Tests 74 · 25 tests Owners 75 · 44 reviews
Best test result: #3 of 6 in 2019 L’Argus Winter Tire Test R16 (overall ranking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Hankook Winter i*cept RS — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Winter Sport 5 is ahead, 75–70
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Tests – · none yet Owners 71 · 6 reviews
Best test result: #9 of 42 in 2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test (overall ranking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
68
Dry
Winter i*cept RS +169Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 66 – Reviews found online 71 69 -
82
Wet
Winter Sport 5 +1171Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 85 – Reviews found online 78 72 -
82
Snow
No comparison–Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 86 – Reviews found online 77 – -
75
Comfort
Winter Sport 5 +570Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 75 – Reviews found online 74 71 -
34
Noise
No comparison–Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 12 – -
75
Treadwear
Winter Sport 5 +570Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 76 – Reviews found online 74 73 -
74
Handling
Winter Sport 5 +272Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Winter i*cept RS Reviews found online 74 72
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Hankook Winter i*cept RS |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 70 |
| Dry | 68 | 69 |
| Wet | 82 | 71 |
| Snow | 82 | – |
| Comfort | 75 | 70 |
| Noise | 34 | – |
| Treadwear | 75 | 70 |
| Handling | 74 | 72 |
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.
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
Winter Sport 5
70
/ 100
Winter i*cept RS
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Winter Sport 5 | Winter i*cept RS | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 60% #3/6 · 2019 L’Argus Winter Tire Test R16 | 11% #9/42 · 2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test | +48.9 | Different tests |
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 RS
Pros
- Exceptional grip and performance in medium to heavy snow conditions
- Low rolling resistance contributing to great fuel economy
- Durable wear rate given the winter conditions
Cons
- Very soft rubber compound reduces performance and handling on dry, hot roads
- Less suited for extended high-speed motorway driving
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 46 | 17 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 21″ | 13″ – 16″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
70
/ 100
Hankook Winter i*cept RS
Winner: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 — better wet, comfort and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 82 vs 71 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 75 vs 70 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 75 vs 70 on treadwear.
Tire A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS
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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.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.