84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
83/100
10 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Kumho IZen KW23 vs Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 — 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%)
87/100
14 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Kumho IZen KW23 and Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 are within 2 points overall. Kumho IZen KW23 is stronger on handling and snow. Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 is stronger on dry, wet and treadwear.
Read full
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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)
Winter 210 Sottozero 2 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | IZen KW23 | Winter 210 Sottozero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 87 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter 210 Sottozero 2 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | IZen KW23 | Winter 210 Sottozero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 87 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
IZen KW23 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | IZen KW23 | Winter 210 Sottozero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 70 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
IZen KW23 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | IZen KW23 | Winter 210 Sottozero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 63 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter 210 Sottozero 2 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | IZen KW23 | Winter 210 Sottozero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 80 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
IZen KW23 leads by 36
Why this score
| Source | IZen KW23 | Winter 210 Sottozero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 40 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho IZen KW23 | Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 84 | 84 |
| Dry | 83 | 94 |
| Wet | 83 | 93 |
| Snow | 90 | 87 |
| Comfort | 85 | 84 |
| Noise | – | 98 |
| Treadwear | 86 | 91 |
| Handling | 76 | 40 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
84
/ 100
Tire A
84
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Kumho IZen KW23 is highly regarded by users for its exceptional performance in severe winter conditions, frequently outperforming more expensive competitors on snow and ice. While it provides significant confidence and traction in cold weather, some users note that its performance in dry or wet conditions is merely adequate and can be accompanied by increased road noise.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and handling on snow and ice
- Excellent value for money compared to premium brands
- Provides significant confidence for rear-wheel-drive vehicles in winter
- Improved ride comfort due to a softer compound
Cons
- Increased road noise levels
- Mediocre performance in wet, non-frozen conditions
- Potential for skidding if tire pressure is not strictly maintained
- Sidewall stiffness can vary depending on the specific tire size
Observations
- Rear-wheel-drive owners, particularly those with BMW models, reported a transformative improvement in winter drivability.
- Users noted that the tire performs effectively even on smaller, lighter vehicles like the Fiat Punto.
- One user observed that the 195/65/R15 size featured notably stiff, non-flexible sidewalls.
The Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in cold, wet, and slushy conditions, often maintaining a feel similar to summer tires. While users praise its confident handling and grip, some owners report significant road noise and concerns regarding the durability of the sidewalls.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and stability in wet and slushy conditions
- Strong performance in cold, dry temperatures
- Reliable traction in light to moderate snow
- Maintains consistent performance characteristics over several seasons
Cons
- Noticeably high levels of road noise compared to competitors
- Vulnerable sidewall construction prone to curb damage
- Premium price point may not align with the noise levels experienced by some users
Observations
- BMW owners frequently report the tire as a reliable, manufacturer-recommended choice for 3 and 5 series models.
- High-horsepower vehicles, such as modified Volvo S60s and Mustang GTs, report that the tire handles aggressive acceleration and cornering well for a winter compound.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho IZen KW23 | B · Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Touring tires | Winter High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
84
/ 100
Kumho
84
/ 100
Pirelli
Too close to call: Kumho IZen KW23 and Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 are within 2 points overall. Kumho IZen KW23 is stronger on handling and snow. Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 is stronger on dry, wet and treadwear.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Kumho IZen KW23 scores 76 vs 40 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 scores 94 vs 83 on dry.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 scores 93 vs 83 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 scores 91 vs 86 on treadwear.
Tire A · Kumho IZen KW23
Tire B · Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Kumho IZen KW23 also compared with
Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero 2 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.