Narrowly trailing the leaders, the Kumho WinterCraft ice Wi32 has earned a commendable spot, even surpassing competitors like Continental, Pirelli, and Bridgestone. This tire excels on ice, providing reliable traction during braking and maneuvering, with a stable, predictable response in various conditions. On snow, while the steering sensitivity isn’t remarkable, it performs consistently without unpleasant surprises. However, on asphalt, grip can be limited, with a tendency for the front wheels to slide during sudden maneuvers. Audible stud noise and less-than-ideal directional stability round out its performance, making it a strong contender for icy roads despite some trade-offs.

Kumho tires delivered strong results on both ice and snow, although getting through deep snow proved more challenging than their aggressive tread might suggest. They offer notable acoustic comfort, and AR testers highlighted the secure stud retention. However, they recorded the longest braking distance on wet surfaces among all tires in the test.

The Kumho shines for its braking and controllability on icy terrains. It also boasts a good performance on snowy roads. However, its noise levels and comfort on uneven asphalt might be a concern for some.

• Pros: Exceptional braking on ice and control on icy and snowy roads.
• Cons: Noise levels and discomfort on rugged roads.

The Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 is a studded tire that shows decent performance in ice and snow conditions, with respectable scores in ice braking, handling on ice, and snow handling. However, it significantly underperforms in wet handling and has extremely poor resistance to straight aquaplaning, indicating substantial weaknesses in wet conditions. Additionally, its performance on dry pavement is below average, and the tire offers minimal comfort. The increased stud protrusion, while enhancing ice grip, adversely affects its performance on asphalt. Overall, despite improvements in ice grip, the tire's performance in other areas, particularly in wet conditions and comfort, is lacking.

Positive: Good longitudinal ice grip. Poor wet performance.
Negative: High noise level.