77
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
76/100
26 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Kumho Solus KL21 vs Nexen WinGuard SUV — Compared (May 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
84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
83/100
9 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Nexen WinGuard SUV — better snow, wet and dry. Pick the Kumho Solus KL21 if handling 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)
WinGuard SUV leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Solus KL21 | WinGuard SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 79 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 80 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinGuard SUV leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | Solus KL21 | WinGuard SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 71 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 70 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinGuard SUV leads by 28
Why this score
| Source | Solus KL21 | WinGuard SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 45 | – |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinGuard SUV leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Solus KL21 | WinGuard SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 73 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 63 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
WinGuard SUV leads by 2
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinGuard SUV leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Solus KL21 | WinGuard SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 63 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 75 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Solus KL21 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Solus KL21 | WinGuard SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 55 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Solus KL21 | Nexen WinGuard SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 84 |
| Dry | 83 | 91 |
| Wet | 76 | 87 |
| Snow | 72 | 100 |
| Comfort | 76 | 81 |
| Noise | 86 | 88 |
| Treadwear | 81 | 83 |
| Handling | 61 | 55 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
77
/ 100
Tire A
84
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Kumho Solus KL21 is a polarizing tire that frequently serves as original equipment on SUVs and crossovers. While many owners report exceptional tread life and value, a significant subset of users expresses concerns regarding road noise, inconsistent grip in adverse weather, and premature structural degradation.
Pros
- Exceptional tread longevity and durability, with some users reporting over 60,000 miles of use.
- Strong value proposition as a cost-effective alternative to premium tire brands.
- Generally reliable performance in dry, warm-weather conditions.
- Consistent ride comfort for daily commuting and long-distance driving.
Cons
- Reports of excessive road noise and a harsh ride quality.
- Poor traction and braking performance in snow, ice, or cold conditions.
- Inconsistent quality control, with isolated reports of tire deformation or premature wear.
- Lack of confidence-inspiring grip during emergency braking maneuvers.
Observations
- Users with mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento report highly variable experiences, ranging from extreme longevity to early failure.
- The tire is frequently noted as a standard OEM fitment for Korean-manufactured SUVs, which influences user expectations regarding replacement intervals.
The Nexen WinGuard SUV is highly regarded by users for its exceptional winter traction and surprising durability compared to premium competitors. Owners frequently highlight its reliable performance in deep snow and icy conditions, noting that it provides a quiet, comfortable ride that exceeds expectations for its price point.
Pros
- Superior traction in heavy snow and icy conditions
- Excellent tread life and durability
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality
- High value-for-money proposition
Cons
- Limited availability of studded options for extreme ice
- Potential for performance degradation if used heavily in high-heat summer conditions
- Limited size availability in certain niche markets
Observations
- Minivan owners in heavy-snow regions report significant improvements in winter confidence compared to premium alternatives.
- 4x4 and truck owners report reliable performance when towing or navigating steep, unpaved mountain terrain.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Solus KL21 | B · Nexen WinGuard SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season Touring tires | Winter Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | SUV and 4x4 |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
77
/ 100
Kumho
84
/ 100
Nexen
Winner: Nexen WinGuard SUV — better snow, wet and dry. Pick the Kumho Solus KL21 if handling matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Nexen WinGuard SUV scores 100 vs 72 on snow.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Nexen WinGuard SUV scores 87 vs 76 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Nexen WinGuard SUV scores 91 vs 83 on dry.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Kumho Solus KL21 scores 61 vs 55 on handling.
Tire A · Kumho Solus KL21
Tire B · Nexen WinGuard SUV
More comparisons
Also compared with
Kumho Solus KL21 also compared with
Nexen WinGuard SUV 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.