Kumho Winter Craft WP52 vs Toyo Observe EWS1
Ahead in each discipline
The Kumho Winter Craft WP52 and the Toyo Observe EWS1 have met in one independent test so far, and the Winter Craft WP52 finished ahead. The Winter Craft WP52 was stronger in snow, the Observe EWS1 in wet.
Performance profile
Their shared test recorded too few of the same measurements to chart, so the chart starts from each tire's Tire Reviews Score categories: its whole record, not the shared test.
Where each scores higher
Winter Craft WP52
Observe EWS1
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.
Every measurement, side by side
Both tires' figures from the one test that ran them together, on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The bar grows towards the tire that did better.
| Measurement | Winter Craft WP52 | Gap | Observe EWS1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Observe EWS1 ahead | |||
| Wet Braking ft | 110 | 0.6% | 109 |
| Snow Winter Craft WP52 ahead | |||
| Snow Braking ft | 93 | 4.7% | 97 |
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.
Head to head in 1 test in 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 | Winter Craft WP52 | Field | Observe EWS1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P4 of 51 | P8 of 51 |
Winter Craft WP52 vs Observe EWS1: your questions
Is the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 or the Toyo Observe EWS1 the better tire?
The Kumho Winter Craft WP52 and the Toyo Observe EWS1 have met in one independent test so far, and the Winter Craft WP52 finished ahead. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter Craft WP52 scores 8.3 and the Observe EWS1 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter Craft WP52 or the Observe EWS1?
The Observe EWS1 led 1 of the 1 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Winter Craft WP52 led 1 of the 1 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.3/10 for the Winter Craft WP52 and 7/10 for the Observe EWS1.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter Craft WP52 68% from 9 reviews and the Observe EWS1 85% from 2.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winter Craft WP52 is made in 84 sizes (13 to 21 inch) and the Observe EWS1 in 79 (15 to 21 inch). 39 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winter Craft WP52 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Observe EWS1 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.