankook i*cept RS3 delivers the shortest braking distances on snow and provides confident cornering on wet surfaces with the best aquaplaning protection in the test. It offers very precise, alm...
Strong:
Subj. Dry Handling, Snow Braking, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua, Wet Circle
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
3
of 7
2024 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test

2024
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

The Hankook earned third place with strong snow performance and solid wet results. It was fastest around the snow circuit, showing good initial grip and strong traction. Snow handling revealed effe...
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6
of 23
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test

2024
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 offers a compelling mix of performance and value. It provides sporty, direct handling in all weather conditions and particularly excels in aquaplaning resistance. With...
Strong:
Snow Braking, Snow Slalom, Value, Wear, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
View Test
5
of 10
2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test

2024
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

The Hankook Winter icept RS3 W462 has a firm ride on uneven roads in dry conditions. Its rolling resistance and braking performance are acceptable but are not the best in this test. While offering ...
Strong:
Snow Braking, Price, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Dry Braking, Snow Circle, Snow Traction, Rolling Resistance, Wet Braking, Wet Circle, Wet Handling
View Test
5
of 16
2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test

2024
Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 receives a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but falling short on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on...
Strong:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
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4
of 12
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test

2024
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

The Hankook Winter icept RS3 tyre shows mixed performance across different driving conditions. On dry roads, it offers good steering feedback, precise handling, and good safety reserves during sudd...
Strong:
Abrasion, Fuel Consumption, Wear, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
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14
of 55
2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test

2024
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Strong:
Snow Braking
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5
of 16
2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Dunlop Winter Sport 5

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 shows minor deficiencies in steering precision and feedback on dry roads but earns a good overall rating due to its safety reserves in sudden evasive maneuvers and bra...
Strong:
Snow Braking
View Test
7
of 15
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

The Hankook Winter i*cept RS3 tyre exhibits minor weaknesses on dry roads, particularly in steering precision and driving safety, with a tendency to oversteer during sudden maneuvers. However, its ...
Strong:
Snow Braking, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking
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7
of 22
2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test

2022
Winner: Michelin Alpin 6

Good.
Strong:
Straight Aqua
View Test
3
of 9
2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test

2022
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

The new Hankook Winter I*Cept RS3 continues Hankooks impressive results, and other than an outlier in snow braking, it is a winter tyre with no major weakness. IT was impressive in the dry, very im...
Strong:
Subj. Snow Handling
Weak:
Snow Braking
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