Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3: In the world of winter tires, two giants are facing off in the middle European winter tire segment: the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3. This exciting duel showcases the best of what each brand has to offer for drivers braving the cold, snowy, and icy conditions of winter. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3, known for its impressive grip and handling in winter weather, goes head-to-head with the Hankook Winter i cept evo3, celebrated for its innovative design and excellent performance on slippery roads.
As these two titans clash, drivers are eager to see which tire will come out on top, promising safety, reliability, and performance in the challenging winter months. Get ready for a showdown that will define winter driving!
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Results: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
Results below were taken from 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test with a total of 22 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3 based on the relevant performance category. The UltraGrip Performance 3 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Since we are talking about the middle European winter segment with both tires having the converted 3 peak mountain logo, snow performances was tested. The tire size of interest is 225/45 R18 which is a common tire size for Mercedes-Benz C 200 and Kia Stinger. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a BMW 3 series.
Wet
When comparing the wet performance of the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3, it’s evident that each tire has its strengths and weaknesses in different areas. In wet braking, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 stops 2 meters shorter than the Hankook, needing only 53 meters to come to a halt from 100 km/h, compared to the 55 meters required by the Hankook. This could make a critical difference in emergency situations.
For wet handling, which measures how well the tires can maintain control and speed on wet roads, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 also leads, albeit by a smaller margin. It achieves an average speed of 85.5 km/h, slightly faster than the Hankook’s 84.3 km/h. This suggests that the Goodyear tire provides a bit more stability and confidence when navigating through wet turns.
On a wet circle test, which evaluates the tire’s grip and control while driving in circles on a wet surface, the Goodyear completes the lap quicker in 12.63 seconds, versus the Hankook’s time of 12.86 seconds, showing again that the Goodyear might offer a tad better grip in circular wet paths.
However, when it comes to straight aquaplaning resistance, where higher speeds indicate better performance in preventing the tire from losing contact with the road surface, the Hankook takes the lead. It manages a slipping speed of 94.9 km/h, compared to the Goodyear’s 93.1 km/h, indicating that the Hankook might offer slightly better protection against aquaplaning in straight wet conditions.
In summary, while the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 generally offers better control and shorter stopping distances in wet conditions, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 shows superior performance in resisting straight-line aquaplaning.
Winter i cept evo3:
- -4% in wet braking
- -1% in wet handling (average lap speed)
- -2% in wet circle
- +2% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
In the snow performance comparison between the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3, we see a close competition with some areas where one tire slightly outperforms the other. Starting with snow braking, the distance required to stop from 50 km/h shows the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 stopping just a bit shorter, with a 30.1 meters distance, compared to the Hankook’s 30.3 meters. This minor difference suggests that the Goodyear tire might offer a marginally safer braking performance in snowy conditions.
When it comes to snow traction, which measures the tire’s ability to pull or start moving on snow, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 again shows a slight advantage by generating a pulling force of 2858 Newtons against the 2765 Newtons by the Hankook. This indicates that the Goodyear might provide better initial grip and acceleration on snow-covered roads.
In snow handling, which assesses how well the tires can navigate through a snowy course at speed, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 maintains its lead with an average lap speed of 59.7 km/h, compared to the Hankook’s 57.7 km/h. This suggests that the Goodyear tire offers better control and confidence when maneuvering through snow.
However, in the snow slalom test, which measures the tire’s ability to handle sudden changes in direction on snow, both tires perform equally, with a maximum lateral acceleration of 3.25 m/sec². This shows that both tires provide comparable stability and agility when navigating through slalom courses on snow.
Overall, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 slightly edges out the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 in snow braking, traction, and handling, indicating it might offer a slightly better overall performance in snowy conditions. However, their equal performance in snow slalom suggests that both tires are on par when it comes to lateral snow stability and agility.
Winter i cept evo3:
- -1% in snow braking
- -3% in snow traction
- -3% in snow handling (average lap speed)
- 0% in snow slalom
Mileage
In the wear performance test, which measures how long the tires can last before they need to be replaced, there’s a significant difference between the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 shows a much greater longevity, capable of lasting up to 45,500 kilometers.
In contrast, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 has a shorter lifespan, with a wear limit of 34,407 kilometers. This means that the Goodyear tire can last approximately 11,093 kilometers longer than the Hankook tire. This substantial difference indicates that the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 offers better durability and could be a more cost-effective choice in the long run, as it may need to be replaced less frequently than the Hankook tire.
Winter i cept evo3:
- -24% in mileage
Dry
In dry conditions, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 show similar performances, with slight differences. The Goodyear tire has a minor advantage in dry braking, stopping just 0.2 meters shorter than the Hankook, with distances of 43.6 meters and 43.8 meters, respectively. However, the Hankook tire performs slightly better in dry handling, with an average speed of 112 km/h compared to the Goodyear’s 110.7 km/h, indicating it may provide better control and responsiveness in dry conditions.
Winter i cept evo3:
- +1% in dry braking
- ~0% in dry handling (average lap speed)
Noise
In terms of exterior noise performance, there’s a notable difference between the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3, which is quite rare in the winter tire segment. The Goodyear tire generates significantly less noise at 71.4 dB, compared to the Hankook’s louder 73.8 dB.
This 2.4 dB difference is substantial, considering the close competition in other areas. The louder noise from the Hankook’s tires is unusual for this segment and might be a critical factor for drivers prioritizing a quieter ride in winter conditions.
Winter i cept evo3:
- -3% in noise (+2.4 dB !)
Rolling Resistance
When it comes to rolling resistance, which affects fuel efficiency and the effort needed to keep a tire rolling, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 are almost neck-and-neck. However, the Goodyear tire shows a slight advantage with a rolling resistance of 8.71 N/kN, compared to the Hankook’s slightly higher 8.79 N/kN. This minor difference suggests that the Goodyear tire might be slightly more efficient, leading to potential savings in fuel consumption and a smoother ride, although the difference is quite small and may not be noticeable in everyday driving.
Winter i cept evo3:
- -1% in rolling resistance
Price
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 is significantly more affordable than the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 for the tire size 225/45 R18, with a price of €132 compared to €174 for the Goodyear. This makes the Hankook tire about 32% cheaper, offering a considerable cost advantage for buyers looking for value in their winter tire selection.
Tire size: 225/45 R18
- UltraGrip Performance 3: € 174
- Winter i cept evo3: € 132
Difference: -32% more cheaper for Winter i cept evo3
Summary
As a tire expert, after comparing the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and the Hankook Winter i cept evo3, I find the Goodyear to be the clear winner. It outperforms the Hankook in essential areas like wet and snow performance, offering shorter braking distances and better handling. Its superior wear rate also means it will last longer, providing more value over time despite its higher price.
While the Hankook has its strengths, such as lower noise and slightly better rolling resistance, these don’t compensate for its shortcomings in performance and longevity. Therefore, for safety, performance, and durability in winter conditions, the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 is my top recommendation.
Dr Edwin Pang