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Kumho WinterCraft WP71 Test Results

Tested 2016 to 2019 6 publications

Tested 9 times by independent publications, the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 averages a finish of 11th. Its strongest discipline is Dry Braking, beating 73% of the field across 5 tests; its weakest is Dry Handling, at 6% across 5 tests.

  • 9Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 11thAverage finish
  • 35%Field beaten on average
  • 6Publications
Kumho WinterCraft WP71

9 tests, 2016 to 2019

0%50%100%201620172019Average 35%2016 AZ Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2016): P11 of 14, Beat 23% of the field2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test (2017): P9 of 10, Beat 11% of the field2017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tire Test (2017): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017): P12 of 20, Beat 42% of the field2017 50 Winter Tire Shoot Out (2017): P16 of 50, Beat 66% of the field2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2017): P8 of 10, Beat 22% of the field2019 Winter Tire Test Market Overview (2019): P10 of 53, Beat 80% of the field2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test (2019): P20 of 20, Beat 0% of the field2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tire Test (2019): P7 of 11, Beat 40% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 35%
The latest test

2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tire Test P7 of 11

Strong: Snow Braking, Snow Handling Weak: Dry Handling Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

Record by discipline

Where the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking Strong 5 P5 of 15 73% -
Dry Handling Weak 5 P14.2 of 15 6% -
Wet
Wet Braking 6 P7.8 of 19.8 54% -
Wet Handling 5 P10 of 15 32% -
Straight Aqua 5 P10 of 14.8 35% -
Snow
Snow Braking 6 P10.8 of 17.5 43% -
Snow Handling 5 P9 of 14.4 47% 1
Comfort
Noise 5 P5.2 of 15 67% -
Value
Wear 2 P12.5 of 20 39% -
Value 2 P8.5 of 20 61% -
Rolling Resistance 5 P10 of 15 35% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Kumho WinterCraft WP71. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 7 shared: 2 ahead, 5 behind 7 2 5 - 29%
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 6 shared: 1 ahead, 5 behind 6 1 5 - 17%
Uniroyal MS+ 77 5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind 5 3 2 - 60%
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind 5 2 3 - 40%
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 5 shared: 1 ahead, 4 behind 5 1 4 - 20%
Semperit Speed Grip 3 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Continental WinterContact TS 860 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Cooper Weather Master SA2+ 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Sava Eskimo HP2 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Hankook Winter i cept RS2 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Hankook Winter i cept evo2 4 shared: 1 ahead, 3 behind 4 1 3 - 25%
Michelin Alpin 5 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Kleber Krisalp HP3 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Maxxis Arctictrekker WP05 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Toyo Snowprox S954 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Firestone Winterhawk 3 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Nokian WR A4 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%
Nokian WR D4 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 9 tests. Updated October 13, 2025.

Kumho WinterCraft WP71 shows a split personality: frequent excellence in specific sub-tests (notably snow handling and dry braking) but inconsistent all-round performance that drags down overall rankings. It delivers standout snow handling/grip in UHP sizes and often strong dry braking/noise/value results, yet recurrent weaknesses in dry handling, aquaplaning, rolling resistance, and occasionally wear keep it mid-to-lower table across diverse tests and sizes.

Overall, the WP71 suits drivers prioritizing snow traction and short dry stopping in winter conditions, but it lags in dynamic handling precision and efficiency. Variability across sizes is evident-good showings in 19-inch UHP snow/dry braking contrast with weaker 17-18 inch comprehensive tests-limiting its consistency versus top-tier competitors.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Dry Handling Strong in 4 of 6 tests
    Details
    • 12th/12 in dry handling in 2019 19-inch (+4.8% from best)
    • 21st/21 in dry handling in 2019 AB 17-inch (+5.3% from best)
    • 19th/21 in dry handling in 2017 AB 225/50 R17 (+5.2% from best)
    • 9th/10 in dry handling in 2017 AMS 18-inch (+2.6% from best)
  • Aquaplaning/Water Evacuation Moderate
    Details
    • Straight aqua 20th/21 in 2017 AB (+9.1% from best)
    • Straight aqua 9th/11 in 2017 SUV (+10.5% from best)
    • Straight aqua 8th/10 in 2017 AMS (+3.1% from best)
  • Rolling Resistance/Efficiency Strong
    Details
    • 10th/10 rolling resistance in 2017 AMS (+27.3% from best)
    • 21st/21 rolling resistance in 2019 AB 17-inch (+34.5% from best)
    • 8th/12 rolling resistance in 2019 19-inch (+16% from best)
  • Wear/Longevity Moderate
    Details
    • 20th/20 wear in 2019 AB 17-inch (+31.2% from best, nearly 15,000 km sooner than Michelin)
  • Wet Handling (overall dynamics) Moderate
    Details
    • 10th/12 wet handling in 2019 19-inch (+4.9% from best)
    • 9th/11 wet handling in 2017 SUV (+4.9% from best)
    • 15th/21 wet handling in 2017 AB (+7% from best)
  • Snow Braking Consistency (non-UHP sizes) Minor
    Details
    • 19th/21 snow braking in 2017 AB (+12.7% from best)
    • 15th/21 snow braking in 2019 AB 17-inch (+3.3% from best)
  • Dry grip Moderate in 2 of 6 tests
    Details
  • Wet braking Moderate in 2 of 6 tests
    Details
  • Behavior at the limit Moderate in 2 of 6 tests
    Details
  • Wet grip Moderate in 2 of 6 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 (6 tests) and 13 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Snow traction strength in 1 of 6 tests 7 praise, 2 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Snow braking strength in 2 of 6 tests 3 praise, 0 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Steering feel weakness in 1 of 6 tests 1 praise, 3 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Dry grip weakness in 2 of 6 tests 4 praise, 1 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

Every test, newest first 9

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2019 3 tests
P20 of 20 Beat 0% of the field

2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test

Auto Bild 225/45 R17

Conditionally recommended

WeakDry HandlingWearRolling Resistance WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

2017 5 tests
P12 of 20 Beat 42% of the field

2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

Auto Bild 225/50 R17

Average.

WeakStraight Aqua WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

P9 of 10 Beat 11% of the field

2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tire Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 225/40 R18

Recommended with restrictions

StrongDry Braking WeakDry HandlingRolling Resistance WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850 P

2016 1 test

Back to the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 overview

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