Given
79%
while driving a
Ford Focus ST
(245/40 R18 W) on
a combination of roads
for 2,000
spirited miles
When it comes to "performance" winter tires, you don't really have much choice. There the Michelin Alpin and surely some equivalent from Pirelli and Goodyears but the Kumho wintercraft wp72 is the only middle-high tire available. At least where I am from (Canada). It offer very good wet, snow and ice performance while not being very soft like most of the winter tires. They tend to react like a summer tire without being as much grippy and direct. You do sacrifice snow/ice grip in exchange for performance but they do not alter the personality of the car like other non performance oriented tire do. They are literally half priced compared to the high end competition. So if money is not a criteria for you, they yes go with the high end but for 99% of us, it is a no brainer IF you a have spirited driving and a vehicle that offer some performance, otherwise a snow/ice winter dedicated tire is the way to go (saving money because the tire is not trying to sporty also).