Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

    2026 test data · 12 independent tests

    → See full Hankook vs Nokian brand comparison

    Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2: 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 RS3 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 appear in 12 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. 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 RS3 performs. It takes the win in mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 95/100, based on 11 tests.

    How the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 1 test.

    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 RS3 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in mileage and Tire Lab Score. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    • You prioritise mileage
    • You prioritise efficiency
    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow

    Test profile

    MetricHankook Winter I cept RS3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
    SegmentNordic WinterNordic Winter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used111
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank7.24.8
    Latest test20252023
    Tire Lab Score94.992

    Tire Lab Score

    94.9
    Excellent · Nordic Winter
    92
    Excellent · Nordic Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryHankook Winter I cept RS3Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 6.3
    353
    Avg rank 4.0
    1
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 8.1
    1
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 6.4
    323
    Avg rank 3.3
    11
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 7.8
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 7.8
    2
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 8.9
    2
    No data
    Hankook Winter I cept RS3
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 5.2
    22
    Avg rank 8.0
    Hankook Winter I cept RS3

    💧 Wet: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 wins this category with an average rank of 4.0, compared to 6.3 for the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

    ☀️ Dry: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 8.1 for the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

    ❄️ Snow: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 wins this category with an average rank of 3.3, compared to 6.4 for the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

    🧊 Ice: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 7.8 for the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 7.8 for the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

    📏 Mileage: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

    The Hankook Winter I cept RS3 wins this category with an average rank of 8.9, compared to no data for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2.

    🔋 Efficiency: Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2

    The Hankook Winter I cept RS3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.2, compared to 8.0 for the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Hankook Winter I cept RS3 or Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 ranks higher on average than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 ranks better than the Hankook Winter I cept RS3.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Hankook Winter I cept RS3 shows better mileage performance than the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Hankook Winter I cept RS3 appears in 11 independent tests, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 in 1.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →