In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Continental WinterContact TS 870 and the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.
The good news is that both the Continental WinterContact TS 870 and Hankook Winter I cept RS3 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.
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been six tests which compare both tires directly!
Out of these six tests:
While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is better than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 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.
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 1.27% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:39.2M | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 37.8M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:43.5M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 44.8M |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:44.7M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 45.7M |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:43.9M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 45.2M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.12% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:80.2s | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 80.3s |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.72% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:110.6Km/H | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 109.8Km/H |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 5.56% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:90 Points | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 85 Points |
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 0.51% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:27.6M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 28.2M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:37.7M | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 34.2M |
2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:37.1M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 37.8M |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:35.1M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 37.1M |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:57.9M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 59.1M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 8.55% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:38.5M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 42.1M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.11% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:97.7s | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 98.8s |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.12% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:75.14Km/H | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 74.3Km/H |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 5.56% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:90 Points | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 85 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 2.92% faster around a wet circle than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:12.29s | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 12.66s |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 floated at a 0.72% higher speed than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:82.4Km/H | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 81.8Km/H |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:81.1Km/H | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 78.7Km/H |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:84Km/H | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 84.4Km/H |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:84.3Km/H | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 84.5Km/H |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 slipped out at a 6.34% higher speed than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:8.1m/sec2 | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 7.1m/sec2 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:3.3m/sec2 | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 3.1m/sec2 |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:3.7m/sec2 | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 3.6m/sec2 |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:3.82m/sec2 | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 3.93m/sec2 |
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two snow braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 1.59% less distance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:27.8M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 29.4M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:9.5M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 9.5M |
2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:29.1M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 29.1M |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:9.9M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 10M |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:29.1M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 29.1M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 accelerated 3.92% faster than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Traction: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:5.1s | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 4.9s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had 0.26% better snow traction than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Traction: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:252N | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 251.1N |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:229N | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 233N |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:2520N | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 2509N |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was 2.49% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:116.5s | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 113.6s |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.67% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:60Km/H | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 59.6Km/H |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during zero subj. snow handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 15% more points than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:85 Points | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 100 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during zero snow slalom tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.91% faster through a slalom than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Snow Slalom: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:3.28m/sec2 | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 3.31m/sec2 |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle 5.97% shorter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Ice Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:19.5M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 20.4M |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:18.3M | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 19.8M |
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 0.42% quieter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:72dB | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 71.7dB |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:71.1dB | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 71.7dB |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:71dB | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 71.6dB |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 0.14% quieter than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:69.5dB | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 69.6dB |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wear tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is predicted to cover 0.73% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Wear: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:55900KM | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 45700KM |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:43800KM | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 52800KM |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:47970KM | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 50250KM |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two value tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 proved to have a 20.51% better value based on price/1000km than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Value: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:2.99Price/1000 | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 2.84Price/1000 |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:9.59Price/1000 | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 7.16Price/1000 |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 was better during two price tests. On average the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 cost 25.04% less than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Price: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:166.49 | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 119.99 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:167 | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 130 |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had a 1.69% lower rolling resistance than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:8.4kg / t | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 8.8kg / t |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:7.83kg / t | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 7.72kg / t |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 used 0.92% less fuel than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:5.7l/100km | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 5.8l/100km |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:5.1l/100km | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 5.1l/100km |
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 1.77% less particle wear matter than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Winter I cept RS3
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:65.3mg/km/t | Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 74.1mg/km/t |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:59mg/km/t | ✓ Hankook Winter I cept RS3: 48mg/km/t |
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental WinterContact TS 870 and Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
In total the Continental WinterContact TS 870 has been reviewed 17 times and drivers have given the tire 82% overall.
The Hankook Winter I cept RS3 has been reviewed 17 times and drivers have given the tire 80% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.
In conclusion the Continental WinterContact TS 870 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], subj. dry handling, wet braking, wet braking - concrete, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, snow braking, snow traction, snow handling [km/h], ice braking, noise, noise, rolling resistance and fuel consumption, while the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 performed better in snow traction, snow handling [s], subj. snow handling, snow slalom, wear, value, price and abrasion.
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 Continental WinterContact TS 870 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.
Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 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.Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
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.