Kumho IZen KW27 review
The Kumho IZen KW27 is a polarizing winter tire that excels in deep snow and ice, often surprising users with its durability and traction in severe conditions. However, it receives significant criticism for its performance in wet, slushy, or warmer winter conditions, where many drivers report a 'floaty' handling feel, reduced steering feedback, and a tendency for the vehicle to lose traction.
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
73%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 32 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Kumho IZen KW27 is a polarizing winter tire that excels in deep snow and ice, often surprising users with its durability and traction in severe conditions. However, it receives significant criticism for its performance in wet, slushy, or warmer winter conditions, where many drivers report a 'floaty' handling feel, reduced steering feedback, and a tendency for the vehicle to lose traction.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and braking performance on snow and ice
- High tread longevity and durability over long mileages
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Strong value proposition compared to premium European brands
Cons
- Poor wet-weather grip and high risk of hydroplaning
- Vague steering feedback and 'floaty' handling characteristics
- Performance drops significantly when temperatures rise above 8-10°C
- Requires a lengthy break-in period (300+ miles) to achieve optimal performance
Worth knowing
- Users with high-horsepower or performance-oriented vehicles (300+ bhp) frequently report issues with wet-weather traction and stability.
- Drivers of 4x4 and AWD vehicles (e.g., Honda CRV, Audi Quattro) generally report higher satisfaction with snow performance compared to FWD/RWD users.
- Some users noted that the tire's performance is highly dependent on being fitted as a full set of four, with mixed-tire setups leading to unpredictable handling.