Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 88% · 9
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 6
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Blizzak 6 finished ahead 3 times and the WinterCraft WP52+ not once, with one level. The Blizzak 6 lasted 9.2% longer in the wear tests; the WinterCraft WP52+ stopped 3.7% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 suits drivers prioritising dry handling, curved aquaplaning resistance and low rolling resistance. The Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ suits those prioritising dry braking and lower measured running cost.
Where the Blizzak 6 is stronger
- Quicker dry handling in both Auto Bild winter tire tests.
- Better curved aquaplaning results in both Auto Bild winter tire tests.
- Lower rolling resistance in all three full tests.
Where the WinterCraft WP52+ is stronger
- Shorter dry braking in all three tests that measured it.
- Lower cost per 1,000 km in all three full tests.
- Slightly quicker snow handling in both Auto Bild winter tire tests.
Conclusion
Bridgestone has the stronger overall record: fifth against Kumho's eighth in Auto Bild's 2026 winter tire test, fifth against tenth in its 50-set braking test, and fifth against sixth in AvD's 2026 test. They tied for third in Auto Bild's 2025 winter tire test. Its clearest repeatable advantages are dry handling, curved aquaplaning resistance and rolling resistance. Curved aquaplaning results were about 6% better in Auto Bild's 2025 test and 12% better in its 2026 test; AvD also judged Kumho weaker in aquaplaning, particularly in curves. Bridgestone's lower rolling resistance appeared in all three full tests, most markedly in AvD's test.
Kumho makes a strong case on braking and running cost. It stopped about 6% shorter on dry roads in Auto Bild's 2026 winter tire test and about 4% shorter in AvD's, although the 2025 difference was under 1%. Wet braking needs a qualification: Kumho stopped about 4% shorter in Auto Bild's 2025 test, an unusual result beside the later tests, where the two were effectively level. Bridgestone's 2026 wet handling advantage was clearer, but Kumho was quicker in the 2025 wet handling test. On snow, Bridgestone's braking leads were small and AvD measured identical distances. Kumho was slightly quicker through both Auto Bild snow handling courses, so neither tire has a broad snow advantage over the other.
Bridgestone also had the longer predicted tread life in each full test, though the 2026 Auto Bild estimates were almost identical. Kumho nevertheless had the lower cost per 1,000 km in all three, by roughly 15% to 26%. Kumho measured quieter in both Auto Bild tests, but subjective comfort reversed: Bridgestone scored higher in 2025, Kumho in 2026. Choose Bridgestone if dry-road steering response, aquaplaning resistance and low rolling resistance matter most. Choose Kumho if shorter dry braking and lower measured running cost matter more, while accepting its less convincing curved aquaplaning results.
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Blizzak 6 vs WinterCraft WP52+ at a glance
| Category | Blizzak 6 | Gap | WinterCraft WP52+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 3 | 1 level | 0 |
| Dry5 measurements | 2 | The WinterCraft WP52+ stopped 3.7% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 3 |
| Wet12 measurements | 9 | The Blizzak 6 held 8.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning (2 tests) | 3 |
| Snow10 measurements | 4 | The Blizzak 6 stopped 0.9% shorter on snow (4 tests) | 3 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 1 | The WinterCraft WP52+ was 1 dB quieter (2 tests) | 3 |
| Value6 measurements | 6 | The Blizzak 6 lasted 9.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The Blizzak 6 by 0.1 | 9.3/10 |
| Owner rating9 and 6 reviews | 88% | The WinterCraft WP52+ by 3 points | 91% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 75% | The WinterCraft WP52+ by 25 points | 100% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +40% | The Blizzak 6 was dearer in 3 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 193 | 79 sizes made in both | 115 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 4 tests, 2025 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Blizzak 6 | Field | WinterCraft WP52+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P5 of 20 | P8 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets | P5 of 50 | P10 of 50 | |
| 2026 AvD Winter Tire Test | P5 of 15 | P6 of 15 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P3 of 20 | P3 of 20 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Blizzak 6
WinterCraft WP52+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it.
Where each scores higher
Blizzak 6
WinterCraft WP52+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Blizzak 6
WinterCraft WP52+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Blizzak 6 88% from 9 reviews and the WinterCraft WP52+ 91% from 6. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Blizzak 6 | Gap | WinterCraft WP52+ | Wins | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 146 | 3.7% | 141 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 70.9 | 1.3% | 70 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 163 | 0.9% | 161 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 50.7 | 1.1% | 50.1 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 12.49 | 0.4% | 12.53 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 52.1 | 1.6% | 51.3 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 8.5 | 8.9% | 7.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 92 | 0.9% | 93 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 869 | 0.8% | 859 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 35.6 | 1.1% | 36 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 10.3 | = | 10.3 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.3% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 70.15 | 1 dB | 69.2 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 30,530 | 9.2% | 28,064 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 7.8 | 7.9% | 8.5 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak 6 scores 9.4 and the WinterCraft WP52+ 9.3 out of 10.
| Blizzak 6 | Category | WinterCraft WP52+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | Dry | 92 | ||
| 92 | Wet | 88 | ||
| 49 | Comfort | 46 | ||
| 67 | Value | 79 | ||
| 74 | Snow | 68 | ||
| 61 | Ice | 35 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Blizzak 6 | Category | WinterCraft WP52+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 8.7 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 8.9 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 8.3 | Wear | 8.3 | ||
| 8.6 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 9.1 | Snow Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 9.1 | Ice Grip | 8.4 | ||
Owners rate the Blizzak 6 88% from 9 reviews and the WinterCraft WP52+ 91% from 6. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
- 88%from 9 reviews
- 75%would buy again
- 75,369 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers report the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 delivers excellent winter performance, with strong grip on snow and ice and confident climbing and cornering in cold, mountain conditions. Multiple reviewers describe it as very stable and among the best winter tires they've used. Overall sentiment is strongly positive across all reviews.
- Strong grip on snow and ice
- Confident traction in cold/mountain conditions
- Stable, secure feel
- High overall satisfaction as a winter tire
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 9 Blizzak 6 reviewsI might be one of the first people to buy Bridgestone winter tires and I've never regretted it. I used them for 2 years, and now I'm thinking of switching to all-season tires, so I'll be looking for other options. After 40,000 km, the insides of the rear tires wore out; I think it's related to the alignment and balance, so I'll be replacing them.
Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
- 91%from 6 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 40,507 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers report the Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus delivers impressively strong winter performance for the price, with repeated praise for confident grip (especially in wet conditions) and secure handling. Reviews consistently highlight low road noise and noticeably improved ride comfort versus some premium or run-flat alternatives, with multiple users describing a premium feel and excellent value. No recurring performance drawbacks were reported across the reviews.
- Strong wet grip and water shedding
- Confident handling and traction in cold/winter conditions
- Low road noise / quiet ride
- Good ride comfort
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 6 WinterCraft WP52+ reviewsI bought these after looking at the tests. They offer performance close to premium tires while being very affordable. That's actually the reason I chose this tire. If you don't have extreme winter conditions where you are, you can go for this tire. If the winter conditions are bad, Barum might be a good alternative since it's still reasonably priced.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 193 sizes of the Blizzak 6 and 115 of the WinterCraft WP52+, 79 of them made in both.
| Category | Blizzak 6 | WinterCraft WP52+ |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 193 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 115 sizes, 13 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 79 sizes 185/50 R16185/55 R16195/45 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/45 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16205/65 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16and 67 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | B82%A18% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C75%B25% | C65%D32%B2%E1% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B87%A13% | 70-73 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 275 of 275 | 209 of 211 |
| On the market since | - | 2025 |
| Replaced | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 (2019) | - |
| Awards | - | Winner: Winter Touring Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2026/27) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Blizzak 6 was the dearer tire in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 40% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Four independent tests put the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 and Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ side by side: Auto Bild's 2025 and 2026 winter tire tests, its 2026 50-set braking test, and AvD's 2026 winter tire test. Bridgestone finished ahead in three and tied with Kumho for third in Auto Bild's 2025 test. Its overall advantage is consistent, though AvD separated them by just one place.
The two tires have different strengths. Kumho stopped shorter on dry roads in all three tests that measured it and cost less per 1,000 km in each test that calculated running cost. Bridgestone was quicker in dry handling, resisted curved aquaplaning better and had lower rolling resistance wherever those measures were shared. Wet braking and snow performance are less clear-cut: the wet braking gap changed direction between years, while most measured snow gaps were small.
Blizzak 6 vs WinterCraft WP52+: your questions
Is the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 or the Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ the better tire?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 finished ahead 3 times and the WinterCraft WP52+ not once, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak 6 scores 9.4 and the WinterCraft WP52+ 9.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Blizzak 6 or the WinterCraft WP52+?
The Blizzak 6 led 9 of the 12 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 8.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The WinterCraft WP52+ led 3 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.7% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Blizzak 6 led 4 of the 10 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.9% shorter on snow across 4 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Blizzak 6 lasted 9.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 7.9% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8.3/10 for the Blizzak 6 and 8.3/10 for the WinterCraft WP52+.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The WinterCraft WP52+ was 1 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.6/10 for the Blizzak 6 and 8.8/10 for the WinterCraft WP52+.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Blizzak 6 88% from 9 reviews and the WinterCraft WP52+ 91% from 6. 75% of Blizzak 6 owners would buy it again, against 100% for the WinterCraft WP52+.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the Blizzak 6 was the dearer tire in 3 of them, by 40% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Blizzak 6 is made in 193 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the WinterCraft WP52+ in 115 (13 to 21 inch). 79 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Blizzak 6 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the WinterCraft WP52+ B and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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