84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
85/100
35 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Falken EuroWinter HS449 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.
VS
70
/ 100
Objective (60%)
76/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
61/100
17 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Falken EuroWinter HS449 — better comfort, handling and wet. Pick the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 if snow matters most to you.
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Category breakdown
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
Score (0–100)
EuroWinter HS449 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | EuroWinter HS449 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 67 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
EuroWinter HS449 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | EuroWinter HS449 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 61 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterCraft WP71 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | EuroWinter HS449 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 78 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
EuroWinter HS449 leads by 33
Why this score
| Source | EuroWinter HS449 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 51 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | EuroWinter HS449 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 10 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
EuroWinter HS449 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | EuroWinter HS449 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 73 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
EuroWinter HS449 leads by 24
Why this score
| Source | EuroWinter HS449 | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 53 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Falken EuroWinter HS449 | Kumho WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 84 | 70 |
| Dry | 85 | 80 |
| Wet | 87 | 73 |
| Snow | 80 | 85 |
| Comfort | 84 | 51 |
| Noise | – | 10 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 73 |
| Handling | 77 | 53 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
84
/ 100
Tire A
70
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 11% #9/17 · 2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tyre Test | 10% #10/45 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | +1.1 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Falken Eurowinter HS449 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that offers impressive performance in snow, ice, and wet conditions. While most users praise its affordability and reliability in harsh climates, a minority of drivers report inconsistent traction on steep inclines and occasional issues with high-speed stability.
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio compared to premium brands
- Strong traction and confidence-inspiring grip in deep snow and slush
- Effective water dispersal and hydroplaning resistance in wet conditions
- Good dry road handling and comfort for a winter-specific compound
Cons
- Reports of inconsistent grip on steep, snow-covered inclines
- Potential for vibrations or handling instability at high speeds
- Faster-than-expected tread wear for some users
- Occasional noise levels noted by some drivers
Observations
- Users with AWD vehicles, particularly Subaru Outbacks, report highly consistent and 'rail-like' performance in deep snow.
- Drivers of lighter vehicles (e.g., Renault Clio) report excellent snow performance, suggesting the tire is well-suited for smaller, lighter platforms.
- Some users noted that the tire's performance on steep hills can be polarizing, with success often depending on the vehicle's drivetrain and weight distribution.
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.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Falken EuroWinter HS449 | B · Kumho WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
84
/ 100
Falken
70
/ 100
Kumho
Winner: Falken EuroWinter HS449 — better comfort, handling and wet. Pick the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 if snow matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Falken EuroWinter HS449 scores 84 vs 51 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Falken EuroWinter HS449 scores 77 vs 53 on handling.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Falken EuroWinter HS449 scores 87 vs 73 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Falken EuroWinter HS449 scores 85 vs 73 on treadwear.
Tire A · Falken EuroWinter HS449
Tire B · Kumho WinterCraft WP71
More comparisons
Also compared with
Falken EuroWinter HS449 also compared with
Kumho WinterCraft WP71 also compared with
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.