Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3

Strengths

Excellent and precise handling on dry, wet, and winter roads, providing safe driving in various conditions.

Outstanding grip and short braking distances on snow, with reliable performance in snowy conditions.

Very good predicted longevity and low tread wear, contributing to long service life.

Low weight and fuel consumption, making the tire efficient and cost-effective.

Strong resistance to aquaplaning and dynamic handling in both wet and dry weather.

Weaknesses

Slight weaknesses in handling and longer braking distances on wet roads compared to its dry and snow performance.

Some reports of residual production materials present on the tire when new.

Moderate ride comfort and slightly elevated internal noise levels.

Average rolling resistance, which is acceptable but not outstanding for its class.

Performance Analysis: Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3

This graph shows how the tyre ranks across different properties compared to other tested tyres. Higher percentile means better performance - 100% means better than every tyre in every test, 0% means worse than every tyre in every test.

50%

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Aquaplaning - cross

Dry handling

Snow handling

Comfort

Wet circle cornering

Wet handling

Snow traction

Wet braking

Exterior noise

Interior noise

Dry braking

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Timeline

2022

Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 was launched and replaced Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 W452.

2022

Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 was tested 4x (Autobild,...)

2023

Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 was tested 3x (ADAC,...)

2024

Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 was tested 5x (ADAC,...)

2025

Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 was tested 2x (Autobild,...)

Sizes

Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 is made in 78 sizes, starting from 165/65 R14 up to 225/55 R17.

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Similar tires

W462 Winter i*cept RS3

4/5

R14 - R17

Price from:

WinterContact TS 870

R14 - R18

4.9/5

Comparison with Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3:

Continental better at:

• Interior noise
• Wet circle cornering
• Dry braking

Price from:

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UltraGrip Performance 3

R14 - R22

4.75/5

Comparison with Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3:

Goodyear better at:

• Dry braking
• Exterior noise
• Wet handling

Goodyear worse at:

• Aquaplaning - longitudal
• Dry handling

Price from:

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WinterContact TS 870 P

R16 - R22

4.65/5

Comparison with Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3:

Continental better at:

• Interior noise
• Dry braking
• Exterior noise

Continental worse at:

• Aquaplaning - longitudal

Price from:

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Winter Sport 5

R14 - R21

4.4/5

Comparison with Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3:

Dunlop better at:

• Interior noise
• Snow traction
• Comfort

Dunlop worse at:

• Dry handling
• Aquaplaning - longitudal
• Exterior noise

Price from:

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Blizzak LM-005

R14 - R22

4.15/5

Comparison with Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3:

Bridgestone better at:

• Wet braking
• Wet circle cornering
• Wet handling

Bridgestone worse at:

• Snow handling
• Aquaplaning - longitudal
• Aquaplaning - cross

Price from:

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Alpin 6

R15 - R20

3.1/5

Comparison with Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3:

Michelin better at:

• Dry braking
• Wet braking
• Snow traction

Michelin worse at:

• Aquaplaning - longitudal
• Aquaplaning - cross
• Dry handling

Price from:

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Cinturato Winter 2

R16 - R20

3.05/5

Comparison with Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3:

Pirelli better at:

• Dry braking
• Exterior noise
• Interior noise

Pirelli worse at:

• Dry handling
• Aquaplaning - cross
• Aquaplaning - longitudal

Price from:

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Wintrac Pro

R17 - R22

2.85/5

Comparison with Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3:

Vredestein better at:

• Dry braking
• Interior noise
• Wet circle cornering

Vredestein worse at:

• Dry handling
• Aquaplaning - longitudal
• Aquaplaning - cross

Price from:

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Comparison: tyres similar to Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3

Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 in tyre tests

All tyre tests where Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 was featured:

All tests

Autobild Winter tyre test 2025 215/55 R17
exemplary
Ranked #2 of 12

2 out of 12 competitors — final rating "Exemplary". The Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 stood out for its outstanding dry handling, snow braking, wet circle cornering, wet braking, aquaplaning (cross) and snow traction, with testers calling it a braking specialist on snow‑covered and wet roads and praising its high traction on snow; its only notable drawback was a comparatively lower energy‑saving potential, and it did not place last in any tested property.

Name	Wet	Dry	Snow
Best values in test	2	2	1
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	2	2	1
Show test details

Source: www.autobild.de

AutoMotorSport Winter tyre test 2025 215/55 R17
very good
Ranked #4 of 10

4 out of 10 competitors, Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 finished with a final rating of "Very good". It delivered secure grip on snow and an overall balanced performance, proving absolutely best for lateral guidance on snow, wet-side steering, aquaplaning (longitudinal and cross) and dry steering response. Testers noted very short braking distances on snow and a precise, almost summer‑tyre‑like feel with strong reserves in dry corners, but also reported pronounced, confidence‑sapping understeer on snow and a nervous, load‑change‑sensitive behaviour on wet surfaces that can be unsettled over transverse joints.

Name	Points total	Wet	Dry	Snow	Enviromental impact
Best values in test	9.1	9.8	9.1	9.1	9.7
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	8.3	8.6	8.4	8.5	7.3
Show test details

Source: www.auto-motor-und-sport.de

Autozeitung Winter tyre test 2024 215/55 R17
recommended
Ranked #4 of 7

Name	Points total
Best values in test	392
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	369
Show test details

ADAC Winter tyre test 2024 215/55 R17
satisfactory
Ranked #5 of 16

Finishing 5th out of 16 competitors, the Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 earned a "Satisfactory" rating. The tire demonstrated secure and precise handling on both wet and wintery roads, along with good projected mileage and low wear. It also performed impressively in aquaplaning resistance. However, it exhibited slight weaknesses on dry surfaces and faced some production delays. Its light weight and low fuel consumption further complemented its strengths.

Name	Winter	Wet	Dry	Enviromental impact	Noise	Wear	Fuel consumption
Best values in test	1.7	2.1	2.2	1.7	2.7	1.6	1.3
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	2.1	2.4	2.8	2.6	3.2	2.6	1.7
Show test details

ADAC Winter tyre test 2024 205/55 R16
satisfactory
Ranked #4 of 12

Finishing 4th out of 12 competitors, the Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 earned a final rating of 'Satisfactory'. The tyre demonstrated secure and precise handling on both dry and wintery roads, along with good projected mileage and very low abrasion. Additionally, it featured a low weight and reduced fuel consumption. However, it showed slight weaknesses in handling on wet roads. The tyre excelled particularly in aquaplaning (longitudinal) and mileage disciplines.

Name	Winter	Wet	Dry	Enviromental impact	Noise	Wear	Fuel consumption
Best values in test	1.6	1.9	2.0	2.3	2.9	1.7	2.0
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	2.9	2.8	2.8	2.6	3.0	2.4	2.5
Show test details

AUTOBILD Winter tyre test 2024 205/55 R16
good
Ranked #6 of 20

The Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 secured 6th place among 20 competitors, receiving a 'Good' rating. It stood out for its sporty and responsive performance across various weather conditions and demonstrated excellent aquaplaning resistance. The tire also excelled in mileage, snow braking, and snow cornering, showcasing its versatility and endurance. Despite these strengths, the tire had a notable weakness with an extended wet braking distance. Overall, it offers a strong performance-to-price ratio, combining solid handling with exceptional longevity.

Name	Wet	Dry	Snow	Running costs
Best values in test	2+	2+	1	2+
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	2	2	2	2-
Show test details

AUTOBILD Winter tyre test 2024 205/55 R16

Ranked #14 of 55

Name	Stopping distance on wet	Stopping distance on snow
Best values in test	34.6	28.9
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	37.8	29.1
Show test details

Autoexpress Winter tyre test 2023 225/45 R17

Ranked #4 of 7

The Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 ranked 4th among 7 competitors, showing a significant improvement over its debut last year. Despite trailing behind brands like Bridgestone and Continental, it narrowed the performance gap, especially in dry and wet conditions. Its performance on snow was its weakest point, being the least comfortable choice, yet it managed to secure a close 5th in those conditions when tested in Sweden. The tyre excelled in dry handling, where its ability to change direction swiftly and maintain high grip levels brought it to the forefront, marking it as the best in this discipline. Additionally, it showcased strong wet braking capabilities, coming in second only to the Continental, proving its prowess in varied wet tests. However, it struggled with fuel economy, an area that remained a downside.

Name
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3
Show test details

ADAC Winter tyre test 2023 225/45 R17
satisfactory
Ranked #7 of 16

Name	Enviromental impact	Driving safety
Best values in test	1,8	2,0
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	2,4	2,7
Show test details

ADAC Winter tyre test 2023 205/60 R16
good
Ranked #5 of 16

Name	Enviromental impact	Driving safety
Best values in test	2	2.1
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	2.8	2.2
Show test details

Autobild Winter tyre test 2022 215/55 R17

Ranked #9 of 56

Name	Stopping distance on wet	Stopping distance on snow
Best values in test	32,8	25,4
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	35,3	26,6

Tyre Reviews Winter tyre test 2022 225/45 R17
highly recommended
Ranked #3 of 9

Name
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3

Source: www.tyrereviews.com

Autoexpress Winter tyre test 2022 225/45 R19

Ranked #3 of 6

Securing a respectable third place among six competitors, the Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 made a notable debut. This tyre, newly introduced, managed to outperform other new entries, albeit it couldn't bridge the gap to the top winter performers. Despite its less comfortable performance in severely cold conditions—where it only surpassed one competitor—its excellent handling capabilities shined through. It demonstrated a superior balance that ensured car control was straightforward, attributed to its strong front grip that also enhanced its performance through turns. This balance and ease of control were apparent on wet surfaces as well, where it achieved a commendable handling score, finishing joint second. However, it couldn't consistently deliver top results across all tests. The tyre showed some weaknesses, particularly in curved aquaplaning and braking, falling more than a meter behind the leaders in braking efficiency. Although it claimed the top position in snow handling, it faced challenges in dry conditions with a braking distance three meters longer than the best, impacting its overall performance. Additionally, its fuel economy was hoped to be better, marking an area for improvement. Despite these areas, the Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3's debut showcased its potential with a mix of strengths, particularly in balance and handling, setting a solid foundation for future enhancements.

Name	Points total
Best values in test	100
Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3	98.9

Source: www.autoexpress.co.uk

Autobild Winter tyre test 2022 215/55 R17
good
Ranked #7 of 19

Securing a commendable 7th place out of 19 competitors, the Hankook W462 Winter i*cept RS3 tire showcased a strong performance with a final rating of 'Good'. This tire distinguished itself through its innovative winter profile, balanced driving characteristics, and dynamic handling both on wet and dry surfaces. Notably, it excelled in preventing aquaplaning, ensuring a strong grip and safety during heavy rainfalls or melting snow. Further underlining its prowess, the tire was unrivaled in aquaplaning - longitudinal and dry handling, where its performance was best in class. However, despite its merits in handling and safety features, it faced criticism for its moderate tread life and average comfort levels.