{"id":10606,"date":"2026-11-14T07:23:14","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T07:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reifenlab.eu\/mag\/hankook-winter-icept-rs-3-achieves-exemplary-rating-and-second-place-in-auto-bild-compact-winter-tyre-test-2\/"},"modified":"2026-11-14T07:23:14","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T07:23:14","slug":"hankook-winter-icept-rs-3-achieves-exemplary-rating-and-second-place-in-auto-bild-compact-winter-tyre-test-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-winter-icept-rs-3-achieves-exemplary-rating-and-second-place-in-auto-bild-compact-winter-tyre-test-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Hankook Winter i*cept RS 3 Achieves &#8216;Exemplary&#8217; Rating and Second Place in Auto Bild Compact Winter Tyre Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Hankook&#8217;s Winter i*cept RS 3 finished second out of 14 winter tyres in Auto Bild&#8217;s latest compact-car winter tyre test (issue 44, dated 29 October 2026), earning an overall score of 1.4 and an &#8220;Exemplary&#8221; rating \u2014 the top tier in the German magazine&#8217;s grading system. The test used the 205\/55 R 16 size, the most common fitment on European compact cars. A Volkswagen Golf was used as the test vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"913\" height=\"609\" src=\"https:\/\/reifenlab.eu\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hankook-winter-icept-rs3-auto-bild-test-2026.jpg\" alt=\"Hankook Winter i*cept RS 3 winter tyre - Auto Bild test 2026 second place\" class=\"wp-image-10572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hankook-winter-icept-rs3-auto-bild-test-2026.jpg 913w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hankook-winter-icept-rs3-auto-bild-test-2026-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hankook-winter-icept-rs3-auto-bild-test-2026-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 913px) 100vw, 913px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Hankook Tire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">\u2630<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af8e69b4728c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af8e69b4728c\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-winter-icept-rs-3-achieves-exemplary-rating-and-second-place-in-auto-bild-compact-winter-tyre-test-2\/#Test_Results_An_Aquaplaning_Expert_in_the_Compact_Class\" title=\"Test Results: An Aquaplaning Expert in the Compact Class\">Test Results: An Aquaplaning Expert in the Compact Class<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-winter-icept-rs-3-achieves-exemplary-rating-and-second-place-in-auto-bild-compact-winter-tyre-test-2\/#What_Makes_the_Winter_icept_RS_3_Perform_on_Snow_and_Ice\" title=\"What Makes the Winter i*cept RS 3 Perform on Snow and Ice\">What Makes the Winter i*cept RS 3 Perform on Snow and Ice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-winter-icept-rs-3-achieves-exemplary-rating-and-second-place-in-auto-bild-compact-winter-tyre-test-2\/#Hankooks_Winter_Line-Up_in_Auto_Bilds_2026_Tests\" title=\"Hankook&#8217;s Winter Line-Up in Auto Bild&#8217;s 2026 Tests\">Hankook&#8217;s Winter Line-Up in Auto Bild&#8217;s 2026 Tests<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Test_Results_An_Aquaplaning_Expert_in_the_Compact_Class\"><\/span>Test Results: An Aquaplaning Expert in the Compact Class<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Auto Bild test evaluated 14 winter tyres across snow, wet, and dry disciplines, as well as rolling resistance and drive-by noise. The Winter i*cept RS 3 performed most strongly in aquaplaning: it recorded the best lateral acceleration value in the aquaplaning-in-curves test and the second-highest onset speed in the straight-line aquaplaning evaluation. Testers described it as an &#8220;aquaplaning expert&#8221; and noted its &#8220;fair price&#8221; \u2014 both observations that matter to compact-car buyers in a price-sensitive segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On snow, the tyre placed in the top three for both traction and slalom. Its snow braking distance from 50 km\/h was 24.1 metres. On wet surfaces, the braking distance from 100 km\/h was 47.4 metres. All 14 disciplines were rated in the &#8220;green&#8221; (satisfactory or better) range, contributing to the strong overall score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table>\n<thead><tr><th>Test category<\/th><th>Winter i*cept RS 3 result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td>Overall score<\/td><td>1.4 \u2014 &#8220;Exemplary&#8221; (2nd of 14)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Aquaplaning in curves<\/td><td>Best in test (highest lateral acceleration)<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Aquaplaning straight-line<\/td><td>2nd in test<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Snow traction<\/td><td>Top 3<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Snow slalom<\/td><td>Top 3<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Snow braking (50 km\/h)<\/td><td>24.1 m<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Wet braking (100 km\/h)<\/td><td>47.4 m<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: Auto Bild issue 44, dated 29 October 2026 \/ Hankook press release<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/reifenlab.eu\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/auto-bild-winter-tyre-test-2026-compact-volkswagen-golf.jpg\" alt=\"Volkswagen Golf test vehicle used in Auto Bild 2026 compact winter tyre test\" class=\"wp-image-10574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/auto-bild-winter-tyre-test-2026-compact-volkswagen-golf.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/auto-bild-winter-tyre-test-2026-compact-volkswagen-golf-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Hankook Tire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Makes_the_Winter_icept_RS_3_Perform_on_Snow_and_Ice\"><\/span>What Makes the Winter i*cept RS 3 Perform on Snow and Ice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Hankook, the Winter i*cept RS 3 features a wide shoulder zone designed to improve snow traction and lateral guidance in corners. An inverse V-shaped tread pattern combined with 3D sipes is designed to reduce braking distances on snow-covered roads. High tread block rigidity is claimed to improve stability on icy surfaces, while fine grooves in the tread blocks help evacuate water quickly and reduce aquaplaning risk \u2014 a design priority that the Auto Bild test results appear to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"725\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/reifenlab.eu\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hankook-winter-icept-rs3-tyre-profile.jpg\" alt=\"Hankook Winter i*cept RS 3 tyre tread profile close-up\" class=\"wp-image-10573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hankook-winter-icept-rs3-tyre-profile.jpg 725w, https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/hankook-winter-icept-rs3-tyre-profile-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Hankook Tire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hankooks_Winter_Line-Up_in_Auto_Bilds_2026_Tests\"><\/span>Hankook&#8217;s Winter Line-Up in Auto Bild&#8217;s 2026 Tests<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Winter i*cept RS 3 is Hankook&#8217;s mid-range winter offering, positioned below the flagship Winter i*cept evo 4. Both tyres featured in separate Auto Bild winter tests this season: the evo 4 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/hankook-winter-icept-evo-4-secures-third-place-in-auto-bilds-50-tyre-winter-test-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">earned third place with an Exemplary rating in Auto Bild&#8217;s 50-tyre large-format test<\/a> in the 245\/45 R19 size. The RS 3 targets a different buyer: compact-car drivers looking for solid winter performance without premium pricing. It delivered competitive results in the more accessible 205\/55 R16 size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 205\/55 R16 size fits a broad range of European compact cars, including the VW Golf, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia, and Ford Focus. The Auto Bild testers&#8217; note that the RS 3 carries a &#8220;fair price&#8221; will be a relevant factor in this high-volume segment, where drivers tend to compare value more closely than in the premium category. Auto Bild&#8217;s issue 44 (dated 29 October 2026) contains the full test results with all 14 competitors ranked. For compact-car drivers, this result means a tyre that handles aquaplaning confidently \u2014 the leading risk in heavy autumn and winter rain \u2014 while delivering reliable snow performance, at a price point the magazine considers reasonable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hankook&#8217;s Winter i*cept RS 3 finished second out of 14 winter tyres in Auto Bild&#8217;s latest compact-car winter tyre test (issue 44, dated 29 October 2026), earning an overall score of 1.4 and an &#8220;Exemplary&#8221; rating \u2014 the top tier in the German magazine&#8217;s grading system. The test used the 205\/55 R 16 size, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10572,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[206,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hankook","category-novinky"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10606"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10606\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10607,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10606\/revisions\/10607"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetirelab.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}