Tests 70 · 6 tests Owners 51 · 17 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 11 in 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (snow handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Kumho WinterCraft WP71 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
X Ice Snow is ahead, 72–61
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Tests 70 · 13 tests Owners 75 · 19 reviews
Best test result: #4 of 14 in 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test (snow braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
54
Dry
X Ice Snow +1367Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP71 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 62 65 Reviews found online 41 70 Dry Braking (% of best) 97% 81% Dry Handling (% of best) 97% 92% -
66
Wet
X Ice Snow +369Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP71 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 75 64 Reviews found online 52 77 Wet Braking (% of best) 88% 72% Wet Handling (% of best) 95% 94% -
70
Snow
X Ice Snow +676Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP71 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 73 73 Reviews found online 65 80 Snow Braking (% of best) 97% 99% Snow Handling (% of best) 100% 98% -
55
Comfort
X Ice Snow +2580Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP71 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) – 82 Reviews found online 40 78 -
74
Noise
Level74Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP71 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 78 80 -
64
Treadwear
X Ice Snow +872Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP71 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 69 – Reviews found online 57 76 -
42
Handling
X Ice Snow +3274Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP71 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 42 74
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho WinterCraft WP71 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 61 | 72 |
| Dry | 54 | 67 |
| Wet | 66 | 69 |
| Snow | 70 | 76 |
| Comfort | 55 | 80 |
| Noise | 74 | 74 |
| Treadwear | 64 | 72 |
| Handling | 42 | 74 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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
61
/ 100
WinterCraft WP71
72
/ 100
X Ice Snow
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | WinterCraft WP71 | X Ice Snow | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% #11/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 81% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +16.7 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #9/10 · 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test | 92% #4/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | +4.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 86% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 97% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | −11.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #4/10 · 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | +1.1 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 82% #5/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 50% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +32.2 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 6% #16/45 · 2017 50 Winter Tyre Shoot Out | 17% #6/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −10.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% #15/30 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | 99% #4/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −2.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 98% #5/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +1.6 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #8/10 · 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test | 81% #13/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | +16.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 88% #8/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 72% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +16.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% #14/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 94% #7/8 · 2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A WinterCraft WP71
Pros
- Strong traction and braking performance in deep snow and slush
- Competitive price point compared to premium winter tire alternatives
- Predictable handling in dry winter conditions
Cons
- Excessive road noise, particularly at low to moderate speeds
- Vague or 'spongy' steering feedback and handling characteristics
- Inconsistent lateral grip and understeer issues on wet roads
Tire B X Ice Snow
Pros
- Exceptional traction and lateral grip in deep snow and slush
- High level of confidence and stability on icy surfaces
- Excellent tread life and durability over multiple seasons
Cons
- Average performance and handling on dry or wet pavement
- Increased road noise as the tires wear over time
- Can feel slightly 'twitchy' or less stable at the absolute limit of handling
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho WinterCraft WP71 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 2 | 100 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 18″ | 13″ – 21″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
61
/ 100
Kumho WinterCraft WP71
72
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
Winner: Michelin X Ice Snow — better handling, comfort and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 42 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 80 vs 55 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 67 vs 54 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 72 vs 64 on treadwear.
Tire A · Kumho WinterCraft WP71
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
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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.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.