Tests – · none yet Owners 68 · 42 reviews
Best test result: #5 of 42 in 2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test (overall ranking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Falken EuroWinter HS449 vs Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Winter i*cept RS2 is ahead, 74–68
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Tests 78 · 7 tests Owners 71 · 50 reviews
Best test result: #10 of 51 in 2015 Winter Tyre Market Overview (overall ranking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
67
Dry
Winter i*cept RS2 +673Why this score
Source EuroWinter HS449 Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 75 Reviews found online 67 70 -
76
Wet
Winter i*cept RS2 +783Why this score
Source EuroWinter HS449 Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 88 Reviews found online 78 76 -
65
Snow
Winter i*cept RS2 +1075Why this score
Source EuroWinter HS449 Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 80 Reviews found online 63 68 -
70
Comfort
Winter i*cept RS2 +272Why this score
Source EuroWinter HS449 Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 75 Reviews found online 70 67 -
61
Noise
Level61Why this score
Source EuroWinter HS449 Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 57 Reviews found online 52 – -
65
Treadwear
Winter i*cept RS2 +873Why this score
Source EuroWinter HS449 Winter i*cept RS2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 74 Reviews found online 65 71 -
70
Handling
Winter i*cept RS2 +171Why this score
Source EuroWinter HS449 Winter i*cept RS2 Reviews found online 70 71
Scores at a glance
| Category | Falken EuroWinter HS449 | Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 74 |
| Dry | 67 | 73 |
| Wet | 76 | 83 |
| Snow | 65 | 75 |
| Comfort | 70 | 72 |
| Noise | 61 | 61 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 73 |
| Handling | 70 | 71 |
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
68
/ 100
EuroWinter HS449
74
/ 100
Winter i*cept RS2
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 | EuroWinter HS449 | Winter i*cept RS2 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/42 · 2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test | 10% #10/51 · 2015 Winter Tyre Market Overview | +10.0 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A EuroWinter HS449
Pros
- Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow, slush, and ice
- Strong value for money compared to premium brand winter tires
- Reliable and safe performance on wet and rainy roads with good hydroplaning resistance
Cons
- Faster tread wear or a softer rubber compound noted by some users
- Slightly reduced fuel economy or rolling resistance penalty
- Occasional reports of decreased grip or wheel spin on steep inclines and packed ice for certain 2WD setups
Tire B Winter i*cept RS2
Pros
- Exceptional grip and handling on wet and dry roads
- Impressive resistance to aquaplaning in heavy rain or standing water
- Strong value for money with a competitive price point
Cons
- Higher than average road noise, especially at highway speeds
- Firm, stiff sidewalls leading to a less comfortable or harsh ride
- Subpar performance and unpredictable grip on ice and black ice
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Falken EuroWinter HS449 | B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 6 | 37 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 19″ | 13″ – 17″ |
| Tread depth | 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
68
/ 100
Falken EuroWinter HS449
74
/ 100
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
Winner: Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — better snow, treadwear and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 75 vs 65 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 73 vs 65 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 83 vs 76 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 73 vs 67 on dry.
Tire A · Falken EuroWinter HS449
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
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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.