Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 and Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 appear in 21 tests, 2 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 94/100, based on 19 tests.
How the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. It has limited comparative test data, so treat its results as indicative.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 and Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 are closely matched. Pick based on the category that matters most to your driving — wet, dry, comfort, mileage, or price.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
- You prefer the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850's brand, sizing or price
Test profile
| Metric | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 | Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Nordic Winter | Nordic Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 19 | 2 |
| Best rank | #1 | #2 |
| Avg rank | 6.6 | 38.5 |
| Latest test | 2025 | 2022 |
| Tire Lab Score | 94 | — |
Tire Lab Score
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 | Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 5.0 877 | Avg rank 50.5 | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 5.4 133 | No data | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 6.4 238 | No data | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 12.0 1 | No data | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 6.7 724 | No data | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 11.0 2 | No data | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 5.9 14 | No data | Hankook Winter i cept evo3 |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 2 independent tests:
💧 Wet: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.0, compared to 50.5 for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
☀️ Dry: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.4, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
❄️ Snow: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 wins this category with an average rank of 6.4, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
🧊 Ice: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 wins this category with an average rank of 12.0, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 wins this category with an average rank of 6.7, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
📏 Mileage: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 wins this category with an average rank of 11.0, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
🔋 Efficiency: Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.9, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Hankook Winter i cept evo3 or Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 ranks higher on average than the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Hankook Winter i cept evo3 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 ranks better than the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Hankook Winter i cept evo3 shows better mileage performance than the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 appears in 19 independent tests, Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 in 2, with 2 head-to-head tests where both were measured.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
