Kumho WinterCraft WS71 review
The Kumho WinterCraft WS71 is generally regarded as a capable and cost-effective winter tire for SUVs, offering strong traction in snow, slush, and extreme cold. While many users report high satisfaction with its winter performance and longevity, some concerns regarding sidewall durability have been noted after extended seasonal use.
Owners rate it 9.6 points higher than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
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
74%By road tests
64.4%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 3 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Kumho WinterCraft WS71 is generally regarded as a capable and cost-effective winter tire for SUVs, offering strong traction in snow, slush, and extreme cold. While many users report high satisfaction with its winter performance and longevity, some concerns regarding sidewall durability have been noted after extended seasonal use.
Pros
- Excellent traction in snow and slush
- Strong performance in extreme cold temperatures
- Good value for the price point
- Solid tread life under normal driving conditions
Cons
- Reports of sidewall cracking or splitting after multiple seasons
- Functional limitations typical of dedicated winter compounds on dry pavement
- Potential for premature structural degradation
Worth knowing
- Users specifically recommend this tire for SUV applications, noting its stability in varied winter conditions.
- Owners of AWD vehicles, such as the Toyota Sienna, report high confidence in slushy and cold dry conditions over long-term use.
1 published test appearance
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2020 Winter tire Market Overview - 52 tire Braking Test · 245/45 R18
28th of 48
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 21st of 48 | |
| Snow Braking | 29th of 48 |