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Falken Eurowinter HS439 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | Eurowinter HS439 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 67 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Eurowinter HS439 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 61 |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Eurowinter HS439 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 60 | 78 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Eurowinter HS439 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 51 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Eurowinter HS439 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 10 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Eurowinter HS439 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 73 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Eurowinter HS439 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 53 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Falken Eurowinter HS439 | Kumho WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 70 |
| Dry | 86 | 80 |
| Wet | 83 | 73 |
| Snow | 60 | 85 |
| Comfort | 77 | 51 |
| Noise | – | 10 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 73 |
| Handling | 81 | 53 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Falken Eurowinter HS439 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that excels in deep snow and icy conditions, offering performance comparable to premium brands at a lower price point. While users appreciate its predictable handling and durability, many note that the design feels dated, particularly regarding wet-weather braking and overall refinement compared to modern alternatives.
Pros
- Excellent traction and confidence on snow and ice
- High value-for-money proposition
- Good tread longevity and durability
- Predictable and progressive handling characteristics
Cons
- Mediocre wet-weather braking performance
- Increased road noise compared to summer tires
- Susceptibility to sidewall damage on poor road surfaces
- Dated performance characteristics compared to newer tire generations
Observations
- Users noted that the tire requires a 'run-in' period of several hundred miles before reaching optimal grip levels.
- Drivers of rear-wheel-drive vehicles reported significant improvements in winter mobility, though some noted concerns regarding sidewall robustness on pothole-prone roads.
The Kumho WinterCraft WP71 receives a polarized reception, with users frequently praising its competent snow and slush performance while expressing significant dissatisfaction regarding road noise and wet-weather handling. While some drivers find it a capable budget-friendly winter option, others report vague steering feedback and a lack of confidence in cornering, particularly on wet surfaces.
Pros
- Strong traction and braking performance in deep snow and slush
- Competitive price point compared to premium winter tire alternatives
- Predictable handling in dry winter conditions
- Generally satisfactory tread wear longevity
Cons
- Excessive road noise, particularly at low to moderate speeds
- Vague or 'spongy' steering feedback and handling characteristics
- Inconsistent lateral grip and understeer issues on wet roads
- Poor performance on ice compared to premium competitors
Observations
- Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles, such as the Mazda 3 MPS, reported significant handling instability and a lack of precision.
- AWD vehicle owners, such as those with a Kia Sportage, reported higher satisfaction with snow and ice traction than those with FWD setups.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Falken Eurowinter HS439 | B · Kumho WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Falken
Kumho
Winner: Falken Eurowinter HS439 — better handling, comfort and wet. Pick the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 if snow matters most to you.
Falken Eurowinter HS439 scores 81 vs 53 on handling.
Falken Eurowinter HS439 scores 77 vs 51 on comfort.
Kumho WinterCraft WP71 scores 85 vs 60 on snow.
Falken Eurowinter HS439 scores 83 vs 73 on wet.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.