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Kumho WinterCraft WP71 vs Yokohama W.drive V905 — 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 | WinterCraft WP71 | W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 88 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | WinterCraft WP71 | W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 83 |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | WinterCraft WP71 | W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 63 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | WinterCraft WP71 | W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 51 | 75 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | WinterCraft WP71 | W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 10 | – |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | WinterCraft WP71 | W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 86 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | WinterCraft WP71 | W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 53 | 83 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho WinterCraft WP71 | Yokohama W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 70 | 81 |
| Dry | 80 | 88 |
| Wet | 73 | 83 |
| Snow | 85 | 63 |
| Comfort | 51 | 75 |
| Noise | 10 | – |
| Treadwear | 73 | 86 |
| Handling | 53 | 83 |
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 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.
The Yokohama W drive V905 is generally regarded as a reliable, high-value winter tire that excels in snow and cold-weather traction. While most users praise its longevity and confidence-inspiring handling, a subset of drivers reports concerns regarding cabin noise and inconsistent performance in specific wet-weather conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and confidence in deep and fresh snow
- Impressive tread life and durability over multiple winter seasons
- Strong value proposition compared to premium competitors
- Predictable handling characteristics that provide good driver feedback
Cons
- Higher-than-average road noise levels at highway speeds
- Mixed performance in wet conditions, with some reports of aquaplaning sensitivity
- Potential for reduced grip when temperatures rise above 10-15°C
Observations
- Owners of rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicles, such as the BMW 3-series, reported surprisingly strong snow performance.
- Users noted the tire remains robust and structurally sound even when encountering significant road hazards like potholes.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho WinterCraft WP71 | B · Yokohama W.drive V905 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Ultra High Performance Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Kumho
Yokohama
Winner: Yokohama W.drive V905 — better handling, comfort and treadwear. Pick the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 if snow matters most to you.
Yokohama W.drive V905 scores 83 vs 53 on handling.
Yokohama W.drive V905 scores 75 vs 51 on comfort.
Kumho WinterCraft WP71 scores 85 vs 63 on snow.
Yokohama W.drive V905 scores 86 vs 73 on treadwear.
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.