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Winter tire Updated October 2026

Hankook Winter i cept evo3 review

± 4

Relative score 60% tests + 40% owners

Better than 94% of the winter tires we score.

Owners 82 · 23 reviews analysed Road tests 76 · 18 tests

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Hankook Winter i cept evo3 has a Relative Score of 78 out of 100 among winter tires. In 18 road tests with an overall ranking it finished first 1 times and in the top three 2 times. Testers rate it best for wet (92) and weakest for noise (10). 23 owner reviews rate it 82 out of 100. 91% would buy it again.

Projected tread life in 4 wear tests: about 50,000 km (31,000 miles) on average, newest 2025.

  • Strength: Wet 92 — 1st of 12 (2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter tire Test), 1st of 6 (2025 High Performance Winter tire Test)
  • Weak point: Noise 10 — 10th of 10 (2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter tire Test), 9th of 9 (2023 Sport Auto Winter tire Test)
Hankook Winter i cept evo3

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews found online; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

How scores work
Relative score
0–100. Blends road tests (60%) and owner reviews (40%) category by category, the same way on every TireWheelGuide page. With only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from it, so the score stays closer to average. It needs at least one road test or five owner reviews.
Road tests
0–100 per score, from published tests, newer tests counting more. Each result is compared with every other tire in the same test, so a win against a strong field counts for more. The average tested tire gets 70, the best 100; with only one or two tests a tire stays nearer 70. The discipline rows show % of the best tire in that test.
Owner reviews
0–100 from the owner reviews we found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates and scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70. With only a few reviews a tire stays near the average.

Full methodology

By owner reviews

82/100

From 23 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.

Would buy again 91%
Dry
Overall dry
83
Wet
Overall wet
86
Snow & ice
Overall snow & ice
80
Comfort
Overall comfort
74
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
81
Handling
Overall handling
82

Own these tires? Write a review →

By road tests

76/100

Scaled across every tested tire: the average gets 70, the best 100.

Dry
75
Wet
92
Snow
81
Comfort
72
Noise
10
Treadwear
77
Efficiency
62
By discipline (% of best in test)
Dry Braking
85%
Dry Handling
75%
Wet Braking
80%
Wet Handling
75%
Straight Aquaplaning
80%
Snow Braking
50%
Snow Handling
60%
Snow Traction
55%
Inside Noise level
20%
Rolling Resistance
20%
Price
50%
Wear
40%

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 23 owner reviews found online.

The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from drivers praising its exceptional wet grip, deep snow traction, and impressive value compared to premium competitors. While a few users note minor drawbacks regarding comfort or increased noise levels, the general consensus highlights it as a well-balanced, high-performing winter tire.

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
  • Stable handling and responsive performance on dry and winding roads

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

Worth knowing

  • Fitted successfully across various European hatchbacks, sedans, and crossovers (such as Audi A4 Allroad, Ford Puma ST, and Nissan Qashqai) with positive feedback on wet and twisty road performance.
  • One EV owner noted that while grip was great, the tire was noticeably louder than their summer tires.

18 published test appearances

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter tire Test · 225/45 R18

8th of 12
Best: Straight Aquaplaning · 1st Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 12th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking10th of 12
Wet Handling7th of 12
Dry Braking10th of 12
Dry Handling7th of 12
Snow Braking3rd of 12
Snow Traction6th of 12
Snow Handling5th of 12
Rolling Resistance12th of 12
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 12
Curved Aquaplaning1st of 12
Comfort (tester's mark)4th of 12
Noise12th of 12
Snow Slalom6th of 12

Source: Auto Bild Sportscars

2025 High Performance Winter tire Test · 275/35 R19

4th of 6
Best: Wet Handling · 1st Weakest: Noise · 6th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 6
Wet Handling1st of 6
Dry Braking4th of 6
Dry Handling4th of 6
Snow Braking2nd of 6
Snow Traction4th of 6
Snow Handling2nd of 6
Rolling Resistance5th of 6
Noise6th of 6

Source: Sport Auto

2025 Autobild Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18

6th of 20
Best: Snow Handling · 3rd Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 13th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking12th of 20
Wet Handling9th of 20
Dry Braking7th of 20
Dry Handling9th of 20
Snow Braking8th of 20
Snow Traction5th of 20
Snow Handling3rd of 20
Rolling Resistance13th of 20
Straight Aquaplaning3rd of 20
Comfort (tester's mark)13th of 20
Noise11th of 20
Value4th of 20
Wear3rd of 20
Total Cost of Ownership9th of 20

Source: Auto Bild

2025 Winter tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! · 225/40 R18

14th of 51
Best: Snow Braking · 9th Weakest: Wet Braking · 13th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking13th of 51
Snow Braking9th of 51

Source: Auto Bild

2025 ADAC Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18

4th of 31
Best: Wear · 3rd Weakest: Noise · 30th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking7th of 31
Wet Circle6th of 31
Dry Braking9th of 31
Snow Braking13th of 31
Snow Traction13th of 31
Ice Braking21st of 31
Straight Aquaplaning11th of 31
Noise30th of 31
Wear3rd of 31
Fuel Consumption10th of 31
Abrasion4th of 31
Wet Braking (concrete)6th of 31

Source: ADAC

2025 Winter tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! · 225/40 R18

14th of 51
Best: Snow Braking · 8th Weakest: Wet Braking · 12th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking12th of 51
Snow Braking8th of 51

Source: Auto Bild

2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter tire Test · 245/45 R18

5th of 12
Best: Wet Braking · 3rd Weakest: Noise · 12th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 12
Wet Handling6th of 12
Dry Braking5th of 12
Dry Handling6th of 12
Snow Braking4th of 12
Snow Traction4th of 12
Snow Handling6th of 12
Rolling Resistance5th of 12
Straight Aquaplaning5th of 12
Noise12th of 12

Source: Auto Bild Allrad

2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter tire Test · 235/35 R19

6th of 10
Best: Rolling Resistance · 2nd Weakest: Snow Traction · 10th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking4th of 10
Wet Handling6th of 10
Dry Braking7th of 10
Dry Handling8th of 10
Snow Braking7th of 10
Snow Traction10th of 10
Snow Handling10th of 10
Rolling Resistance2nd of 10
Straight Aquaplaning6th of 10
Noise10th of 10

Source: Auto Bild Sportscars

2023 Sport Auto Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18

6th of 9
Best: Curved Aquaplaning · 1st Weakest: Wet Handling · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking7th of 9
Wet Handling9th of 9
Wet Circle9th of 9
Dry Braking4th of 9
Dry Handling5th of 9
Snow Braking5th of 9
Snow Traction5th of 9
Snow Handling2nd of 9
Rolling Resistance4th of 9
Straight Aquaplaning2nd of 9
Curved Aquaplaning1st of 9
Noise9th of 9
Price3rd of 9
Snow Slalom8th of 9

Source: Sport Auto

2023 Sports Cars Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18

4th of 11
Best: Straight Aquaplaning · 1st Weakest: Noise · 11th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking7th of 11
Wet Handling6th of 11
Dry Braking7th of 11
Dry Handling6th of 11
Snow Braking6th of 11
Snow Traction4th of 11
Snow Handling7th of 11
Rolling Resistance10th of 11
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 11
Curved Aquaplaning1st of 11
Noise11th of 11
Snow Slalom6th of 11

Source: Auto Bild Sportscars

2023 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 225/45 R18

6th of 20
Best: Straight Aquaplaning · 1st Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 18th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking11th of 20
Wet Handling5th of 20
Wet Circle15th of 20
Dry Braking4th of 20
Dry Handling5th of 20
Snow Braking6th of 20
Snow Traction13th of 20
Snow Handling16th of 20
Rolling Resistance18th of 20
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 20
Noise18th of 20
Value12th of 20
Wear16th of 20
Snow Slalom7th of 20
Total Cost of Ownership14th of 20

Source: Auto Bild

2023 Winter tire Test 54 Set Braking Test · 225/45 R18

8th of 54
Best: Snow Braking · 7th Weakest: Wet Braking · 11th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking11th of 54
Snow Braking7th of 54

Source: Auto Bild

2022 Sports Car UHP Winter tire Test · 245/40 R19

2nd of 9
Best: Wet Braking · 3rd Weakest: Noise · 8th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 9
Wet Handling3rd of 9
Dry Braking5th of 9
Dry Handling3rd of 9
Snow Braking3rd of 9
Snow Traction7th of 9
Snow Handling3rd of 9
Rolling Resistance3rd of 9
Straight Aquaplaning3rd of 9
Noise8th of 9
Price4th of 9

Source: Auto Bild Sportscars

2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter tire Test · 225/45 R19

5th of 10
Best: Wet Braking · 1st Weakest: Noise · 10th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking1st of 10
Wet Handling2nd of 10
Wet Circle1st of 10
Dry Braking9th of 10
Dry Handling3rd of 10
Snow Braking5th of 10
Snow Traction7th of 10
Snow Handling5th of 10
Rolling Resistance9th of 10
Straight Aquaplaning4th of 10
Noise10th of 10
Price4th of 10

Source: Auto Bild Allrad

2022 Winter tire Market Overview · 215/55 R17

9th of 56
Best: Wet Braking · 8th Weakest: Snow Braking · 21st
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking8th of 56
Snow Braking21st of 56

Source: Auto Bild

2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter tire Test · 245/40 R18

1st of 13
Best: Wet Braking · 2nd Weakest: Noise · 11th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 13
Wet Handling4th of 13
Dry Braking9th of 13
Dry Handling6th of 13
Snow Braking2nd of 13
Snow Traction3rd of 13
Snow Handling2nd of 13
Rolling Resistance7th of 13
Straight Aquaplaning3rd of 13
Noise11th of 13
Price4th of 13

Source: Auto Bild Sportscars

2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter tire Test · 245/45 R18

6th of 20
Best: Wet Braking · 5th Weakest: Noise · 18th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking5th of 20
Wet Handling6th of 20
Dry Braking5th of 20
Dry Handling6th of 20
Snow Braking12th of 20
Snow Traction10th of 20
Snow Handling9th of 20
Rolling Resistance17th of 20
Straight Aquaplaning5th of 20
Noise18th of 20
Value11th of 20
Wear14th of 20
Total Cost of Ownership18th of 20

Source: Auto Bild

2020 Winter tire Market Overview - 52 tire Braking Test · 245/45 R18

5th of 48
Best: Wet Braking · 5th Weakest: Snow Braking · 11th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking5th of 48
Snow Braking11th of 48

Source: Auto Bild

Hankook Winter i cept evo3 specs & sizes

Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.

Specifications
EU label: wet gripB in 98% of sizes
EU label: energyC in 57% of sizes
EU label: external noise70–75 dB
SizeRetailer
215/60 R17 Amazon
225/60 R17 Amazon
235/45 R17 Amazon
235/50 R17 Amazon
245/40 R17 Amazon
245/45 R17 Amazon
245/55 R17 Amazon
255/40 R17 Amazon
205/40 R18 Amazon
215/40 R18 Amazon
215/45 R18 Amazon
215/50 R18 Amazon
215/55 R18 Amazon
225/40 R18 Amazon
225/45 R18 Amazon
225/50 R18 Amazon

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Reviews from our readers

Drivers who have these tires on their car, in their own words. We check every review before it goes live.

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Hankook Winter i cept evo3 compared

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