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Kumho Winter Craft WP51 Test Results

Tested 2014 to 2021 5 publications

Tested 13 times by independent publications, the Kumho Winter Craft WP51 averages a finish of 16th.

  • 13Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 16thAverage finish
  • 27%Field beaten on average
  • 5Publications
Kumho Winter Craft WP51

13 tests, 2014 to 2021

0%50%100%2014201520162017201820192021Average 27%2014 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15 (2014): P10 of 14, Beat 31% of the field2015 Winter Tyre Market Overview (2015): P26 of 51, Beat 50% of the field2015 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2015): P15 of 19, Beat 22% of the field2016 Winter Tyre Market Overview (2016): P30 of 49, Beat 31% of the field2017 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15 (2017): P14 of 16, Beat 13% of the field2017 AC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (2017): P7 of 8, Beat 14% of the field2018 51 Winter Tyre Shootout (2018): P23 of 52, Beat 57% of the field2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 (2018): P12 of 16, Beat 27% of the field2018 ACE All Season and Winter Tyre Test (2018): P7 of 12, Beat 45% of the field2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test (2018): P11 of 11, Beat 0% of the field2019 ADAC 185/65 R15 Winter Tyre Test (2019): P11 of 16, Beat 20% of the field2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview (2021): P31 of 50, Beat 38% of the field2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tyre Test (2021): P16 of 16, Beat 0% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 27%

Record by discipline

Where the Kumho Winter Craft WP51 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 2 P7.5 of 9.5 29% -
Dry Handling 1 P10 of 11 10% -
Wet
Wet Braking 3 P15.7 of 22.7 31% -
Wet Handling 2 P8.5 of 9.5 14% -
Straight Aqua 2 P6 of 9.5 41% -
Snow
Snow Braking 3 P13 of 18 34% -
Snow Traction 1 P8 of 8 0% -
Snow Handling 1 P5 of 11 60% -
Ice
Ice Braking 1 P4 of 8 57% -
Ice Traction 1 P3 of 8 71% -
Ice Handling 1 P8 of 8 0% -
Comfort
Noise 1 P1 of 11 100% 1
Value
Rolling Resistance 2 P8.5 of 9.5 14% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Kumho Winter Craft WP51. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 10 shared: 0 ahead, 10 behind 10 0 10 - 0%
Vredestein Snowtrac 5 8 shared: 1 ahead, 7 behind 8 1 7 - 13%
Continental WinterContact TS 860 8 shared: 0 ahead, 8 behind 8 0 8 - 0%
Nokian WR D4 8 shared: 0 ahead, 8 behind 8 0 8 - 0%
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 7 shared: 2 ahead, 5 behind 7 2 5 - 29%
Hankook Winter i cept RS2 7 shared: 0 ahead, 7 behind 7 0 7 - 0%
Nexen Winguard Snow G WH2 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Michelin Alpin 5 6 shared: 0 ahead, 6 behind 6 0 6 - 0%
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 5 shared: 1 ahead, 4 behind 5 1 4 - 20%
Matador MP 92 Sibir Snow 5 shared: 1 ahead, 4 behind 5 1 4 - 20%
Falken Eurowinter HS01 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Kleber Krisalp HP3 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Uniroyal MS+ 77 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Yokohama W drive V905 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Dunlop Winter Response 2 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Firestone Winterhawk 3 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Kleber Krisalp HP2 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Barum Polaris 3 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Semperit Speed Grip 2 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%

Against its own line

The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.

Tyre Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Kumho Winter Craft WP51 This tyre 13 0 16th 27%
Kumho Winter Craft WP52 Successor 11 0 11th 47%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 13 tests. Updated October 15, 2025.

Across 13 winter tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP51 shows predominantly lower-mid to bottom-tier performance with an average position of 16.4. Results cluster toward weak wet and dry performance, particularly in the 2018 AMS test where it finished last overall with bottom results in wet braking/handling and rolling resistance. Snow capability is inconsistent: it recorded some respectable snow results (e.g., top-5 snow braking/handling in AMS 2018), but also bottom finishes in other snow metrics (AutoCentrum 2017). Noise and price occasionally stand out positively, but do not offset broader dynamic deficits.

Overall, the WP51 lacks consistency against modern competitors, with recurring weaknesses in wet grip and efficiency. It has isolated bright spots in snow and comfort/value, yet repeated lower-quarter finishes and a last place in a flagship ADAC/AMS context indicate an aging pattern outclassed by newer designs.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    Details
    • 11/11 wet braking in 2018 AMS (+24.2% from best)
    • 11/11 wet handling in 2018 AMS (+10.3% from best)
    • 32/49 wet braking in 2021 Auto Bild Market Overview (+17.8% from best)
  • Overall Competitiveness Strong
    Details
    • 16/16 overall in 2021 ADAC 15-inch test
    • 11/11 overall in 2018 AMS
    • Average overall position 16.4 across 13 tests
  • Rolling Resistance/Efficiency Moderate
    Details
    • 11/11 rolling resistance in 2018 AMS (+28.1% from best)
    • 6/8 rolling resistance in 2017 AutoCentrum (+11% from best)
  • Dry Performance Moderate
    Details
    • 11/11 dry braking in 2018 AMS (+9.8% from best)
    • 10/11 dry handling in 2018 AMS (+3.1% from best)
  • Ice/Snow Consistency Moderate
    Details
    • 8/8 snow braking and 8/8 snow traction in 2017 AutoCentrum (+7.5% and +12.7% from best)
    • 8/8 ice handling in 2017 AutoCentrum (+17.1% from best)
  • Dry grip Strong in 3 of 3 tests
    Details
  • Wet grip Strong in 3 of 3 tests
    Details
  • Rolling resistance Strong in 2 of 3 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Kumho Winter Craft WP51 (3 tests) and 13 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Snow traction strength in 3 of 3 tests 6 praise, 1 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Wet grip weakness in 3 of 3 tests 5 praise, 2 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre

  • Road noise no test mentions it 1 praise, 3 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Snow handling no test mentions it 3 praise, 1 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Tread life no test mentions it 3 praise, 1 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Value for money no test mentions it 4 praise, 0 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Ride comfort no test mentions it 3 praise, 0 criticise of 13 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 13

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2021 2 tests
2019 1 test
2018 4 tests
P11 of 11 Beat 0% of the field

2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 205/55 R16

Conditionally recommended.

StrongNoise WeakDry BrakingDry HandlingWet BrakingWet HandlingRolling Resistance WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

2017 2 tests
2016 1 test
2015 2 tests
2014 1 test

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