Hankook’s new Winter i*cept evo 4 finished joint third in Auto Bild’s main winter tyre test 2026, earning one of only four “exemplary” ratings in the 50-tyre competition. The result places the South Korean brand alongside Continental and Michelin — which shared first place — at the top of the premium category for the BMW 5 Series-class 245/45 R19 format.
☰
How the test works
Auto Bild’s major winter tyre test is conducted in two stages. All 50 submitted tyres first go through a braking comparison on wet and snow surfaces. Only the 20 tyres with the shortest combined braking distances advance to the full 16-category evaluation. The final score, expressed on a German school grading scale (1.0 best, 5.5 worst), determines the overall ranking.
Qualifying performance
The Hankook Winter i*cept evo 4 advanced from qualifying in fourth place, with a combined braking distance of 65.5 metres — split across two conditions tested at speed.
| Test | Speed | Hankook evo 4 result |
|---|---|---|
| Wet braking | 80 km/h | 36.3 m |
| Snow braking | 50 km/h | 29.2 m |
| Combined qualifying | — | 65.5 m (4th place) |
Full test result: “exemplary” in all 16 categories
In the full 16-category evaluation, the Winter i*cept evo 4 rated in the green zone across all 16 individual disciplines, earning an overall score of 1.4. The “exemplary” quality mark was awarded to just four tyres: the two that shared first place (Continental and Michelin, according to published summaries of the test) and the two that shared third — one of which was Hankook’s new model.
According to Hankook’s press release, Auto Bild’s test panel described the Winter i*cept evo 4 as a “newcomer with a strong cost profile and precise handling on dry roads.”
About the Winter i*cept evo 4
The Winter i*cept evo 4 is Hankook’s current flagship winter tyre, launched for the 2026–27 season. Compared with its predecessor, the manufacturer claims 15% more mileage and lower rolling resistance — improvements that also contributed to its strong overall performance in Auto Bild’s balanced assessment. Earlier in the test season, the evo 4 also won the Auto Bild Allrad test for SUVs in the 225/55 R18 format.
Who is this tyre for?
The 245/45 R19 format used in this test fits mid-to-large executive saloons and SUVs — including the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class. Auto Bild’s value-for-money note is relevant here: at this size, the Winter i*cept evo 4 typically sits below Continental and Michelin on price while delivering comparable test results. Drivers replacing OE-fitted premium tyres on vehicles in this category may find it a viable alternative worth comparing on current retail prices.