Continental IceContact 3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV

    2026 test data · 11 independent tests

    → See full Continental vs Kumho brand comparison

    Continental IceContact 3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Continental IceContact 3 and Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV appear in 11 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.

    How the Continental IceContact 3 performs. It takes the win in dry. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 10 tests.

    How the Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV performs. It takes the win in wet, snow, ice, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 1 test.

    What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.

    Verdict

    The Continental IceContact 3 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in dry and Tire Lab Score. The Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise snow
    • You prioritise ice

    Test profile

    MetricContinental IceContact 3Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV
    SegmentNordic WinterNordic Winter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used101
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank5.44.4
    Latest test20252022
    Tire Lab Score90.290.1

    Tire Lab Score

    90.2
    Excellent · Nordic Winter
    90.1
    Excellent · Nordic Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryContinental IceContact 3Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUVWinner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 5.8
    123
    Avg rank 2.5
    11
    Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 4.4
    342
    Avg rank 6.5
    Continental IceContact 3
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 6.1
    251
    Avg rank 3.3
    11
    Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 5.5
    113
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 6.9
    26
    Avg rank 4.5
    Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 4.6
    11
    Avg rank 4.0
    Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV

    💧 Wet: Continental IceContact 3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV

    The Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV wins this category with an average rank of 2.5, compared to 5.8 for the Continental IceContact 3.

    ☀️ Dry: Continental IceContact 3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV

    The Continental IceContact 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.4, compared to 6.5 for the Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV.

    ❄️ Snow: Continental IceContact 3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV

    The Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV wins this category with an average rank of 3.3, compared to 6.1 for the Continental IceContact 3.

    🧊 Ice: Continental IceContact 3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV

    The Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 5.5 for the Continental IceContact 3.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Continental IceContact 3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV

    The Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 6.9 for the Continental IceContact 3.

    🔋 Efficiency: Continental IceContact 3 vs Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV

    The Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV wins this category with an average rank of 4.0, compared to 4.6 for the Continental IceContact 3.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Continental IceContact 3 or Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV ranks higher on average than the Continental IceContact 3.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Continental IceContact 3 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV ranks better than the Continental IceContact 3.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Continental IceContact 3 appears in 10 independent tests, Kumho WinterCraft WS51 SUV in 1.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →