Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52
- TR Score
- 7.9/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 4
- TR Score
- 8.3/10
- Owners say
- 68% · 9
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 finished ahead 4 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro once. The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro resisted straight aquaplaning at a 0.7% higher speed; the Winter Craft WP52 had 3.5% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Kumho WinterCraft WP52 for colder climates with regular snow and for lower running costs and price; pick Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro for milder, wetter winters and drivers prioritizing wet/dry handling confidence and cabin refinement.
Where the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is stronger
- Consistently strong wet and dry handling with precise feel
- Very good straight-line and curved aquaplaning resistance
- Low noise and high subjective comfort
Where the Winter Craft WP52 is stronger
- Shorter snow braking with stronger traction and snow handling
- Lower rolling resistance (often ~3-6% better) for improved efficiency
- Competitive wet and dry braking with stable all-round manners
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.
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Winter Craft WP52 at a glance
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Gap | Winter Craft WP52 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 1 | 4 | |
| Dry7 measurements | 5 | 1 | |
| Wet15 measurements | 10 | The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro resisted straight aquaplaning at a 0.7% higher speed (3 tests) | 4 |
| Snow13 measurements | 1 | The Winter Craft WP52 stopped 3.3% shorter on snow (5 tests) | 12 |
| Comfort3 measurements | 2 | 1 | |
| Value3 measurements | 0 | The Winter Craft WP52 had 3.5% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 3 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.9/10 | The Winter Craft WP52 by 0.4 | 8.3/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 9 reviews | 91% | The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro by 23 points | 68% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | +16.6% | The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was dearer in 4 of 4 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 110 | 33 sizes made in both | 84 |
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 5 tests, 2023 to 2025
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 | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Field | Winter Craft WP52 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P20 of 51 | P4 of 51 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test | P10 of 12 | P7 of 12 | |
| 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test | P9 of 11 | P7 of 11 | |
| 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test | P20 of 54 | P25 of 54 | |
| 2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test | P10 of 11 | P9 of 11 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Winter Craft 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. 10 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Winter Craft 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
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Winter Craft WP52
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Winter Craft WP52 68% from 9. 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 | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Gap | Winter Craft WP52 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| 140 | 0.1% | 141 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.25 | 0.3% | 71.45 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 64.7 | 0.2% | 64.5 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 120 | 0.2% | 120 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.97 | 3.7% | 60.19 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50.7 | 0.9% | 50.3 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 16.25 | 1.8% | 16.54 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 54.2 | 0.7% | 54.2 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.3 | 0.4% | 8.3 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 89 | 3.3% | 87 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.15 | 2.8% | 5.98 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 528 | 2.2% | 539 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 90.66 | 4.3% | 86.79 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35.5 | 2.9% | 36.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.2% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.7 | 20% | 11.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.7 | 0.1 dB | 72.6 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.89 | 3.5% | 8.59 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scores 7.9 and the Winter Craft WP52 8.3 out of 10.
| EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Category | Winter Craft WP52 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 93 | ||
| 66 | Wet | 68 | ||
| 57 | Comfort | 21 | ||
| 18 | Value | 72 | ||
| 23 | Snow | 38 | ||
| 53 | Ice | 56 | ||
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
| EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Category | Winter Craft WP52 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8 | Dry Grip | 7.7 | ||
| 9.5 | Wet Grip | 6.8 | ||
| 6.5 | Road Feedback | 6.9 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 7.1 | ||
| 8 | Wear | 6.8 | ||
| 9 | Comfort | 7.3 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 7.3 | ||
| 9 | Ice Grip | 5.3 | ||
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Winter Craft WP52 68% from 9. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
- 91%from 4 reviews
- 18,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 EUROWINTER HS02 Pro reviewsReally solid tires, I didn't expect them to be good through snow however they performed very well. But they're even better on dry and wet roads.
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
- 68%from 9 reviews
- 63%would buy again
- 97,000 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers find the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 to deliver strong dry grip and handling with generally good snow traction, making it a solid value purchase. Wet performance is adequate but not standout, with several users noting longer wet braking distances or a vague feel. Noise can be higher than average for some, though overall comfort is acceptable. Overall sentiment is moderately positive with a few recurring caveats in the wet.
- dry grip and handling
- snow traction
- value for money
- average-to-weak wet braking/grip
- increased road noise
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 9 Winter Craft WP52 reviewsThey were not at all suitable for my car, which has a diesel engine and higher torque. I drive mostly in the city, and they showed signs of fraying as early as the first winter. I experienced the same issue with Hankook tires in the past. For those who drive a more powerful car or one with high torque, I would recommend something that holds up better to conditions in cities with less snow.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 110 sizes of the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 84 of the Winter Craft WP52, 33 of them made in both.
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Winter Craft WP52 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 110 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 84 sizes, 13 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 33 sizes 225/55 R16235/60 R16225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17225/60 R17225/65 R17235/45 R17235/50 R17235/55 R17235/65 R17225/40 R18and 21 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%C4% | B86%A14% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D51%C44%B5% | C67%D30%B3% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B97%A3% | 71-72 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 134 of 134 | 298 of 298 |
| On the market since | 2022 | - |
| Replaced | - | Kumho Winter Craft WP51 |
| Price in the shared tests | The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was the dearer tire in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 16.6% 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.
This head-to-head pitches two different winter philosophies against each other: the Falken Eurowinter HS02 Pro, an ultra-high-performance winter tire aimed at keen drivers, versus the Kumho WinterCraft WP52, a premium-touring option focused on balanced winter security and efficiency. Across five shared tests from 2023-2025 in popular 18-inch sizes, both tires show clear identities on wet, dry, and snow.
Patterns emerge quickly. The Falken repeatedly delivers reassuring wet and dry handling with strong aquaplaning resistance and low noise, suiting milder, wetter winters. The Kumho counters with consistently shorter snow stops, better traction and snow handling, plus lower rolling resistance and a lower purchase price-key advantages for colder regions and value-minded buyers.
Conclusion
Overall results lean toward the Kumho: four overall test wins to the Falken's one, driven by more convincing snow performance and efficiency. Where snow depth and frequency rise, the WP52's shorter snow braking (often 3-8% gains), stronger traction, and composed snow handling make for safer, easier progress. Its lower rolling resistance and price further strengthen the value case.
The Falken remains compelling for drivers prioritizing feel and confidence on wet motorways and mixed dry/wet commutes. It repeatedly edges wet/dry handling tests and often resists aquaplaning better, while keeping cabin noise low and comfort high. If you rarely see snow but face frequent rain and standing water, the HS02 Pro fits well. If genuine winter grip, lower running costs, and overall balance matter most, choose the WP52.
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Winter Craft WP52: your questions
Is the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro or the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 the better tire?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 finished ahead 4 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scores 7.9 and the Winter Craft WP52 8.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro or the Winter Craft WP52?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro led 10 of the 15 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 0.7% higher speed across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro led 5 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Winter Craft WP52 led 12 of the 13 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.3% shorter on snow across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter Craft WP52 had 3.5% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 6.8/10 for the Winter Craft WP52.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 7.3/10 for the Winter Craft WP52.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Winter Craft WP52 68% from 9.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was the dearer tire in 4 of them, by 16.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is made in 110 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Winter Craft WP52 in 84 (13 to 21 inch). 33 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Winter Craft 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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