Tests 68 · 20 tests Owners 60 · 6 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test (straight aquaplaning)
Head-to-head
Updated
Firestone Winterhawk 4 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 20 + 5 road tests and 6 + 6 owner reviews. How we score
WinterCraft WP52 plus is ahead, 79–64
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Tests 78 · 5 tests Owners 81 · 6 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 3 tests that measured wet braking for both, Winterhawk 4 won 0 and WinterCraft WP52 plus won 3 (average 86% vs 91% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured snow braking for both, Winterhawk 4 won 3 and WinterCraft WP52 plus won 0 (average 98% vs 97% of the best).
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49
Dry
WinterCraft WP52 plus +3382Why this score
Source Winterhawk 4 WinterCraft WP52 plus Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 4 tests 45 82 Reviews found online 56 83 Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 91% 98% Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 97% 99% Winterhawk 4: 60% × 45.2 + 40% × 55.7 = 49
WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 81.7 + 40% × 83.2 = 82
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79
Wet
WinterCraft WP52 plus +988Why this score
Source Winterhawk 4 WinterCraft WP52 plus Professional tests (TWG score) · 20 / 5 tests 90 90 Reviews found online 63 87 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 80% 86% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 96% 97% Wet Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 86% 91% Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 96% 96% Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 95% 97% Winterhawk 4: 60% × 89.8 + 40% × 62.8 = 79
WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 89.5 + 40% × 86.5 = 88
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73
Snow
WinterCraft WP52 plus +376Why this score
Source Winterhawk 4 WinterCraft WP52 plus Professional tests (TWG score) · 20 / 5 tests 80 75 Reviews found online 62 79 Snow Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 98% 97% Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 98% 99% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 98% Snow Traction (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 98% 95% Winterhawk 4: 60% × 80.3 + 40% × 62.3 = 73
WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 74.7 + 40% × 78.8 = 76
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59
Comfort
WinterCraft WP52 plus +1877Why this score
Source Winterhawk 4 WinterCraft WP52 plus Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests 59 74 Reviews found online 59 79 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 85% 91% Winterhawk 4: 40% × 58.9 + 60% × 58.7 = 59
WinterCraft WP52 plus: 40% × 73.6 + 60% × 78.9 = 77
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76
Noise
Winterhawk 4 +1462Why this score
Source Winterhawk 4 WinterCraft WP52 plus Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 3 tests 82 59 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 98% 98% Winterhawk 4: 60% × 82.1 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 76
WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 59 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 62
No owner ratings of noise for Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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58
Treadwear
WinterCraft WP52 plus +1674Why this score
Source Winterhawk 4 WinterCraft WP52 plus Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 4 tests 57 74 Reviews found online 60 75 Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 86% 88% Winterhawk 4: 60% × 56.5 + 40% × 60.4 = 58
WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 73.5 + 40% × 75.4 = 74
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52
Handling (owners)
WinterCraft WP52 plus +3183Why this score
Source Winterhawk 4 WinterCraft WP52 plus Reviews found online 52 83 -
72
Efficiency
Winterhawk 4 +864Why this score
Source Winterhawk 4 WinterCraft WP52 plus Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 4 tests 72 64 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 94% 93%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Firestone Winterhawk 4 | Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 64 | 79 |
| Dry | 49 | 82 |
| Wet | 79 | 88 |
| Snow | 73 | 76 |
| Comfort | 59 | 77 |
| Noise | 76 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 58 | 74 |
| Handling (owners) | 52 | 83 |
| Efficiency | 72 | 64 |
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
64
/ 100
Winterhawk 4
79
/ 100
WinterCraft WP52 plus
The professional test results behind the scores
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
In the overall rankings of 3 tests that ran both, Firestone Winterhawk 4 finished ahead 0 times and Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus 3 times.
| Discipline | Category | Winterhawk 4 | WinterCraft WP52 plus | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 91% | 98% | −6.8 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% | 99% | −1.9 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 80% | 86% | −5.9 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 97% | −0.7 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% | 91% | −5.4 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 96% #11/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 95% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 96% | 96% | −0.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% | 97% | −1.2 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 94% #6/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 90% #11/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% | 97% | +1.4 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% | 99% | −1.2 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 99% | 98% | +1.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 98% | 95% | +2.4 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 85% | 91% | −5.5 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 98% | +0.1 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 69% #23/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 66% #11/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 86% | 88% | −2.7 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 98% #12/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 95% #14/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 94% | 93% | +1.3 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #4/20 | #8/20 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 72% | 77% | −5.5 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #16/20 | #8/20 | – | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Winterhawk 4
Pros
- Competitive pricing offering great value compared to premium brands
- Good traction and performance in rain and snow conditions
- Comfortable and exceptionally quiet ride quality
Cons
- Steering feel can be relatively numb compared to ultra-high-performance summer tires
- Potential quality control issues or manufacturing defects leading to difficult wheel balancing and vibration at high speeds
- Mixed performance potential compared to top-tier premium winter alternatives
Tire B WinterCraft WP52 plus
Pros
- Exceptional wet and dry grip performance rivaling premium tier competitors
- High level of ride comfort and compliance compared to factory run-flats
- Remarkably low road noise, often quieter than summer tires
Cons
- Not recommended for extreme winter conditions where alternative budget brands like Barum might be better suited
- Slightly less brand prestige compared to tier-one European or Japanese manufacturers
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Firestone Winterhawk 4 | B · Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
| Sizes available | 76 | — |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 20″ | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
64
/ 100
Firestone Winterhawk 4
79
/ 100
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus
Winner: Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus — better dry, handling and comfort. Pick the Firestone Winterhawk 4 if noise and efficiency matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus scores 82 vs 49 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus scores 83 vs 52 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus scores 77 vs 59 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus scores 74 vs 58 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is snow braking
Firestone Winterhawk 4 won 3 of 3 shared snow braking tests.
Tire A · Firestone Winterhawk 4
Tire B · Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus
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Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus?
Which is better in the wet, Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus?
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus, 88 vs 79 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus?
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus, 82 vs 49 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus?
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus, 76 vs 73 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus?
Firestone Winterhawk 4, 76 vs 62 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus?
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus, 77 vs 59 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus?
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus, 74 vs 58 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Winterhawk 4 or WinterCraft WP52 plus?
Firestone Winterhawk 4, 72 vs 64 on our efficiency score.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology