Kumho Winter Craft WP52 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Across five shared professional tests from 2023-2025, the Michelin consistently finished at or near the top, sweeping all five overall comparisons. The Kumho often delivered competent, safe behaviour-particularly on dry roads and with decent snow ability for its class-but struggled to match Michelin's across-the-board pace, especially in wet and snow metrics where stopping distances and handling margins matter most.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been five tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | five |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is better than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Strong value proposition with significantly lower purchase price
- Competent dry braking and stable, safe general road manners
- Occasional aquaplaning strengths (notably curved aquaplaning in one test)
- Acceptable rolling resistance for the class
- Class-leading snow performance (braking, traction, handling)
- Excellent wet grip and braking with strong aquaplaning resistance
- Consistently high dry performance and precise, sporty handling
- Lower noise and slightly better rolling resistance in multiple tests
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 2.05% less distance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.9% faster around a lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.86% faster around a lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performed equally well in subj. dry handling tests.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 3.13% less distance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 4.42% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.18% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performed equally well in subj. wet handling tests.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 1.63% faster around a wet circle than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 floated at a 3.32% higher speed than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 slipped out at a 4.87% higher speed than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during five snow braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 6.27% less distance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 accelerated 7.36% faster than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had 5.9% better snow traction than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.92% faster around a lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.81% faster around a lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scored 8% more points than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 5.09% faster through a slalom than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scored 10% more points than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 measured 2% quieter than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Noise: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during one price tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 cost 40.43% less than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Price: Kumho Winter Craft WP52
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had a 2.79% lower rolling resistance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Kumho Winter Craft WP52 Driver Reviews
Drivers find the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 to deliver strong dry grip and handling with generally good snow traction, making it a solid value purchase. Wet performance is adequate but not standout, with several users noting longer wet braking distances or a vague feel. Noise can be higher than average for some, though overall comfort is acceptable. Overall sentiment is moderately positive with a few recurring caveats in the wet.
Based on 8 reviews with an average rating of 69%
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 for delivering near-summer-tyre performance in winter, with excellent dry and wet grip, precise handling, and strong stability. Snow traction is reported as confidently good (especially on packed or light snow), and several high-scoring reviews note impressive tread life. However, multiple users caution that ice traction and braking are weaker than dedicated snow/ice tyres, and the firm sidewall can make the ride feel harsh for some. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, especially for moderate winters and performance-oriented driving.
Based on 29 reviews with an average rating of 86%
Conclusion
The Kumho WP52 remains a sensible, budget-conscious option with good general manners, competitive dry braking, and occasional strengths (e.g., curved aquaplaning in one test). If you're cost-led and drive mostly urban or mild-winter routes, it gets the job done. But for drivers facing mixed conditions, frequent wet, or reliable snow, the Pilot Alpin 5 is the clear benchmark despite its higher price-offering the broadest performance envelope and the most consistent safety margin.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Michelin won all 5 shared tests; Kumho had none
- Snow braking advantage: Michelin typically 6-8% shorter stopping distances
- Wet braking/handling: Michelin leads in 4 of 5 wet braking results and all comparative wet handling sets
- Aquaplaning: Michelin stronger in straight-line; Kumho had one curved aquaplaning win
- Noise/comfort: Michelin notably quieter and subjectively more comfortable
- Price: Kumho roughly 40% cheaper in the direct price point provided
Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.