Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Vredestein Wintrac

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 and the Vredestein Wintrac to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 and Vredestein Wintrac are Premium Touring Winter tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.

Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.

In This Article
Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion Similar Comparisons
Winter-I-cept-RS3 VS Wintrac

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been five tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these five tests:

  • Hankook Winter I cept RS3 finished ahead of the Vredestein Wintrac in five of the tests

While it might look like the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 is better than the Vredestein Wintrac purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Vredestein Wintrac was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Vredestein Wintrac stopped the vehicle in 3.54% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
45.23M
Vredestein Wintrac
43.63M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Vredestein Wintrac

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:44.8M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 42.9M
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:45.7M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 44.5M
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:45.2M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 43.5M

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.36% faster around a lap than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
109.8Km/H
Vredestein Wintrac
109.4Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:109.8Km/H Vredestein Wintrac: 109.4Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Vredestein Wintrac was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Vredestein Wintrac stopped the vehicle in 0.07% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
42.73M
Vredestein Wintrac
42.7M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Vredestein Wintrac

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:36.9M Vredestein Wintrac: 39.1M
2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:37.8M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 37.3M
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:37.1M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 36.1M
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:59.1M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 58.3M

Wet Braking - Concrete

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Vredestein Wintrac was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Vredestein Wintrac stopped the vehicle in 0.87% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
40.4M
Vredestein Wintrac
40.05M
Wet braking on Concrete in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Vredestein Wintrac

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:38.7M Vredestein Wintrac: 39.8M
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:42.1M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 40.3M

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 0.3% faster around a wet lap than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
74.3Km/H
Vredestein Wintrac
74.08Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:74.3Km/H Vredestein Wintrac: 74.08Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Vredestein Wintrac was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Vredestein Wintrac was 0.24% faster around a wet circle than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
12.66s
Vredestein Wintrac
12.63s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Vredestein Wintrac

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:12.66s ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 12.63s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 floated at a 3.03% higher speed than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
84.8Km/H
Vredestein Wintrac
82.23Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:85.5Km/H Vredestein Wintrac: 85Km/H
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:84.4Km/H Vredestein Wintrac: 81Km/H
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:84.5Km/H Vredestein Wintrac: 80.7Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 slipped out at a 10.99% higher speed than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
3.64m/sec2
Vredestein Wintrac
3.24m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:3.4m/sec2 Vredestein Wintrac: 3.3m/sec2
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:3.6m/sec2 Vredestein Wintrac: 3.3m/sec2
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:3.93m/sec2 Vredestein Wintrac: 3.12m/sec2

Snow Braking

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 stopped the vehicle in 4.19% less distance than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
19.43M
Vredestein Wintrac
20.28M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:9.5M Vredestein Wintrac: 10.2M
2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:29.1M Vredestein Wintrac: 30.2M
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:10M Vredestein Wintrac: 10.5M
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:29.1M Vredestein Wintrac: 30.2M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 had 2.25% better snow traction than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
1000.03N
Vredestein Wintrac
977.53N
Pulling Force in Newtons, higher is better

Best In Snow Traction: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:258.1N Vredestein Wintrac: 248.6N
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:233N ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 235N
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:2509N Vredestein Wintrac: 2449N

Snow Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 1.85% faster around a lap than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
59.6Km/H
Vredestein Wintrac
58.5Km/H
Snow handling average speed, higher is better

Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:59.6Km/H Vredestein Wintrac: 58.5Km/H

Snow Slalom

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 2.72% faster through a slalom than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
3.31m/sec2
Vredestein Wintrac
3.22m/sec2
Lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Snow Slalom: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:3.31m/sec2 Vredestein Wintrac: 3.22m/sec2

Ice Braking

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Vredestein Wintrac was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Vredestein Wintrac stopped the vehicle 2.53% shorter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
19.75M
Vredestein Wintrac
19.25M
Ice braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Ice Braking: Vredestein Wintrac

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:19.7M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 19.1M
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:19.8M ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 19.4M

Noise

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Vredestein Wintrac was better during three noise tests. On average the Vredestein Wintrac measured 1.02% quieter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
71.7dB
Vredestein Wintrac
70.97dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Vredestein Wintrac

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:71.8dB ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 71.3dB
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:71.7dB ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 70.4dB
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:71.6dB ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 71.2dB

Wear

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two wear tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 is predicted to cover 16.4% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
47250KM
Vredestein Wintrac
39500KM
Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:38700KM ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 44700KM
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:52800KM Vredestein Wintrac: 33400KM
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:50250KM Vredestein Wintrac: 40400KM

Value

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one value tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 proved to have a 23.91% better value based on price/1000km than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
7.16Price/1000
Vredestein Wintrac
9.41Price/1000
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:7.16Price/1000 Vredestein Wintrac: 9.41Price/1000

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 had a 3.62% lower rolling resistance than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
7.72kg / t
Vredestein Wintrac
8.01kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:7.72kg / t Vredestein Wintrac: 8.01kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Vredestein Wintrac was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Vredestein Wintrac used 0.93% less fuel than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
5.4l/100km
Vredestein Wintrac
5.35l/100km
Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Fuel Consumption: Vredestein Wintrac

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:5.7l/100km ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 5.6l/100km
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:5.1l/100km Vredestein Wintrac: 5.1l/100km

Abrasion

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 emitted 11.94% less particle wear matter than the Vredestein Wintrac.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
59mg/km/t
Vredestein Wintrac
67mg/km/t
Weight of Tire Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t), lower is better

Best In Abrasion: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter I cept RS3:70mg/km/t ✓ Vredestein Wintrac: 62mg/km/t
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3:48mg/km/t Vredestein Wintrac: 72mg/km/t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 and Vredestein Wintrac.

In total the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 has been reviewed 17 times and drivers have given the tire 80% overall.

The Vredestein Wintrac has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tire 86% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Vredestein Wintrac.

Best Review for the Hankook Winter I cept RS3
Given 87% 175/65 R14 on a combination of roads for 3,500 average miles
Hankook Winter I*cept RS3 tires were bought brand new in october of 2023, was manufactured a few months earlier and stamped as made in Korea. Tires were used on 1997 Volkswagen Golf Mk3, 1.9 TDI 66 kW (90 Hp), without ABS, TC or other driver assists.

First season/initial thoughts:
Dry roads - car was predictible, tires felt a little bit softer and less responsive, in comparision with summer tires (in my case it's 195/55 R15 2020's Michelin Energy Saver+), but it's a winter tire, so it's absolutly normal to have a slightly different feeling in steering response or... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 207 - tire reviewed on December 6, 2024
View all Hankook Winter I cept RS3 driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Vredestein Wintrac
Given 90% 235/35 R19 on mostly country roads for 4,000 average miles
Been very pleased with these tires. Give a lot of confidence in winter conditions. Very good on icy ungritted roads . Excellent on motorways in the wet .For the price , can’t recommend them enough
Helpful 42 - tire reviewed on February 4, 2022
View all Vredestein Wintrac driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 performed better in dry handling [km/h], wet handling [km/h], straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, snow braking, snow traction, snow handling [km/h], snow slalom, wear, value, rolling resistance and abrasion, while the Vredestein Wintrac performed better in dry braking, wet braking, wet braking - concrete, wet circle, ice braking, noise and fuel consumption.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Hankook Winter I cept RS3 seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Hankook Winter I cept RS3

Overall Winner: Hankook Winter I cept RS3

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:

Hankook Winter I cept RS3
VS
Vredestein Wintrac
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 VS Vredestein Wintrac
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
VS
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 VS Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
Continental WinterContact TS 870
VS
Hankook Winter I cept RS3
Continental WinterContact TS 870 VS Hankook Winter I cept RS3
Continental WinterContact TS 870
VS
Vredestein Wintrac
Continental WinterContact TS 870 VS Vredestein Wintrac

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.