Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Hankook Winter i*Cept iZ2: In the icy expanse of the Nordic tire market, a thrilling duel unfolds between two titans: the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2. This epic showdown pits the latest innovations in winter tire technology against each other, promising unparalleled performance on the frostbitten roads of the North. Each contender brings to the arena cutting-edge features designed for superior grip, durability, and safety in extreme winter conditions.
As they vie for supremacy, the question on everyone’s mind is: which tire will emerge as the ultimate champion of the cold? Gear up for an electrifying battle that will redefine the standards of winter driving. The stage is set, and the icy roads await the ultimate test. Who will take the crown in the fierce competition for the Nordic tire segment? The clash of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 versus the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 is not just a competition; it’s the ultimate battle for winter dominance.
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Results: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Hankook Winter i*Cept iZ2
Results below were taken from 2023 Tekniikan Maailma Snow Tire Test with a total of 9 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Hankook Winter i*Cept iZ2 based on the relevant performance category. The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for subjective ratings, 1 point is equivalent to 5%. So if tire A has a 7 point rating & tire B has a 6 point rating, tire A is better than tire B by 5%. The tire size of interest is a 205/55R16 which is a common tire size for Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf.
Ice :
In the icy terrain of the Nordic region, the performance of winter tires on ice is the paramount factor for safety and efficiency. When comparing the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2, we see a closely contested battle in terms of ice performance.
Starting with ice braking, a critical measure of safety, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 demonstrates a slight edge, stopping from 50 to 0 km/h in 49.1 meters. The Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2, while not far behind, requires 48 meters to achieve the same, offering a marginally shorter stopping distance. This small difference can be crucial in preventing collisions on icy roads, highlighting the importance of braking efficiency in winter tires.
Acceleration on ice is another vital aspect, determining how quickly a vehicle can safely gain speed from a standstill. Here, both tires show equal prowess, requiring 6 seconds to accelerate from 5 to 20 km/h. This indicates that both the Goodyear and Hankook tires provide reliable traction on ice, ensuring that vehicles can smoothly and safely increase speed.
When it comes to subjective ice handling, both tires score an 8 out of 10, suggesting that drivers can expect a high level of control and responsiveness from either tire while navigating through icy turns and obstacles. This subjective assessment points to a tie in driver confidence and satisfaction with the tires’ performance under icy conditions.
Lastly, in the ice handling lap time, which measures the tires’ ability to navigate a course on ice quickly and safely, both the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 clock in identical times of 55.8 seconds. This indicates that both tires offer comparable levels of agility and speed on ice, ensuring that drivers do not have to sacrifice performance for safety.
In summary, the battle between the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 on ice surfaces showcases their remarkable capabilities, with only marginal differences in braking distance. Both tires excel in acceleration, subjective handling, and lap time performance, making them top contenders in the Nordic tire segment, where mastering the ice is the number one priority.
Winter I*Cept IZ2 :
- +2% in ice braking
- 0% in ice acceleration
- 0% in ice handling (subj)
- 0% in ice handling (lap time)
Snow Performance Analysis:
In the snowy conditions that define the Nordic winter, snow performance of tires, while ranked second to ice performance, remains a critical aspect of driver safety and vehicle control. The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 offer compelling capabilities on snow, each with its strengths.
For snow braking, a key indicator of a tire’s ability to stop effectively on snow-covered roads, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 shows a slight advantage. It stops from 50 to 0 km/h in 49.4 meters, compared to the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2, which takes 50.2 meters. This marginal difference of 0.8 meters can be significant in preventing accidents, underscoring the importance of braking performance in snowy conditions.
When it comes to snow acceleration, the ability to move from a standstill to a certain speed without slipping is crucial. The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 again demonstrates superior performance, taking only 5.8 seconds to accelerate from 5 to 35 km/h. The Hankook tire, while still performing well, requires 6.1 seconds for the same task. This difference highlights the Goodyear tire’s better traction and grip on snow, facilitating safer and more confident acceleration.
In terms of subjective snow handling, both tires are rated equally at 9 out of 10 by drivers. This indicates that users feel a high level of control and satisfaction with both tires when maneuvering through snowy roads and conditions. The equal subjective ratings suggest that both tires deliver a reassuring and stable driving experience on snow.
Lastly, the snow handling lap time, which assesses the tires’ ability to navigate a snowy course swiftly and safely, sees the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 slightly ahead again, with a lap time of 53.2 seconds, compared to the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2’s 53.5 seconds. This small but notable difference illustrates the Goodyear tire’s marginally better agility and speed on snow-covered tracks.
Overall, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 edges out the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 in snow performance, with better braking, acceleration, and lap time. However, both tires offer exceptional handling and control on snow, making them both strong choices for drivers facing the challenging winter conditions of the Nordic regions.
Winter I*Cept IZ2 :
- -2% in snow braking
- -5% in snow traction
- 0% in snow handling (subjective)
- -1% in snow handling (lap time)
Wet Face-off :
In wet conditions, which are quite common during the Nordic winter, the performance of winter tires is crucial for ensuring safety and maintaining control. The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 both offer features designed to tackle these challenging conditions, but their performances reveal some differences.
Remarkably, when it comes to wet braking, both the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 perform identically, each requiring 39.2 meters to come to a stop from 80 to 5 km/h. This indicates that both tires provide equally strong braking capabilities on wet surfaces, a vital safety feature that can make a significant difference in preventing accidents during rainy or slushy conditions.
However, the distinction between the two becomes apparent in their handling performance on wet roads. Subjectively, drivers rate the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 significantly higher, with a score of 9 out of 10, compared to the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2, which scores a 6 out of 10. This gap suggests that drivers feel more confident and in control with the Goodyear tires under wet conditions, possibly due to better grip, stability, or steering responsiveness.
This subjective assessment is further supported by the wet handling lap time. The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 completes a wet lap course in 41.9 seconds, outpacing the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2, which takes 42.8 seconds. The nearly one-second difference underscores the Goodyear tire’s superior agility and speed in wet conditions, translating to a more responsive and secure driving experience.
In summary, while both tires offer equivalent wet braking performance, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 pulls ahead in wet handling, both subjectively and in measured lap times. These differences highlight the Goodyear tire’s enhanced capabilities in maintaining control and stability on wet roads, making it a potentially more reliable choice for drivers navigating the variable and often challenging wet conditions of the Nordic winter.
Winter I*Cept IZ2 :
- 0% in wet braking
- -15% in wet handling (subjective)
- -2% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry Performance Duel:
In dry conditions, the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 slightly outperforms the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 in braking, stopping from 80 to 0 km/h in 29.7 meters, just 0.5 meters shorter than the Goodyear’s 30.2 meters. This indicates a minor advantage for the Hankook tire in stopping efficiency on dry roads.
However, in terms of dry handling, the Goodyear tire is preferred by drivers, scoring an 8 out of 10 for subjective handling, compared to the Hankook’s 6 out of 10. This suggests that while the Hankook may stop slightly quicker, the Goodyear offers a better overall driving experience in dry conditions, with superior control and responsiveness.
Winter I*Cept IZ2 :
- +2% in dry braking
- –10% in dry handling (subjective)
Subjective noise
In terms of subjective noise performance, both the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 are rated equally by drivers, each achieving a score of 9 out of 10. This indicates that users find both tires to produce a similarly low level of noise, contributing to a quiet and comfortable driving experience. There is no discernible difference between the two in the aspect of noise, suggesting that both brands have successfully minimized the sound generated during driving, a factor that can greatly affect driver and passenger comfort on long journeys.
Winter I*Cept IZ2 :
- 0% in subjective noise
Fuel consumption evaluation:
For fuel consumption performance, both the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 are on equal footing, with each tire scoring a 100% rating. This parity indicates that neither tire has a distinct advantage over the other in terms of fuel efficiency. Drivers can expect similar levels of fuel consumption when using either tire, meaning the choice between the two can be based on other factors like grip, noise, or handling preferences without worrying about a difference in fuel economy.
Winter I*Cept IZ2 :
- 0% in fuel consumption
Price
The price difference between the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 for the tire size 205/55 R16 is minimal, with the UltraGrip Ice 3 priced at €94 and the Winter i*cept iZ2 at €93. This roughly €1 difference means the tires are essentially comparable in cost, making price a minor factor in choosing between these two options.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
- Winter i*cept iZ2 : € 93
Difference: ~ more or less then same.
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
As a tire expert, after closely comparing the performances of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and the Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 across various critical parameters, I’ve concluded that the clear winner is the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3. The deciding factors lie primarily in its marginally better performance in snow braking and acceleration, as well as its superior handling and control in dry conditions.
Although both tires demonstrate commendable ice performance and nearly identical fuel efficiency and noise levels, the Goodyear’s slight edge in safety and control under diverse conditions sets it apart. Moreover, the minimal price difference makes the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 an exceptional value, offering a slight but significant advantage in overall winter driving performance. This makes it my top recommendation for drivers seeking optimal safety and performance in challenging winter conditions.
Dr Edwin Pang