Comparison: Kumho WinterCraft WP51 vs. Nokian WR Snowproof (2026)

On wet roads, the Nokian again leads. In the Autobild 2021 braking test — the only direct head-to-head with measured distances — the Nokian stopped in 36.5 m on wet from the reference speed, compared to 37.8 m for the Kumho. That's a meaningful 1.3 m difference, and it aligns with the broader scoring gap: Nokian's wet braking score sits at 68.3 versus 61.6 for the Kumho. The Kumho does show a relative strength in aquaplaning resistance (73.5 vs 65.6 for the Nokian), so in standing water it holds its own better — but in the day-to-day wet-weather braking scenarios that matter most, the Nokian is the safer option.

On dry winter roads, the gap between these two is substantial. The Nokian WR Snowproof posts a dry braking score of 89.0 and an objective dry handling score of 98.5 — figures that put it firmly in the upper tier for a non-premium winter tyre. The Kumho WinterCraft WP51 trails noticeably with a dry braking score of 72.8 and measured dry handling of 73.5. In the one shared comparative test where braking data was recorded, the Nokian's advantage on dry surfaces translates directly to confidence when temperatures drop but roads stay clear. The Kumho feels more hesitant on dry tarmac — adequate for cautious urban use, but not a tyre that inspires confidence during emergency stops on a cold, dry motorway.

Snow performance is where the Kumho WinterCraft WP51 fights hardest. Its ice braking, snow braking, and snow handling scores are all strong — snow braking at 85.0, ice braking at 81.8, snow traction at 78.2 — and this is clearly where its development budget was focused. The Nokian is no slouch either, scoring 82.4 on snow braking and 87.7 on snow acceleration, and in the shared Autobild 2021 test the snow braking distances were very close: 29.2 m for the Nokian versus 29.8 m for the Kumho. Real-world Nokian owners report confidence through heavy snowfall and temperatures down to -25°C, praising everyday winter usability. The Kumho is a creditable snow performer, but the Nokian edges it here too — particularly on ice lateral guidance, where the Finnish tyre scores 86.0 to the Kumho's 78.3.

This is where the Nokian WR Snowproof really distances itself. With a comfort score of 84.4, an interior noise score of 86.6, and exterior noise of 85.4, it is genuinely one of the quieter, more refined winter tyres in its class. Owners consistently comment on its low noise levels and smooth ride — one Toyota Verso owner noted fuel consumption dropped by nearly a litre per 100 km compared to a previous similarly-classed winter tyre, which aligns with the Nokian's outstanding rolling resistance score of 91.7. The Kumho WinterCraft WP51 lags significantly on all these fronts: comfort at 69.9, noise at 70.6, and rolling resistance at just 49.0 — a notably high-resistance compound that will cost you at the pump over a winter season.