Head-to-head Updated

Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 — 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 16 + 5 road tests and 22 + 37 owner reviews. How we score

Winter i cept evo3 is ahead, 78–65

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Hankook Winter i cept evo3
± 4

Tests 76 · 16 tests Owners 82 · 22 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (straight aquaplaning)

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
± 6

Tests 65 · 5 tests Owners 64 · 37 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 17 in 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 (exterior noise)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 78

    Dry

    Winter i cept evo3 +11
    67
    Why this score
    SourceWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 5 tests7671
    Reviews found online8260

    Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 75.8 + 40% × 82.3 = 78

    Winter I cept iZ2 W616: 60% × 71.3 + 40% × 60.2 = 67

  2. 90

    Wet

    Winter i cept evo3 +27
    63
    Why this score
    SourceWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 16 / 5 tests9359
    Reviews found online8667

    Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 92.6 + 40% × 86.4 = 90

    Winter I cept iZ2 W616: 60% × 59.5 + 40% × 67.1 = 63

  3. 80

    Snow

    Winter i cept evo3 +13
    67
    Why this score
    SourceWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 16 / 5 tests8058
    Reviews found online8079

    Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 80 + 40% × 80.2 = 80

    Winter I cept iZ2 W616: 60% × 58.1 + 40% × 79.1 = 67

  4. 72

    Comfort

    Winter i cept evo3 +6
    66
    Why this score
    SourceWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests70≈ 68 (est.)
    Reviews found online7464

    Winter i cept evo3: 40% × 70.2 + 60% × 73.9 = 72

    Winter I cept iZ2 W616: 40% × 68.2 (est.) + 60% × 64.2 = 66

    No road tests of comfort for Winter I cept iZ2 W616. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.

  5. 33

    Noise

    Winter I cept iZ2 W616 +38
    71
    Why this score
    SourceWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 4 tests1083
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)53

    Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 10 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 33

    Winter I cept iZ2 W616: 60% × 82.8 + 40% × 52.8 = 71

    No owner ratings of noise for Winter i cept evo3. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 78

    Treadwear

    Winter i cept evo3 +19
    59
    Why this score
    SourceWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / – tests77≈ 62 (est.)
    Reviews found online8154

    Winter i cept evo3: 60% × 76.9 + 40% × 80.7 = 78

    Winter I cept iZ2 W616: 60% × 61.9 (est.) + 40% × 54 = 59

    No road tests of treadwear for Winter I cept iZ2 W616. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).

  7. 81

    Handling (owners)

    Winter i cept evo3 +14
    67
    Why this score
    SourceWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    Reviews found online8167
  8. 67

    Efficiency

    Winter I cept iZ2 W616 +9
    76
    Why this score
    SourceWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 3 tests6776
Scores at a glance
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryHankook Winter i cept evo3Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
Relative Score 78 65
Dry 78 67
Wet 90 63
Snow 80 67
Comfort 72 66
Noise 33 71
Treadwear 78 59
Handling (owners) 81 67
Efficiency 67 76

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 4

Winter i cept evo3

± 6

Winter I cept iZ2 W616

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.

DisciplineCategoryWinter i cept evo3Winter I cept iZ2 W616ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 95% #9/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 68% #5/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #9/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test 90% #6/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 94% #11/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 73% #4/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 96% #7/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 80% #6/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #9/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test 90% #6/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Ice Braking Snow 87% #21/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 68% #6/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 95% #13/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 98% #5/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 100% #3/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test 98% #5/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Snow Traction Snow 94% #13/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 96% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Noise Noise 93% #30/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 100% #2/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Fuel Consumption Efficiency 98% #10/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 97% #4/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 87% #13/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test 96% #5/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 90% #3/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test 67% #6/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #4/31 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test #6/7 2025 Moottori Studless Winter Tire Test R16 – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A 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
All owner themes in the Winter i cept evo3 review

Tire B Winter I cept iZ2 W616

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow, slush, and severe winter conditions
  • Low road noise, offering a much quieter ride than typical winter tires
  • High comfort levels and stable, predictable handling on cold dry or wet roads

Cons

  • Subpar performance or reduced traction on wet roads and heavy rain
  • Faster tread wear, particularly during aggressive driving or when used in warmer weather
  • Softer sidewalls can feel slightly edgy or less precise when pushed to the limit
All owner themes in the Winter I cept iZ2 W616 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Hankook Winter i cept evo3 B · Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available862
Rim diameters17″ – 22″16″ – 18″
Tread depth—10.5/32″
Treadwear warranty—40,000 mi
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—50 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Hankook Winter i cept evo3

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616

Winner: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 — better wet, treadwear and handling. Pick the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 if noise and efficiency matter most to you.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 scores 71 vs 33 on noise.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 90 vs 63 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 78 vs 59 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Hankook Winter i cept evo3 scores 81 vs 67 on handling.

Tire A · Hankook Winter i cept evo3
Tire B · Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616

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Winter i cept evo3 or Winter I cept iZ2 W616?

Which is better in the wet, Winter i cept evo3 or Winter I cept iZ2 W616?

Hankook Winter i cept evo3, 90 vs 63 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Winter i cept evo3 or Winter I cept iZ2 W616?

Hankook Winter i cept evo3, 78 vs 67 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Winter i cept evo3 or Winter I cept iZ2 W616?

Hankook Winter i cept evo3, 80 vs 67 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Winter i cept evo3 or Winter I cept iZ2 W616?

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616, 71 vs 33 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Winter i cept evo3 or Winter I cept iZ2 W616?

Hankook Winter i cept evo3, 72 vs 66 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Winter i cept evo3 or Winter I cept iZ2 W616?

Hankook Winter i cept evo3, 78 vs 59 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Winter i cept evo3 or Winter I cept iZ2 W616?

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616, 76 vs 67 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