Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ vs Toyo Observe EWS1
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ finished ahead 2 times and the Observe EWS1 not once. The WinterCraft WP52+ was stronger in snow, the Observe EWS1 in dry, wet and value.
Performance profile
5 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
WinterCraft WP52+
Observe EWS1
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
WinterCraft 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
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. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | WinterCraft WP52+ | Gap | Observe EWS1 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Observe EWS1 ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 142 | 2.2% | 138 | 0-2 |
| Dry Handling mph | 71.1 | 0.2% | 71.3 | 0-1 |
| Wet Observe EWS1 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 165 | 1% | 163 | 0-2 |
| Wet Handling mph | 51.3 | 0.4% | 51.1 | 1-0 |
| Wet Circle s | 12.43 | 2.1% | 12.17 | 0-1 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 47.2 | = | 47.2 | 0-0 |
| Curved Aquaplaning ft/s² | 7.6 | 9.1% | 8.3 | 0-1 |
| Snow WinterCraft WP52+ ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 88 | 5.2% | 93 | 2-0 |
| Snow Traction lbf | 560 | 5.9% | 529 | 1-0 |
| Snow Handling mph | 36.7 | 6.9% | 34.4 | 1-0 |
| Snow Slalom ft/s² | 9.5 | 10.7% | 8.6 | 1-0 |
| Comfort Level | ||||
| Subj. Comfort pts | scored | 9% | scored | 0-1 |
| Noise dB | 65.7 | 1.3 dB | 67 | 1-0 |
| Value Observe EWS1 ahead | ||||
| Wear miles | 25,894 | 5.2% | 27,365 | 1-1 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 8.87 | 1.1% | 8.77 | 0-2 |
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 2 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 | WinterCraft WP52+ | Field | Observe EWS1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 AvD Winter Tire Test | P6 of 15 | P12 of 15 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P3 of 20 | P16 of 20 |
WinterCraft WP52+ vs Observe EWS1: your questions
Is the Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ or the Toyo Observe EWS1 the better tire?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ finished ahead 2 times and the Observe EWS1 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterCraft WP52+ scores 9.3 and the Observe EWS1 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterCraft WP52+ or the Observe EWS1?
The Observe EWS1 led 4 of the 6 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Observe EWS1 led 3 of the 3 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.2% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The WinterCraft WP52+ led 5 of the 5 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.2% shorter on snow across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Observe EWS1 had 1.1% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.3/10 for the WinterCraft WP52+ and 8.5/10 for the Observe EWS1.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the WinterCraft WP52+ and 7/10 for the Observe EWS1.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterCraft WP52+ 91% from 6 reviews and the Observe EWS1 85% from 2.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Observe EWS1 was the dearer tire in 1 of them, by 3.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The WinterCraft WP52+ is made in 115 sizes (13 to 21 inch) and the Observe EWS1 in 79 (15 to 21 inch). 48 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the WinterCraft WP52+ is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Observe EWS1 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The WinterCraft WP52+ is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the Observe EWS1 in 2024.
More comparisons with these tires
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.