Tests 77 · 7 tests Owners 71 · 50 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 vs Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Too close to call: Winter i*cept RS2 and Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 are level at 74.
Add your size for an exact match
/R
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Tests 72 · 4 tests Owners 77 · 31 reviews
Best test result: #3 of 16 in 2017 ADAC SUV Winter Tyre Test - 215/65 R16 (overall ranking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
73
Dry
Level73Why this score
Source Winter i*cept RS2 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) 75 70 Reviews found online 70 77 Dry Braking (% of best) 96% 97% Dry Handling (% of best) 100% 99% -
83
Wet
Winter i*cept RS2 +281Why this score
Source Winter i*cept RS2 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) 89 81 Reviews found online 76 81 Wet Braking (% of best) 91% 96% Wet Handling (% of best) 96% 98% -
75
Snow
Level75Why this score
Source Winter i*cept RS2 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) 80 75 Reviews found online 68 75 Snow Braking (% of best) 96% 97% Snow Handling (% of best) 100% 99% -
72
Comfort
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +274Why this score
Source Winter i*cept RS2 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) 75 – Reviews found online 67 78 -
61
Noise
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +667Why this score
Source Winter i*cept RS2 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) 57 68 -
73
Treadwear
Winter i*cept RS2 +568Why this score
Source Winter i*cept RS2 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Professional tests (TWG score) 74 63 Reviews found online 71 75 -
71
Handling
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 +879Why this score
Source Winter i*cept RS2 Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 Reviews found online 71 79
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 | Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 74 |
| Dry | 73 | 73 |
| Wet | 83 | 81 |
| Snow | 75 | 75 |
| Comfort | 72 | 74 |
| Noise | 61 | 67 |
| Treadwear | 73 | 68 |
| Handling | 71 | 79 |
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
Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
74
/ 100
Winter i*cept RS2
74
/ 100
Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
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 i*cept RS2 | Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% #12/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | −1.7 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #6/10 · 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | +1.0 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 77% #18/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 96% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | −19.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 93% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 97% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | −4.7 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 73% #5/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 54% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +19.3 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 74% #13/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 46% #19/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +28.8 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 82% #6/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 67% #18/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +14.9 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 33% #3/49 · 2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview | 33% #3/16 · 2017 ADAC SUV Winter Tyre Test - 215/65 R16 | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 97% #5/10 · 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | −0.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 99% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +1.4 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #1/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +2.7 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0% #18/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #10/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 96% #4/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | −5.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #15/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 98% #3/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | −1.8 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A 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
Tire B Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather and slush performance
- Strong traction and braking capabilities in snow
- High durability and long tread life
Cons
- Increased road noise reported by some users at higher speeds
- Vague steering feedback and sidewall flex during spirited dry-road driving
- Occasional loss of grip in dry conditions or when temperatures exceed 7°C
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 | B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 37 | 17 |
| Rim diameters | 13″ – 17″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | — | 9 - 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Raised Black Lettering |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
74
/ 100
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
74
/ 100
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
Too close to call: Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 and Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 are within 2 points overall. Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 is stronger on treadwear. Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 is stronger on handling and noise.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 79 vs 71 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1 scores 67 vs 61 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 73 vs 68 on treadwear.
Tire A · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
Tire B · Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Gen-1
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
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.