Tests 75 · 25 tests Owners 78 · 47 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 25 + 18 road tests and 47 + 23 owner reviews. How we score
Winter i cept evo3 leads, 78–76 Narrow edge
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Tests 76 · 18 tests Owners 82 · 23 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (straight aquaplaning)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 8 tests that measured wet braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 1 and Winter i cept evo3 won 6 (average 90% vs 94% of the best).
- In 8 tests that measured snow braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 3 and Winter i cept evo3 won 3 (average 96% vs 96% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured dry braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 2 and Winter i cept evo3 won 3 (average 94% vs 95% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, Winter Sport 5 won 2 and Winter i cept evo3 won 3 (average 96% vs 97% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured snow traction for both, Winter Sport 5 won 4 and Winter i cept evo3 won 1 (average 95% vs 93% of the best).
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69
Dry
Winter i cept evo3 +978Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i cept evo3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 19 / 13 tests 66 75 Reviews found online 74 83 Dry Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 94% 95% Dry Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–3 98% 98% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 65.7 + 40% × 73.7 = 69
Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 75.2 + 40% × 82.7 = 78
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84
Wet
Winter i cept evo3 +690Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i cept evo3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 18 tests 86 92 Reviews found online 82 86 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 96% 97% Wet Braking (% of best) · 8 shared tests · wins 1–6 90% 94% Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 94% 97% Wet Circle (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 97% 95% Wet Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–3 97% 98% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 86.2 + 40% × 81.6 = 84
Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 91.9 + 40% × 86.3 = 90
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83
Snow
Winter Sport 5 +380Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i cept evo3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 18 tests 87 81 Reviews found online 78 80 Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 91% 87% Snow Braking (% of best) · 8 shared tests · wins 3–3 96% 96% Snow Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–1 98% 97% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 93% 96% Snow Traction (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 4–1 95% 93% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 77.8 = 83
Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 80.6 + 40% × 80.2 = 80
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75
Comfort
Winter Sport 5 +273Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i cept evo3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 2 tests 74 72 Reviews found online 76 74 Winter Sport 5: 40% × 74.4 + 60% × 76 = 75
Winter i cept evo3: 40% × 71.8 + 60% × 74 = 73
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33
Noise
Level33Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i cept evo3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 13 tests 10 10 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 95% 95% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 10.3 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 33
Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 10 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 33
No owner ratings of noise for Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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79
Treadwear
Level79Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i cept evo3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 4 tests 78 77 Reviews found online 80 81 Abrasion (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 75% 89% Wear (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 2–1 84% 83% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 78.2 + 40% × 79.5 = 79
Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 77 + 40% × 81 = 79
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76
Handling (owners)
Winter i cept evo3 +682Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i cept evo3 Reviews found online 76 82 -
79
Efficiency
Winter Sport 5 +1762Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i cept evo3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 18 / 13 tests 79 62 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0 98% 98% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–1 92% 89%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 78 |
| Dry | 69 | 78 |
| Wet | 84 | 90 |
| Snow | 83 | 80 |
| Comfort | 75 | 73 |
| Noise | 33 | 33 |
| Treadwear | 79 | 79 |
| Handling (owners) | 76 | 82 |
| Efficiency | 79 | 62 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
76
/ 100
Winter Sport 5
78
/ 100
Winter i cept evo3
The professional test results behind the scores
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
In the overall rankings of 8 tests that ran both, Dunlop Winter Sport 5 finished ahead 2 times and Hankook Winter i cept evo3 6 times.
| Discipline | Category | Winter Sport 5 | Winter i cept evo3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 94% | 95% | −1.4 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% | 98% | −0.6 | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 97% #2/12 · 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/12 · 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 97% | −1.6 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% | 94% | −3.2 | 1–6 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 94% | 97% | −3.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 97% | 95% | +2.1 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 98% | −0.7 | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 91% | 87% | +3.1 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% | 96% | +0.1 | 3–3 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% | 97% | +1.1 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 93% | 96% | −3.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% | 93% | +1.7 | 4–1 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 90% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 94% #4/12 · 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 95% | 95% | +0.1 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 75% | 89% | −14.7 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 84% | 83% | +1.1 | 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 98% | 98% | 0.0 | 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 92% | 89% | +3.7 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 73% | 87% | −14.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test · 245/40 R18 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #9/20 | #14/20 | – | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 71% | 73% | −2.6 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/31 | #4/31 | – | 2–6 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Winter Sport 5
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance in snow, slush, and heavy winter conditions
- Strong wet weather handling and reliable water clearance to prevent hydroplaning
- Impressive tread wear and long-term durability across multiple seasons
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a mushy or floating steering response and unstable cornering when temperatures rise above 5-10°C
- Reduced dry handling precision and longer braking distances in warmer ambient conditions
- Inadequate or missing effective rim protection despite manufacturer claims
Tire B Winter i cept evo3
Pros
- Exceptional wet grip and outstanding aquaplaning resistance
- Outstanding snow and ice traction providing high confidence in winter storms
- Great value for money compared to Tier-1 brands like Michelin or Goodyear
Cons
- Slightly increased noise levels or humming compared to summer tires
- Mixed feedback on ride comfort, with some finding them stiffer
- Longer braking distances reported by a few users in specific conditions
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | B · Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 46 | 86 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 21″ | 17″ – 22″ |
| Sizes in common | 23 | 23 |
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
78
/ 100
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
Narrow edge: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 — better dry, wet and handling. Pick the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 if efficiency and snow matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 79 vs 62 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 78 vs 69 on dry.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 90 vs 84 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 82 vs 76 on handling.
Tire A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Tire B · Hankook Winter i cept evo3
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Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3?
Which is better in the wet, Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3?
Hankook Winter i cept evo3, 90 vs 84 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3?
Hankook Winter i cept evo3, 78 vs 69 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3?
Dunlop Winter Sport 5, 83 vs 80 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3?
Neither, by our numbers: 33 vs 33 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3?
Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 73 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3?
Neither, by our numbers: 79 vs 79 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Which rolls more easily, Winter Sport 5 or Winter i cept evo3?
Dunlop Winter Sport 5, 79 vs 62 on our efficiency score.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology