Kumho IZen KW23 review
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.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
83%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 10 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
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
Worth knowing
- 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.